As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2024
Registration Statement No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-11
FOR REGISTRATION
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
OF SECURITIES OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE COMPANIES
Lineage, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its governing instruments)
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, Michigan 48377
(800) 678-7271
(Address, including Zip Code and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
Natalie Matsler
Chief Legal Officer
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, Michigan 48377
(800) 678-7271
(Name, Address, including Zip Code and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Julian T.H. Kleindorfer, Esq. Lewis W. Kneib, Esq. Latham & Watkins LLP 355 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, California 90071-1560 (213) 485-1234 |
Scott C. Chase, Esq. David H. Roberts, Esq. Goodwin Procter LLP 100 Northern Avenue Boston, Massachusetts 02210 (617) 570-1000 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box: ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act ☐
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, dated , 2024
Shares
Common Stock
Lineage, Inc.
We are offering shares of our common stock. All of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are being sold by us. This is our initial public offering, and no public market currently exists for our common stock. We expect the initial public offering price of our common stock to be between $ and $ per share.
We intend to apply to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, under the symbol LINE.
We have elected and believe we have qualified to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2020. To assist us in qualifying as a REIT, our charter prohibits, with certain exceptions, the beneficial or constructive ownership by any person of more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of our capital stock or more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of our common stock. In addition, our charter contains various other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our common stock and capital stock. See Description of Our Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer for a description of the ownership and transfer restrictions applicable to our common stock.
After the completion of this offering, affiliates of Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC will continue to own a majority of the voting power of shares of our common stock eligible to vote in the election of our directors. As a result, we will be a controlled company within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the Nasdaq Global Select Market. See ManagementControlled Company Exception and Principal Stockholders.
Investing in our common stock involves risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page 54 for factors you should consider before investing in our common stock.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per Share |
Total |
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Initial public offering price |
$ | $ | ||||||
Underwriting discounts(1) |
$ | $ | ||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
$ | $ |
(1) | We refer you to Underwriters beginning on page 357 of this prospectus for additional information regarding underwriting compensation. |
At our request, the underwriters have reserved percent of the shares of common stock to be issued by us and offered by this prospectus for sale, at the initial public offering price, to (i) certain of our directors, officers and employees, (ii) friends and family members of certain of our directors and officers, (iii) individuals associated with certain of our customers, vendors, landlords and service providers and (iv) certain of our legacy investors, former owners of acquired companies and properties and other industry partners. The number of shares of common stock available for sale to the general public will be reduced to the extent these individuals purchase such reserved shares. Any reserved shares that are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same basis as the other shares offered by this prospectus. See UnderwritersDirected Share Program for additional information.
To the extent that the underwriters sell more than shares of common stock, the underwriters have the option, exercisable within 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an additional shares from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
KKR Capital Markets LLC is acting as our Lead financial advisor in connection with this offering. BDT & MSD Partners, Seven Lakes Partners, and Eastdil Secured Advisors, LLC are also acting as financial advisors in connection with this offering.
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to purchasers on or about .
Joint Bookrunning Managers
Morgan Stanley | Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC |
BofA Securities |
J.P. Morgan | Wells Fargo Securities |
RBC Capital Markets | Rabo Securities | Scotiabank | UBS Investment Bank | Capital One Securities |
Truist Securities |
Evercore ISI | Baird | KeyBanc Capital Markets | Mizuho | PNC Capital Markets LLC | Deutsche Bank Securities | HSBC | Piper Sandler | Regions Securities LLC |
Co-Managers
Blaylock Van, LLC | Cabrera Capital Markets LLC | C.L. King & Associates | Drexel Hamilton | Guzman & Company |
Loop Capital Markets | Roberts & Ryan | R. Seelaus & Co., LLC |
Prospectus dated , 2024
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SUMMARY SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA |
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MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
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DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATING AGREEMENT OF LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC |
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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS |
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F-1 |
Through and including , 20 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealers obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by us. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by us is accurate only as of their respective dates or on the date or dates which are specified in these documents. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
We use market data and industry forecasts and projections throughout this prospectus and, in particular, in the sections entitled Prospectus Summary, Industry Overview and Business and Properties. We have obtained certain of this information from a market study prepared for us in connection with this offering by CBRE, Inc., or CBRE, a nationally recognized real estate services firm. Such information is included in this prospectus in reliance on CBREs authority as an expert on such matters. Any forecasts prepared by CBRE are based on data (including third party data), models and experience of various professionals and are based on various assumptions, all of which are subject to change without notice. See Experts. In addition, we have obtained certain market and industry data from publicly available industry publications. These sources generally state that the information they provide has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but that the
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accuracy and completeness of the information are not guaranteed. Capacity and market share data provided by the Global Cold Chain Alliance, or GCCA, reflects capacity of companies that report to GCCA. North American GCCA data includes GCCAs estimate of capacity owned and operated by U.S. customers themselves based on data from U.S. Department of Agriculture surveys. Global GCCA data also reflects GCCAs estimate of capacity of companies that do not report to GCCA. The forecasts and projections are based on industry surveys and the preparers experience in the industry, and there is no assurance that any of the projected amounts will be achieved. We have not independently verified this information.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In this prospectus, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental performance measures of our business, including NOI, segment NOI, FFO, Core FFO, Adjusted FFO, EBITDA, EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDA and net debt. For definitions of these metrics, reconciliations of these metrics to our net loss of $48.0 million and net income of $18.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and our net loss of $96.2 million, $76.0 million and $176.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and a statement of why our management believes the presentation of these metrics provides useful information to investors and any additional purposes for which management uses such metrics, see Summary Selected Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial and Other DataNon-GAAP Financial Measures.
Certain Terms Used in This Prospectus
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms and phrases are used throughout this prospectus as described below:
| 2024 Plan means the Amended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time; |
| average economic occupancy means the average number of physical pallets on hand and any additional pallet positions otherwise contractually committed and paid for by customers for a given period divided by the approximate number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period; |
| average physical occupancy means the average number of physical pallets on hand divided by the approximate number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period; |
| Bay Grove means Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, a private owner-operator firm founded by our Co-Founders and Co-Executive Chairmen, Adam Forste and Kevin Marchetti, and, unless the context otherwise requires, its affiliates (excluding BGLH but including our Co-Founders); |
| BentallGreenOak means BGO Cold Storage Holdings II, LP and, unless the context otherwise requires, its affiliates; |
| BG Cold means BG Cold, LLC, an affiliate of Bay Grove; |
| BGLH means BG Lineage Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Bay Grove; |
| BGLH Restricted Units means Class B units in BGLH that were issued as compensatory awards and are held by certain of our current and former executive officers, directors and employees; |
| Cash Settlement refers to the settlement by our legacy investors of their BGLH equity or Legacy OP Units for cash in connection with liquidity that we will have arranged, which settlement for cash will generally be effected pursuant to a sale of shares of our common stock back to us or a sale of OP units to us; |
| CMBS means commercial mortgage-backed securities; |
| Co-Founders means our Co-Executive Chairmen, Adam Forste and Kevin Marchetti; |
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| Core WMS means Core Warehouse Management Systems; |
| D1 Capital means D1 Master Holdco II LLC and, unless the context otherwise requires, its affiliates; |
| Delayed Draw Term Loan means our senior unsecured term loan facility with an aggregate principal balance of approximately $2.4 billion; |
| EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; |
| formation transactions means the formation transactions described under "Structure and Formation of our Company; |
| Founders Equity Share means a share of the profits on, and solely borne by, legacy equity that accrues to BG Cold, and more specifically: (i) with respect to our operating partnership, the sub-unit of each Legacy Class A OP Unit referred to herein as the C-Piece Sub-Unit, which C-Piece Sub-Unit represents a share of the profits contained within each Legacy Class A OP Unit; such share of profits is calculated based on a historical formula applicable solely to our legacy investors and borne solely by the Legacy Class A OP Units (and not any other OP units); and such share of profits belongs to BG Cold; and (ii) with respect to BGLH, the right of the Class C units of BGLH to a share of the profits derived from each BGLH Class A unit; such share of profits is calculated based on a historical formula applicable solely to BGLH investors and borne solely within BGLH; and such share of profits belongs to BG Cold; |
| fully diluted basis means information is presented assuming all outstanding Legacy OP Units, OP units and OPEUs have been exchanged for shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis and all equity awards to be issued to our management and members of our board of directors in connection with this offering are outstanding (this definition is not the same as the meaning of fully diluted under GAAP); |
| GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles as promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in the United States of America; |
| ICE4 CMBS loan means our secured senior mortgage debt that had an original principal amount of $2.35 billion; |
| IT means information technology; |
| KPI means key performance indicator; |
| Legacy Class A OP Units means a class of Legacy OP Units held by our legacy pre-offering investors that bears the Founders Equity Share; each Legacy Class A OP Unit represents the same proportionate share of ownership in our operating partnership as a single OP unit, but each Legacy Class A OP Unit is comprised of two sub-units, the A-Piece Sub-Unit and the C-Piece Sub-Unit, which have different beneficial owners; |
| Legacy Class B OP Units means a class of Legacy OP Units held by our legacy pre-offering investors (including certain of our current and former officers and employees) that does not bear the Founders Equity Share; each Legacy Class B OP Unit represents the same proportionate share of ownership in our operating partnership as a single OP unit; |
| Legacy OP Units means units of partnership interest in our operating partnership that represent pre-offering rights of legacy investors in our operating partnership; each Legacy OP Unit represents the same proportionate share of ownership in our operating partnership as a single OP unit; the Legacy OP Units are made up of both Legacy Class A OP Units and Legacy Class B OP Units; |
| LHR means the Legacy Holder Representative appointed by holders of Legacy OP Units to act as their representative pursuant to the partnership agreement of our operating partnership. The initial LHR will be an affiliate of BGLH; |
| Lineage, we, our, us and our company mean Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including our operating partnership; |
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| Lineage Holdings means Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC; |
| Lineage OP means Lineage OP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
| LMEP Units means existing Class C Units in LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, which units are incentive equity interests held by certain of our current and former officers and employees; |
| LTIP units means units of our operating partnership intended to constitute profits interests within the meaning of the relevant IRS Revenue Procedure guidance; |
| LVCP Awards means awards granted under the LVCP Plans; |
| LVCP Plans means, collectively, the following historic incentive plans for certain of our officers and employees: the Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC 2021 Value Creation Unit Plan, the Amended and Restated Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC 2015 Value Creation Unit Plan and any other plan under which we or our affiliates have granted awards of value creation units, each as amended or supplemented from time to time; |
| maintenance capital expenditures means capitalized funds used to maintain assets that will result in an extended useful life; |
| minimum storage guarantees mean contractual provisions in our agreements with customers that provide us with minimum or fixed storage fees for pallet positions, whether or not a minimum number of pallet positions are physically occupied in a particular period; |
| Nasdaq means the Nasdaq Global Select Market; |
| NOI means net operating income; |
| OPEUs means units of our subsidiary, Lineage Holdings, that are intended to be economically equivalent to, and exchangeable into, OP units; |
| OP units means common units of partnership interest in our operating partnership; |
| our operating partnership means, prior to its conversion to a Maryland limited partnership in connection with the formation transactions, Lineage OP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and after such conversion, Lineage OP, LP, a Maryland limited partnership, through which we will hold substantially all of our assets and conduct our operations; |
| Oxford means Oxford Properties Group, OMERS Administration Corporation or any of their respective affiliates; |
| pro forma basis means information is presented assuming the completion of this offering, the formation transactions and the other adjustments described in our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus had occurred on March 31, 2024 for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet data and on January 1, 2023 for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations; |
| REIT means real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement means our $4.5 billion revolving credit and term loan agreement; |
| Revolving Credit Facility means our $3.5 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility pursuant to the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement; |
| same warehouse means warehouses that were owned, leased or managed for the entirety of two comparable periods and that have reported at least twelve months of consecutive normalized operations prior to January 1 of the prior calendar year; |
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| same warehouse NOI means revenues for the same warehouse population less its cost of operations (excluding any depreciation and amortization, impairment charges and corporate-level general and administrative expenses, corporate-level acquisition, transaction, and other expense, corporate-level restructuring and impairment expense and gain or loss on sale of real estate); |
| Securities Settlement refers to the settlement by our legacy investors of their BGLH equity for shares of our common stock or their Legacy OP Units for OP units; |
| segment NOI means segment net operating income, calculated as a segments revenues less its cost of operations (excluding any depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, corporate-level general and administrative expenses, corporate-level acquisition, transaction, and other expense and corporate-level restructuring and impairment expenses); |
| Senior Unsecured Notes means, collectively, our Series A Senior Notes, Series B Senior Note, Series C Senior Notes, Series D Senior Notes, Series E Senior Note, Series F Senior Note, Series G Senior Note, Series H Senior Notes and Series I Senior Notes; |
| stockholders agreement means the stockholders agreement among us, BGLH, D1 Capital, Stonepeak, BentallGreenOak, Adam Forste and Kevin Marchetti that we intend to enter into in connection with this offering and the formation transactions; |
| Stonepeak means Stonepeak Aspen Holdings LLC and, unless the context otherwise requires, its affiliates; |
| Term Loan means our $1.0 billion senior unsecured term loan facility pursuant to the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement; and |
| throughput means the volume of inbound pallets that enter our warehouses plus the volume of outbound pallets that exit our warehouses, divided by two. |
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Dear Prospective Investors,
In 2008, from a small office on Battery Street in San Francisco, we committed to a simple but ambitious vision: to build a company that we would want to own forever. We were inspired by the type of business we would build, the people we would build it with and the belief we would build it to last. Sixteen years later, Lineage has come a long way in achieving that vision. Preparing for our IPO has allowed us to further distill our thinkingnot only as we explain Lineage to you, but also as we define what success looks like for the next fifteen years and beyond.
We are fond of saying that our IPO is the opposite of an exit. It is a new beginning. Now, as we take this important step, we think it would be helpful to share why we are going public. We have been privileged to raise a considerable amount of private capital from some of the highest quality investors in the world. We are humbled by their belief in Lineage and are grateful for their long-term alignment with us. We have no pressure to go public and believe a significant portion of our current investors will want to remain long-term owners of Lineage as a publicly traded company, ourselves included.
Becoming a publicly traded company is a momentous decision and not without certain well-known considerations. However, we strongly believe the public market is the best way to deliver growth at scale by providing us with the advantages of a liquid currency and direct access to a lower cost of capital to further fuel our growth flywheel. Moreover, we believe that if we can remain true to what has made us successful as a private company, we will be even more successful as a publicly traded one.
Many companies and investors talk about building for the long term. What that has meant for us from the beginning, and even more so today, is being focused on one thing: building Lineage into the most dynamic and durable company it can be. This has been our only focus for the last sixteen years and will remain our lifes work going forward. In fact, we believe we are still in the very early innings of a long, successful journey. After many years of making hard, expensive, forward-thinking decisions to build a forever company, establish an irreplaceable network and develop a differentiated technology platform, it is really beginning to get fun.
The business we built. When we were getting our idea off the ground in late 2008, we wanted to build something durable that we could grow. The stability of cold storage and the opportunity to accretively deploy capital in a fragmented and growing industry really appealed to us. Most of all, we were drawn to the quiet complexity of something that seemed so simple from the outside. Acquiring Seafreeze and spending a year in Seattle learning how to make money in the business only reinforced our view that the operating intensity of this business was going to be our greatest moat. It was also clear that with effort, time and capital, we could pull powerful operating levers at a network-wide scale.
We also saw enormous waste in the systemclear opportunities to innovate and make the asset, network, and ecosystem more efficient. It was readily apparent that the industry was not zero-sum but rather additive-sum and that we could simultaneously create customer value, grow shareholder value, and reduce resource consumption by building a better supply chain. Over the last sixteen years, we have invested our capital into our portfolio, as well as big data, automation, data science, and, most importantly, talent. We believe we have created a scaled, tech-enabled company with both tangible and intangible assets that can continue to compound value. We are also confident we can continue to do good while doing well by driving greater sustainability and reducing food waste at a global scale.
The people we built with. It all started with our friendship from our early days in the bullpen at Morgan Stanley. We are fortunate to have grown that into a business partnership that continues to thrive after sixteen very intense years. The trust built from those early experiences, and a shared view that culture really matters, has been at our foundation from the beginning.
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We often remind ourselves that culture is extremely difficult to build and very easy to lose. Our personal reputation as founders and the reputation of Lineage is very important to us. We work hard with the leadership team to make Lineage a special, fulfilling, and safe place to work for our team members. We strive to do right by people inside and outside of our company, including investing in our communities and fighting food insecurity. We are committed to being an excellent partner to our customers, our suppliers, our investors, our communities, our advisors, and the companies we acquire. We do what we say we are going to do.
At an even simpler level, it is about working with people you enjoy being around and having fun. Lineages esprit de corps is part of our secret sauce. We have been privileged to have so many incredible people join Lineage from diverse backgrounds and through acquired companies to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. We have acquired numerous family-owned companies, and from our early days, we wanted Lineage to feel like a family. Fueled by our purposeto transform the global food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the worldwe work at building community every day, especially as our company has grown. For us, it is about getting to know our colleagues and their families and celebrating our wins together. But we also hold each other accountable, remain humble and acknowledge that every day is a day we can learn and do better together.
As founders, we have been all-in since day one and have committed to building that ownership mindset throughout the organization. It led us to form our first employee equity ownership plan in 2010 and now inspires us to expand it into a broad-based equity plan as part of our IPO. A deep ownership mentality is a key to how Lineage has become what it is today and will be a crucible of how to keep our strong culture and our drive as a publicly traded company.
Built for the future. For us, long term is an ethos. Forever was the defining idea from the beginning and led us to do many things differently than we might otherwise have if our horizon had been shorter. Partly because we started Lineage with a blank sheet as industry outsiders and partly due to the timing of when we started the company, we could shape what we wanted to build and do it in a differentiated way. For any key decision, we always asked ourselves to look into the distant future and imagine that Lineage was the disruptor in a global, mission-critical industry and work backwards from there. Often, the more difficult and more expensive solutions were the ones we believed would better position us for the competitive landscape in the future.
After culture, we focused on portfolio design. Though we did not come from real estate backgrounds, we knew location matters and intentionally bought and built what we believed was the highest quality portfolio of buildings in the markets with the best rent growth potential and lowest cap rates. We often decided to pay a little more or construct at a higher quality because we believed it would provide the best and most sustainable long-term portfolio for our customers. We then invested to maintain those assets at the highest level. We intend to continue this approach as a publicly traded company and seek to deploy our capital into strategically and financially accretive opportunities with an emphasis on compounding long-term shareholder value while driving the highest relative value quotient throughout our network for our customers.
We were also able to take a differentiated strategy towards technology. Acting on our deep conviction that innovation would be the way to modernize this industry and eliminate waste at a global level, we have consistently stayed on the leading (sometimes bleeding) edge of technology. Going directly to cloud technologies early in our journey enabled us to scale the business quickly. It also allowed us to create a large, centralized data asset onto which we could build innovative, proprietary tools. We have invested heavily in our transformational technology (over $725 million since 2019) to enhance customer experience, make our team members more successful and optimize both energy usage and our physical assets while simultaneously reducing waste in the supply chain.
Reflecting on the last sixteen years is motivating. At inception, it was impossible to imagine we could grow from one warehouse with about 340,000 square feet and around 100 team members to a global business with over 480 warehouses, comprising over 84 million square feet, and supported by over 26,000 team members in 19 countries. In hindsight, the strategy was sound, and the timing was good. However, what really made the
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difference was the compounding impact of having an aligned organization that strove to make good decisions; worked hard; put our team members, customers and communities first; delivered for our investors; and consistently thought about the long term. If we continue to do that from here, then the best is yet to come.
A key part of our culture is pausing to recognize each other for living our purpose, embodying our values, and acknowledging the little and the big things we do to take the company forward. At a moment like this, it is inspiring to think about how many people have helped Lineage become what it is today. From the customers that store their most important products with us, to our team members who brave the cold and help grow the business, to the families that sold us their businesses, to our existing investors who continue to believe in us, it all comes down to Trust (with a big T). We are thrilled to have the opportunity to earn yours!
Adam Forste & Kevin Marchetti
Founders and Co-Executive Chairmen
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The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the section entitled Risk Factors, as well as our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before making an investment decision. Unless otherwise indicated, the information contained in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is not exercised.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to transform the global food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world.
Built with the vision of creating a more sustainable future, we are a leading mission-critical, temperature-controlled infrastructure provider for the storage, handling and movement of food around the world. It is estimated that approximately one-third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted and 12% is lost due to a lack of refrigeration. We offer solutions to the complexities of the cold chainthe vital network linking food from farm to forkthrough our strategically located and scaled network of temperature-controlled warehouses and our technology-enabled platform.
Our Company
We are the worlds largest global temperature-controlled warehouse REIT, with a modern and strategically located network of properties. Our business is competitively positioned to deliver a seamless end-to-end, technology-enabled, customer experience for thousands of customers, each with their own unique requirements in the temperature-controlled supply chain. As of March 31, 2024, we operated an interconnected global temperature-controlled warehouse network, comprising over 84.1 million square feet and 3.0 billion cubic feet of capacity across 482 warehouses predominantly located in densely populated critical-distribution markets, with 312 in North America, 82 in Europe and 88 in Asia-Pacific. We have a well-diversified and stable customer base and currently serve more than 13,000 customers that include household names of the largest food retailers, manufacturers, processors and food service distributors in the industry. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, no single customer accounted for more than 3.3% of our revenues. In the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, we generated $5.3 billion of revenue, $162.8 million of net loss, $1.8 billion of NOI and $1.3 billion of Adjusted EBITDA.
We operate our business through two segments:
| Global warehousing, which utilizes our high-quality industrial real estate properties to provide temperature-controlled warehousing storage and services to our customers and represented approximately 86% of our total NOI for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024; and |
| Global integrated solutions, which complements warehousing with supply chain services to facilitate the movement of products through the food supply chain to generate cost savings for customers and additional revenue streams for our company and represented approximately 14% of our total NOI for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. |
To augment our leading position in the temperature-controlled warehousing sector, we have invested more than $725 million since the start of 2019 in transformational technology initiatives to deliver enhanced customer value and operational efficiencies, including software development and implementation, establishment of in-house data science, product development and automation teams and selected acquisitions. We believe that we are
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an industry leader in technological innovation and that deploying these technologies supports potential strong same warehouse NOI growth and cash flow generation. Key elements of our technology strategy include leveraging both proprietary and what we believe are best-in-class systems to integrate acquisitions and development projects onto common information technology platforms to enable increased operational standardization and productivity; developing and deploying innovative tools to enhance our operations; deploying our in-house data science team to create optimization opportunities; developing patented innovations supporting critical areas of our business; and offering industry-leading automation capabilities. We have been recognized by multiple third parties as a leading industry innovator, including being listed among the CNBC Disruptor 50 in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 and being recognized by Fast Company as one of the 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2019, including being ranked first in the Data Science category.
Our team members are the bedrock of Lineage, and we employ a workforce of over 26,000 team members across 19 countries. We were recognized as a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte and the Wall Street Journal in both 2022 and 2023. We are headquartered in Novi, Michigan, and we were listed as one of Michigans Top Workplaces in 2022 by The Detroit Free Press. Our focus on our six core values of safe, trust, respect, innovation, bold and servant leadership drive our company forward every day.
Our Founding Story
Our journey began in late 2008 when Adam Forste and Kevin Marchetti acquired Seafreeze, our first cold storage warehouse in Seattle. The strategy and vision behind this investment was simplebuild a company to own forever with durable, growing cash flows and the ability to compound capital efficiently over a long duration.
We have always believed that temperature-controlled warehousing is a sector ripe for long-term investment to build a differentiated and institutional-quality platform. The driving forces of our temperature-controlled warehousing investment thesis at our founding remain true today:
| temperature-controlled warehousing demand is driven by frozen and refrigerated food, and such demand is growing and naturally resilient across macroeconomic cycles; |
| temperature-controlled warehousing is asset-rich and operationally complex, both of which serve as the foundations for building a well-capitalized and disruptive industry leader; |
| the temperature-controlled warehousing market is fragmented and is likely to benefit from institutional ownership, increased capital investment and large-scale innovation; and |
| temperature-controlled warehousing is mission critical to customers and often represents a relatively modest expense compared to their other supply chain costs and a small portion of overall costs of goods sold. |
We believe that cold storage is an attractive, growing and durable industry that plays a mission-critical role in the food supply chain. In 2012, after making several acquisitions, we rebranded our company as Lineage and adopted the Lineage shield as our logo. Lineages roots run deep, dating as far back as the founding of New Orleans Cold Storage in 1886. Over the last 16 years, we have welcomed some of the most prestigious and well-respected cold chain companies in the world into the Lineage family through 116 acquisitions. Most of these companies were family owned and operated, and we have always placed significant value on the legacies of the companies that have become part of the Lineage story. Many of the owners of these companies have become investors in our company, and many of the family members and employees of these companies continue to work with us today. The Lineage name reflects the heritage and pedigree of all these companies while the Lineage shield logo represents our strength and conviction that the whole is greater than the sum of our parts.
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Lineage Today
Today, we are an organization that is still deeply rooted in generations of temperature-controlled warehousing expertise while also pushing the cutting edge of technology and innovation in our sector. When we welcome new companies into our organization, we strive to integrate their best practices, insights and accomplishments into our existing processes to drive value for our customers and stockholders.
Since our founding nearly 16 years ago, we have been focused on reducing waste in the food supply chain, which creates customer value, drives Lineages profitability and often reduces resource consumption broadly with a positive sustainability benefit. We have built a dynamic culture to support doing good while doing well.
Throughout our history as a private company, we have focused on making decisions based on the long-term interests of our company and its stakeholders. As a public company, we intend to continue taking a long-term approach in our journey to build a more efficient, sustainable and resilient food supply chainall while taking care of our customers, team members and communities and maximizing stockholder value.
Our Global Warehousing Segment
The backbone of our business is our mission-critical network of sophisticated, modern and strategically-located temperature-controlled warehouses.
As of March 31, 2024, our warehousing portfolio encompassed 463 warehouses featuring distribution, public, production advantaged and managed warehouse operations and contained approximately 81.9 million square feet, 2.9 billion cubic feet and 9.8 million pallet positions, with a cubic-foot weighted average age of 21 years. We also believe we have the largest automated temperature-controlled portfolio with 81 automated facilities, 24 of which are fully automated and 57 of which are semi-automated. The following table provides summary information regarding the warehouses in our portfolio that we owned, leased, or managed as of, or for the twelve months ended, March 31, 2024, as applicable.
Region |
Number of Warehouses |
Cubic feet (in millions) |
Percent of total cubic feet |
Pallet positions (in thousands) |
Average economic occupancy |
Average physical occupancy |
Revenues (in millions) |
Segment NOI (in millions) |
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North America |
293 | 2,057 | 70.5 | % | 6,198 | 86.6 | % | 78.8 | % | $ | 2,924 | $ | 1,191 | |||||||||||||||||||
Europe |
82 | 616 | 21.1 | % | 2,599 | 82.8 | % | 79.5 | % | 598 | 201 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Asia-Pacific |
88 | 244 | 8.4 | % | 1,008 | 81.8 | % | 79.0 | % | 346 | 115 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Average/Total(1) |
463 | 2,917 | 100.0 | % | 9,804 | 85.1 | % | 79.0 | % | $ | 3,868 | $ | 1,507 | |||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | Totals may not sum due to rounding. Excludes 19 warehouses in our global integrated solutions segment. We categorize warehouses as part of our global integrated solutions segment if the primary business conducted in those warehouses is within our global integrated solutions segment. |
As of March 31, 2024, we owned, operated, leased and managed multiple types of temperature-controlled warehouses across our global network, which we group into four types: distribution, public, production advantaged and managed warehouses.
| Distribution centers are warehouses that typically store products for multiple customers often in or near difficult to duplicate metropolitan, infill or port locations. |
| Public warehouses are warehouses that typically store products for multiple customers usually outside metropolitan and infill locations. |
| Production advantaged warehouses are warehouses adjacent to or near customer production facilities. |
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| Managed warehouses are facilities owned or leased by the customer for which we manage the warehouse operations on their behalf. |
Warehouse Type |
Cubic Feet (in millions) |
Pallet Positions (in thousands) |
Number of Warehouses |
NOI (in millions)(3) |
Percentage of total NOI(3) |
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Distribution |
2,035 | 6,666 | 283 | $ | 1,150 | 76.3 | % | |||||||||||||
Public |
478 | 1,975 | 125 | 180 | 11.9 | % | ||||||||||||||
Production Advantaged |
291 | 1,163 | 41 | 159 | 10.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
Managed / Other(1) |
112 | | 14 | 18 | 1.2 | % | ||||||||||||||
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Total(2) |
2,917 | 9,804 | 463 | $ | 1,507 | 100 | % | |||||||||||||
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(1) | Includes costs associated with land held for development. |
(2) | Totals may not sum due to rounding. Excludes 19 warehouses in our global integrated solutions segment. We categorize warehouses as part of our global integrated solutions segment if the primary business conducted in those warehouses is within our global integrated solutions segment. |
(3) | For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. |
Our broad network of warehouses is weighted towards high-population density markets and port locations, with a weighted average population density of approximately 3,100 persons per square mile and 241 port facilities across our network. We define a warehouse as a port facility if it is within 30 miles of a port that performs commercial or trade-related activity. These markets feature high value real estate that serve as critical nodes in our customers supply chains, which we believe in turn supports high economic occupancy, low volatility in demand, productive NOI generation and strong growth.
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The following maps show the locations of our temperature-controlled warehouses around the world as of March 31, 2024.
Note: Includes 19 warehouses in our global integrated solutions segment and countries where we only have a presence through our global integrated solutions segment.
(1) | Based on global warehousing segment revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. Reflects countries in which our local network of temperature-controlled warehouses is the largest, as measured by cubic feet capacity. |
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Global Map of Assets with Population Density
(1) | U.S. data per U.S. Census Bureau, ArcGis, public filings and SNL. |
(2) | Non-U.S. data per NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) managed by the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Earth Institute, Columbia University. |
We store frozen and perishable food and other products and provide related warehouse services for our customers. Storage revenues relate to the act of storing products for our customers within our warehouses. Storage revenues can be in the form of storage fees we charge customers for utilization of non-exclusive space or a set amount of reserved space in a warehouse, blast freezing fees we charge customers for utilization of specific ultra-cold spaces within a warehouse designed to rapidly reduce product temperature and rent we charge customers for the lease of warehouse space pursuant to a lease agreement. Warehouse services fees relate to handling and other services required to prepare and move customers pallets into, out of and around our facilities. As part of our warehouse services, we offer handling, case picking, order assembly and load consolidation, quality control, re-packaging and government-approved inspections, among other services, for which we charge fees. Across our warehouses, we primarily offer frozen storage temperatures and in many facilities we also offer chill temperatures, which are higher than freezing but lower than ambient. We also manage warehouses for customers on a limited basis.
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As of March 31, 2024, the cubic-foot weighted average age of our portfolio was approximately 21 years, which we believe is significantly younger than that of our largest publicly-traded peer and of the broader temperature-controlled industry. In addition, many of our warehouses may operate in a way that is functionally younger than their age given the substantial investments or refurbishments we have made that do not factor into the age calculation in areas such as maintenance, automation, energy efficiency and sustainability. From 2021 through March 31, 2024, we have invested over $474 million in recurring maintenance capital and integration expenditures we incur when we acquire new warehouses and approximately $366 million in repair and maintenance operating expense across our existing warehouse network because we believe that a more modern and consistently maintained network enhances prospects of winning new customers, retaining existing customers, extending our networks useful lives and driving more efficient operations, improved profitability and greater cash flow.
Our Global Integrated Solutions Segment
Our global integrated solutions segment provides our customers with solutions to move products through the food supply chain. The majority of our customers supply chain costs come from the movement of their products between warehouse nodes, rather than from the cost of warehousing. We believe transportation represents on average more than three times the cost of warehousing as part of our customers supply chain expense. Our integrated solutions provide value-added benefits to warehousing customers, helping them to reduce transport costs while enabling us to generate additional revenue on the same product stored.
We operate several critical and value-added temperature-controlled business lines within our global integrated solutions segment, including, among others, transportation and refrigerated rail car leasing. Within transportation, which is the largest area within our global integrated solutions segment, our core focus areas are multi-vendor less-than-full-truckload consolidation, drayage services to and from ports, over-the-road trucking and freight forwarding. We also provide foodservice distribution in select markets and e-commerce fulfillment services. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, transportation and refrigerated rail car leasing together accounted for approximately 67% of our global integrated solutions segment NOI.
We believe that data-driven visibility into our customers warehouse volumes and shipping destinations enables us to provide efficient integrated solutions. These services deepen our customer relationships, allow for an all services under one roof experience and promote cross-sale opportunities within our warehouses. As we collaborate with our customers across their supply chains, we seek to reduce waste and redundancy and deliver more cost efficient and sustainable solutions for them. We believe that our comprehensive set of integrated solutions offerings differentiates us from our competitors, positions us well to win new business, strengthens customer retention and enhances the value of our warehousing business.
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The following chart summarizes our total NOI generation from Lineage warehouse customers who utilize one or more integrated solutions and Lineage customers who exclusively utilize Lineage integrated solutions:
NOI by Customer Type
(1) | Estimated based on global warehousing segment NOI for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 and, as it relates to Lineages global integrated solutions segment NOI, the relative revenue contribution from Lineage warehouse customers who utilize one or more integrated solutions and Lineage customers who exclusively utilize Lineage integrated solutions. |
(2) | Total NOI represents the sum of both the global warehousing segment and global integrated solutions segment. |
Market Opportunity
We believe temperature-controlled warehousing and integrated solutions are an essential part of safeguarding the global food supply chain, as they provide perishable food producers, distributors, retailers and foodservice providers access to food-grade storage facilities and supply chain services critical for maintaining food safety, while promoting sustainability from farm to table. IBISWorld projects that U.S. cold storage revenue will grow 3% annually over the next five years to $9.6 billion in 2028. We also believe that the temperature-controlled warehousing market is large, growing and resilient, driven by the durability of food consumption through macro cycles, stock-keeping unit proliferation, global population growth, rising disposable incomes and shifting consumer preferences towards perishable foods. These factors further increase the need for additional temperature-controlled warehousing capacity to meet current and anticipated future market demand. The market remains fragmented, with the top ten temperature-controlled warehousing operators representing only 23.5% of the global public temperature-controlled warehousing cubic feet capacity. Given the fragmented nature of the market, we believe that large, well-capitalized operators like Lineage are often best positioned to meet the growing demand for cold storage, provide value-added integrated solutions to their customers and differentiate themselves through investments in technology.
Generally, steady demand in the food industry has created consistent cold chain demand, which has provided our business with strong cash flows even during periods of broader economic stress. As shown in the figure below, the U.S. temperature-controlled warehousing industry has experienced relatively stable revenue growth, even in periods marked by significant turmoil in the global financial markets, commodity shocks, secular
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shifts in consumer habits and preferences, the global COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing supply chain disruption and periods of significant global inflation.
Resilient Industry Dynamic
(1) | Per IBISWorld report. |
(2) | 2023 GCCA North America Top 25 List (May 2023). |
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe we are the premier technology-enabled temperature-controlled warehousing REIT in the world, as evidenced by the following competitive strengths:
We are the global leader in a fragmented industry with meaningful scale and network benefits.
We are the largest temperature-controlled warehousing company globally, including in some of the worlds largest developed markets such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia and New Zealand. As measured by cubic feet of storage space, we are approximately twice the size of our next largest competitor globally and are as large as our next nine global competitors combined, as reflected in the charts below.
Estimate of Top 10 Global Temperature-Controlled
Companies Cubic Feet Capacity and Market Share
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Source: | 2024 GCCA Global Top 25 List (April 2024), except Lineage figures, which are based on company data as of March 31, 2024, and Americold Realty Trust, Inc. (Americold) figures, which are based on public filings of Americold with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as of March 31, 2024. We present data with respect to Americold, as Americold is our largest competitor for whom data is publicly available. Global market share is based on total global capacity from 2020 GCCA Global Cold Storage Capacity Report (August 2020). |
(1) | As of March 31, 2024, Lineage owned 9.0% of the investment interests in Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings LLC as well as a right to receive an additional portion of certain profits generated by Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings LLC, which could represent anywhere from zero to 10% of the additional profits generated on invested capital. |
Estimate of Top 10 North American Temperature-Controlled
Companies Cubic Feet Capacity and Market Share
Source: | 2024 GCCA North America Top 25 List (April 2024), except Lineage figures, which are based on company data as of March 31, 2024, and Americold figures, which are based on public filings of Americold with the SEC as of March 31, 2024. North America market share based total North American capacity from 2020 GCCA Global Cold Storage Capacity Report (August 2020). |
Approximately 97% of our global warehousing segment revenues are from countries in which our local network of temperature-controlled warehouses is the largest, as measured by cubic feet of capacity. The interconnected nature of our global warehouse network aligns with the global nature of many of our customers, allowing us to provide warehousing services to many of them across multiple geographies. On average, our top 25 customers utilize 23 of our facilities per customer, and eight of our top 10 customers use our facilities in multiple countries.
We believe that our network and the economies of scale in our business drive operational leverage and allow us to invest in customer service and technology, which, in turn, attracts more customers. With a larger customer base, we believe that we can leverage our resources more efficiently, supporting strong profitability. Moreover, our growing customer base enables us to gather and analyze vast amounts of data. We believe that this data-driven approach empowers us to continuously refine our operations, improve productivity and lower operating costs, creating a win-win scenario for both our customers and Lineage.
We believe that it would be difficult and costly to replace or replicate our network of temperature-controlled facilities given the high and rising value of industrial land, difficulties in obtaining land and zoning entitlements and
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approvals and the significant and increasing construction costs of temperature-controlled warehouses. As of March 31, 2024, we owned approximately 80% of our global warehousing portfolio as a percentage of square feet, including ground leases and real estate for which we possess bargain purchase options, and we leased or managed 20% of our global warehousing portfolio as a percentage of square feet.
Our high quality portfolio is located in highly desirable and strategic locations around the world.
Our cubic-foot weighted average facility age is approximately 21 years, which we believe is significantly younger than that of our largest publicly traded peer and of the broader temperature-controlled warehousing industry. Moreover, our portfolio includes 81 fully- and semi-automated warehouses, which we believe is the most of any cold storage provider in the world, making our network the most technologically advanced in our industry. We believe that modern warehouses are more desirable to our customers because of their increased operational efficiency and enhanced ability to meet todays most sophisticated customer needs.
We have a robust presence in key metropolitan statistical areas, or MSAs, and ports throughout the United States with a larger number of facilities in such locations relative to our largest competitor, which drives a significantly higher weighted average population density of approximately 3,100 persons per square mile.
We have a particularly strong presence in top-tier U.S. markets, including New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles and Southern California, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Kansas City, Denver, Philadelphia, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, the Bay Area and Northern California, Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. We consider these U.S. markets to be key geographies, as we believe they have among the highest industrial real estate values and lowest cap rates in our industry.
Our business is highly diversified across geographies, commodities and a high-quality, loyal customer base.
Our business profile is highly diversified, which reduces risks to our cash flows from potential headwinds linked to any one facility, market, commodity, food consumption channel or customer. We have 482 facilities globally, with no facility accounting for more than 1.1% of revenues during the twelve months ended March 31, 2024.
The following charts provide information regarding the temperature-controlled warehouses in our global warehousing segment that we owned, leased or managed in each of the regions in which we operated as of March 31, 2024.
Warehouse Segment Geographic Revenue and NOI Diversification
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Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
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In addition, our global warehousing segment revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 were diversified by commodity type as demonstrated by the graph below.
Commodity Type as Percentage of Global Warehousing Segment Revenue
Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
As of March 31, 2024, we served more than 13,000 customers around the world across numerous commodity categories and with complex requirements in the food supply chain. Our customer base was highly diversified, with no customer accounting for more than 3.3% of revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024.
The following chart sets forth the percentage of our total revenues attributable to our top 15 and top 25 customers for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024.
Customers as Percentage of Total Revenue
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We target dependable customers with strong credit profiles, as evidenced by the fact that over 60% of the revenue generated from our top 25 customers is from companies with at least one investment grade rating at the parent or subsidiary level from Moodys, S&P or Fitch. Additionally, 93% of our top 25 customers that are publicly-traded or have a publicly-traded parent company also have at least one investment grade rating.
Our customer base is loyal, with a weighted average customer relationship, including relationships with legacy companies we have acquired, of over 30 years across our current top 25 customers based on revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. We believe this loyalty is driven by:
| the mission-critical role we play in our customers cold chain; |
| the expansive and interconnected nature of our warehouse network; |
| the locations of our warehouses and the services we offer; |
| the comprehensive suite of integrated solutions that we offer to our customers; and |
| excellent customer service and innovative technologies. |
Our complementary, value-added global integrated solutions segment drives customer value, retention and growth.
In addition to our temperature-controlled warehousing operations, we offer a comprehensive suite of value-added integrated solutions that we believe are highly complementary and valuable to our warehouse customers. These services deepen our customer relationships by providing an all services under one roof experience and promoting cross-sell opportunities. Given the majority of our customers supply chain costs come from product movement versus storage, this integration provides a value-added benefit to warehousing customers of reducing transport costs while enabling us to generate additional revenue on the same product stored. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, we estimate that approximately 93% of our total NOI was generated by our warehouse customers (based on our global warehousing segment NOI and, as it relates to our global integrated solutions segment NOI, the relative revenue contribution from our warehouse customers who utilize one or more of our integrated solutions and our customers who exclusively utilize our integrated solutions).
We believe we can grow our global integrated solutions segment by offering these services to customers who have not yet utilized them, often with minimal incremental capital investments required, and likewise that our integrated solutions offerings can generate customer leads for our global warehousing segment.
Our highly synergistic platform differentiates us from our competitors, supports a strong win rate with new business, enhances customer loyalty and increases the value of our warehousing business.
We believe we are an innovative industry leader driving disruption with differentiated technology.
In a traditionally analog, fragmented and family-owned industry, we believe that our innovation and large-scale deployment of cutting-edge technology provides a comprehensive service offering for our customers that enhances our competitive position relative to our peers, while driving industry-leading growth and margins. Since the start of 2019, we have invested more than $725 million into transformational technology initiatives, which include developing, acquiring and deploying both proprietary operating systems and third-party platforms, an amount we believe is more than any of our industry competitors. In addition, since the start of 2019, we have deployed approximately $380 million to capital and operating expenses in information technology investments. This investment encompasses migrating workloads to the cloud, implementing SaaS-based tools, rolling out next-generation SD-WAN, and upgrading our core human capital and financial ERP software. These initiatives are strategically designed to standardize, integrate, and enhance the technological framework across our enterprise. In addition, our deliberate and forward-thinking focus has allowed us to create what we believe is the largest automated portfolio in the industry with 81 fully-and semi-automated facilities backed by innovative proprietary software and an in-house automation team.
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Due to the increasing demand for automated solutions from our customers, the higher construction cost of automated facilities and the complexity of implementing automated solutions, we expect the growth of automation in our warehouse network to be a key differentiator for Lineage over time.
Some key elements of our technology strategy include the following:
| Establishing a highly integrated platform. We use a standardized and disciplined approach to apply our best practices to integrating acquired companies. This has been a core part of our strategy since our inception. As of March 31, 2024, approximately 95% of our global warehousing segment revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 was integrated on our human capital and financial enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. As of March 31, 2024, approximately 69% of our global warehousing segment revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 flowed through one of our four Core WMS, excluding facilities leased to customers and managed facilities. We are in the process of growing this percentage across our network. From 2019 through March 31, 2024, we converted over 100 facilities to Core WMS, demonstrating our strong conversion record and ability to increase the penetration rate quickly. As of March 31, 2024, all of our global warehousing segment revenue was reporting on metricsOne, a proprietary operating KPI dashboard that provides enhanced visibility into our operational execution, labor, safety and financial performance. |
| Providing a superior customer experience to support growth and retention. We have deployed proprietary operating systems and third-party platforms to improve customer experience and retention. We have developed Lineage Link, a proprietary customer visibility platform that empowers customers to actively manage their inventories, orders, shipments and transportation appointment scheduling across our warehouse network, which seeks to drive incremental NOI through increased efficiencies for customers and Lineage. Through March 31, 2024, Lineage Link had been rolled out across approximately 63% of our network as measured by global warehousing segment revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, and we are in the process of further growing its penetration. We believe these technologies will support customer retention as we improve our responsiveness to our customers complex and evolving needs. |
| Maximizing yield and productivity to support leading NOI growth. We are in the initial phases of deploying proprietary operating systems and third-party platforms to seek to drive NOI yield, operational productivity and process automation across our warehouse network and thereby drive margin improvement. Our specialized warehouse execution system, LinOS, is engineered to boost our operational efficiency. It employs unique, patented algorithms to optimize task allocation among team members and strategically prioritize tasks within our warehouses. Currently operational in one of our automated facilities, LinOS shows significant potential for extensive deployment across our conventional warehouse network in the future. In addition, we are implementing a third-party contracting and invoicing platform that automates the processes of quoting, contracting and invoicing, which we believe will lead to more dynamic and standardized implementation of revenue growth initiatives. As of March 31, 2024, this platform had been rolled out across facilities comprising approximately 58% of our network as measured by global warehousing segment revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, and we are in the process of further growing its penetration. In addition, our productivity and process automation initiatives are supported by our in-house data science team, which is comprised of 50 applied science and product professionals that provide data-driven business intelligence and innovations to maximize operational efficiencies, revenues, profitability, energy efficiency and cash flows. Our innovations have yielded 96 patents issued and 151 patents pending as of March 31, 2024, in such areas as facility design, methods and mechanisms for operating facilities, refrigeration and thermodynamic designs and cold-rated instrumentation. |
We have a purpose-driven, experienced and aligned management team and board of directors that believe robust corporate governance is essential to long-term value creation for all stockholders.
Our experienced management team and board of directors have proven backgrounds both inside and outside the temperature-controlled warehousing industry. Since founding Lineage with a single asset in 2008, our
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Co-Founders and Co-Executive Chairmen have developed a strong operating and capital deployment track record while displaying a commitment to building a durable business. The average tenure of members of our senior management is over eight years. Our management team is led by our Chief Executive Officer, Greg Lehmkuhl, who joined our company in 2015.
Finally, as evidence of the confidence in our company, our current equity holders represent some of the strongest and most sophisticated institutional investors globally. We have raised more than $9.0 billion of equity capital since inception and more than $8.5 billion since the start of 2018 from these investors over multiple capital raises (in each case, including equity issued to sellers in connection with our acquisitions and reinvestment by our Co-Founders).
We have a strong and flexible balance sheet and we have demonstrated access to debt and equity capital to support growth.
As of March 31, 2024, on a pro forma basis, our balance sheet will be de-levered to total debt and debt-like obligations (defined as total debt, net plus financing lease obligations and failed sale-leaseback financing obligations) to net income (loss) and net debt to Adjusted EBITDA, % of our debt will be unsecured and % of our debt will be fixed or interest rate hedged and our total liquidity, including cash on hand and available revolver capacity, will be $ billion, supporting our external growth strategy. We will have also increased our unencumbered asset pool to over $ billion on a pro forma basis as of March 31, 2024, which we believe will provide us with the ability to upsize our facilities while maintaining future flexibility once we become a public company. We intend to preserve a flexible capital structure with an investment grade profile. We believe that our balance sheet flexibility and strength will allow us to continue expanding our business and pursue new growth opportunities.
We operate with the purpose to transform the global food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world.
As we strive to play a key role in shaping the global food chain, we recognize our responsibility to help create a more sustainable, equitable future. Accordingly, we work to strategically integrate sustainability initiatives into the way we do business, working to act in alignment with our core values to guide our policies.
To help tackle food insecurity, we established the Lineage Foundation for Good as a non-profit charity to serve the communities in which we operate. In response to COVID-19, we launched our Share a Meal Campaign with Feeding America, supporting the organizations temperature-controlled supply chain needs with our assets. Since 2020, we have donated the equivalent of over 176 million meals, including through our Share a Meal Campaign and in partnership with customers donating surplus product, team members donating food to local food banks and grants issued to help build capacity at food banks around the globe. As a result of these and other initiatives, we were named a Visionary Partner of Feeding America and a Fast Companys 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards finalist in the Pandemic Response category.
We have also signed The Climate Pledge, committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions across our global operations by 2040. Through solar installations at our facilities, we are the fifth-largest corporate producer in the United States, and the second-largest REIT producer, of on-site solar and battery capacity per the 2022 Solar Means Business Report published by the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA). Our goal is to achieve a top-three corporate ranking in the coming years. Our energy efficiency initiatives have resulted in four consecutive awards from the U.S. Department of Energy from 2019 to 2022 for innovations and leadership in flywheeling, blast freezing, energy procurement and hedging and deployment of advanced refrigeration control systems.
Our Growth Strategy
Our objective is to maximize stockholder value by growing our business to expand solutions for our customers, creating opportunities for new and existing team members and driving innovation across our business
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and the supply chain to create efficiencies and increase sustainability. We believe these objectives are supported by our strategy for growth illustrated in our growth flywheel:
| We grow our same warehouse NOI and free cash flow through numerous organic business initiatives we have developed over many years. This growth helps delever our balance sheet and creates capacity for new investments. |
| Our strong cash flows and our tax efficient REIT structure help to create an efficient and attractive cost of capital to support our inorganic growth. |
| We deploy our capital into a deep pipeline of investments within our existing facilities, accretive greenfield and expansion development projects and acquisition opportunities at returns in excess of our cost of capital. |
| We then use our organic business initiatives and drive operational and administrative synergies to seek to grow our same warehouse NOI and cash flows post investment. |
| We then repeat the process through our growth flywheel. |
Same Warehouse Growth
We have a history of robust same warehouse growth with strong operating leverage and cash flow generation. In 2023, our same warehouse NOI was $1,210.9 million, representing growth of 15.3% compared to same warehouse NOI of $1,050.6 million the prior year, and in 2022, our same warehouse NOI was $936.2 million, representing growth of 12.7% compared to same warehouse NOI of $830.5 million in 2021, which growth rates compare favorably to those of our largest competitor and publicly traded peer. Our same warehouse NOI margins of 40.3% in 2023 compared to 37.2% in the prior year and 39.0% in 2022 compared to 38.8% in the prior year compare favorably to those of our largest publicly traded competitor. In addition, we increased our global same warehouse storage revenue per economic pallet 6.2% and 8.1% and our same warehouse services revenue per pallet 7.4% and 13.8% in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
We expect to continue our organic growth through the following business initiatives:
| Leverage the scale of our warehouse network and the breadth of our integrated solutions offerings to win new customers and expand our footprint with existing customers; |
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| Maximize our same warehouse NOI growth through occupancy and commercial optimization initiatives; |
| Further implement productivity tools and cost containment measures; |
| Use our integrated platform, scalable corporate infrastructure and business processes to realize synergies from recent acquisitions and drive same warehouse growth post-acquisition; |
| Strategically deploy innovative technologies to provide customers more sophisticated solutions while enhancing profitability; and |
| Transform the industry through our data science driven approach to warehouse control and design. |
Accretive Capital Deployment
A cross functional network optimization, data science and automation team has overseen 39 major greenfield or expansion projects since the start of 2019, with total cost of approximately $1.2 billion, representing an NOI yield of approximately 9% to 11%. The total aggregate cubic feet of these projects is approximately 291 million, which is equivalent to the total warehousing capacity of the fourth largest standalone global temperature-controlled warehousing company. Since 2019, this team has also supported more than 375 economic return on capital projects within our warehouses to enhance organic growth. We have spent significant time and cost to establish a team of experts in construction, energy, automation and innovation, and we believe our development process and expertise, together with our robust pipeline of facility expansions and greenfield development, has the potential ability to drive future growth and ongoing value to our stockholders.
We believe we are an acquiror of choice in the industry, as demonstrated by our long history of acquiring leading companies through direct sourcing and long-term relationships with their owners. Our acquisition strategy targets profitable businesses with strategic, high-quality assets that complement our network and customers needs. These businesses often present opportunities to accretively deploy capital and recognize revenue and cost synergies. We have extensive experience acquiring cold chain companies of all sizes. In the last 16 years we have executed 116 acquisitions with nearly two-thirds of those proprietarily sourced. Moreover, through 2023, we have achieved an approximately 12% NOI compounded annual growth rate from the temperature-controlled warehousing companies we acquired during the period of 2011 through 2021, excluding additional NOI growth as a result of post-acquisition greenfield and expansion initiatives, demonstrating the positive impact of Lineages comprehensive approach to integration and Lineages ability to compound capital over a long period of time.
We intend to continue our track record of accretive capital deployment through the following business initiatives:
| Invest in potentially accretive projects across our existing facilities to enhance same warehouse growth; |
| Execute on our greenfield and existing facility expansion initiatives; and |
| Capitalize on strategically attractive and financially accretive acquisition opportunities. |
Same Warehouse Growth
Same Warehouse Growth: Leverage the scale of our warehouse network and the breadth of our integrated solutions offerings to win new customers and expand our footprint with existing customers.
As the worlds largest temperature-controlled warehouse REIT based on cubic feet, we believe our portfolio of strategically located temperature-controlled warehouses and comprehensive set of integrated solutions create the scale and breadth of services to maximize value for both existing and new customers. Our platform includes 482 warehouses and is supported by more than 26,000 dedicated team members across 19 countries. Our modern warehousing assets are predominantly located in key port and infill locations that are strategic to customers of the
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cold chain. We believe the interconnected nature of our network and our presence in these strategic locations enables us to provide comprehensive solutions, competitively positioning us to both win new business and expand our footprint with existing customers.
Our warehouse portfolio is complemented by our integrated solutions business, offering an all services under one roof experience for our customers, providing our customers a holistic solution to their complex needs. This approach supports our growth by deepening our relationships with existing customers as well as allowing us to compete effectively for new customers. Additionally, the depth of our relationships allows us to seek to increase the penetration of customers utilizing both warehousing and integrated solutions.
Providing a global system of top-tier warehouses and ever broadening services has deepened our customer relationships with a growing customer base. As evidence of the interconnected nature of our warehouse and integrated solutions segments, as of March 31, 2024 our top 25 customers utilize an average of 23 of our warehouses per customer, with eight of our top 10 customers using our facilities in multiple countries. The interconnected nature of our integrated solutions business is demonstrated by our estimate that approximately 93% of our total NOI was generated by our warehouse customers for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 (based on our global warehousing segment NOI and, as it relates to our global integrated solutions segment NOI, the relative revenue contribution from our warehouse customers who utilize one or more of our integrated solutions and our customers who exclusively utilize our integrated solutions).
Same Warehouse Growth: Maximize our same warehouse NOI growth through occupancy and commercial optimization initiatives.
We seek to grow our same warehouse NOI through occupancy and commercial optimization initiatives. Our occupancy initiatives are highlighted by a focus on optimizing physical warehouse occupancy and improving economic occupancy through increased use of minimum storage guarantees, while our commercial optimization initiatives are enabled by customer profitability tools and allowing us to align rates charged to customers with our cost to serve.
| Optimizing Physical Warehouse Occupancy Through Increased Utilization. Increases in warehouse physical occupancy generate high flow-through to NOI due to operational leverage. We seek to optimize physical occupancy in our existing warehouse network by winning new customers, expanding our business with existing customers and more efficiently matching customer profiles to the best available pallet positions in our markets. We support these initiatives with a team of sales and customer account management people who are focused on using the Lineage network to solve customers supply chain needs. These utilization initiatives have increased our physical occupancy from 78.0% in 2021 to 79.2% in 2022 and to 80.0% in 2023. |
| Increasing use of Minimum Storage Guarantees to Improve Economic Occupancy. We plan to expand our use of minimum storage guarantees that pay us minimum or fixed storage fees for pallet positions, whether they are physically occupied or not. We believe that transitioning certain customer contracts from on-demand, as-utilized structures to minimum storage guarantee structures will drive greater consistency of our NOI by increasing revenue predictability and enabling us to better manage our labor force while meeting customers needs. This strategy helps maintain our storage revenues during periods of lower inventoriesmatching ongoing revenue streams with fixed warehousing costs while allowing customers to reserve space to meet their needs. We believe that implementing minimum storage guarantees will continue to boost recurring revenue and enhance stability of cash flows, while allowing customers to plan for periods of increased need by reserving capacity and ultimately enabling a better temperature-controlled warehousing experience for our customers. Our minimum storage guarantee initiatives have increased our economic occupancy from 82.3% in 2021 to 83.2% in 2022 and to 86.0% in 2023. |
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| Commercial Optimization Initiatives. We employ three main types of customer contracts: warehouse agreements, rate letters and tariff sheets. We also earn rent under lease agreements pursuant to which we lease a portion of a warehouse or an entire warehouse. Warehouse agreements and rate letters generally provide us with some flexibility to pass on rate increases to customers during the term of the contract. Warehouse agreements and rate letters often also include mechanisms to adjust rates for inflationary cost increases and customer profile changes, while tariff sheets are short-term in nature and can generally be updated upon 30 days advance notice. We are generally able to translate industry-wide rent increases into storage rate increases to customers, and our various rate adjustment mechanisms generally allow us to pass on both storage and handling rate increases to customers as necessary to account for inflation in operational costs such as wages, power and warehouse supplies as well. Additionally, we have been refining an array of tools to evaluate relative customer profitability to ensure that we are allocating our warehouse space to the customers that value it the most. |
| Aligning Rates with Cost to Serve. We are deploying technologies such as a third-party contracting and invoicing platform to professionalize our commercial optimization capabilities across our company. We are driving standardization of rates across our warehouse network as well as seeking to implement standardized billing practices to ensure that we are adequately compensated for all services performed. Incremental cost to serve charges capturing previously unbilled services are anticipated to support NOI growth as these initiatives are implemented across our warehouse network. In addition, to deliver the best service and most efficient cost to serve, we seek to closely monitor agreed-upon customer profiles in our contracts and make pricing adjustments as necessary to compensate for variances. |
Same Warehouse Growth: Further implement productivity and cost containment measures to grow same warehouse NOI.
We seek to grow our NOI by reducing our operating expenses with a specific emphasis on two of the largest cost drivers facing the temperature-controlled warehouse industry: labor and energy.
| Labor Productivity. Labor and benefits represent the largest variable cost of operating a temperature-controlled warehouse. We employ multiple strategies to maximize labor productivity, such as our focus on lean operating principles and our emphasis on team member retention. The implementation of lean operating principles drives operational excellence, which we believe leads to greater productivity and consistency over time resulting in better customer service and better operating results in certified warehouses. We anticipate the implementation of these operating principles will support NOI growth as we significantly expand internal certification in our portfolio from 67 warehouses certified out of 482 total warehouses as of March 31, 2024. We internally certify warehouses based on their progression across six categoriesculture, standardized work, visual management, problem solving, just-in-time and quality process. Our focus on labor retention through total rewards, market wage benchmarking, team member onboarding and training leads to increased tenure and reduced turnover, which generally increases productivity, reduces recruiting costs and has knock-on benefits in other areas of the warehouse such as reduced maintenance expense and claims, as well as better customer service. We have extensive experience with many of these tools through various labor market conditions, including the challenging labor market driven by COVID-19. We are seeing evidence that these tools are having a positive impact as the labor market continues to normalize post pandemic. |
| Energy Efficiency. We seek to maximize energy efficiency in our warehouses through the application of best practices, implementation of the latest technology and generation of alternative sources of energy. Our best practices include energy hedging strategies and a centralized energy and sustainability team that deploys these initiatives across our network to ensure standardization and minimization of energy waste. The technologies we deploy to optimize energy efficiency include variable frequency drives, advanced refrigeration control systems, rapid close doors, motion sensor technology, LED lighting and flywheeling, an innovative process that leverages machine learning and artificial |
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intelligence to manage energy load based on predictions of power prices based on fluctuations in demand. Our approach to generating alternative sources of energy is primarily through the deployment of onsite solar, onsite battery capacity and onsite generators. Our focus on energy efficiency in our portfolio reduces our operating costs and supports stronger and more predictable NOI margins and growth while also supporting our sustainability initiatives. |
Same Warehouse Growth: Use our integrated platform, scalable corporate infrastructure and business processes to realize synergies from recent acquisitions and drive same warehouse growth post-acquisition.
We have a long history of acquiring and integrating companies into the Lineage platform and expect to continue to drive growth from more recently acquired companies as well as acquisitions in the future. We anticipate driving future growth by leveraging our broad and deep customer relationships, applying our management best practices, driving penetration of our suite of integrated solutions and technology offerings, investing growth capital and generating cost efficiencies through our corporate scale and elimination of redundant overhead expenses.
Since inception, we have demonstrated an ability to drive growth from the integration of acquisitions to capture synergies and fuel greater future earnings potential. We believe we will continue to unlock potential substantial value from acquired companies. Moreover, through 2023, we have achieved an approximately 12% NOI compounded annual growth rate from the temperature-controlled warehousing companies we acquired during the period of 2011 through 2021, excluding additional NOI growth as a result of post-acquisition greenfield and expansion initiatives, demonstrating the positive impact of Lineages comprehensive approach to integration and Lineages ability to compound capital over a long period of time.
Our rapid pace of inorganic expansion and the need for significant integration resources and the expense related to Core WMS conversions have resulted in substantial growth in general and administrative expenses. As we integrate our many acquired businesses, we are focused on realizing the benefits of scale and operational leverage and believe we have opportunities to further eliminate redundant overhead expenses and reduce expenditures on integration resources over time. Historically, as we have integrated acquired companies, we have also often been able to generate synergies in areas such as procurement, benefits and insurance, where our corporate programs are often more efficient than those of the acquired companies and anticipate continuing to do so in the future.
Same Warehouse Growth: Strategically deploy innovative technologies to provide customers more sophisticated solutions while enhancing profitability.
We view innovative technologies as core to who we are at Lineage and strategic to maintaining our competitive position relative to our peers, driving industry leading margins and growth and providing the best service to our customers. We believe our significant previous investments have allowed us to build a superior technology-enabled platform designed to meet the needs of our customers into the future and anticipate that deploying these technologies will support potential continued growth in our NOI while transforming the experience for our customers with a digitally connected cold chain and enhancing operational excellence inside our warehouses.
| Transforming the experience for our customers with a digitally connected cold chain. We plan to continue the roll out of proprietary operating systems and third-party platforms focused on providing a superior customer experience and increasing customer loyalty. Our proprietary Lineage Link platform empowers customers to digitally manage their inventories, orders, shipments and transportation appointment scheduling across our warehouse network through a dynamic user interface that significantly improves the customer experience. This tool also replaces antiquated paper and email based processes that lead to faster interactions, fewer errors and a meaningfully lower cost to serve, which should drive potential incremental NOI. As of March 31, 2024, Lineage Link has been rolled out |
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across approximately 63% of our network as measured by global warehousing segment revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. We believe the continued roll out of this tool and continued product enhancement will yield attractive future benefits. |
| Enhancing operational excellence inside our warehouses. We seek to integrate our network onto our common technology systems to standardize operations and increase productivity. We have already largely integrated all of our facilities into our human capital and financial ERP software and our proprietary metricsOne operating KPI dashboard. We are working to increase the number of our warehouses that utilize one of our four Core WMS systems. As of March 31, 2024, approximately 69% of our global warehousing segment revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 flowed through one of our four Core WMS, excluding facilities leased to customers and managed facilities. We are in the process of growing this percentage across our network. We expect increased penetration of our four Core WMS throughout our network to drive operational productivity, reduce general and administrative expenses and accelerate our ability to deploy digital technology solutions network-wide. We believe that the development and subsequent deployment of LinOS and a third-party contracting and invoicing platform will make our operations more efficient and potentially generate NOI growth once fully integrated. |
Additionally, our general and administrative spend currently includes substantial growth and technology investments, which we refer to as transformational technology G&A, such as the development and subsequent deployment of our technology operating systems. Once fully integrated, we believe we will benefit from operating leverage as these new investments are spread across our growing portfolio.
Same Warehouse Growth: Transform the industry through our data science driven approach to warehouse control and design.
Our productivity and process automation initiatives are supported by our in-house data science team, which is comprised of 50 applied science and product professionals that provide data-driven business intelligence and innovations to maximize operational efficiencies, revenues, profitability, energy efficiency and cash flows. Our innovations have yielded 96 patents issued and 151 patents pending as of March 31, 2024, in such areas as facility design, methods and mechanisms for operating facilities, refrigeration and thermodynamic designs and cold-rated instrumentation. These innovations offer numerous ways to potentially grow our NOI, including through optimization of our conventional racking systems, algorithms that better allocate tasks in the warehouse and improvements in electricity consumption for blast freezing. We believe that many of these innovations have now been successfully piloted and can be rolled out to other similar use cases.
Accretive Capital Deployment
Accretive Capital Deployment: Invest in potentially accretive projects across our existing facilities to enhance same warehouse growth.
We continually evaluate opportunities to drive organic growth within our existing facilities through accretive capital deployment into high economic return on capital opportunities, such as re-racking projects to increase pallet capacity, installation of opportunity chargers, solar projects to improve energy efficiency and the addition of blast cell capacity. In addition to potentially generating incremental revenues and NOI, return-on-capital projects are intended to enhance our facilities ability to best serve our customers needs with the most advanced and customized solutions available. Many of these projects are supported by our applied science, energy management and product professionals that provide data-driven business intelligence and innovations to maximize operational efficiencies, revenues, profitability, energy efficiency and cash flows. Since 2019, our team has supported more than 375 economic return on capital projects within our warehouses to enhance organic growth.
Accretive Capital Deployment: Execute on our greenfield and existing facility expansion initiatives.
Because of our reputation for delivering innovative new development projects and the benefits of participating in our industry-leading warehouse network, customers often choose to partner with us for their
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largest and most important projects. In addition, we have spent considerable time and investment establishing an in-house warehouse network optimization team comprised of warehouse design, automation and construction experts. We expect our development expertise will continue to support our growth as we potentially realize the returns on our recently completed greenfield and expansion projects and deliver on our industry-leading pipeline of greenfield development and expansion opportunities.
| Recently Completed Greenfield and Expansion Projects. Since March 31, 2021 through March 31, 2024, we completed 25 greenfield and expansion projects totaling approximately $922 million in costs. |
Recently Completed Projects |
Square Feet (in millions) |
Cubic Feet (in millions) |
Pallet Positions (in thousands) |
Total Cost (in millions)(1) |
Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2024 Revenue Less Operating Expenses (in millions) |
Weighted Average Targeted NOI Yield |
||||||||||||||||||
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3.3 | 179 | 571 | $ | 922 | $ |
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|
9%-12% |
(1) | Includes approximately $7 million of remaining spend. |
No assurance can be given that our weighted average targeted NOI yield range will be achieved. For additional information regarding the calculation methodology and assumptions relating to our weighted average targeted NOI yield range for greenfield and expansion projects, please see Business and PropertiesOur Growth StrategyAccretive Capital Deployment: Execute on our greenfield and existing facility expansion initiatives.
| Industry-Leading Pipeline of Greenfield and Expansion Opportunities. |
| Under Construction Pipeline. As of March 31, 2024, we had eight greenfield development and expansion projects under construction. |
Under Construction Projects |
Estimated Square Feet (in millions) |
Estimated Cubic Feet (in millions) |
Estimated Pallet Positions (in thousands) |
Estimated Total Cost (in millions) |
Remaining Spend (in millions) |
Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2024 Revenue Less Operating Expenses (in millions) |
Weighted Average Target NOI Yield |
|||||||||||||||||||||
8 | 1.2 | 70.3 | 235 | $ | 578 | $ | 310 | ($ | 4 | ) | 9% -11 | % |
No assurance can be given that we will complete any of these projects on the terms currently contemplated, or at all, that the actual cost or completion dates of any of these projects will not exceed our estimates or that the targeted NOI yield range of these projects will be consistent with our current projects.
We believe we have industry-leading automation capabilities, including 24 fully automated facilities totaling 386 million cubic feet and 57 semi-automated facilities totaling 361 million cubic feet as of March 31, 2024, which we believe is the most of any temperature-controlled warehousing provider in the world. Our proprietary technology and unique approach to automation enables us to provide customers with truly customizable solutions to address their warehouse needs. For many years, we have been building our own in-house team of automation and software integration experts. All of our development projects are designed in-house based on actual customer data and profiles. Unique to our industry, we have developed proprietary automation control software that helps us optimize our automated warehouse operations. For new developments, because we own our own software, we can select the best hardware regardless of manufacturer, to build what we believe are the most cost-effective and most advanced automated warehouses in our industry. We intend to continue our leadership in temperature-controlled warehouse automation through development of next-generation automated warehouses as part of our pipeline. We anticipate approximately 58% of the total added
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pallet positions of our facilities under construction as of March 31, 2024 will be fully automated. Automated facilities generally produce a lower cost to serve and lower resource consumption, presenting an attractive solution to our customers and positioning us well to win new business and grow our cash flows from operations.
| Future Long-Term Pipeline. As of March 31, 2024, we owned approximately 1,227 acres of undeveloped land or Land Bank in addition to the owned land included in our under-construction pipeline. Our Land Bank has the potential to support future greenfield development and expansion opportunities, with an estimated cost to replace as of March 31, 2024 of approximately $462 million based on broker inquiries, comparable land sales and our internal estimates. As of March 31, 2024, we were researching or underwriting a range of greenfield development and expansion opportunities as part of our future long-term pipeline, including 16 projects globally at various phases of research and underwriting. The projects in our future long-term pipeline include both projects where we already own the land and projects for which we will need to acquire incremental land. We currently expect that the targeted weighted average NOI yield range of these projects will be generally consistent with our recent projects. |
Estimated Land (in acres) |
Estimated Square Feet (in millions)(1) |
Estimated Cubic Feet (in millions)(1) |
Estimated Pallet Positions (in millions)(1) |
Estimated Cost to Replace (in millions)(2) |
||||||||||||
1,227 |
17.7 | 728 | 2.4 | $462 | ||||||||||||
Greenfield |
Estimated Square Feet (in millions)(3) |
Estimated Cubic Feet (in millions)(3) |
Estimated Pallet Positions (in thousands)(3) |
Estimated Construction Cost (in millions)(2) |
||||||||||||
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4.1 | 246 | 748 | $1,850 |
(1) | Square feet, cubic feet and pallet positions reflect potential capacity undeveloped land can support through future greenfield development and expansion based on typical warehouse designs. |
(2) | Estimated cost to replace is based on broker inquiries, comparable land sales and our internal estimates as of March 31, 2024. |
(3) | Square feet, cubic feet and pallet positions reflect potential capacity of greenfield development and expansion opportunities based on current research and underwriting. |
We have not commenced construction on any potential projects in our long-term pipeline, the completion of which is subject to various factors, including budgeting, diligence, internal and third-party approvals and other factors. No assurance can be given that we will pursue or complete any of these projects on the terms currently contemplated, or at all, that the actual cost or completion dates of any of these projects will not exceed our estimates or that the targeted NOI yield range of these projects will be consistent with our current projects.
Accretive Capital Deployment: Capitalize on strategically attractive and financially accretive acquisition opportunities.
The temperature-controlled warehousing sector remains highly fragmented and is generally comprised of many family-owned and independent companies that may lack the capital, technology, customer relationships, development expertise, technical knowledge and management sophistication that we possess. For example, we estimate based on GCCA data that over 100 temperature-controlled warehousing companies operate in the U.S. market alone and that there are approximately 4.4 billion cubic feet available for growth in North America. We believe that there remain substantial whitespace opportunities in geographies such as Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa and that there are approximately 22.4 billion cubic feet available for growth globally. As a result, we see significant potential opportunity in continuing to execute on our proven acquisition strategy, which targets profitable businesses with strategic, high-quality assets that complement our warehouse network and customers
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needs. In addition to operating businesses, there also remain real estate opportunities to acquire triple-net-leased facilities and execute sale-leaseback transactions with customers and other cold storage operators.
Industry Estimate of North America and Global Market Size
(1) | 2024 GCCA Global Top 25 List (April 2024) and 2024 GCCA North America Top 25 List (April 2024), except Lineage figures, which are based on company data as of March 31, 2024. Global market share is based on total global capacity from 2020 GCCA Global Cold Storage Capacity Report (August 2020). |
(2) | Represents total cubic feet for the market excluding Lineage. |
| Status as an Acquiror of Choice Supports Robust Acquisition Opportunities. We believe we are an acquiror of choice in the industry, as demonstrated by our long history of executing strategic acquisitions through direct sourcing and long-term relationships with their owners. We have extensive experience acquiring cold chain companies of all sizes, and to date former owners of acquired companies have rolled approximately $664 million of equity to become investors in Lineage, while hundreds of members of management of acquired companies have stayed on and grown with our company over time. Over the course of our extensive acquisition history, we have successfully leveraged existing relationships and direct sourcing channels for nearly two-thirds of the companies we have acquired, with the remainder coming to fruition through successful bidding in advisor-led sale processes. In addition, we believe we enjoy multiple advantages when participating in sale processes, including our prolific transaction experience and track record of quickly closing transactions and our flexible balance sheet. |
| Multiple Levers to Drive Value Creation Post Acquisitions. As described above in our other internal and external growth strategies, we can drive value creation through multiple levers, including revenue growth, cost efficiencies, deployment of capital and implementation of technology. Our proprietary integration playbook includes over 1,000 steps to completion and has been refined throughout the last decade to develop a consistent and successful gameplan for acquisition integration. As acquisitions are incorporated into the Lineage network, the opportunity set for deploying these strategies grows. We have a standardized and disciplined approach to integrating acquired companies while bringing acquired team members into the Lineage family. Through this approach and an open mindset to learn and adopt best practices of newly acquired business, we can seek to capitalize on growth opportunities beyond the acquisition date. |
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Industry Overview
Under Industry Overview, we have included a report prepared by CBRE. Except for information pertaining to our company, the following is a summary of that report.
Introduction
Cold storage refers to temperature-controlled warehouses that enable secure storage and handling of goods that require (or benefit from) refrigeration or freezing, most notably food products. Cold storage properties make up a small but high-growth subset of overall industrial real estate and are a critical component of the global food supply chain. Cold storage real estate and related operations are increasingly valuable as the global population continues to become larger and more urban. Today, global cold storage capacity is estimated to be approximately 25-30 billion cubic feet, and market researchers broadly expect growth in both capacity and revenue generation as demand continues to increase.
Operating Models
The industry is broadly categorized into two operating models: third-party (i.e., public) and private. Over the past 30 years, it is estimated that about 75% of total U.S. freezer/cooler capacity has been operated by third-party providers. Food manufacturers are the primary customers of third-party operated space, whereas retailers, grocers, and distributors utilize the bulk of private cold storage capacity. Given the costs and complexity of cold storage, outsourcing has risen in recent years.
U.S. Cold Storage Customer Types by Operating Model
Source: | CBRE Valuation and Advisory (private capacity), Lineage and Americold filings (public warehousing revenue). Private capacity reflects customer shares of privately-operated cold storage space (in cubic feet) based on 73 U.S. market studies as of October 2023. Public warehousing revenue reflects the average customer shares in 2023 financials for Lineage and Americold (who together account for more than 50% of total North American cold storage capacity). |
Operating Conditions
Rental fees for storage space make up the primary revenue stream for most cold storage facilities, with customers paying either variable rates for space as it is needed or fixed rates for a set amount of space committed over a longer period. Most cold storage facilities also offer additional warehousing services, such as case-picking and product handling, to maximize the yield of their footprint.
Operating costs are typically higher for cold storage facilities relative to dry warehouses, primarily due to labor (e.g., more training and safety requirements, specialized clothing and equipment, etc.) and utilities.
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Given the significant cost and efficiency advantages for newer, more technologically advanced cold storage facilities, demand has waned for older facilities. CBRE estimates that the average age of U.S. cold storage facilities is 28 years, and the GCCA estimates as of 2021 that only about 5% cold storage operations were automated. As inventory becomes increasingly obsolete, owners and operators of modern facilities will be at a significant advantage in offering lower costs and faster service to customers.
U.S. Cold Storage and Dry Warehouse Average Age Benchmarking
Source: | Lineage, CoStar Group and CBRE Valuation and Advisory. Ages estimated as of December 31, 2023. Refer to detailed note on methodology under Industry Overview section. |
To lower operational costs, increase storage capacity, and enhance customer service levels, development and implementation of new technologies has risen in recent years among cold storage industry leaders. There are four areas in which technological advances are having the most pronounced impact on the industry: automation, software development and deployment, energy usage and data science. Innovations in these areas are also highly interrelated. As modern supply chain management continues to become more complex, we believe that operators that can offer customers a combination of physical and digital infrastructure will be most competitive. Given the significant investments required to develop and implement new technologies at scale, as well as the critical role of insights gleaned through analysis of large sets of warehouse operations data, the largest operators may be best positioned to capitalize on this opportunity.
Market Size and Competitive Landscape
In 2020, the GCCA estimated that the cold storage market is 5.5 billion cubic feet in the U.S. and 25 billion cubic feet globally. CBRE estimates that the U.S. cold storage market today is likely closer to 7 billion cubic feet, implying current global capacity of approximately 30 billion cubic feet.
The competitive landscape of the cold storage industry varies by location, but the general trend is for significant amounts of space to be consolidated among a few key companies with the rest of the market highly fragmented across many local and regional players. Globally, the top ten temperature-controlled warehousing operators represent only 23.5% of the public temperature-controlled warehousing cubic feet capacity.
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Consolidation in the cold storage industry reflects the significant advantages from economies of scale due to increased brand recognition, breadth and depth of industry relationships, greater access to and lower cost of capital, and more extensive property networks. Consolidation is likely to continue, particularly as the competitive advantages for operators leveraging modern technology and data science become more pronounced.
Barriers to Entry
The increased complexity and additional materials and equipment required to build a cold storage warehouse typically lead to construction costs that are 2-4 times higher than an otherwise similar dry warehouse. These substantial cost constraints limit new development, making the cold storage market generally less vulnerable to supply-side risk than conventional dry warehouses.
In addition to high and increasing construction costs, new developers often must lease their space directly to food manufacturers or local distributors, which reduces the available tenant pool. This can prove challenging, since most food manufacturers prefer to outsource their temperature-controlled warehousing needs rather than operate themselves. Developers that want to operate their properties must be prepared to contend with large competitors in securing and retaining customers and skilled labor.
Growth Drivers
The U.S. temperature-controlled warehousing industry has experienced relatively stable revenue growth, even in periods marked by significant turmoil in the global financial markets, commodity shocks, secular shifts in consumer habits and preferences, the global COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing supply chain disruption and periods of significant global inflation.
The primary drivers of growth in the cold storage industry are how much food is consumed overall and what kinds of food consumers prefer. Between 2023 and 2030, the global population is projected to increase by nearly 500 million people, average household incomes are projected to rise by 10%, and inflation-adjusted consumer spending on food to rise by 15%, according to Oxford Economics.
Urbanization is also a major catalyst for cold storage growth. As populations urbanize, they are much more likely to consume food produced outside of their immediate area and to utilize grocery stores, markets and restaurants that rely on cold storage networks. UNDESA expects the percent of the global population that is urbanized to reach 68% by 2050, up from 56% in 2020.
The most significant opportunity for industry growth in the coming years is within developing economies. Nearly all these countries currently have less than three cubic feet of cold storage space per urban resident, compared to ratios in developed economies that are roughly 5-10 times higher.
In advanced economies, growth in cold storage demand will be fueled more by ongoing trends in consumer preferences (e.g., shifting more spending to fresh and frozen foods), online grocery adoption and the replacement of obsolete and energy-inefficient infrastructure.
Real Estate Performance
Post-pandemic inflows of institutional capital and steep rent gains led to a wave of speculative projects in recent years, which have historically been very rare in this sector given the unique development challenges. Despite record construction activity, the U.S. construction pipeline represents a relatively modest 3.9% of existing stock in 2023 and 3.5% in 2024 (as measured in square feet), which is similar to the expected annual pace of demand
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growth. After 2024, new deliveries are expected to slow substantially to 1.8% in 2025 as fewer projects have broken ground in the last two years, due in large part to higher construction costs, interest rates, financing challenges and some softening in occupancy.
On average, cap rates for refrigerated warehouses have been similar to dry warehouses, with significant compression over the prior decade. The average U.S. cap rate fell by nearly a full percentage point from the start of 2020 to the end of 2021 and remained 20-40 bps lower than the dry warehouse average during this period, based on data from Real Capital Analytics.
As investment volume slowed and the number of high-quality assets listed for sale increasingly dwindled, cap rates for refrigerated warehouses have risen but remain in line with pre-pandemic norms from 2018 to 2019. For cold storage, location factors are a major determinant of asset values. In general, cold storage cap rates are lowest for distribution facilities, particularly those located in or near ports and major population centers. General public refrigerated warehouses and production-advantaged warehouses generally have higher cap rates, with cap rates for individual assets varying based on location, tenant quality and other factors.
U.S. Average Cap Rate By Warehouse Type
Source: MSCI/Real Capital Analytics, Q3 2023 refrigerated warehouse cap rate is interpolated due to limited transaction activity.
Summary Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the matters discussed in the Risk Factors section beginning on page 54 of this prospectus for factors you should consider before investing in our common stock. Some of these risks include:
| Our investments are concentrated in the temperature-controlled warehouse industry, and our business would be materially and adversely affected by an economic downturn in that industry or the market for our customers products. |
| The temperature-controlled warehouses that comprise our global warehousing business are concentrated in certain geographic areas, some of which are particularly susceptible to adverse local conditions. Our inability to quickly and effectively restore operations following adverse weather or a localized disaster or economic or other disturbance in a key geography could materially and adversely affect us. |
| Global market and economic conditions may materially and adversely affect us. |
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| Many of our costs, such as operating expenses, interest expense and real estate acquisition and construction costs, could be adversely impacted by periods of heightened inflation. |
| Labor shortages, increased turnover and work stoppages have in the past and may in the future continue to disrupt our or our customers operations, increase costs and negatively impact our profitability. |
| Supply chain disruptions may continue to negatively impact our business. |
| We are exposed to risks associated with expansion and development, which could result in returns below expectations and unforeseen costs and liabilities. |
| Our integrated solutions business depends on the performance of our global warehousing business. |
| Our growth may strain our management and resources, which may have a material adverse effect on us. |
| A portion of our future growth depends upon acquisitions and we may be unable to identify, complete and successfully integrate acquisitions, which may impede our growth, and our future acquisitions may not achieve their intended benefits or may disrupt our plans and operations. |
| We are dependent on Bay Grove to provide certain services to us pursuant to the transition services agreement, and it may be difficult to replace the services provided under such agreement. |
| We may be vulnerable to security breaches or cyber-attacks which could disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results. |
| We depend on IT systems to operate our business, and issues with maintaining, upgrading or implementing these systems, could have a material adverse effect on our business. |
| We are subject to additional risks with respect to our current and potential international operations and properties. |
| Power costs may increase or be subject to volatility, which could result in increased costs that we may be unable to recover. |
| We depend on key personnel and specialty personnel, and a deterioration of employee relations could harm our business and operating and financial results. |
| Upon the listing of our shares on Nasdaq, we will be a controlled company within the meaning of Nasdaq rules and, as a result, will qualify for, and may rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. You will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements. |
| We could incur significant costs under environmental laws relating to the presence and management of asbestos, anhydrous ammonia and other chemicals and underground storage tanks. |
| We are currently invested in various joint ventures and may invest in additional joint ventures in the future and face risks stemming from our partial ownership interests in such properties, which could materially and adversely affect the value of any such joint venture investments. |
| We have significant indebtedness outstanding, which may expose us to the risk of default under our debt obligations. |
| Increases in interest rates could increase the amount of our debt payments. |
| Market conditions could adversely affect our ability to refinance existing indebtedness or obtain additional financing for growth on acceptable terms or at all, which could materially and adversely affect us. |
| Our Co-Founders will have substantial influence over our business, and our Co-Founders interests, and the interests of certain members of our management, will differ from our interests and those of our other stockholders in certain respects. |
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| Our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent an acquisition of our common stock or a change in control. |
| There can be no assurance that we will be able to make or maintain cash distributions, and certain agreements relating to our indebtedness may, under certain circumstances, limit or eliminate our ability to make distributions to our common stockholders. |
| Future contractual repurchase obligations may materially and adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock and may reduce future distributions. |
| Failure to qualify as a REIT would cause us to be taxed as a regular C corporation, which would substantially reduce funds available for distributions to stockholders. |
Structure and Formation of Our Company
Our Operating Partnership
Following the completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will be the general partner of our operating partnership. Substantially all of our assets will be held by, and our operations will be conducted through, our operating partnership, either directly or through its subsidiaries. Our interest in our operating partnership will generally entitle us to share in cash distributions from, and in the profits and losses of, our operating partnership in proportion to our percentage ownership. Through our general partner interest in our operating partnership, we will generally have the exclusive power under the partnership agreement to manage and conduct its business and affairs, subject to certain approval and voting rights of the limited partners, which are described more fully below in Description of the Partnership Agreement of Lineage OP, LP.
Beginning on and after the date that is 14 months after the issuance of the OP units to a partner in our operating partnership, such partner will have the right to require our operating partnership to redeem some or all of its OP units (excluding any Legacy OP Units) for cash, based upon the value of an equivalent number of shares of our common stock at the time of the redemption, or, at our election, shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments and the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter and described under the section entitled Description of Our Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer. Except for the one-time special redemption and top-up rights with respect to Legacy Class A-4 OP Units described elsewhere in this prospectus, Legacy OP Units do not have any redemption rights prior to being reclassified as OP units, but once a Legacy OP Unit has been so reclassified (assuming it is not otherwise in the process of Cash Settlement), it will have the same redemption rights as the other OP units but will not be subject to the 14-month waiting period. Such redemption of OP units will increase our percentage ownership interest in our operating partnership and our share of its cash distributions and profits and losses.
Over the course of the first three years following the initial closing of this offering, all of the Legacy OP Units will ultimately be reclassified into OP units. Reclassification will be on a one-for-one basis, with each Legacy OP Unit becoming a single OP unit upon its reclassification. Following any such reclassification, Legacy OP Unit holders will thereafter hold such OP units for such period of time as they determine or receive cash pursuant to a sale of their OP units to us in connection with the reclassification event (or a combination thereof). These reclassifications, and any related sales to us of the OP units, will occur at such times as directed by the LHR, acting on behalf of the Legacy OP Unit holders. The LHR will be an affiliate of our current majority stockholder, BGLH. BGLH will have the right to require us to conduct offerings of shares of our common stock from time to time to fund our purchases of such OP units. Each purchase of OP units will increase our percentage ownership interest in our operating partnership and our share of its cash distributions and profits and losses. See Description of the Partnership Agreement of Lineage OP, LP.
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Formation Transactions
Prior to or simultaneously with the completion of this offering, we will engage in formation transactions, which are designed to facilitate this offering. Through the formation transactions, the following have occurred or will occur prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering.
| Operating Partnership Conversion and Reclassification of Units. Lineage OP, LLC will convert from a Delaware limited liability company to a Maryland limited partnership, change its name to Lineage OP, LP and adopt the Agreement of Limited Partnership pursuant to which, among other things: |
(i) | We will become Lineage OP, LPs sole general partner. |
(ii) | All operating partnership units that are owned by our companyall of which are currently classified as Lineage OP Class A unitswill be reclassified into OP units. |
(iii) | All operating partnership units that are not owned by our companyall of which are currently classified as Lineage OP Class A units, Lineage OP Class B units or Lineage OP Class C unitswill be reclassified into Legacy OP Units with various subclasses, each of which will have certain terms that differ from OP units in order to continue pre-existing rights of Lineage OP, LLCs members for a period of up to three years following the initial closing of this offering, as described below. This also allows a coordinated settlement process to be conducted for our legacy equity holders as described below. |
(A) | Legacy Class A OP Units. |
| Prior to the offering, each Lineage OP Class A unit that is not owned by our company is paired with a corresponding Lineage OP Class C unit interest that is entitled to a share of the profits in respect of that Lineage OP Class A unit. These Lineage OP Class A units are owned by various legacy investors that pre-exist this offering, and the Lineage OP Class C unit interest in respect of each Lineage OP Class A unit is owned by BG Cold in order to provide BG Cold with profit sharing on the success of each Lineage OP Class A unit. We refer to this profit sharing as the Founders Equity Share, and this profit sharing applies solely to legacy equity that pre-exists this offering. |
| Through the formation transactions, each pre-existing Lineage OP Class A unit that is not owned by our company, and the corresponding pre-existing Lineage OP Class C unit interest that is paired with such Lineage OP Class A unit, will be reclassified together into a single Legacy Class A OP Unit with two legally separate sub-units that comprise such single Legacy Class A OP Unit. The single Legacy Class A OP Unit into which they are reclassified, and its sub-unit components, are new classifications that will be created as part of the formation transactions when Lineage OP, LLC converts into the limited partnership that serves as our operating partnership. |
| The two sub-units that comprise a single Legacy Class A OP Unit are legally separate interests referred to as the A-Piece Sub-Unit and the C-Piece Sub-Unit. The A-Piece Sub-Units and the C-Piece Sub-Units each retain the economic characteristics of the former Lineage OP Class A units and Lineage OP Class C units, respectively. The A-Piece Sub-Units and C-Piece Sub-Units will continue a historic calculation applicable solely to our legacy investors that determines how the holders of the A-Piece Sub-Units and the holders of the C-Piece Sub-Units will share in the settlement of Legacy Class A OP Units when they are ultimately reclassified into OP units. This enables BG Cold to continue accruing the Founders Equity Share in order to align the economic interests of our Co-Founders with the performance of our shares and OP units when our legacy investors settle their pre-existing equity and have the option to achieve liquidity. |
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| Each Legacy Class A OP Unit will be designated to one of four sub-class demarcations: Legacy Class A-1, Legacy Class A-2, Legacy Class A-3 or Legacy Class A-4, which provide for different calculations as between the sub-unit holders within a given Legacy Class A OP Unit to determine what share of a Legacy Class A OP Unit belongs to the A-Piece Sub-Unit holder and what share belongs to the C-Piece Sub-Unit holder. |
| Except as set forth in the following sentence, each Legacy Class A OP Unit regardless of sub-class will be economically equivalent to one OP unit, meaning that one Legacy Class A OP Unit will have the same value and represent the same share of equity in our operating partnership as an OP unit. The Legacy Class A-4 OP Units may be an exception to this because they have a special one-time redemption right that the holders of such units may exercise during a 45-day window beginning on March 1, 2025 at a guaranteed minimum value that may exceed the value of an OP unit. This special redemption right allows the holders of Legacy Class A-4 OP Units to (1) redeem any or all of the Legacy Class A-4 OP Units at a guaranteed minimum price ranging between $106.59 and $113.25 per unit depending on our share price at that time (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) or, if greater, the then-current fair market value of the Legacy Class A-4 OP Units to be redeemed or (2) during the same window, receive a one-time true-up paid in cash or through the issuance of new Legacy Class A-4 OP Units or new OP units (or any combination of cash and units) in the amount by which the guaranteed minimum value of $106.59 per unit (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) exceeds the then-current fair market value of the Legacy Class A-4 OP Units (if at all). Legacy Class A-4 OP Units can also be reclassified into an equal number of OP units at any time as may be agreed by the holders of Legacy Class A-4 OP Units and the LHR, or under certain other circumstances at the discretion of the LHR acting as representative of such holders. Immediately following the formation transactions, there will be 319,006.21 outstanding Legacy Class A-4 OP Units. |
| Each Legacy Class A OP Unit will have the same voting rights and voting power as an OP unit. The LHR will be appointed by each holder of Legacy Class A OP Units to exercise the voting power for all Legacy Class A OP Units until they are reclassified into OP units. |
| Legacy Class A OP Units can be reclassified into an equal number of OP units at any time at the discretion of the LHR, acting as representative of the holders of Legacy Class A OP Units, and all such units will from time to time between the initial closing of this offering and the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering be so reclassified. Whenever Legacy Class A OP Units are reclassified into OP units, the holders of A-Piece Sub-Units and the holders of C-Piece Sub-Units will each separately receive their respective shares of the OP units into which the Legacy Class A OP Units are reclassified, according to formulas that fix their respective sharing in such reclassified OP units. The total number of OP units will nevertheless remain constant with the number of Legacy Class A OP Units that have been so reclassified, except as described above for up to 319,006.21 Legacy Class A-4 OP Units. |
(B) | Legacy Class B OP Units. |
| Prior to the offering, all Lineage OP Class B units are owned by various legacy investors that pre-exist this offering, and such units do not bear any Founders Equity Share. |
| Through the formation transactions, each pre-existing Lineage OP Class B unit will be reclassified into a Legacy Class B OP Unit. Legacy Class B OP Units will not be subject |
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to any Founders Equity Share and will not have any separate A-Piece Sub-Units or C-Piece Sub-Units. |
| The Legacy Class B OP Units retain the economic characteristics of the former Lineage OP Class B units. |
| Each Legacy Class B OP Unit will be economically equivalent to one OP unit, meaning that one Legacy Class B OP Unit will have the same value and represent the same share of equity in our operating partnership as an OP unit. |
| Each Legacy Class B OP Unit will have the same voting rights and voting power as an OP unit. The LHR will be appointed by each holder of Legacy Class B OP Units to exercise the voting power for all Legacy Class B OP Units until they are reclassified into OP units. |
| Legacy Class B OP Units can be reclassified into an equal number of OP units at any time at the discretion of the LHR, acting as representative of the holders of Legacy Class B OP Units, and all such units will from time to time between the initial closing of this offering and the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering be so reclassified. |
(iv) | The LHR will be appointed by each holder of Legacy OP Units as its representative (A) to administer on its behalf a coordinated settlement process for all legacy equity as described in the next paragraph (clause (v)) below and (B) to exercise the voting rights attributable to Legacy OP Units on various matters for so long as Legacy OP Units exist and have not been reclassified into OP units. |
(v) | BGLH, on its own behalf, and the LHR (an affiliate of BGLH) on behalf of the holders of Legacy OP Units, will administer a coordinated settlement process for the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity and all legacy operating partnership equity in cash, in our shares, in OP units or any combination of the foregoing, as elected by each of our legacy investors, over a period of up to three years following the first closing of our offering. By the end of this up-to-three-year period, BGLH will no longer be our controlling stockholder and the Legacy OP Units will no longer exist. At some point after this coordinated liquidity and settlement period is complete, BGLH intends to dissolve, liquidate and terminate its existence, as all legacy investors will either be direct holders in the company or our operating partnership, or they will have disposed of their shares and OP units. |
| Historic Management Incentive Equity. Prior to this offering, certain of our current and former officers and employees hold LMEP Units through two incentive equity pooling entities, LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, which each hold corresponding historic accrued management incentive equity interests in Lineage Holdings for the benefit of these officers and employees. As part of the formation transactions, we will have purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock the vested awards of LMEP Units valued at less than $3.0 million per individual that are held by certain of our officers and employees who are not named executive officers. After such purchase, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC will contribute its vested management incentive equity interests in Lineage Holdings to our operating partnership in exchange for Legacy Class B OP Units. This results in the vested LMEP Units not purchased by us becoming a fixed number of Legacy Class B OP Units prior to such time as the LMEP Units would otherwise be paid pursuant to their rights under the terms of the existing awards. Following the contribution, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC will distribute the Legacy Class B OP Units to its members, including certain of our officers and employees whose LMEP Units are not purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock, in complete liquidation of each such entity. Following such distribution, officers, employees and others to whom such Legacy Class B OP Units are distributed will generally continue to hold such Legacy Class B OP Units subject to settlement over a period of up to three years as part of the same settlement process that applies to all of our legacy investor equity. All outstanding LMEP Units that remain unvested as of the date of such contribution and distribution will |
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automatically terminate at such time and will be replaced with equity-based awards under the 2024 Plan. For additional information on these awards, see Structure and Formation of Our CompanyBenefits to Related Parties. In addition, all BGLH Restricted Units that remain unvested as of immediately prior to the completion of this offering will automatically vest in full at such time. |
| Internalization of Bay Grove Services. |
(i) | We are internalizing certain operating, consulting, strategic development and financial services that have historically been provided by Bay Grove. Prior to this offering, Bay Grove provides operating services to Lineage Holdings pursuant to a perpetual operating services agreement, and Bay Grove also holds a profits interest at Lineage Holdings that entitles Bay Grove to quarterly profits interest equity accruals (the equity accrual right). In connection with this internalization, we will have terminated that operating services agreement between Lineage Holdings and Bay Grove and we will have terminated all rights of Bay Grove to accrue additional future profits interests at Lineage Holdings pursuant to the equity accrual right. In exchange for these terminations, Bay Grove will receive a one-time increase in its profit share attributable to the existing profits interest it holds in Lineage Holdings equal to $200.0 million, approximately $ of which will instead be allocated to our operating partnership in settlement of prior distribution advances made to Bay Grove, its owners and their affiliates (with such amount becoming part of our operating partnerships equity holdings in Lineage Holdings, and such amount also restoring other distribution rights of Bay Grove, its owners and their affiliates through our operating partnership and BGLH in the same amount) and the remaining approximately $ of which will be reclassified into OPEUs held by Bay Grove. In connection with such one-time net increase in Bay Groves profits interest and corresponding reclassification of a portion of that amount into OPEUs, there will be a corresponding reduction to the interests in BGLH held by Bay Groves owners and their affiliates to effect a true-up for a portion of this increase, the effect of which is that Bay Groves net increase in equity (taking into account both its direct interests in Lineage Holdings and the reduction in interests held by Bay Groves owners and their affiliates in BGLH) is $ rather than $200.0 million. |
(ii) | Also in connection with the internalization described above, following the one-time net increase in Bay Groves profits interest and corresponding reclassification of a portion of that amount into a fixed number of OPEUs described immediately above, Lineage Holdings will repurchase OPEUs from Bay Grove for cash in the amount of $ . |
(iii) | The remaining OPEUs will be exchangeable in the future (after a two-year initial holding period) on a one-for-one basis for OP units, subject to certain adjustments, and no additional OPEUs will be created in respect of any equity accrual right after the formation transactions have been completed. OP units issued in exchange for such OPEUs will not be redeemable until after the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity and all Legacy OP Units. |
(iv) | We will amend the operating agreement of Lineage Holdings to reflect the resulting ownership of Lineage Holdings by our operating partnership and Bay Grove after giving effect to these transactions. |
(v) | We will have entered into a transition services agreement with Bay Grove for a period of three years for certain transition services supporting capital deployment and mergers and acquisitions activity to help us build our full internal capability during that period. |
| Rollover Put Option. Certain sellers of assets we acquired who previously received rollover equity in BGLH or Lineage OP were provided with separate classes of equity of BGLH or Lineage OP that in some cases included special one-time redemption features with minimum value guarantees and/or the alternative option to elect cash or equity top-up rights to achieve a certain minimum equity valuation at a specific date (collectively, the Guarantee Rights). To ensure that the financial obligations associated with all Guarantee Rights proportionately impact investors at Lineage, our operating partnership, and |
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Lineage Holdings, each of those entities has agreed to provide successive special repurchase rights and cash and equity top-up rights to such legacy investors that mirror those given by BGLH to its investors (the Rollover Holder Put Option) and those given by Lineage OP to its investors, in each case in connection with the Guarantee Rights (the Lineage OP Put Option). For more information, see Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsPut Option Agreement. |
| Contribution of Offering Net Proceeds. We will contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our operating partnership and receive OP units (or OP units if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full), representing a % ownership interest in the operating partnership ( % if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full), with holders of Legacy OP Units and Lineage management holding % and % ownership interests in the operating partnership, respectively ( % and % if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full). |
| Series A Preferred Stock Redemption. In connection with this offering, we will redeem our outstanding 12.0% Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the Series A preferred stock) for $630,000 in cash plus any accrued but unpaid dividends. |
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Our Structure
The following chart sets forth information about our company, our operating partnership, certain related parties and the ownership interests therein on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the formation transactions. Ownership percentages in our company and our operating partnership are presented based on the assumption that the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is not exercised and the other assumptions regarding the number of shares of our common stock and OP units to be outstanding after this offering and the formation transactions described under the heading The Offering.
(1) | OP units in our operating partnership are redeemable for cash or, at our option, exchangeable for common shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments, beginning 14 months after the original issuance of such units (other than OP units that were previously classified as Legacy OP Units, which generally have such redemption rights at any time and are not subject to such 14-month waiting period). |
(2) | Except for the one-time special redemption and top-up rights with respect to 319,006.21 Legacy Class A-4 OP Units as described under Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation TransactionsOperating Partnership Conversion and Reclassification of Units, each Legacy Class A OP Unit is economically equivalent to one OP unit, meaning that one Legacy Class A OP Unit will have the same value and represent the same share of our operating partnerships equity as an OP Unit. Legacy Class A OP Units can generally be reclassified into an equal number of OP units at any time at the discretion of the LHR, and they will all ultimately be so reclassified by the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering. Each Legacy Class A OP Unit will also have the same voting rights and voting power as an OP unit; however, the |
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LHR will have voting and dispositive power over each Legacy Class A OP Unit until it is reclassified into an OP unit. After giving effect to the completion of the formation transactions, our operating partnership will have Legacy Class A OP Units outstanding. |
(3) | Each Legacy Class B OP Unit is economically equivalent to one OP unit, meaning that one Legacy Class B OP Unit will have the same value and represent the same share of our operating partnerships equity as an OP Unit. Legacy Class B OP Units can generally be reclassified into an equal number of OP units at any time at the discretion of the LHR, and they will all ultimately be so reclassified by the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering. Each Legacy Class B OP Unit will also have the same voting rights and voting power as an OP unit; however, the LHR will have voting and dispositive power over each Legacy Class B OP Unit until it is reclassified into an OP unit. After giving effect to the completion of the formation transactions, our operating partnership will have Legacy Class B OP Units outstanding. |
(4) | OPEUs will be exchangeable at the election of BG Maverick, LLC, an affiliate of Bay Grove, for OP units on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, at any time beginning two years after the initial closing date of this offering. Holders of OP units issued in exchange for such OPEUs, which will include Messrs. Forste and Marchetti or their affiliates, will not be able to redeem such OP units until after the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity and all Legacy OP Units. After giving effect to the completion of the formation transactions, Lineage Holdings will have OPEUs outstanding. |
Benefits to Related Parties
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, Bay Grove and our directors, executive officers and employees will receive material benefits, including the following:
| BG Cold will hold a continuing right to receive the Founders Equity Share from our operating partnership through its C-Piece Sub-Units in the Legacy Class A OP Units and similar amounts from BGLH, our majority stockholder, as described in Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransactions with BG Lineage Holdings, LLC and Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransactions with Lineage OP, LLC. However, BG Cold will no longer receive advance distributions against the Founders Equity Share, which were historically received prior to the formation transactions. All such rights to advances will terminate in connection with the formation transactions. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransactions with BG Lineage Holdings, LLC, Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransactions with Lineage OP, LLC and Description of the Partnership Agreement of Lineage OP, LPLegacy OP UnitsLegacy Class A OP Units. |
| Affiliates of Bay Grove will continue to hold % of the Legacy Class B OP Units of our operating partnership. See Description of the Partnership Agreement of Lineage OP, LPLegacy OP UnitsLegacy Class B OP Units. |
| The stockholders agreement will provide that we, on our own behalf and in our capacity as general partner of the operating partnership, must use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) structure certain significant exit transactions (including mergers, consolidations and sales of substantially all of our assets or the assets of our operating partnership and its subsidiaries) in a manner that is tax-deferred to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste, their respective estate planning vehicles, family members and controlled affiliates, does not cause such parties to recognize gain for federal income tax purposes, and provides for substantially similar tax protections after such transactions, and (ii) cause our operating partnership or its subsidiaries to continuously maintain sufficient levels of indebtedness that are allocable for federal income tax purposes to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste and their respective personal holding entities to prevent them from recognizing gain as a result of any negative tax capital account or insufficient debt allocation, provided that such amount of debt shall not be required to exceed the amount allocable to the parties immediately following this offering, subject to certain exceptions. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsStockholders Agreement. |
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| Bay Grove will have received a one-time increase in its profit share attributable to the existing profits interest it holds in Lineage Holdings equal to $200.0 million, approximately $ of which will instead have been allocated to our operating partnership in settlement of prior distribution advances made to Bay Grove, its owners and their affiliates (with such amount becoming part of our operating partnerships equity holdings in Lineage Holdings, and such amount also restoring other distribution rights of Bay Grove, its owners and their affiliates through our operating partnership and BGLH in the same amount) and the remaining approximately $ of which will have been reclassified into OPEUs held by Bay Grove. See Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation Transactions. |
| Affiliates of Bay Grove will have received $ in cash from Lineage Holdings repurchase of OPEUs from Bay Grove pursuant to the formation transactions, and affiliates of Bay Grove will continue to hold the remaining OPEUs that have not been repurchased pursuant to the formation transactions. See Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation Transactions. |
| BGLH will receive $505,000 in cash, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends, in connection with the redemption of our Series A preferred stock. |
| We will have entered into a transition services agreement with Bay Grove, pursuant to which (1) Bay Grove will provide us with certain transition services supporting capital deployment and mergers and acquisitions activity for three years following the closing of this offering to help us build our full internal capability during that period, and (2) we will pay Bay Grove an annual fee equal to $8.0 million. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransactions with Bay GroveOperating Services Agreement and Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransition Services Agreement. |
| We will have entered into a registration rights agreement with BGLH, pursuant to which we will grant it and certain of its affiliates with certain demand registration rights and customary piggyback registration rights. We will also have entered into one or more registration rights agreements with Mr. Forste and Mr. Marchetti, pursuant to which we will grant them with certain registration rights. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsRegistration Rights Agreements. |
| We, our operating partnership and Lineage Holdings will have entered into an agreement providing successive special repurchase rights and cash and equity top-up rights to certain legacy investors that benefits BGLH by ensuring that all Guarantee Rights will ultimately be satisfied by Lineage Holdings so that all investors in BGLH, Lineage, our operating partnership and Lineage Holdings are proportionately impacted by the Guarantee Rights based on their direct and indirect ownership interests in Lineage Holdings. For more information, see Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsPut Option Agreement. |
| Lineage Holdings will have entered into an expense reimbursement and indemnification agreement with BGLH, the LHR and Bay Grove pursuant to which Lineage Holdings will agree to (i) advance to or reimburse such entities for all of their expenses in any way related to our company, including expenses incurred in connection with the coordinated settlement process that will occur for up to three years for all legacy investors in both BGLH and our operating partnership and (ii) indemnify such entities to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against liabilities that may arise in any way related to our company, including liabilities incurred in connection with or as a result of the coordinated settlement process. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsIndemnification AgreementsBay Grove. |
| We will have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers providing for the indemnification by us for certain liabilities and expenses incurred as a result of actions brought, or threatened to be brought, against our directors and executive officers in their capacities as such. |
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| We will have entered into certain agreements with Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, pursuant to which Messrs. Forste and Marchetti will agree that for a period of three years following the completion of this offering (or, if less, such period during which they directly or indirectly own any equity in our company) they will not compete with our business. |
| We will have purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock the vested awards of LMEP Units valued at less than $3.0 million per individual that are held by certain of our officers and employees who are not named executive officers. Thereafter, we will have settled the remaining vested LMEP Units for Legacy Class B OP Units. This results in the vested LMEP Units not purchased by us becoming a fixed number of Legacy Class B OP Units prior to such time as the LMEP Units would otherwise be paid pursuant to the terms of the existing awards. Following the contribution, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC will distribute the Legacy Class B OP Units to its members, including certain of our officers and employees whose LMEP Units are not purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock, in complete liquidation of each such entity. Following such distribution, officers, employees and others to whom such Legacy Class B OP Units are distributed will generally continue to hold such Legacy Class B OP Units subject to settlement over a period of up to three years as part of the same settlement process that applies to all of our legacy investor equity. As discussed in greater detail below, all outstanding LMEP Units that remain unvested as of the date of such contribution and distribution will automatically terminate at such time and will be replaced with equity-based awards under the 2024 Plan. In addition, all BGLH Restricted Units that remain unvested as of immediately prior to the completion of this offering will automatically vest in full at such time. |
| We will have adopted the 2024 Plan, under which we will grant cash and equity-based incentive awards to eligible service providers in order to attract, motivate and retain the talent for which we compete. |
| In connection with the completion of this offering, we will grant certain of our executive officers and employees one-time awards in the form of an aggregate of $ in cash, restricted stock units and shares of our common stock. Such awards will be fully vested at the time of grant, in the case of shares of common stock, or subject to time-based vesting, in the case of restricted stock units. |
| As discussed above regarding holders of LMEP Units with a value less than $3.0 million, we will issue to certain of our employees, other than our executive officers, an aggregate of shares of our common stock. Such awards will be fully vested at the time of issuance. |
| As discussed above, in connection with the completion of this offering, we will grant certain of our executive officers and employees one-time awards covering an aggregate of restricted stock units and LTIP units in respect of certain vested LMEP Units and/or the cancellation of unvested LMEP Units. Such awards will be subject to time-based vesting. |
| As part of our annual equity award program, we will grant certain of our executive officers and employees an aggregate of restricted stock units and/or LTIP units. Such awards will be subject to time- and/or performance-based vesting. |
| In connection with the completion of this offering, we will grant certain of our non-employee directors an aggregate of restricted stock units. Such awards will be subject to time-based vesting. |
| In connection with the completion of this offering, we will grant certain of our employees one-time awards covering an aggregate of restricted stock units in respect of certain vested LVCP Awards and/or the cancellation of unvested LVCP Awards. Such restricted stock units will be subject to time-based vesting. |
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See Executive CompensationTreatment of LMEP Units and BGLH Restricted Units in Connection with this Offering and Executive CompensationEquity Awards in Connection with the IPO for further details.
| Certain LVCP Awards will vest and be settled in an aggregate of $ of cash and shares of our common stock. |
Distribution Policy
We have elected to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains. To the extent we satisfy the distribution requirement but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains), we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our undistributed taxable income. In addition, as a REIT, we will be required to pay a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which the distributions we make in a calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income and 100% of our undistributed income from prior years. For more information, see Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Our CompanyAnnual Distribution Requirements. To satisfy the requirements to qualify as a REIT and to avoid paying tax on our income, we intend to make quarterly distributions of all, or substantially all, of our REIT taxable income (including net capital gains) to our stockholders. In addition, we have a long-term target of distributing approximately 50% of our Adjusted FFO to our stockholders annually.
To the extent we are prevented by provisions of our financing arrangements or otherwise from distributing 100% of our REIT taxable income or otherwise do not distribute 100% of our REIT taxable income, we will be subject to income tax, and potentially excise tax, on the retained amounts. If our operations do not generate sufficient cash flow to enable us to pay our intended or required distributions, we may be required either to fund distributions from alternative sources, including working capital, borrowings, asset sales or equity capital, or reduce such distributions. Our actual results of operations will be affected by a number of factors, including the revenues we generate, our operating expenses, interest expense and unanticipated expenditures, among others. See Distribution Policy.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Our Common Stock
Our charter, subject to certain exceptions, authorizes our board of directors to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to allow us to qualify and to preserve our status as a REIT. Furthermore, our charter prohibits, with certain exceptions, the beneficial or constructive ownership by any person of more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of our capital stock or more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of our common stock. In addition, our charter contains various other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our common stock and capital stock. Our board of directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, may exempt a person, prospectively or retroactively, and subject to such conditions and limitations as our board of directors may deem appropriate, from these ownership limits if certain conditions are satisfied. However, our board of directors may not grant an exemption from these ownership limits if such exemption would cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT. The ownership limits may delay or impede a transaction or a change of control that might be in your best interest. See Description of Our Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer.
Our Tax Status
We have elected and believe we have qualified to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2020. We believe that our organization and operations will allow us to continue to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. To maintain REIT status, we must
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meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains. See Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Corporate Information
We were formed in April 2017. Our principal executive office is located at 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan 48377. Our telephone number is (800) 678-7271.
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Common stock offered by us |
shares (plus up to an additional shares of our common stock that we may issue and sell upon the exercise in full of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares). |
Common stock to be outstanding after this offering |
shares(1) |
Common stock and OP units to be outstanding after this offering (excluding OP units held directly or indirectly by us) and the formation transactions |
shares of common stock and OP units(1)(2) |
Use of proceeds |
We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $ billion, or $ billion if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated expenses, in each case, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, which is the mid-point of the price range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. We intend to use the net proceeds from these offerings to repay $2.4 billion of borrowings outstanding under the Delayed Draw Term Loan and the remainder for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. See Use of Proceeds. |
Directed Share Program |
At our request, the underwriters have reserved percent of the shares of common stock to be issued by us and offered by this prospectus for sale, at the initial public offering price, to (i) certain of our directors, officers and employees, (ii) friends and family members of certain of our directors and officers, (iii) individuals associated with certain of our customers, vendors, landlords and service providers and (iv) certain of our legacy investors, former owners of acquired companies and properties and other industry partners. The number of shares of common stock available for sale to the general public will be reduced to the extent these individuals purchase such reserved shares. Any reserved shares that are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same basis as the other shares offered by this prospectus. See UnderwritersDirected Share Program for additional information. |
Risk factors |
Investing in our common stock involves risks. You should carefully read and consider the information set forth under the heading Risk Factors beginning on page 54 and other information included in this prospectus before investing in our common stock. |
Proposed Nasdaq symbol |
LINE |
(1) | The shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering include: |
| shares of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering; |
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| shares of our common stock to be issued in this offering; |
| shares of our common stock to be issued to our executives and employees under the 2024 Plan as initial public offering bonuses; |
| shares of our common stock to be awarded to certain of our employees under the 2024 Plan in connection with the completion of this offering; |
| shares of our common stock that may be issued to certain of our employees under the 2024 Plan, and to employees, former employees and others, in private placements, in settlement of outstanding vested LMEP Units; and |
| shares of our common stock that may be issued to certain of our employees under the 2024 Plan in settlement of outstanding vested LVCP Awards. |
The shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering exclude:
| shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise in full of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares; |
| shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting awarded or to be awarded to certain of our executive officers and employees under the 2024 Plan as part of our annual equity award program; |
| shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting to be awarded to certain of our employees under the 2024 Plan in connection with the completion of this offering; |
| shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting awarded or to be awarded to certain of our non-employee directors under the 2024 Plan in connection with the completion of this offering; |
| shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting awarded or to be awarded to certain of our executive officers and employees under the 2024 Plan in respect of certain vested LMEP Units and/or the cancellation of unvested LMEP Units; |
| shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting awarded or to be awarded to certain of our employees under the 2024 Plan in respect of certain vested LVCP Awards and/or the cancellation of unvested LVCP Awards; |
| up to shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to performance-based vesting awarded or to be awarded under the 2024 Plan in connection with this offering as part of our annual equity award program (the number of shares of our common stock reflected in this bullet assumes maximum performance for performance-based awardsto the extent that we do not attain maximum performance with respect to the applicable performance goals, the actual number of shares issued under those awards will be less than the number reflected in this bullet); and |
| shares of our common stock issuable in the future under the 2024 Plan, as more fully described in Executive and Director CompensationAmended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan. |
(2) | The OP units to be outstanding after this offering include OP units to be outstanding after the formation transactions, excluding OP units held by our company and including (i) OP units into which Legacy OP Units may be reclassified and (ii) OP units issuable upon exchange of OPEUs. |
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The OP units to be outstanding after this offering exclude:
| LTIP units subject to time-based vesting awarded or to be awarded to certain of our executive officers and employees under the 2024 Plan in respect of certain vested LMEP Units and/or the cancellation of unvested LMEP Units; |
| LTIP units subject to time-based vesting awarded or to be awarded in connection with this offering to certain of our executive officers and employees under the 2024 Plan as part of our annual equity award program; and |
| up to LTIP units subject to performance-based vesting awarded or to be awarded in connection with this offering to certain of our executive officers and employees under the 2024 Plan as part of our annual equity award program (the number of LTIP units reflected in this sentence assumes maximum performance for performance-based awardsto the extent that we do not attain maximum performance with respect to the applicable performance goals, the actual number of LTIP units that vest under those awards will be less than the number reflected in this bullet). |
OPEUs will be exchangeable at Bay Groves election for OP units on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, at any time beginning two years after the initial closing date of this offering. OP units, other than Legacy OP Units (until they are reclassified as OP units) and OP units issued upon exchange of OPEUs, are redeemable for cash or, at our election, shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, beginning 14 months after the original issuance of such units (other than OP units that were previously classified as Legacy OP Units, which have such redemption rights at any time after their reclassification into OP units and are not subject to such 14-month waiting period). Holders of OP units issued in exchange for such OPEUs will not be able to redeem such OP units until after the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity and all Legacy OP Units. Vested LTIP units are convertible as described under Description of the Partnership Agreement of Lineage OP, LPLTIP UnitsConversion Rights.
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SUMMARY SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
Set forth below is summary selected consolidated financial and other data presented on (i) a historical basis and (ii) a pro forma basis. Lineage, Inc.s historical consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and consolidated operating data for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 have been derived from Lineage, Inc.s audited historical consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Lineage, Inc.s historical condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2024 and the condensed consolidated operating data for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 have been derived from Lineage, Inc.s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with Lineage, Inc.s audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of our management, the unaudited historical financial data reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for those periods. The historical consolidated financial data included below and set forth elsewhere in this prospectus are not necessarily indicative of our future performance, and results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for any full year.
Lineage, Inc.s unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2024 and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated operating data for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and year ended December 31, 2023 have been derived from Lineage, Inc.s unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial data assume the completion of this offering, the formation transactions and the other adjustments described in our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements had occurred on March 31, 2024 for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet data and on January 1, 2023 for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations data for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and year ended December 31, 2023. Our unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what our actual financial position and results of operations would have been as of the date and for the period indicated, nor does it purport to represent our future financial position or results of operations.
You should read the following summary selected historical and pro forma condensed consolidated financial and other data together with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Business and Properties and our historical and pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
Three Months Ended March 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2024 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2024 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical |
2022 Historical |
2021 Historical |
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Operating Data: |
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Total revenues |
$ | $ | 1,328.0 | $ | 1,333.3 | $ | $ | 5,341.5 | $ | 4,928.3 | $ | 3,702.0 | ||||||||||||||||
Total global warehousing segment revenue |
968.6 | 957.6 | 3,856.9 | 3,432.6 | 2,655.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(48.0 | ) | 18.6 | (96.2 | ) | (76.0 | ) | (176.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
NOI(1) |
444.2 | 443.1 | 1,751.7 | 1,455.1 | 1,130.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Global warehousing segment NOI(2) |
384.5 | 385.2 | 1,507.8 | 1,221.5 | 971.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Global integrated solutions
segment |
59.7 | 57.9 | 243.9 | 233.6 | 159.1 |
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As of March 31, | As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2024 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2024 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical |
2022 Historical |
2021 Historical |
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Balance Sheet Data: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | $ | 91.2 | $ | 68.2 | $ | 170.6 | $ | 209.1 | |||||||||||
Total assets |
18,734.4 | 18,871.0 | 18,557.4 | 16,404.1 | ||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, net |
9,246.0 | 8,958.2 | 8,697.4 | 7,567.3 | ||||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity |
4,978.0 | 5,050.5 | 5,167.0 | 4,356.5 |
Three Months Ended March 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2024 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2024 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical |
2022 Historical |
2021 Historical |
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Other Data: |
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FFO(1) |
$ | $ | 39.0 | $ | 103.0 | $ | $ | 248.5 | $ | 229.1 | $ | 75.7 | ||||||||||||||||
Core FFO(1) |
86.3 | 135.3 | 415.7 | 400.2 | 335.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted FFO(1) |
148.3 | 183.3 | 562.3 | 551.9 | 465.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
EBITDAre(1) |
291.4 | 312.7 | 1,147.3 | 953.5 | 656.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
326.6 | 333.8 | 1,278.2 | 1,074.4 | 857.8 |
(1) | NOI, FFO, Core FFO Adjusted FFO, EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For definitions of FFO, Core FFO Adjusted FFO, EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA, reconciliations of these metrics to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and a statement of why our management believes the presentation of these metrics provides useful information to investors and any additional purposes for which management uses these metrics, see Non-GAAP Financial Measures below. |
(2) | We evaluate the performance of our primary business segments based on their net operating income relative to our overall results of operations. We use the term segment net operating income or segment NOI to mean a segments revenues less its cost of operations (excluding any depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, corporate-level general and administrative expenses, corporate-level acquisition, transaction, and other expense and corporate-level restructuring and impairment expense). We use segment net operating income to evaluate our segments for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, ASC, Topic 280, Segment Reporting. |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use the following non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental performance measures of our business: NOI, segment NOI, FFO, Core FFO, Adjusted FFO, EBITDA, EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDA and net debt to pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA.
We calculate NOI as our total revenues less our cost of operations (excluding any depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, corporate-level general and administrative expenses, corporate-level acquisition, transaction, and other expense and corporate-level restructuring and impairment expense). We calculate segment NOI as a segments revenues less its cost of operations (excluding any depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, corporate-level general and administrative expenses, corporate-level acquisition, transaction, and other expense and corporate-level restructuring and impairment expense). We use segment NOI to evaluate our segments for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance in accordance with FASB ASC, Topic 280, Segment Reporting. We believe NOI and segment NOI are helpful to investors as a supplemental performance measure to net income because they assist both investors and management in understanding the core operations of
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our business. There is no industry definition of NOI or segment NOI and, as a result, other REITs may calculate NOI or segment NOI, or other similarly-captioned metrics, in a manner different than we do. The table below reconciles NOI to net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and sets forth our NOI by segment.
Three Months Ended March 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2024 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2024 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical |
2022 Historical |
2021 Historical |
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Net income (loss) |
$ | $ | (48.0 | ) | $ | 18.6 | $ | $ | (96.2 | ) | $ | (76.0 | ) | $ | (176.5 | ) | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expense |
124.1 | 114.9 | 501.8 | 398.9 | 289.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation expense |
157.7 | 129.5 | 551.9 | 479.5 | 416.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense |
53.4 | 51.7 | 207.8 | 197.7 | 187.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
8.6 | 10.8 | 60.0 | 66.2 | 123.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals |
(0.4 | ) | 4.2 | $ | 31.8 | 15.5 | 26.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity (income) loss, net of tax |
1.8 | (0.2 | ) | 2.6 | 0.2 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, net |
10.7 | 1.3 | (3.9 | ) | 23.8 | 34.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
138.8 | 114.7 | 490.4 | 347.0 | 259.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt |
6.5 | | | (1.4 | ) | 4.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net |
0.7 | 0.2 | 19.4 | (2.3 | ) | (4.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(9.7 | ) | (2.6 | ) | (13.9 | ) | 6.0 | (29.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
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NOI |
$ | $ | 444.2 | $ | 443.1 | $ | $ | 1,751.7 | $ | 1,455.1 | $ | 1,130.6 | ||||||||||||||||
NOI by Segment: |
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Global warehousing segment NOI |
$ | $ | 384.5 | $ | 385.2 | $ | $ | 1,507.8 | $ | 1,221.5 | $ | 971.5 | ||||||||||||||||
Global integrated solutions segment NOI |
$ | $ | 59.7 | $ | 57.9 | $ | $ | 243.9 | $ | 233.6 | $ | 159.1 |
We calculate funds from operations, or FFO, in accordance with the standards established by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, or NAREIT. NAREIT defines FFO as net income or loss determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding extraordinary items as defined under GAAP and gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated operating real estate assets, plus specified non-cash items, such as real estate asset depreciation and amortization, in-place lease intangible amortization, real estate asset impairment and our share of reconciling items for partially owned entities. We believe that FFO is helpful to investors as a supplemental performance measure because it excludes the effect of depreciation, amortization and gains or losses from sales of real estate, all of which are based on historical costs, which implicitly assumes that the value of real estate diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions, FFO can facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and among other equity REITs.
We calculate core funds from operations, or Core FFO, as FFO adjusted for the effects of gain or loss on the sale of non-real estate assets, finance lease ROU asset amortization -real estate, non-real estate impairments, acquisition, restructuring and other, other income or expense, loss on debt extinguishment and modifications and the effects of gain or loss on foreign currency exchange. We also adjust for the impact attributable to non-real estate impairments on unconsolidated joint ventures and natural disaster and COVID. We believe that Core FFO is helpful to investors as a supplemental performance measure because it excludes the effects of certain items which can create significant earnings volatility, but which do not directly relate to our core business operations.
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We believe Core FFO can facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods, while also providing a more meaningful predictor of future earnings potential.
However, because FFO and Core FFO add back real estate depreciation and amortization and do not capture the level of maintenance capital expenditures necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties, both of which have material economic impacts on our results from operations, we believe the utility of FFO and Core FFO as a measure of our performance may be limited.
We calculate adjusted funds from operations, or Adjusted FFO, as Core FFO adjusted for the effects of amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of debt discount/premium amortization of above or below market leases, straight-line net operating rent, provision or benefit from deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation expense from grants under our equity incentive plans, non-real estate depreciation and amortization, finance lease ROU asset amortization -non-real estate and maintenance capital expenditures. We also adjust for Adjusted FFO attributable to our share of reconciling items of partially owned entities. We believe that Adjusted FFO is helpful to investors as a meaningful supplemental comparative performance measure of our ability to make incremental capital investments in our business and to assess our ability to fund distribution requirements from our operating activities.
FFO, Core FFO and Adjusted FFO are used by management, investors and industry analysts as supplemental measures of operating performance of equity REITs. FFO, Core FFO and Adjusted FFO should be evaluated along with GAAP net income and net income per diluted share (the most directly comparable GAAP measures) in evaluating our operating performance. FFO, Core FFO and Adjusted FFO do not represent net income or cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and are not indicative of our results of operations or cash flows from operating activities as disclosed in our consolidated statements of operations included elsewhere in this prospectus. FFO, Core FFO and Adjusted FFO should be considered as supplements, but not alternatives, to our net income or cash flows from operating activities as indicators of our operating performance. Moreover, other REITs may not calculate FFO in accordance with the NAREIT definition or may interpret the NAREIT definition differently than we do. Accordingly, our FFO may not be comparable to FFO as calculated by other REITs. In addition, there is no industry definition of Core FFO or Adjusted FFO and, as a result, other REITs may also calculate Core FFO or Adjusted FFO, or other similarly-captioned metrics, in a manner different than we do. The table below reconciles FFO, Core FFO and Adjusted FFO to net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Three Months Ended March 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2024 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2024 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical |
2022 Historical |
2021 Historical |
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Net income (loss) |
$ | $ | (48.0 | ) | $ | 18.6 | $ | $ | (96.2 | ) | $ | (76.0 | ) | $ | (176.5 | ) | ||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
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Real estate depreciation |
85.3 | 80.1 | 324.5 | 291.6 | 240.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
In-place lease intangible amortization |
1.5 | 2.1 | 7.5 | 8.9 | 8.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss (gain) on sale of real estate assets |
| 1.2 | 7.8 | 4.0 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment write-downs on real estate property |
| 0.3 | 1.7 | 0.6 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate depreciation, (gain) loss on sale of real estate and real estate impairments on unconsolidated JVs |
0.6 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 3.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation of noncontrolling interests |
(0.4 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (2.9 | ) | (1.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
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FFO |
$ | $ | 39.0 | $ | 103.0 | $ | $ | 248.5 | $ | 229.1 | $ | 75.7 |
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Three Months Ended March 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2024 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2024 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical |
2022 Historical |
2021 Historical |
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Adjustments: |
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Net (gain) loss on sale of non-real estate assets |
(0.5 | ) | (1.3 | ) | 2.3 | 4.8 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Finance lease ROU asset amortization - real estate related |
17.8 | 17.4 | 69.5 | 73.9 | 77.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-real estate impairment |
| | | | 7.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of intangible assets |
| | 7.0 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net |
0.7 | 0.2 | 19.4 | (2.3 | ) | (4.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition, restructuring and other |
8.7 | 14.7 | 72.9 | 72.3 | 136.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Technology transformation |
3.4 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, net |
10.7 | 1.3 | (3.9 | ) | 23.8 | 34.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt |
6.5 | | | (1.4 | ) | 4.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural disaster and COVID |
| | | | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation related to unconsolidated JVs |
| | | | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Core FFO |
$ | $ | 86.3 | $ | 135.3 | $ | $ | 415.7 | $ | 400.2 | $ | 335.4 | ||||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
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Non-real estate depreciation and amortization |
100.0 | 75.8 | 334.5 | 288.4 | 263.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Finance lease ROU asset amortization - non-real estate |
6.5 | 5.9 | 23.7 | 14.3 | 13.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
5.6 | 4.8 | 19.0 | 17.8 | 16.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of debt discount / premium |
0.2 | 0.8 | 1.5 | (0.8 | ) | (0.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes expense (benefit) |
(22.9 | ) | (15.0 | ) | (58.1 | ) | (41.6 | ) | (69.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Straight line net operating rent |
(2.3 | ) | 1.2 | 6.5 | 0.2 | 3.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of above market leases |
0.2 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 2.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of below market leases |
(0.2 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (1.1 | ) | (1.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
4.5 | 4.3 | 25.3 | 16.8 | 14.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring maintenance capital expenditures |
(29.9 | ) | (29.9 | ) | (208.2 | ) | (144.7 | ) | (111.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Allocation related to unconsolidated JVs |
0.6 | 0.4 | 3.0 | 0.4 | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation of noncontrolling interests |
(0.3 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
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Adjusted FFO |
$ | $ | 148.3 | $ | 183.3 | $ | $ | 562.3 | $ | 551.9 | $ | 465.5 | ||||||||||||||||
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We calculate EBITDA for Real Estate, or EBITDAre, in accordance with the standards established by the Board of Governors of NAREIT, defined as earnings before interest income or expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, net loss or gain on sale of real estate, net of withholding taxes, impairment write-downs on real estate property and adjustment to reflect share of EBITDAre of partially owned entities. EBITDAre is a measure commonly used in our industry, and we present EBITDAre to enhance investor understanding of our operating performance. We believe that EBITDAre provides investors and analysts with a measure of operating results unaffected by differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles and useful life of related assets among otherwise comparable companies.
We also calculate our Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDAre further adjusted for the effects of gain or loss on the sale of non-real estate assets, other income or expense, acquisition, restructuring and other, foreign currency exchange gain or loss, stock-based compensation expense, loss or gain on debt extinguishment and modification, impairment of investments in non-real estate, natural disaster and COVID, and reduction in EBITDAre from partially owned entities. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides a measurement of our operations that is meaningful to investors because it excludes the effects of certain items that are otherwise included in EBITDAre but which we do not believe are indicative of our core business operations. EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements of financial performance under GAAP, and our EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. You should not consider our EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA as alternatives to net income or cash flows from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, including:
| these measures do not reflect our historical or future cash requirements for maintenance capital expenditures or growth and expansion capital expenditures; |
| these measures do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; |
| these measures do not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our indebtedness; |
| these measures do not reflect our tax expense or the cash requirements to pay our taxes; and |
| although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future and these measures do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements. |
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We use EBITDA, EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA as measures of our operating performance and not as measures of liquidity. The table below reconciles EBITDA, EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. The table below reconciles EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Three Months Ended March 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2024 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2024 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical (Unaudited) |
2023 Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
2023 Historical |
2022 Historical |
2021 Historical |
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Net income (loss) |
$ | (48.0 | ) | $ | 18.6 | $ | $ | (96.2 | ) | $ | (76.0 | ) | $ | (176.5 | ) | |||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
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Depreciation and amortization expense |
211.1 | 181.2 | 759.7 | 677.2 | 603.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
138.8 | 114.7 | 490.4 | 347.0 | 259.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(9.7 | ) | (2.6 | ) | (13.9 | ) | 6.0 | (29.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
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EBITDA |
$ | $ | 292.2 | $ | 311.9 | $ | $ | 1,140.0 | $ | 954.2 | $ | 657.5 | ||||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
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Net loss (gain) on sale of real estate assets |
| 1.2 | 7.8 | 4.0 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment write-downs on real estate property |
| 0.3 | 1.7 | 0.6 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss (gain) on sale of real estate and impairment write-downs of investments in unconsolidated affiliates |
| | | | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation of EBITDAre of noncontrolling interests |
(0.8 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (2.2 | ) | (5.3 | ) | (2.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
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EBITDAre |
$ | $ | 291.4 | $ | 312.7 | $ | $ | 1,147.3 | $ | 953.5 | $ | 656.0 | ||||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
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Net (gain) loss on sale of non-real estate assets |
(0.5 | ) | (1.3 | ) | 2.3 | 4.8 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net |
0.7 | 0.2 | 19.4 | (2.3 | ) | (4.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition, restructuring and other |
8.7 | 14.7 | 72.9 | 72.3 | 136.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Technology transformation |
3.4 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense and tax expense from unconsolidated JVs |
0.3 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense from unconsolidated JVs |
0.9 | 1.0 | 5.3 | 3.7 | 3.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, net |
10.7 | 1.3 | (3.9 | ) | 23.8 | 34.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
4.5 | 4.3 | 25.3 | 16.8 | 14.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt |
6.5 | | | (1.4 | ) | 4.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural disaster and COVID |
| | | | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-real estate impairment |
| | | | 7.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of intangible assets |
| | 7.0 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment write-downs of investments in unconsolidated JVs |
| | | | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation adjustments of noncontrolling interests |
| | (0.3 | ) | 0.2 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | $ | 326.6 | $ | 333.8 | $ | $ | 1,278.2 | $ | 1,074.4 | $ | 857.8 | ||||||||||||||||
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Net debt is a non-GAAP financial measure reflecting our gross debt (defined as total debt, net plus financing lease obligations, failed sale-leaseback financing obligations, deferred financing costs and above/below market debt, net), less cash and cash equivalents. Pro forma net debt to Adjusted EBITDA is calculated using pro forma net debt divided by pro forma Adjusted EBITDA. We use this ratio to evaluate our capital structure and financial leverage. This ratio is also commonly used in our industry, and we believe it provides investors, lenders and rating agencies a meaningful supplemental measure of our ability to repay and service our debt obligations. Other REITs may also calculate this ratio or other similarly-captioned metrics in a manner different than we do. The table below includes a reconciliation of pro forma net debt to pro forma gross debt, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. As of March 31, 2024, our ratio of pro forma total debt and debt-like obligations (defined as total debt, net plus financing lease obligations and failed sale-leaseback financing obligations) to net income (loss) was x.
As of March 31, 2024 | ||||
(in millions) | Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
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Total debt, net |
$ | |||
Finance lease obligations |
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Above/below market debt, net |
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$ | |||
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$ | |||
Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA |
x |
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Investing in our common stock involves risks. Before you invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider the risk factors below together with all of the other information included in this prospectus. If any of the risks discussed in this prospectus were to occur, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects and our ability to service our debt and make distributions to our stockholders could be materially and adversely affected (which we refer to collectively as materially and adversely affecting us or having a material adverse effect on us and comparable phrases), the market price of our common stock could decline significantly and you could lose all or part of your investment in our common stock. Some statements in this prospectus, including statements in the following risk factors, constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
Risks Related to Our Business and Operations
Our investments are concentrated in the temperature-controlled warehouse industry, and our business would be materially and adversely affected by an economic downturn in that industry or the market for our customers products.
Our investments in real estate assets are concentrated in the industrial real estate industry, specifically in temperature-controlled warehouses. This concentration exposes us to the risk of economic downturns in this industry to a greater extent than if our business activities included a more significant portion of other sectors of the real estate market. We are also exposed to fluctuations in the markets for, and production of, the commodities and finished products that we store in our warehouses. For example, the demand for seafood, packaged foods and proteins such as poultry, pork and beef and the production of such products directly impacts the need for temperature-controlled warehouse space to store such products for our customers. Although our customers collectively store a diverse product mix in our temperature-controlled warehouses, declines in production of or demand for their products could cause our customers to reduce their inventory levels at and throughput through our warehouses, which could reduce the storage, handling and other fees payable to us and materially and adversely affect us.
The temperature-controlled warehouses that comprise our global warehousing business are concentrated in certain geographic areas, some of which are particularly susceptible to adverse local conditions. Our inability to quickly and effectively restore operations following adverse weather or a localized disaster, or economic or other disturbance in a key geography could materially and adversely affect us.
Although we own or hold leasehold interests in warehouses across the United States and globally, many of these warehouses are concentrated in a few geographic areas. For example, approximately 9% of our owned or leased warehouses were located in Washington, 8% were in the Netherlands, 8% were in California, 6% were in Texas and 6% were in Illinois (in each case, on a cubic-foot basis based on information as of March 31, 2024). This geographic concentration could adversely affect our operating performance if conditions become less favorable in any of the states or markets within such states in which we have a concentration of properties. We cannot assure you that any of our markets will grow, not experience adverse developments or that underlying real estate fundamentals will be favorable to owners and operators of service-oriented or experience-based properties. Our operations may also be affected if competing properties are built in our markets. Local conditions may include natural disasters, periods of economic slowdown or recession, regulatory changes, labor shortages or strikes, localized oversupply in warehousing space or reductions in demand for warehousing space, adverse agricultural events, road or rail line closures, disruptions in logistics systems, such as transportation and tracking systems for our customers inventory, and power outages.
We also maintain facilities in areas that may be susceptible to natural disasters or other serious disruptions caused by record or sustained high temperatures, fire, earthquakes, or other causes that may spoil, damage or destroy a significant portion of customer inventory. In addition, adverse weather patterns may affect local
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harvests, which could have an adverse effect on our customers and cause them to reduce their inventory levels at our warehouses, which could in turn materially and adversely affect us. Our inability to quickly and effectively restore operations following adverse weather or a localized disaster, or economic or other disturbance in a key geography could materially and adversely affect us. Although our property insurance typically insures us against such risks, these policies are subject to deductibles and customary exclusions, and there can be no assurance that such potential liability will not exceed the applicable coverage limits under our insurance policies.
Global market and economic conditions may materially and adversely affect us.
Adverse economic conditions such as high unemployment levels, interest rates, tax rates and fuel and energy costs may have an impact on the results of operations and financial conditions. The success of our business will be affected by general economic and market conditions, as well as by changes in laws, currency exchange controls and national and international political, environmental and socio-economic circumstances. Specifically, our business operations are sensitive to the systemic impact of inflation, the availability and cost of credit, declines in the real estate market, increases in fuel, energy and power costs and geopolitical issues. A severe or prolonged economic downturn may adversely impact the general availability of credit to businesses and could lead to a weakening of the U.S. and global economies. While it is difficult to determine the breadth and duration of any unfavorable market or economic conditions and the many ways in which they may affect our customers and our business in general, unfavorable market or economic conditions may result in:
| changes in consumer trends, demand and preferences for products we store in our warehouses; |
| customer defaults on their contracts with us; |
| reduced demand for our warehouse space, increased vacancies at our warehouses and a reduced ability, or an inability, to retain our customers or acquire new customers; |
| reduced demand for the other supply chain services that comprise our integrated solutions business; |
| lower rates from, and economic concessions to, our customers; |
| increased operating costs, including increased energy, labor and fuel costs, and supply-chain challenges; |
| our inability to raise capital on favorable terms, or at all, when desired; |
| decreased value of our properties and related impact on our ability to obtain attractive prices on sales or to obtain debt financing; and |
| illiquidity and decreased value of our short-term investments and cash deposits. |
Any of the foregoing events could result in substantial or total losses to our business in respect of certain properties, which will likely be exacerbated by the terms of our indebtedness.
Many of our costs, such as operating expenses, interest expense and real estate acquisition and construction costs, could be adversely impacted by periods of heightened inflation.
Inflation in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region has risen to levels not experienced in recent decades and we are seeing its impact on various aspects of our business. Certain of our expenses, including, but not limited to, labor costs, utility costs (power in particular), interest expense, property taxes, insurance premiums, equipment repair and replacement, and other operating expenses are subject to inflationary pressures that have and may continue to negatively impact our business and results of operations. While we seek to reduce the impact of inflation by increased operating efficiencies and embedded rate escalation or price increases to our customers to offset increased costs and while regulators efforts to reduce inflation have been achieved varying levels of success, there can be no assurance that we will be able to offset future inflationary cost increases in whole or in part, which could adversely impact our profit margins. We may be limited in our ability to obtain
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reimbursement from customers under existing contracts for any increases in operating expenses such as labor, electricity charges, maintenance costs, taxes, including real estate and income taxes, or other real estate-related costs. Unless we are able to offset any unexpected costs in a timely manner, or at all, with sufficient revenues through new contracts or new customers, increases in these costs would lower our operating margins and could materially and adversely affect us.
Additionally, inflation may have a negative effect on the construction costs necessary to complete our greenfield development and expansion projects, including, but not limited to, costs of construction materials, labor and services from third-party contractors and suppliers. We rely on a number of third-party suppliers and contractors to supply raw materials, skilled labor and services for our construction projects. Notwithstanding our efforts to manage certain increases in the costs of construction materials in our greenfield development and expansion projects through either general budget contingencies built into our overall project construction costs estimates or guaranteed maximum price construction contracts (which stipulate a maximum price for certain construction costs and shift inflation risk to our construction general contractors), no assurance can be given that our budget contingencies would accurately account for potential construction cost increases given the current severity of inflation and variety of contributing factors, or that our general contractors would be able to absorb such increases in costs and complete our construction projects timely, within budget, or at all.
Higher construction costs could adversely impact our investments in real estate assets and expected yields on our greenfield development and expansion projects, which may make otherwise lucrative investment opportunities less profitable to us. Our reliance on a number of third-party suppliers and contractors may also make such investment opportunities unattainable if we are unable to sufficiently fund our projects due to significant cost increases, or are unable to obtain the resources and materials to do so reasonably due to disrupted supply chains. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity and ability to satisfy our debt service obligations and to pay dividends and distributions to security holders could be adversely affected over time.
In March 2022, the Federal Reserve began, and it has continued and may continue, to raise interest rates in an effort to curb inflation. Our exposure to increases in interest rates in the short term is limited to our variable-rate borrowings, which consist of borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, our Term Loan and our CMBS loans. As of March 31, 2024, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the formation transactions, this offering and the use of the net proceeds from this offering, we had $ billion of our outstanding consolidated indebtedness that is variable-rate debt. However, the effect of inflation on interest rates could increase our financing costs over time, either through near-term borrowings on our floating-rate lines of credit or refinancing of our existing borrowings that may incur higher interest expenses related to the issuance of new debt. For more information, see Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our IndebtednessIncreases in interest rates could increase the amount of our debt payments.
In addition, historically, during periods of increasing interest rates, real estate valuations have generally decreased as a result of rising capitalization rates, which tend to be positively correlated with interest rates. Consequently, prolonged periods of higher interest rates may negatively impact the valuation of our portfolio and result in the decline of the quoted trading price of our securities and market capitalization, as well as lower sales proceeds from future dispositions.
Labor shortages, increased turnover and work stoppages have in the past and may in the future continue to disrupt our or our customers operations, increase costs and negatively impact our profitability.
We hire our own workforce to handle product in and out of storage for our customers in most of our facilities. Our ability to successfully implement our business strategy depends upon our ability to attract and retain talented people and effectively manage our human capital. The labor markets in the industries in which we operate are competitive, and we have historically experienced some level of ordinary course turnover of employees. A number of factors have had and may continue to have adverse effects on the labor force available
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to us, including reduced employment pools and shortages in other industries with which we compete for labor, government regulations, which include laws and regulations related to workers health and safety, wage and hour practices and immigration. In addition, we seek to optimize our mix of permanent and temporary team members in our facilities, as temporary team members typically result in higher costs and lower efficiency. Labor shortages and increased turnover rates within our team member ranks have led to and could in the future lead to increased costs, such as increased overtime to meet demand, increased time and resources related to training new team members, and increased wage rates to attract and retain team members, and could negatively affect our ability to efficiently operate our facilities or otherwise operate at full capacity. An overall or prolonged labor shortage, lack of skilled labor, inability to maintain a stable mix of permanent to temporary team members, increased turnover and labor cost inflation could have a material adverse impact on us. In addition, we may not be able to succesfully implement our labor productivity and lean operating principles initiatives, which may impede our growth.
Furthermore, certain portions of our operations are subject to collective bargaining agreements. As of March 31, 2024, fewer than 5% of our team members in the United States were represented by various local labor unions and associations. Globally (including the United States), approximately 17% (based on team members for whom we are able to ascertain union status) or 26% (assuming that the entire 9% of our team members for whom we are not able to ascertain union status due to applicable privacy or freedom of association laws are represented by labor unions and associations) of our total team members were represented by various local labor unions and associations. Strikes, slowdowns, lockouts or other industrial disputes could cause us to experience a significant disruption in our operations, as well as increase our operating costs, which could materially and adversely affect us. If a greater percentage of our workforce becomes unionized, or if we fail to re-negotiate our expired or expiring collective bargaining agreements on favorable terms in a timely manner or at all, we could be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, our customers operations are subject to labor shortages and disruptions that could continue to negatively impact their production capability, resulting in reduced volume of product for storage. In addition, labor shortages and disruptions impacting the transportation industry may hamper the timely movement of goods into and out of our warehouses. These labor shortages and disruptions could in turn have a material adverse effect on us.
Wage increases driven by competitive pressures or applicable legislation on employee wages and benefits could negatively affect our operating margins and our ability to attract qualified personnel.
Our hourly team members in the United States and internationally are typically paid wage rates above the applicable minimum wage. However, increases in the minimum wage may increase our labor costs if we are to continue paying our hourly team members above the applicable minimum wage. If we are unable to continue paying our hourly team members above the applicable minimum wage or at otherwise competitive wages, we may be unable to hire and retain qualified personnel. For example, beginning in 2020 and through 2023, we saw wage inflation on a global basis at all levels in our organization, which increased labor costs. For each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, labor and benefits expenses in our global warehousing segment accounted for 36.4%, 37.0% and 37.6% of the segments revenues, respectively, and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, labor and benefits expenses in our global warehousing segment accounted for 36.6% and 35.7%, respectively, of the segments revenues. Increases in the rates we pay our team members would negatively affect our operating margins unless we are able to increase our income streams in order to pass increased labor costs on to our customers. Our standard contract forms include some rate protection for uncontrollable costs such as labor, or costs associated with regulatory action, however, despite such provisions, we may not be able to fully pass through these increased costs.
Competitive pressures may also require that we enhance our pay and benefits package to compete effectively for such personnel (including costs associated with health insurance coverage or workers compensation insurance) or offer retention bonuses. If we fail to attract and retain qualified and skilled personnel, we could be materially and adversely affected.
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Supply chain disruptions may continue to negatively impact our business.
Our business has been impacted by ongoing supply chain disruptions, which have impacted, among other things, labor availability, raw material availability, manufacturing and food production, construction materials and transportation, including increased costs, reduced options, and timing delays with respect to the foregoing. Continued disruptions in the supply chain impacting the availability of materials, causing delays in manufacturing and production, including in our customers products, shipping delays and other supply chain problems could materially and adversely impact us.
We are exposed to risks associated with expansion and development, which could result in returns below expectations and unforeseen costs and liabilities.
We have engaged and we expect to continue to engage, in expansion and development activities, including greenfield development and expansion projects, with respect to certain of our properties. Expansion and development activities will subject us to certain risks not present in the acquisition of existing properties (the risks of which are described below), including, without limitation, the following:
| our pipeline of expansion and development opportunities is at various stages of discussion and consideration and, based on historical experiences, many of them may not be pursued or completed as contemplated or at all; |
| the availability and timing of financing on favorable terms or at all; |
| the availability and timely receipt of environmental studies and entitlement, zoning and regulatory approvals, which could result in increased costs and could require us to abandon our activities entirely with respect to any given warehouse for which we are unable to obtain permits or authorizations; |
| the cost and timely completion within budget of construction due to increased land, materials, equipment, labor or other costs (including risks beyond our control, such as strikes, uninsurable losses, weather or labor conditions, or material shortages), which could make completion of any given warehouse or the expansion thereof uneconomical, and we may not be able to increase revenues to compensate for the increase in construction costs; |
| we may be unable to complete construction of a warehouse or the expansion thereof on schedule due to the availability of labor, equipment or materials or other factors outside of our control, resulting in increased debt service expense and construction costs; |
| supply chain disruptions or delays in receiving materials or support from vendors or contractors could impact the timing of stabilization of expansion and development projects; |
| the potential that we may expend funds on and devote management time and attention to projects which we do not complete; |
| newly developed properties do not have an operating history that would allow objective pricing decisions in determining whether to invest our capital in such properties; |
| market conditions may change during the course of development, which may make such development less attractive than at the time it was commenced; |
| a completed expansion project or a newly-developed warehouse may fail to achieve, or take longer than anticipated to achieve, expected occupancy rates and may fail to perform as expected; |
| we may not be able to successfully integrate expanded or newly-developed properties; |
| projects to automate our existing or new warehouses may not perform as expected or achieve the anticipated operational efficiencies; and |
| we may not be able to achieve targeted returns and budgeted stabilized returns on invested capital on our expansion and development opportunities due to the risks described above, and an expansion or development may not be profitable and could lose money. |
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These risks could create substantial unanticipated delays and expenses and, in certain circumstances, prevent the initiation or completion of expansion or development as contemplated or at all, any of which could materially and adversely affect us.
The actual initial full year stabilized NOI yields from our greenfield development and expansion projects may not be consistent with the targeted NOI yield ranges set forth in this prospectus.
As of March 31, 2024, we had 25 greenfield development and expansion projects that had been completed since March 31, 2021 and eight greenfield development and expansion projects under construction. As a part of our standard development and expansion underwriting process, we analyze the estimated initial full year stabilized NOI yield we expect to derive from each greenfield development project and the estimated incremental initial full year stabilized NOI yield we expect to derive from each expansion project, as applicable, and establish a targeted NOI yield range. We define estimated initial full year stabilized NOI yield as the percentage of the total estimated cost to complete the greenfield development or expansion project represented by the estimated initial full year stabilized NOI from the greenfield development project or the estimated incremental initial full year stabilized NOI from the expansion project. For greenfield development projects, we calculate the estimated initial full year stabilized NOI by subtracting the greenfield development projects estimated initial full year stabilized operating expenses (before interest expense, income taxes (if any) and depreciation and amortization) from its estimated initial full year stabilized revenue. For expansion projects, we calculate the estimated incremental initial full year stabilized NOI by subtracting the expansion projects estimated incremental initial full year stabilized operating expenses (before interest expense, income taxes (if any) and depreciation and amortization) from its estimated incremental initial full year stabilized revenue.
We caution you not to place undue reliance on the targeted NOI yield ranges for our greenfield development and expansion projects because they are based solely on our estimates, using data currently available to us in our development and expansion underwriting processes. For our greenfield development and expansion projects under construction, our total cost to complete the project may differ substantially from our estimates due to various factors, including unanticipated expenses, delays in the estimated start and/or completion date and other contingencies. In addition, our actual initial full year stabilized NOI from our greenfield development and expansion projects may differ substantially from our estimates based on numerous other factors, including delays and/or difficulties in leasing or stabilizing the facilities, failure to achieve estimated occupancy and rental rates, inability to collect anticipated revenues, customer bankruptcies and unanticipated expenses at the facilities that we cannot pass on to customers. We can provide no assurance that the actual initial full year stabilized NOI yields from our greenfield development and expansion projects will be consistent with the targeted NOI yield ranges set forth in this prospectus.
Our future greenfield development and expansion activity may not be consistent with the estimates relating to our future long-term pipeline set forth in this prospectus.
As of March 31, 2024, we were researching or underwriting a range of greenfield development and expansion opportunities as part of our future long-term pipeline, including 16 projects globally at various phases of research and underwriting, with an estimated construction cost of approximately $1.9 billion and potential contribution of approximately 4.1 million square feet, approximately 246 million cubic feet and approximately 748 thousand pallet positions. The projects in our future long-term pipeline include both projects where we already own the land and projects for which we will need to acquire incremental land.
We caution you not to place undue reliance on the projections relating to our future long-term pipeline because they are based solely our estimates, using data currently available to us, and our business plans as of the date of this prospectus. Our actual greenfield development and expansion activity may differ substantially from our projections based on numerous factors, including our inability to acquire the necessary incremental land or obtain necessary zoning, land use and other required entitlements, as well as building and other required governmental permits and authorizations, and changes in the entitlement, permitting and authorization processes
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that may restrict or delay our ability to execute on our future long-term pipeline. Moreover, we may strategically choose not to execute on our future long-term pipeline or be unable to do so as a result of factors beyond our control, including our inability to obtain financing on terms and conditions that we find acceptable, or at all, and fund our development and expansion activities. We can provide no assurance that actual greenfield development and expansion activity and/or any particular project will be consistent with the projections for our future long-term pipeline set forth in this prospectus.
The short-term nature and lack of minimum storage guarantees in many of our customer contracts exposes us to certain risks that could have a material adverse effect on us.
For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, approximately 41.8% of our storage revenues were generated from agreements with customers that contained minimum storage guarantees. However, despite such guarantees, in the event a customer were to terminate such a contract with us, our remedies are typically limited to the amount of the guarantee.
Our customer contracts that do not contain minimum storage guarantees typically do not require our customers to utilize a minimum number of pallet positions or provide for guaranteed fixed payment obligations from our customers to us. As a result, most of our customers may discontinue or otherwise reduce their use of our warehouses or other services in their discretion at any time which could have a material adverse effect on us. Additionally, we have discrete pricing for our customers based upon their unique profiles. Therefore, a shift in the mix of business types or customers could negatively impact our financial results.
The storage and other fees we generate from customers with month-to-month warehouse rate agreements may be adversely affected by declines in market storage and other fee rates more quickly than with respect to our contracts that contain stated terms. There also can be no assurance that we will be able to retain any customers upon the expiration of their contracts (whether month-to-month warehouse rate agreements or contracts) or leases. If we cannot retain our customers, or if our customers that are not party to contracts with minimum storage guarantees elect not to store goods in our warehouses, we may be unable to find replacement customers on favorable terms or at all or on a timely basis and we may incur significant expenses in obtaining replacement customers and repositioning warehouses to meet their needs. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect us.
In addition, while we plan to expand our use of contracts with minimum storage guarantees, there can no assurance that we will be able to do so or that that strategy will result in increases in recurring revenue, enhanced stability of cash flows or increases in our economic occupancy, which could impede our growth.
Our integrated solutions business depends on the performance of our global warehousing business.
Our integrated solutions business complements our global warehousing services. For example, within transportation, which is the largest area within our integrated solutions business, our core focus areas are multi-vendor less-than-full-truckload consolidation, transportation brokerage and drayage services to and from ports. Because we provide this integrated solutions business to our warehouse customers, the success of our integrated solutions business depends on the performance of our global warehousing business. A reduction in the number of our customers or in our customers inventory or throughput levels for any reason could in turn result in reduced demand for our integrated solutions services, which may adversely affect our operations.
Our growth may strain our management and resources, which may have a material adverse effect on us.
We have grown rapidly in recent years, including by expanding our internal resources, undertaking expansion and development projects, making acquisitions, providing expanded service offerings and entering new markets. Our growth has, and may continue to, place a strain on our management, operational, financial and information systems, and procedures and controls to expand, train and control our employee base. Our need for working capital will increase as our operations grow. There can be no assurance that we will be able to adapt our portfolio management, administrative, accounting, IT and operational systems to support any growth we may
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experience. Failure to oversee our current portfolio of properties and manage our growth effectively, or to obtain necessary working capital and funds for capital improvements, could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, our inability to obtain necessary working capital and funds for capital improvements or to successfully deploy capital on accretive projects could impede our growth.
A portion of our future growth depends upon acquisitions and we may be unable to identify, complete and successfully integrate acquisitions, which may impede our growth, and our future acquisitions may not achieve their intended benefits or may disrupt our plans and operations.
We have executed on 116 acquisitions since our first acquisition in 2008, of which 75 were executed in the four years since 2020. Our ability to expand through acquisitions requires us to identify and complete acquisitions that are compatible with our growth strategy and to successfully integrate and operate these newly-acquired companies and/or properties. We continually evaluate acquisition opportunities but cannot guarantee that suitable opportunities currently exist or will exist in the future. In addition, future acquisitions may generate lower returns than past acquisitions and past acquisitions may not generate the same returns as they did previously. Our ability to identify and complete acquisitions of suitable companies and/or properties on favorable terms, or at all, and to successfully integrate and operate them to meet our financial, operational and strategic expectations may be constrained by the following risks, among others:
| we face competition from other real estate investors with significant capital, including REITs and institutional investment funds, which may be able to accept more risk than we can prudently manage, including risks associated with paying higher acquisition prices; |
| we face competition from other potential acquirers that may significantly increase the purchase price for a company and/or property we acquire, which could reduce our growth prospects or returns; |
| we may incur significant costs and divert managements attention in connection with evaluating and negotiating potential acquisitions, including ones that we are subsequently unable to complete; |
| we may acquire companies or properties that are not accretive to our operating and financial results upon acquisition, and we may be unsuccessful in integrating and operating such companies or properties in accordance with our expectations; |
| our cash flow from an acquired company or property may be insufficient to meet our required principal and interest payments with respect to any debt used to finance the acquisition of such company or property; |
| we may discover unexpected items, such as unknown liabilities, during our due diligence investigation of a potential acquisition or other customary closing conditions may not be satisfied, causing us to abandon an acquisition opportunity after incurring expenses related thereto; |
| we may face opposition from governmental authorities or third parties alleging that potential acquisition transactions are anti-competitive, and as a result, we may have to spend a significant amount of time and expense to respond to related inquiries, or governmental authorities may prohibit the transaction or impose terms or conditions that are unacceptable to us; |
| we may fail to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals or other approvals required in connection with any potential acquisition or we may fail to satisfy certain conditions required to complete a transaction in a timely manner; |
| we may be required to acquire a company and/or property through one or more of our taxable REIT subsidiary, or TRS, entities, but no more than 20% of the value of our gross assets may consist of securities in TRSs, and as a result, compliance with these requirements could limit our ability to complete a transaction; |
| we may fail to discover design or construction defects of an acquired property following the completion of an acquisition that may require unforeseen capital expenditures, special reports or maintenance expenses; |
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| we may fail to obtain financing for an acquisition on favorable terms or at all; |
| we may be unable to make, or may spend more than budgeted amounts to make, necessary improvements or renovations to acquired properties; |
| we may spend more than budgeted amounts to meet customer specifications on a newly-acquired warehouse; |
| market conditions may result in higher than expected vacancy rates and lower than expected storage charges, rent or fees from our global warehousing business and lower utilization of and revenue from our integrated solutions business; |
| engineering, seismic and other reports on which we rely as part of our pre-acquisition due diligence investigations of these properties may be inaccurate or deficient, at least in part because defects may be difficult or impossible to ascertain; or |
| we may, without any recourse, or with only limited recourse, acquire properties subject to liabilities, such as liabilities for clean-up of undisclosed environmental contamination, defects of design, construction, title or other problems, claims by employees, customers, vendors or other persons dealing with the former owners of the properties, liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and claims for indemnification by general partners, directors, officers and others indemnified by the former owners of the properties. |
If any of the foregoing risks were to materialize, they could materially and adversely affect us.
We may be unable to successfully expand our operations into new markets or new lines of business.
If the opportunity arises, we may acquire or develop properties in new markets. In addition to the risks described above relating to our acquisition, expansion and development activities, the acquisition, expansion or development of properties in new markets will subject us to the risks associated with a lack of understanding of the related economy and unfamiliarity with government and permitting procedures. We will also not possess the same level of familiarity with the dynamics and market conditions of any new market that we may enter, which could adversely affect our ability to successfully expand and operate in such market. We may be unable to build a significant market share or achieve a desired return on our investments in new markets. If we are unsuccessful in expanding and operating in new, high-growth markets, it could have a material adverse effect on us.
In addition, from time to time, we may develop, grow and/or acquire new lines of business or offer new services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets for these services are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or new services, we may invest significant time and resources. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business and/or new services may not be achieved, and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new service. Furthermore, the burden on management and our IT of introducing any new line of business and/or new service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of our system of internal controls. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new services could have a material adverse effect on us.
We are dependent on Bay Grove to provide certain services to us pursuant to the transition services agreement, and it may be difficult to replace the services provided under such agreement.
Historically, we have relied on Bay Grove to provide certain operating, consulting, strategic development and financial services, including advice and assistance concerning operational aspects of Lineage Holdings and its subsidiaries, and we will continue to rely on Bay Grove for transition services supporting capital deployment and mergers and acquisitions activity for three years following the initial closing of this offering pursuant to the transition
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services agreement that we plan to enter into with Bay Grove in connection with this offering. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransition Services Agreement. In addition, it may be difficult for us to replace the services provided by Bay Grove under the transition services agreement, and the terms of any agreements to replace such services may be less favorable to us. Any failure by Bay Grove in the performance of such services, or any failure on our part to successfully transition these services away from Bay Grove by the expiration of the transition services agreement, could materially harm our business and financial performance.
We can only terminate the transition services agreement with Bay Grove under limited circumstances and will be required to pay fees thereunder even if Bay Grove does not perform the services required.
The transition services agreement that we plan to enter into with Bay Grove in connection with this offering will provide that the agreement can only be terminated by mutual written consent of us and Bay Grove or by us for cause (as defined in the transition services agreement), which does not include any failure of Bay Grove to provide services under the agreement. Accordingly, even if Bay Grove were to fail to provide the services required pursuant to the transition services agreement, we would be obligated to pay Bay Grove $8 million per year for the term of the agreement. In such event, we could incur operational difficulties or losses, including the incurrence of additional costs to transition such services, that could have a material and adverse effect on us.
We will have uncapped expense payment and indemnification obligations with respect to various costs incurred by BGLH, Bay Grove and their affiliates.
In connection with this offering, Lineage Holdings will have entered into an expense reimbursement and indemnification agreement with BGLH, the LHR and Bay Grove, pursuant to which Lineage Holdings will agree to (i) advance to or reimburse such entities for all of their expenses in any way related to our company, including expenses incurred in connection with the coordinated settlement process that will occur for up to three years for all legacy investors in both BGLH and our operating partnership, and (ii) indemnify such entities to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against liabilities that may arise in any way related to our company, including liabilities incurred in connection with or as a result of the coordinated settlement process. There is no limit to the amounts we may be required to pay under this agreement. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that our future payment obligations under this agreement will not have a material adverse effect on us.
We have no experience operating as a publicly traded REIT.
We have no experience operating as a publicly traded REIT. As a publicly traded REIT, we will be required to develop and implement substantial control systems, policies and procedures in order to maintain our REIT qualification and satisfy our periodic SEC reporting, SEC compliance and Nasdaq listing requirements. We cannot assure you that our managements past experience will be sufficient to successfully develop and implement these systems, policies and procedures and to operate our company as a publicly traded REIT. Any difficulty we have in operating as a publicly traded REIT in compliance with these requirements could subject us to significant fines, sanctions and other liabilities and jeopardize our status as a REIT or as a public company listed on Nasdaq, which could materially and adversely affect us. See also Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our REIT Status and Other Tax RisksFailure to qualify as a REIT would cause us to be taxed as a regular C corporation, which would substantially reduce funds available for distributions to stockholders.
Pandemics or disease outbreaks, and associated responses, may disrupt our business, including among other things, increasing our costs, impacting our supply chain, and impacting demand for cold storage, which could have a material adverse impact on our business.
We face various risks and uncertainties related to public health crises, including:
| supply chain disruptions; |
| potential work stoppages, including stoppages due to spread of the disease among our team members or our customers work forces or due to shutdowns that may be requested or mandated by governmental authorities; |
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| labor unrest, including unrest due to risks of disease from working with other team members and outside vendors; |
| economic impacts, including increased labor costs, from mitigation and other measures undertaken by us and/or third parties to support and protect our team members or the food supply; |
| completing developments on time or an inability of our contractors to perform as a result of spread of disease among team members of our contractors and other construction partners, travel restrictions or due to shutdowns that may be requested or mandated by governmental authorities; |
| limiting the ability of our customers to comply with the terms of their contracts with us, including making timely payments to us, due to, among other factors, labor shortages impacting our customers ability to manufacture and transport product; |
| limiting the ability of our suppliers and partners to comply with the terms of their contracts with us, including in making timely delivery of supplies to us necessary for the operation of our temperature-controlled warehouses; |
| long-term volatility in or reduced demand for temperature-controlled warehouse storage and related handling and other warehouse services; |
| adverse impact on the value of our real estate; and |
| reduced ability to execute our growth strategies, including identifying and completing acquisitions and expanding into new markets. |
The extent to which a public health emergency impacts our operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with any degree of confidence, including the scope, severity, duration and geographies of the outbreak, the actions taken or not taken to contain the outbreak or mitigate its impact requested or mandated by governmental authorities or otherwise voluntarily taken or not taken by individuals or businesses, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the illness and containment measures, among others.
We may be vulnerable to security breaches or cyber-attacks which could disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.
We rely extensively on information systems to process transactions, operate and manage our business. Our ability to efficiently manage our business depends significantly on the reliability and capacity of these systems. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attack or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. Our IT networks and related systems are essential to the operation of our business and our ability to perform day-to-day operations (including managing and operating our warehouses and our integrated solutions business), and, in some cases, may be critical to the operations of our customers. The failure of our IT systems to perform as anticipated, and the failure to integrate disparate systems effectively or to collect data accurately and consolidate it a useable manner efficiently could adversely affect our business through transaction errors, billing and invoicing errors, processing inefficiencies or errors and loss of sales, receivables, collections and customers, in each case, which could result in reputational damage and have an ongoing adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.
We recognize the increasing volume of cyber-attacks and employ commercially practical efforts to provide reasonable assurance such attacks are appropriately mitigated. We may be required to expend significant financial resources and management time to protect against or respond to such breaches. Techniques used to breach security change frequently and are generally not recognized until launched against a target, so we may not be able to promptly detect that a security breach or unauthorized access has occurred. We also may not be able to implement security measures in a timely manner or, if and when implemented, we may not be able to determine
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the extent to which these measures could be circumvented. If an actual or perceived security breach occurs, the markets perception of our security measures could be harmed and we could lose current and potential tenants, and such a breach could be harmful to our brand and reputation. Any breaches that may occur could expose us to increased risk of lawsuits, material monetary damages, potential violations of applicable privacy and other laws, penalties and fines, harm to our reputation and increases in our security and insurance costs. In the event of a breach resulting in loss of data, such as personally identifiable information or other such data protected by data privacy or other laws, we may be liable for damages, fines and penalties for such losses under applicable regulatory frameworks despite not handling the data. We cannot guarantee that any backup systems, regular data backups, security protocols, network protection mechanisms and other procedures currently in place, or that may be in place in the future, will be adequate to prevent network and service interruption, system failure, damage to one or more of our systems or data loss in the event of a security breach or attack. In addition, our customers rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions and manage their businesses and thus their businesses are also at risk from, and may be impacted by, cybersecurity attacks. An interruption in the business operations of our customers or a deterioration in their reputation resulting from a cybersecurity attack could indirectly impact our business operations. We carry insurance, including cyber insurance, commensurate with the size and nature of our operations; however, there can be no assurance that such potential liability will not exceed the applicable coverage limits under our insurance policies.
However, there can be no assurance that our efforts to maintain the security and integrity of these types of IT networks and related systems will be effective or that attempted security breaches or disruptions would not be successful or damaging. Like other businesses, we have been and expect to continue to be subject to unauthorized access, mishandling or misuse, computer viruses or malware, cyber-attacks and other events of varying degrees. Historically, these events have not significantly affected our operations or business and were not individually or in the aggregate material. While these incidents did not have a material impact on us, there can be no assurance that future incidents will not have a material adverse effect on us.
We depend on IT systems to operate our business, and issues with maintaining, upgrading or implementing these systems, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We rely on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of IT systems to process, transmit and store electronic information in our day-to-day operations. All IT systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from a variety of sources. Our business has grown in size and complexity; this has placed, and will continue to place, significant demands on our IT systems. In connection with this growth, we rely on 81 fully-and semi-automated facilities in a traditionally analog industry. To effectively manage this growth, our information systems and applications require an ongoing commitment of significant resources to maintain, protect, enhance and upgrade existing systems and develop and implement new systems to keep pace with changing technology and our business needs. Since the start of 2019, we have invested more than $725 million into transformational technology initiatives, which include developing, acquiring and deploying both proprietary operating systems and third-party platforms. In addition, since the start of 2019, we have deployed approximately $380 million to capital and operating expenses in information technology investments. This investment encompasses migrating workloads to the cloud, implementing SaaS-based tools, rolling out next-generation SD-WAN and upgrading our core human capital and financial ERP software. These initiatives are strategically designed to standardize, integrate and enhance the technological framework across our enterprise. This development entails certain risks, including difficulties with changes in business processes that could disrupt our operations, manage our supply chain and aggregate financial and operational data. We may continue to rely on legacy information systems, which may be costly or inefficient, while the implementation of new initiatives may not achieve the anticipated benefits and may divert managements attention from other operational activities, negatively affect team member morale, or have other unintended consequences. Delays in integration or disruptions to our business from implementation of new or upgraded systems could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results. Additionally, if we are not able to accurately anticipate expenses and capitalized costs related to system upgrades and changes or if we are unable to realize the expected benefits from our technology initiatives, this may have an adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results.
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If the information we rely upon to run our businesses were to be found to be inaccurate or unreliable, if we fail to maintain or protect our IT systems and data integrity effectively, if we fail to develop and implement new or upgraded systems to meet our business needs in a timely manner, or if we fail to anticipate, plan for or manage significant disruptions to these systems, our competitive position could be harmed, we could have operational disruptions, we could lose existing customers, have difficulty preventing, detecting, and controlling fraud, have disputes with customers, have regulatory sanctions or penalties imposed or other legal problems, incur increased operating and administrative expenses, lose revenues as a result of a data privacy breach or theft of intellectual property or suffer other adverse consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Privacy and data security concerns, and data collection and transfer restrictions and related regulations may adversely affect our business.
Many foreign countries and governmental bodies, including the European Union, where we conduct business, have laws and regulations concerning the collection and use of personal data obtained from their residents or by businesses operating within their jurisdiction. These laws and regulations often are more restrictive than those in the United States. Laws and regulations in these jurisdictions apply broadly to the collection, use, storage, disclosure and security of data that identifies or may be used to identify or locate an individual, such as names, email addresses and, in some jurisdictions, IP addresses.
Recently, there has been heightened interest and enforcement focus on data protection regulations and standards both in the United States and abroad. For example, in January 2023, amendments to Californias Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 went into effect, increasing data privacy requirements for our business. We expect that there will continue to be new proposed laws, regulations and industry standards concerning privacy, data protection and information security in the United States, the European Union, and other jurisdictions. In addition, the European Commission adopted a General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), that became fully effective on May 25, 2018, superseding prior European Union data protection legislation, imposing more stringent European Union data protection requirements, and providing for greater penalties for noncompliance. The United Kingdom enacted the Data Protection Act that substantially implements the GDPR. More generally, we cannot yet fully determine the impact these or future laws, regulations and standards may have on our business. Privacy, data protection and information security laws and regulations are often subject to differing interpretations, may be inconsistent among jurisdictions, and may be alleged to be inconsistent with our current or future practices. Additionally, we may be bound by contractual requirements applicable to our collection, use, processing, and disclosure of various types of data, including personal data, and may be bound by, or voluntarily comply with, self-regulatory or other industry standards relating to these matters. These and other requirements could increase our costs, impair our ability to grow our business, or restrict our ability to store and process data or, in some cases, impact our ability to operate our business in some locations and may subject us to liability. Any failure or perceived failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations, industry standards, and contractual obligations may adversely affect our business.
Further, in view of new or modified foreign laws and regulations, industry standards, contractual obligations and other legal obligations, or any changes in their interpretation, we may find it necessary or desirable to fundamentally change our business activities and practices or to expend significant resources to adapt to these changes. We may be unable to make such changes and modifications in a commercially reasonable manner or at all.
The costs of compliance with and other burdens imposed by laws, regulations and standards may limit the use and adoption of our service and reduce overall demand for it. Failure to comply with applicable data protection regulations or standards may expose us to litigation, fines, sanctions or other penalties, which could damage our reputation and adversely impact our business, results of operation and financial condition. Privacy, information security, and data protection concerns may inhibit market adoption of our business, particularly in certain industries and foreign countries.
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If any of the foregoing risks were to materialize, they could materially and adversely affect us.
We are subject to additional risks with respect to our current and potential international operations and properties.
As of March 31, 2024, we owned or had a leasehold interest in 201 temperature-controlled warehouses outside the United States. We also intend to strategically grow our portfolio globally through acquisitions of temperature-controlled warehouses in attractive international markets to service demonstrable customer demand where we believe the anticipated risk-adjusted returns are consistent with our investment objectives. However, there can be no assurance that our existing customer relationships will support our international operations in any meaningful way or at all. Our international operations and properties could be affected by factors specific to the laws, regulations and business practices of the jurisdictions in which our warehouses are located. These laws, regulations and business practices expose us to risks that are different than or in addition to those commonly found in the United States. Risks relating to our international operations and properties include:
| changing governmental rules and policies, including changes in land use and zoning laws; |
| enactment of laws relating to the international ownership and leasing of real property or mortgages and laws restricting the ability to remove profits earned from activities within a particular country to a persons or companys country of origin; |
| changes in laws or policies governing foreign trade or investment and use of foreign operations or workers, and any negative sentiments towards multinational companies as a result of any such changes to laws, regulations or policies or due to trends such as political populism and economic nationalism; |
| variations in currency exchange rates and the imposition of currency controls; |
| adverse market conditions caused by terrorism, civil unrest, natural disasters, infectious disease and changes in international, national or local governmental or economic conditions; |
| the willingness of U.S. or international lenders to make mortgage loans in certain countries and changes in the availability, cost and terms of secured and unsecured debt resulting from varying governmental policies, economic conditions or otherwise; |
| business disruptions arising from public health crises and outbreaks of communicable diseases; |
| the imposition of non-U.S. income and withholding taxes, value added taxes, and other taxes on dividends, interest, capital gains, income, gains, gross sales or other disposition proceeds and changes in real estate and other tax rates and other operating expenses in particular countries, including the potential imposition of adverse or confiscatory taxes; |
| general political and economic instability; |
| geopolitical risks, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the blockage of the Suez Canal affecting the flow of trade out of Asia; |
| potential liability under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, anticorruption regulations with broad jurisdictional authority; |
| our limited experience and expertise in foreign countries relative to our experience and expertise in the United States; |
| restrictions on our ability to repatriate earnings generated from our international operations and adverse tax consequences in the applicable jurisdictions, such as double taxation; |
| potential liability under, and costs of complying with, more stringent environmental laws or changes in the requirements or interpretation of existing laws, or environmental consequences of less stringent environmental management practices in foreign countries relative to the United States; and |
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| disruptions to our business or that of our customers and/or our suppliers resulting from trade tensions, tariffs imposed by the U.S. and other governments, actual or threatened modifications to or withdrawals from international trade agreements, treaties, policies, tariffs, quotas or any other trade rules or restrictions. |
If any of the foregoing risks were to materialize, they could materially and adversely affect us.
Competition in our markets may increase over time if our competitors open new warehouses or expand their logistics or integrated service offerings that compete with our offerings.
We compete with other owners and operators of temperature-controlled warehouses (including our customers or potential customers who may choose to provide temperature-controlled warehousing in-house), some of which own properties similar to ours in similar geographic locations, as well with as various logistics companies. In recent years, certain of our competitors, including Americold, United States Cold Storage, NewCold, and FreezPak Logistics, have added, through construction, development and acquisition, temperature-controlled warehouses in certain of our markets. In addition, our customers or potential customers may choose to develop new temperature-controlled warehouses, expand their existing temperature-controlled warehouses or upgrade their equipment. As newer warehouses and equipment come onto the market, we may lose existing or potential customers, and we may be pressured to reduce our rent and storage and other fees below those we currently charge in order to retain customers. If we lose one or more customers, we cannot assure you that we would be able to replace those customers on attractive terms or at all. We also may be forced to invest in new construction or reposition existing warehouses at significant costs in order to remain competitive. Increased capital expenditures or the loss of global warehousing segment revenues resulting from lower occupancy or storage rates could have a material adverse effect on us. We may also compete with other logistics providers that are able to offer more attractive services or rates. Such competition may affect our profitability in respect of our integrated solutions services and our intended expansion of such services. In addition, such competition could make it difficult to gain new customers and expand our business with existing customers, which could impede our utilization initiatives to increase physical occupancy. Such competition could also make it difficult to successfully implement our commercial optimization initiatives and our initiative to align rates with costs to serve, which could adversely impact our results of operations and our growth.
Power costs may increase or be subject to volatility, which could result in increased costs that we may be unable to recover.
Power is a major operating cost for temperature-controlled warehouses, and the price of power varies substantially between the markets in which we operate, depending on the power source and supply and demand factors. For each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, power costs in our global warehousing segment accounted for 5.3%, 6.4% and 5.9% of the segments revenues, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, power costs in our global warehousing segment accounted for 4.9% and 5.0% of the segments revenues, respectively.
We have implemented programs across several of our warehouses to reduce overall consumption and to reduce consumption at peak demand periods, when power prices are typically highest. Additionally, we have introduced alternative sources of energy at several of our warehouses through on-site solar and battery capacity and linear generators. However, there can be no assurance that these programs will be effective in reducing our power consumption or cost of power, which could adversely impact our growth and the predictability of our margins.
We have entered into, or may in the future enter into, fixed price power purchase agreements in certain deregulated markets whereby we contract for the right to purchase an amount of electric capacity at a fixed rate per kilowatt. Typically, these contracts do not obligate us to purchase any minimum amounts but would require negotiation if our capacity requirements were to materially differ from historical usage or exceed the thresholds agreed upon. For example, exceeding these thresholds could have an adverse impact on our incremental power purchase costs if we were to be unable to obtain favorable rates on the incremental purchases.
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If the cost of electric power to operate our warehouses increases dramatically or fluctuates widely and we are unable to pass such costs through to customers, we could be materially and adversely affected.
We depend on certain customers for a substantial amount of our revenues.
Our 25 largest customers contributed approximately 32% of our total revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, we had five customers that each accounted for at least 2% of our total revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. In addition, as of March 31, 2024, 34 of our warehouses were predominantly single-customer warehouses. If any of our most significant customers were to discontinue or otherwise reduce their use of our warehouses or other services, which they are generally free to do at any time unless they are party to a contract that includes a minimum storage commitment, we would be materially and adversely affected. While we have contracts with stated terms with certain of our customers, many of our contracts do not obligate our customers to use our warehouses or provide for minimum storage commitments. Moreover, a decrease in demand for certain commodities or products produced by our significant customers and stored in our temperature-controlled warehouses would lower our physical occupancy rates and use of our services, without lowering our fixed costs, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, any of our significant customers could experience a downturn in their businesses which may weaken their financial condition and liquidity and result in their failure to make timely payments to us or otherwise default under their contracts. Cancellation of, or failure of a significant customer to perform under, a contract could require us to seek replacement customers. However, there can be no assurance that we would be able to find suitable replacements on favorable terms in a timely manner or at all or reposition the warehouses without incurring significant costs. Moreover, a bankruptcy filing by or relating to any of our significant customers could prevent or delay us from collecting pre-bankruptcy obligations. The bankruptcy, insolvency or financial deterioration of our significant customers, could materially and adversely affect us. In addition, some of our significant customers also utilize our integrated solutions, and a loss of such customer as a warehouse customer would also impact our integrated solutions segment, thereby exacerbating the risks described above.
In addition, while some of our warehouses are located in primary markets, others are located in secondary and tertiary markets that are specifically suited to the particular needs of the customer utilizing these warehouses. For example, our production advantaged warehouses typically serve one or a small number of customers. These warehouses are also generally located adjacent to or otherwise in close proximity to customer processing or production facilities and were often build-to-suit at the time of their construction. If customers who utilize this type of warehouse, which may be located in remote areas, relocate their processing or production plants, default or otherwise cease to use our warehouses, then we may be unable to find replacement customers for these warehouses on favorable terms or at all or, if we find replacement customers, we may have to incur significant costs to reposition these warehouses for the replacement customers needs, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Interest rate and hedging activity exposes us to risks, including the risks that a counterparty will not perform and that the hedge will not yield the economic benefits we anticipate.
As of March 31, 2024, we were a party to 13 interest rate hedges, which effectively convert $6.2 billion of our variable-rate indebtedness to fixed-rate once the strike rates of the caps are exceeded. In addition, we have entered into certain forward contracts and other hedging arrangements in order to fix power costs for anticipated electricity requirements. These hedging transactions expose us to certain risks, such as the risk that counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under these arrangements, and that these arrangements may not be effective in reducing our exposure to interest rate and power cost changes. Moreover, there can be no assurance that our hedging arrangements will qualify for hedge accounting or that our hedging activities will have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations or cash flows. Should we desire to terminate a hedging agreement, there could be significant costs and cash requirements involved to fulfill our obligation under the hedging agreement. Failure to hedge effectively against interest rate and power cost changes could have a material adverse effect on us. When a hedging agreement is required under the terms of a mortgage loan, it is often a
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condition that the hedge counterparty maintains a specified credit rating. With the current volatility in the financial markets, there is an increased risk that hedge counterparties could have their credit ratings downgraded to a level that would not be acceptable under the loan provisions. If we were unable to renegotiate the credit rating condition with the lender or find an alternative counterparty with an acceptable credit rating, we could be in default under the loan and the lender could seize that property through foreclosure, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our business operations outside the United States expose us to losses resulting from currency fluctuations, as the revenues associated with our international operations and properties are typically generated in the local currency of each of the countries in which the properties are located. Fluctuations in exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar will therefore give rise to non-U.S. currency exposure, which could materially and adversely affect us. We hedge this exposure by incurring operating costs in the same currency as the revenue generated by the related property. We also attempt to mitigate any such effects by entering into currency exchange rate hedging arrangements where it is practical to do so and where such hedging arrangements are available and by structuring debt in local currency. As of March 31, 2024, we were a party to cross currency swaps on certain of our loans, and to interest rate swaps on our variable rate indebtedness. Periodically we enter into foreign currency forward contracts to manage our exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates. In addition, we have entered into certain forward contracts and other hedging arrangements in order to fix power costs for anticipated electricity requirements.
These hedging arrangements may bear substantial costs, however, and may not eliminate all related risks. These hedging transactions also expose us to certain risks, such as the risk that counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under these arrangements, and that these arrangements may not be effective in reducing our exposure to foreign exchange rate, interest rate, and power cost changes. We cannot assure you that our efforts will successfully mitigate our currency risks. Moreover, if we do engage in currency exchange rate hedging activities, any income recognized with respect to these hedges (as well as any foreign currency gain recognized with respect to changes in exchange rates) may not qualify under the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test that we must satisfy annually in order to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. Accordingly, our ability to enter into hedging activities may be limited. In addition, changes in foreign currency exchange rates used to value a REITs foreign assets may be considered changes in the value of the REITs assets. These changes may adversely affect our status as a REIT. Further, bank accounts in a foreign currency which are not considered cash or cash equivalents may adversely affect our status as a REIT. See Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Our Company. For more information regarding our currency exposure, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsQuantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market RisksForeign Currency Risk. Moreover, there can be no assurance that our hedging arrangements will qualify for hedge accounting or that our hedging activities will have the desired beneficial impact on our results of operations or cash flows. Should we desire to terminate a hedging agreement, there could be significant costs and cash requirements involved to fulfill our obligation under the hedging agreement. Failure to hedge effectively against foreign exchange rates, interest rates and power cost changes could have a material adverse effect on us.
We may incur liabilities or harm our reputation as a result of quality-control issues associated with our global warehouse storage business and other services provided by our integrated solutions business.
We store frozen and perishable food and other products and provide food processing, repackaging and other services. Product contamination, spoilage, other adulteration, product tampering or other quality control issues could occur at any of our facilities or during the transportation of these products, which could cause our customers to lose all or a portion of their inventory. We could be liable for the costs incurred by our customers as a result of the lost inventory, and we also may be subject to liability, which could be material, if any of the frozen and perishable food products we stored, processed, repackaged or transported caused injury, illness or death. The occurrence of any of the foregoing may negatively impact our brand and reputation and otherwise have a material adverse effect on us.
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We are subject to risks related to corporate social and environmental responsibility and reputation.
A number of factors influence our reputation and brand value, including how we are perceived by our customers, business partners, investors, team members, other stakeholders and the communities in which we do business. We face increasing scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities and disclosures and risk damage to our reputation if we fail to act appropriately and responsibly in ESG matters, including, among others, environmental stewardship, supply chain management, climate change, human rights, diversity, equity and inclusion, workplace ethics and conduct, philanthropic activity and support for the communities we serve and in which we operate. Any damage to our reputation could impact the willingness of our business partners and customers to do business with us, or could negatively impact our team member hiring, engagement and retention, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows. We could also incur additional costs and devote additional resources to monitoring, reporting, and implementing various ESG practices.
We may be unable to achieve or demonstrate progress on our goal of carbon neutrality for our global operations by calendar 2040.
In 2021, we announced we had signed onto The Climate Pledge and committed to a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by calendar 2040. Achievement of this goal depends on our execution of operational strategies relating to energy efficiency measures, onsite energy generation and storage, and network-wide standards to minimize and eliminate carbon emissions associated with daily operations.
Execution of these strategies, as well as demonstrable progress on and achievement of our calendar 2040 goal, is subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
| our ability to successfully implement our business strategy, effectively respond to changes in market dynamics and achieve the anticipated benefits and associated cost savings of such strategies and actions; |
| the availability and cost of, and our ability to acquire, solar-panels, alternative fuel vehicles, alternative fuels, global electrical charging infrastructure and other materials and components, which may not be available at scale; |
| unforeseen production, design, operational and technological difficulties; |
| the outcome of research efforts and future technology developments, including the ability to scale projects and technologies on a commercially competitive basis such as carbon sequestration and/or other related processes; |
| compliance with, and changes or additions to, global and regional regulations, taxes, charges, mandates or requirements relating to greenhouse gas emissions, carbon costs or climate-related goals; |
| labor-related regulations and requirements that restrict or prohibit our ability to impose requirements on third parties who provide contracted transportation for our transportation networks; |
| adapting products to customer preferences and customer acceptance of sustainable supply chain solutions and potentially increased prices for our services; and the actions of competitors and competitive pressures. |
There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully execute our strategies and achieve or demonstrate progress on our calendar 2040 goal of carbon neutrality. Additionally, we may determine that it is in our best interests to prioritize other business, social, governance or sustainable investments and/or initiatives over the achievement of our calendar 2040 goal based on economic, regulatory or social factors, business strategy or other reasons. Failure to achieve or demonstrate progress on our calendar 2040 goal could damage our reputation and customer and other stakeholder relationships. Further, given investors and banks increased focus related to
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ESG matters, such a failure could cause large stockholders to reduce their ownership of our common stock and limit our access to financing. Such conditions could materially and adversely affect us, as well as on the market price of our common stock.
Our temperature-controlled warehouse infrastructure and systems may become obsolete or unmarketable and we may not be able to upgrade our equipment cost-effectively or at all.
The infrastructure at our temperature-controlled warehouses and systems may become obsolete or unmarketable due to the development of, or demand for, more advanced equipment or enhanced technologies, including increased automation of our warehouses. Increased automation may entail significant time and start-up costs and lost revenue opportunity, and may not perform as expected. In addition, our IT platform pursuant to which we provide inventory management and other services to our customers may become outdated. When customers demand new equipment or technologies, the cost could be significant and we may not be able to upgrade our warehouses on a cost-effective basis in a timely manner, or at all, due to, among other things, increased expenses to us that cannot be passed on to customers or insufficient resources to fund the necessary capital expenditures. The obsolescence of our infrastructure or our inability to upgrade our warehouses would likely reduce global warehousing segment revenues, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
The transportation services provided by our integrated solutions business are dependent in part on in-house trucking services and in part on third-party truckload carrier and rail services, each of which subjects us to risks.
We use in-house trucking services to provide transportation services to our customers, and any increased severity or frequency of accidents or other claims, delays or disruptions in services or changes in regulations could have a material adverse effect on us.
We use in-house trucking transportation services to provide refrigerated transportation services to certain customers. The potential liability associated with accidents in the trucking industry is severe and occurrences are unpredictable. A material increase in the frequency or severity of accidents or workers compensation claims or the unfavorable development of existing claims could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. In the event that accidents occur, we may be unable to obtain desired contractual indemnities, and, although we believe our aggregate insurance limits should be sufficient to cover our historic claims amounts, the commercial trucking industry has experienced a wave of blockbuster or so-called nuclear verdicts, including some instances in which juries have awarded hundreds of millions of dollars to those injured in accidents and their families. As a result, our insurance may prove inadequate in certain cases. The occurrence of an event not fully insured or indemnified against or the failure or inability of a customer or insurer to meet its indemnification or insurance obligations could result in substantial losses. Moreover, in connection with any such delays or disruptions, or if customers products are damaged or destroyed during transport, we may incur financial obligations or be subject to lawsuits by our customers. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, our trucking services are subject to regulation as a motor carrier by the U.S. Department of Transportation, by various state agencies and by similar authorities in our international operations, whose regulations include certain permit requirements of state highway and safety authorities. These regulatory authorities exercise broad powers over our trucking operations. The trucking industry is subject to possible regulatory and legislative changes that may impact our operations and affect the economics of the industry by requiring changes in operating practices or by changing the demand for or the costs of providing trucking services. Some of these possible changes include increasingly stringent fuel emission limits, including potential limits on carbon emissions, changes in the regulations that govern the amount of time a driver may drive or work in any specific period, classification of independent drivers, restart rules, limits on vehicle weight and size and other matters including safety requirements.
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We also rely on third-party truckload carriers and rail services to transport customer inventory.
We also act as a transportation broker and depend on third-party truckload carriers and rail services to transport customer inventory. We do not have an exclusive or long-term contractual relationship with third-party trucking or rail service providers, and there can be no assurance that our customers will have uninterrupted or unlimited access to their transportation assets or services. Additionally, we may not be able to renegotiate additional transportation contracts to expand capacity, add additional routes, obtain multiple providers, or obtain services at current cost levels, any of which may limit the availability of services to our customers. Our ability to secure the services of these third parties, or increases in the prices we or our customers must pay to secure such services, is affected by many factors outside our control and failure to secure transportation services, or to obtain such services on desirable terms, may adversely affect us.
Factors outside our control could adversely affect our ability to offer transportation services, which could reduce the confidence our customers have in our ability to provide transportation services and could impair our ability to retain existing customers and/or attract new customers and could otherwise increase operating costs, reduce profits and affect our relationships with our customers. Such factors include increases in the cost of transportation services, including in relation to any increase in fuel costs, the overall attractiveness of transportation service options, changes in the reliability of available transportation options, transportation delays or disruptions, including those caused by weather-related events, labor shortages, supply-chain issues and delays relating to manufacture and delivery of new equipment, equipment failures and national security or other incidents that affect transportation routes or rail lines.
We may be unable to maintain railcar assets on lease at satisfactory lease rates.
The profitability of our railcar leasing business depends on our ability to lease railcars to customers at satisfactory lease rates, to re-lease railcars at satisfactory lease rates upon the expiration and non-renewal of existing leases, and to sell railcars in the secondary market as part of our ordinary course of business. Our ability to accomplish these objectives is dependent upon several factors, including, among others:
| the cost of and demand for leases or ownership of newer or specific-use railcar types; |
| the general availability in the market of competing used or new railcars; |
| the degree of obsolescence of leased or unleased railcars, including railcars subject to regulatory obsolescence; |
| the prevailing market and economic conditions, including the availability of credit, interest rates, and inflation rates; |
| the market demand or governmental mandate for refurbishment; and |
| the volume and nature of railcar traffic and loadings. |
A downturn in the industries in which our lessees operate and decreased demand for railcars could also increase our exposure to re-marketing risk because lessees may demand shorter lease terms or newer railcars, requiring us to re-market leased railcars more frequently. Furthermore, the resale market for previously leased railcars has a limited number of potential buyers. Our inability to re-lease or sell leased or unleased railcars in a timely manner on favorable terms could result in lower lease rates, lower lease utilization percentages, and reduced revenues and operating profit.
Our railcar leasing business is regulated by multiple governmental regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Transportation and the administrative agencies it oversees and industry authorities such as the Association of American Railroads. All such agencies and authorities promulgate rules, regulations, specifications, or operating standards affecting railcar design, configuration, and mechanics; maintenance; and rail-related safety standards for railroad equipment. Future regulatory changes or the determination that our
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railcars are not in compliance with applicable requirements, rules, regulations, specifications or standards could result in additional operating expenses, administrative fines or penalties or loss of business that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operations.
In addition, we are exposed to asset risk resulting from ownership of the railcars we lease to customers. Asset risk arises from fluctuations in supply and demand for the leased railcar. We are exposed to the risk that, at the end of the lease term or in the event of early termination, the value of the railcar will be lower than expected, resulting in reduced future lease income over the remaining life of the railcar or a lower sale value. Demand for and the valuation of the railcar is sensitive to shifts in economic and market trends and governmental regulations. Although we regularly monitor the value of the railcars we own, there is no assurance that the value of these assets will not be adversely impacted by factors outside of our control.
We depend on key personnel and specialty personnel, and a deterioration of employee relations could harm our business and operating and financial results.
Our success following this offering depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of certain key personnel, including our Co-Founders and Co-Executive Chairmen, Adam Forste and Kevin Marchetti, as well as our President and Chief Executive Officer, Greg Lehmkuhl, each of whom would be difficult to replace. If any of our key personnel were to cease employment with us, our operating and financial results could suffer. Further, such a loss could be negatively perceived in the capital markets. We have not obtained and do not expect to obtain key man life insurance on any of our key personnel. Our ability to retain our management group or to attract suitable replacements should any members of our management team leave is dependent on the competitive nature of the employment market. The loss of services from key members of our management team or a limitation of their availability could materially and adversely affect us.
We also believe that our future success, particularly in international markets, will depend in large part upon our ability to hire and retain highly skilled managerial, investment, financing, operational and marketing personnel. The customer service, marketing skills and knowledge of local market demand and competitive dynamics of our employees are contributing factors to our ability to maximize our income and to achieve the highest sustainable storage levels at each of our warehouses. We may be unsuccessful in attracting and retaining such skilled personnel. In addition, our temperature-controlled warehouse business depends on the continued availability of skilled personnel with engineering expertise and experience. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we may be unable to hire and retain such personnel.
We could experience power outages, disruptions in the supply of utilities, outbreak of fire or other calamity or breakdowns of our refrigeration equipment.
Our warehouses are subject to electrical power outages, disruptions in the supply of utilities such as water, outbreak of fire or other calamity and breakdowns of our refrigeration equipment. We attempt to limit exposure to such occasions by conducting regular maintenance and upgrades to our refrigeration equipment, and, in several locations, using backup generators and power supplies, generally at a significantly higher operating cost than we would pay for an equivalent amount of power from a local utility. However, we may not be able to limit our exposure entirely even with these protections in place. Power outages that last beyond our backup and alternative power arrangements and refrigeration equipment breakdowns would harm our customers and our business. During prolonged power outages and refrigeration equipment breakdowns, changes in humidity and temperature could spoil or otherwise contaminate the frozen and perishable food and other products stored by our customers. We could incur financial obligations to, or be subject to lawsuits by, our customers in connection with these occurrences, which may not be covered by insurance. Any loss of services or product damage could reduce the confidence of our customers in our services and could consequently impair our ability to attract and retain customers. Additionally, in the event of the complete failure of our refrigeration equipment, we would incur significant costs in repairing or replacing our refrigeration equipment, which may not be covered by insurance. In addition, an outbreak of fire in a warehouse could result in significant damage or even total loss of the
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warehouse, which would harm our customers and our business, and the business interruption insurance we carry may not be sufficient to compensate us fully for losses or damages that may occur because of such events. In April 2024, we experienced a fire at a warehouse, which represented 0.5% of our global warehousing segment revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, that resulted in a complete loss of the warehouse. We generally carry comprehensive liability and property insurance covering the warehouses we own, but there can be no assurance that insurance will be sufficient to fully compensate us for all losses. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on us.
We hold leasehold interests in 114 of our warehouses, and we may be forced to vacate our warehouses if we default on our obligations thereunder and we will be forced to vacate our warehouses if we are unable to renew such leases upon their expiration.
As of March 31, 2024, we held leasehold interests in 114 of our warehouses, out of our total of 482 warehouses. These leases expire (taking into account our extension options) from 2024 to 2060, and have a weighted average remaining term of 23.0 years. If we default on any of these leases, we may be liable for damages and could lose our leasehold interest in the applicable property, including all improvements. We would incur significant costs if we were forced to vacate any of these leased warehouses due to, among other matters, the high costs of relocating the equipment in our warehouses. If we were forced to vacate any of these leased warehouses, we could lose customers that chose our storage or other services based on our location, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Our landlords could attempt to evict us for reasons beyond our control. Further, we may be unable to maintain good working relationships with our landlords, which could adversely affect our relationship with our customers and could result in the loss of customers. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to renew these leases prior to their expiration dates on favorable terms or at all. If we are unable to renew our lease agreements, we will lose our right to operate these warehouses and be unable to derive revenues from these warehouses and, in the case of ground leases, we forfeit all improvements on the land. We could also lose the customers using these warehouses who are unwilling to relocate to another one of our warehouses, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Furthermore, unless we purchase the underlying fee interests in these properties, as to which no assurance can be given, we will not share in any increase in value of the land or improvements beyond the term of such lease, notwithstanding any capital we have invested in the applicable warehouse, especially warehouses subject to ground leases. Even if we are able to renew these leases, the terms and other costs of renewal may be less favorable than our existing lease arrangements. Failure to sufficiently increase revenues from customers at these warehouses to offset these projected higher costs could have a material adverse effect on us.
We are subject to risks relating to the manufacture and sale of food products for human consumption.
Certain services within our integrated solutions segment constitute the manufacture and sale of food products for human consumption. The manufacture and sale of food products for human consumption involves the risk of injury, illness or death to consumers and we and/or our customers may be subject to product recalls, claims or lawsuits should the consumption of any food products manufactured by us and/or our customers cause injury, illness or death. Injuries may result from product tampering by third parties, product contamination or spoilage, or the presence of foreign objects, chemicals, or other agents in the product. Even if a product liability claim is invalid, unsuccessful or not fully pursued, the claims may be expensive to defend and may generate negative publicity that adversely affects our reputation, operations and overall profitability, or that of its customers. Any insurance coverage maintained by us may be unavailable or insufficient to cover a judgment against us in regard to any of these matters. A judgment awarded in excess of our insurance liability may adversely affect our financial condition and operations. Additionally, a judgment may affect our ability to maintain existing insurance coverage or find replacement coverage, if at all, at a reasonable cost or on acceptable terms; and a judgment may adversely affect our ability to retain or attract our customers.
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Our results of operations are affected by certain commodity markets.
Our results of operations are affected by certain commodity markets. Changes in the overall environment affecting any specific commodity can have a significant and potentially negative impact on our results of operation. The commodity markets may be affected by factors such as weather patterns, fluctuations in input prices, trade barriers, international political conflicts, change in consumer preference, disease outbreaks, seasonal availability, or overall economic conditions. Our concentration of customers in commodity businesses ties our performance to the health of the commodity markets. Any adverse change in the commodity markets may have negative derivative impact on our financial performance.
We face ongoing litigation risks which could result in material liabilities and harm to our business regardless of whether we prevail in any particular matter.
We operate in multiple U.S. and international jurisdictions, with thousands of team members and business counterparts. As such, there is an ongoing risk that we may become involved in legal disputes or litigation with these parties or others. The costs and liabilities with respect to such legal disputes may be material and may exceed our amounts accrued, if any, for such liabilities and costs. In addition, our defense of legal disputes or resulting litigation could result in the diversion of our managements time and attention from the operation of our business, each of which could impede our ability to achieve our business objectives. Some or all of the amounts we may be required to pay to defend or to satisfy a judgment or settlement of any or all of our disputes and litigation may not be covered by insurance.
Upon the listing of our shares on Nasdaq, we will be a controlled company within the meaning of Nasdaq rules and, as a result, will qualify for, and may rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. You will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.
After completion of this offering, affiliates of Bay Grove will continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Moreover, under the stockholders agreement with Bay Grove and its affiliates that will be in effect as of the completion of this offering, so long as Bay Grove and its affiliates together continue to beneficially own at least 5% of the total outstanding equity interests in our company, we will agree to nominate for election to our board of directors individuals designated by Bay Grove, whom we refer to as the BGLH Directors, as specified in our stockholders agreement. As a result, we will be a controlled company within the meaning of the Nasdaq corporate governance standards. Under these rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power in the election of directors is held by an individual, group or another company is a controlled company and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that, within one year of the date of the listing of our common stock:
| a majority of our board of directors consist of independent directors; |
| our board of directors have a compensation committee that is comprised entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committees purpose and responsibilities; and |
| our board of directors have a nominating and corporate governance committee that is comprised entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committees purpose and responsibilities. |
Although upon completion of this offering a majority of our board of directors will consist of independent directors, our compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees will not be composed entirely of independent directors, and we may utilize any of these exemptions prior to the time we cease to be a controlled company. Accordingly, to the extent and for so long as we utilize these exemptions, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of these corporate governance requirements. Accordingly, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements.
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We will incur significantly increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial time and attention to compliance efforts.
We will incur significant legal, accounting, insurance and other expenses as a result of becoming a public company upon the completion of this offering. As a public company with listed equity securities, we will need to comply with new laws, regulations and requirements, including the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, certain corporate governance provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, related regulations of the SEC and requirements of Nasdaq, with which we were not required to comply as a private company. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business, operations and financial statements. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we establish and maintain effective internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will require our management and independent registered public accounting firm to report annually on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Substantial work on our part will be required to implement appropriate processes, document the system of internal control over key processes, assess their design, remediate any deficiencies identified and test their operation. This process is expected to be both costly and challenging.
These reporting and other obligations will place significant demands on our management and our administrative, operational and accounting resources and will cause us to incur significant expenses. We may need to upgrade our systems or create new systems, implement additional financial and other controls, reporting systems and procedures. If we are unable to accomplish these objectives in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with the financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to public companies could be impaired.
If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately determine or disclose our financial results. As a result, our stockholders could lose confidence in our financial results.
Upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and will be required to file reports and other information with the SEC. As a publicly-traded company, we will be required to maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file with, or submit to, the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported,
within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms. They include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed with, or submitted to, the SEC is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Effective disclosure controls and procedures are necessary for us to provide reliable reports, effectively prevent and detect fraud, and to operate successfully as a public company. Designing and implementing effective disclosure controls and procedures is a continuous effort that requires significant resources and devotion of time. We may discover deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures that may be difficult or time consuming to remediate in a timely manner. Any failure to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures or to timely effect any necessary improvements thereto could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations (which could affect the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq). Additionally, ineffective disclosure controls and procedures could also adversely affect our ability to prevent or detect fraud, harm our reputation and cause investors to lose confidence in our reports filed with, or submitted to, the SEC, which would likely have a negative effect on the market price of our common stock.
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In connection with its audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, our independent registered public accounting firm identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting. Material weaknesses or a failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting could prevent us from accurately reporting our financial results in a timely manner, which would likely have a negative effect on the market price of our common stock.
As a publicly-traded company, we will be required to report annual audited consolidated financial statements and quarterly unaudited interim consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. We will rely on our internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. More broadly, effective internal control over financial reporting is a necessary component of our program to seek to prevent, and to detect any, fraud and to operate successfully as a public company.
In connection with its audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, our independent registered public accounting firm identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The identified material weakness arises from our failure to timely complete our risk assessment and design, implement and/or effectively operate controls for a sufficient period of time. We are actively engaged in the planning for, and implementation of, remediation efforts to address this material weakness, including the hiring of additional internal resources and the engagement of third-party specialists.
There can be no assurance that our remediation efforts to address this material weakness described above, which may be time consuming and costly, will be successful, that we will not identify material weaknesses in the future or that our internal control over financial reporting will be effective in accomplishing all of its objectives. Furthermore, as we grow, our business, and hence our internal control over financial reporting, will likely become more complex, and we may require significantly more resources to develop and maintain effective controls. Designing and implementing an effective system of internal control over financial reporting is a continuous effort that requires significant resources, including the expenditure of a significant amount of time by senior members of our management team.
In addition, as a public company, we will be required to document and test our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act so that our management can certify as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Managements initial certification under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will be required with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2025. In support of such certifications, we will be required to document and make significant changes and enhancements, including potentially hiring additional personnel, to our internal control over financial reporting. Likewise, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025. To date, neither our management nor an independent registered public accounting firm has performed an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act because no such evaluation has been required. In connection with our ongoing monitoring of our internal control over financial reporting or audits of our consolidated financial statements or our managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, we or our auditors may identify additional deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that may be significant or rise to the level of material weaknesses. Any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or to timely effect any necessary improvements to such controls could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations (which could affect the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq). Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could also adversely affect our ability to prevent or detect fraud, harm our reputation, subject us to regulatory scrutiny and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which would likely have a negative effect on the market price of our common stock.
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Our business could be adversely impacted if we have deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting, including as a result of the material weakness identified by management and discussed above.
The design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, including new and revised financial and IT-related controls that we have been designing, implementing and operating, may not prevent all errors, misstatements or misrepresentations. While management will continue to review the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, there can be no guarantee that our internal control over financial reporting will be effective in accomplishing all control objectives all of the time. Deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, including any material weakness which may occur in the future, could result in misstatements of our results of operations, restatements of our financial statements, a decline in our stock price, or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
Charges for impairment of goodwill or other long-lived assets and declines in real estate valuations could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We regularly monitor the recoverability of our long-lived assets, such as buildings and improvements and machinery and equipment, and evaluate their carrying value for potential impairment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. We review goodwill on an annual basis to determine if impairment has occurred and review the recoverability of fixed assets and intangible assets, generally on a quarterly basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred or the value of such assets may not be fully recoverable. Examples of indicators of potential impairment of our long-lived assets may include a significant decrease in the market price, an adverse change in how a property is being used, an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or development, a change in our intended holding period due to our intention to sell an asset, a history of operating losses or a material decline in profitability (of a property or a reporting unit). If such reviews indicate that impairment has occurred, we are required to record a non-cash impairment charge for the difference between the carrying value and fair value of the long-lived assets in the period the determination is made. The testing of long-lived assets and goodwill for impairment requires the use of estimates based on significant assumptions about our future revenue, profitability, cash flows, fair value of assets and liabilities, weighted average cost of capital, as well as other assumptions. Changes in these estimates, or changes in actual performance compared with these estimates, may affect the fair value of long-lived assets, which could result in an impairment charge.
Geopolitical conflicts, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and continued instability in the Middle East, including from the Houthi rebels in Yemen, may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We have operations or activities in numerous countries and regions outside the United States, including throughout Europe and Asia-Pacific. As a result, our global operations are affected by economic, political and other conditions in the foreign countries in which we do business as well as U.S. laws regulating international trade. Specifically, although we neither have warehouses nor conduct business in Russia or Ukraine, the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine is creating substantial uncertainty about the future impact on the global economy. Countries across the globe are instituting sanctions and other penalties against Russia. The retaliatory measures that have been taken, and could be taken in the future, by the U.S., NATO, and other countries have created global security concerns that could result in broader European military and political conflicts and otherwise have a substantial impact on regional and global economies, any or all of which could adversely affect our business, particularly our European operations.
While the broader consequences are uncertain at this time, the continuation and/or escalation of the Russian and Ukraine conflict, along with any expansion of the conflict to surrounding areas, create a number of risks that could adversely impact our business and results of operations, including:
| increased inflation and significant volatility in commodity prices; |
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| disruptions to our global technology infrastructure, including through cyberattacks, ransom attacks or cyber-intrusion; |
| adverse changes in international trade policies and relations; |
| our ability to maintain or increase our prices, including freight in response to rising fuel costs; |
| disruptions in global supply chains, specifically within the food supply chain and construction materials; |
| increased exposure to foreign currency fluctuations; and |
| constraints, volatility or disruption in the credit and capital markets. |
To the extent the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine adversely affects our business, it may also have the effect of heightening many other risks disclosed in this prospectus, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. We are continuing to monitor the situation in the Ukraine and globally and assess its potential impact on our business.
Further, the Houthi movement, which controls parts of Yemen, has targeted and launched numerous attacks on commercial marine vessels in the Red Sea as the ships approach the Suez Canal, resulting in many shipping companies re-routing to avoid the region altogether. While the consequences of this conflict on our and our customers businesses are uncertain at this time, the continuation and/or escalation of the Suez Canal blockage create a number of risks that could adversely impact our business and results of operations, including:
| worsening supply chain issues, including delays |
| increased transportation costs; and |
| decreased throughput as a result of longer shipping times. |
General Risks Related to the Real Estate Industry
Our performance and value are subject to economic conditions affecting the real estate market generally, and temperature-controlled warehouses in particular, as well as the broader economy.
Our performance and value depend on the amount of revenues earned, as well as the expenses incurred, in connection with operating our warehouses. If our temperature-controlled warehouses do not generate revenues and operating cash flows sufficient to meet our operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, we could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, there are significant expenditures associated with our real estate (such as real estate taxes, maintenance costs and debt service payments) that generally do not decline when circumstances reduce the revenues from our warehouses. Accordingly, our expenditures may stay constant, or increase, even if our revenues decline. The real estate market is affected by many factors that are beyond our control, and revenues from, and the value of, our properties may be materially and adversely affected by:
| changes in the national, international or local economic climate; |
| availability, cost and terms of financing; |
| technological changes, such as expansion of e-commerce, reconfiguration of supply chains, automation, robotics or other technologies; |
| the attractiveness of our properties to potential customers; |
| inability to collect storage charges, rent and other fees from customers; |
| the ongoing need for, and significant expense of, capital improvements and addressing obsolescence in a timely manner, particularly in older structures; |
| changes in supply of, or demand for, similar or competing properties in an area; |
| customer retention and turnover; |
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| excess supply in the market area; |
| availability of labor and transportation to service our sites; |
| financial difficulties, defaults or bankruptcies by our customers; |
| changes in operating costs and expenses and a general decrease in real estate property rental rates; |
| changes in or increased costs of compliance with governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including changes in tax, real estate, environmental and zoning laws, and our potential liability thereunder; |
| our ability to provide adequate maintenance and insurance; |
| changes in the cost or availability of insurance, including coverage for mold or asbestos; |
| unanticipated changes in costs associated with known adverse environmental conditions, newly discovered environmental conditions and retained liabilities for such conditions; |
| changes in interest rates or other changes in monetary policy; |
| disruptions in the global supply-chain caused by political, regulatory or other factors such as terrorism, political instability and public health crises; and |
| civil unrest, acts of war, terrorist attacks and natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods, which may result in uninsured and underinsured losses. |
In addition, periods of economic slowdown or recession, rising interest rates or declining demand for real estate, or the public perception that any of these events may occur, could result in a general decrease in rates or an increased occurrence of defaults under existing contracts, which could materially and adversely affect us. For these and other reasons, we cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve our business objectives.
We could incur significant costs under environmental laws relating to the presence and management of asbestos, anhydrous ammonia and other chemicals and underground storage tanks.
Environmental laws in certain jurisdictions require that owners or operators of buildings containing asbestos properly manage asbestos, adequately inform or train those who may come into contact with asbestos and undertake special precautions, including removal or other abatement, in the event that asbestos is damaged, is decayed, poses a health risk or is disturbed during building renovation or demolition. These laws impose fines and penalties on building owners or operators who fail to comply with these requirements and may allow third parties to seek recovery from owners or operators for personal injury associated with exposure to asbestos and other toxic or hazardous substances. Some of our properties may contain asbestos or asbestos-containing building materials. Asbestos exposure can also cause damage to our customers goods stored with us.
Most of our warehouses utilize anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant. Anhydrous ammonia is classified as a hazardous chemical regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA and similar international agencies. Releases of anhydrous ammonia occur at our warehouses from time to time, which we have historically identified and reported when required, and any number of unplanned events, including severe storms, fires, earthquakes, vandalism, equipment failure, operational errors, accidents, deliberate acts of team members or third parties, and terrorist acts could result in a significant release of anhydrous ammonia that could result in injuries, loss of life, property damage and a significant interruption at affected facilities. Anhydrous ammonia exposure can also cause damage to our customers goods stored with us. For example, in 2020, contractors and subcontractors were working on the blast cells at our freezer warehouse in Statesville, North Carolina when an incident occurred triggering the release of anhydrous ammonia at the facility, resulting in the death of a subcontractor and injury to another subcontractor, as well as damage to customers goods. Litigation with respect to this incident is ongoing and while we believe we have strong defenses to claims arising from this incident, there can be no assurance that we will prevail on any claim.
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Although our warehouses have risk management programs required by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, or OSHA, the EPA and other regulatory agencies in place in the jurisdictions in which we operate, we could incur significant liability in the event of an unanticipated release of anhydrous ammonia from one of our refrigeration systems. Releases could occur at locations or at times when trained personnel may not be available to respond quickly, increasing the risk of injury, loss of life or property damage. Some of our warehouses are not staffed 24 hours a day and, as a result, we may not respond to intentional or accidental events during closed hours as quickly as we could during open hours, which could exacerbate any injuries, loss of life or property damage. We also could incur liability in the event we fail to report such anhydrous ammonia releases in a timely fashion.
Environmental laws and regulations subject us and our customers to liability in connection with the storage, handling and use of anhydrous ammonia and other hazardous substances utilized in our operations. Our warehouses also may have under-floor heating systems, some of which utilize ethylene glycol, petroleum compounds, or other hazardous substances; releases from these systems could potentially contaminate soil and groundwater.
We could incur significant costs related to environmental conditions and liabilities.
The properties we own or have owned in the past may subject us to known and unknown environmental liabilities. Under various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the environment, as a current or former owner or operator of real property, we may be liable for costs and damages resulting from environmental matters, including the presence or discharge of hazardous or toxic substances, waste or petroleum products at, on, in, under or migrating from such property, including costs to investigate or clean up such contamination and liability for personal injury, property damage or harm to natural resources. We may face liability regardless of:
| our knowledge of the contamination; |
| the timing of the contamination; |
| the cause of the contamination; or |
| the party responsible for the contamination of the property. |
There may be environmental liabilities associated with our properties of which we are unaware. In addition, some of our properties have been operated for decades and have known or potential environmental impacts. We obtain Phase I environmental site assessments on nearly all properties we finance or acquire. The Phase I environmental site assessments are limited in scope and therefore may not reveal all environmental conditions affecting a property. Therefore, there could be undiscovered environmental liabilities on the properties we own. Many of our properties contain, or may in the past have contained, features that pose environmental risks including underground tanks for the storage of petroleum products and other hazardous substances as well as floor drains and wastewater collection and discharge systems, hazardous materials storage areas and septic systems. All of these features create a potential for the release of petroleum products or other hazardous substances. Some of our properties are adjacent to or near properties that have known environmental impacts or have in the past stored or handled petroleum products or other hazardous substances that could have resulted in environmental impacts to soils or groundwater that could affect our properties. If environmental contamination exists on our properties, we could be subject to strict, joint and/or several liability for the contamination by virtue of our ownership interest. Some of our properties may contain asbestos-containing materials, or ACM. Environmental laws govern the presence, maintenance and removal of ACM and such laws may impose fines, penalties, or other obligations for failure to comply with these requirements or expose us to third-party liability (e.g., liability for personal injury associated with exposure to asbestos). Environmental laws also apply to other activities that can occur on a property, such as storage of petroleum products or other hazardous toxic substances, air emissions, water discharges and exposure to lead-based paint. Such laws may impose fines and penalties for violations, and may require permits or other governmental approvals to be obtained for the operation of a business involving such activities.
The known or potential presence of hazardous substances on a property may adversely affect our ability to sell, lease or improve the property or to borrow using the property as collateral. In addition, environmental laws
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may create liens on contaminated properties in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs to address such contamination. Moreover, if contamination is discovered on our properties, environmental laws may impose restrictions on the manner in which they may be used or businesses may be operated, and these restrictions may require substantial expenditures.
Our environmental liabilities may include property and natural resources damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs, among other potential environmental liabilities. These costs could be substantial. Although we may obtain insurance for environmental liability for certain properties that are deemed to warrant coverage, our insurance may be insufficient to address any particular environmental situation and we may be unable to continue to obtain insurance for environmental matters, at a reasonable cost or at all, in the future. If our environmental liability insurance is inadequate, we may become subject to material losses for environmental liabilities. Our ability to receive the benefits of any environmental liability insurance policy will depend on the financial stability of our insurance company and the position it takes with respect to our insurance policies. If we were to become subject to significant environmental liabilities, we could be materially and adversely affected.
Moreover, there can be no assurance that (i) future laws, ordinances or regulations will not impose new material environmental obligations or costs, including the potential effects of climate change or new climate change regulations, (ii) we will not incur material liabilities in connection with both known and undiscovered environmental conditions arising out of past activities on our properties or (iii) our properties will not be materially and adversely affected by the operations of customers, by environmental impacts or operations on neighboring properties (such as releases from underground storage tanks), or by the actions of parties unrelated to us.
In the future, our customers may demand lower indirect emissions associated with the storage and transportation of frozen and perishable foods, which could lead customers to seek temperature-controlled storage from our competitors. Further, such demand could require us to implement various processes to reduce emissions from our operations in order to remain competitive, which could materially and adversely affect us.
Risks related to climate change could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Climate change, including the impact of global warming, creates physical and financial risks. Physical risks from climate change include an increase in sea level and changes in weather conditions, such as an increase in storm intensity and severity of weather (e.g., floods, tornados or hurricanes) and extreme temperatures. For example, 84 of our warehouses are in zones subject to what we believe to be a moderate to high risk of flooding. The occurrence of sea level rise or one or more natural disasters, such as floods, tornados, hurricanes, tropical storms, wildfires and earthquakes (whether or not caused by climate change), could cause considerable damage to our warehouses, disrupt our operations and negatively affect our financial performance. Additional risks related to our business and operations as a result of climate change include physical and transition risks such as:
| higher energy costs as a result of extreme weather events, extreme temperatures or increased demand for limited resources; |
| utility disruptions or outages due to demand or stress on electrical grids resulting from extreme weather events; |
| limited availability of water and higher costs due to limited sources and droughts; |
| higher materials cost due limited availability and environmental impacts of extraction and processing of raw materials and production of finished goods; |
| lost revenue or increased expense as a result of higher insurance costs, potential uninsured or under insured losses, diminished customer retention stemming from extreme weather events or resource availability constraints; |
| reduced storage revenue due to crop damage or failure or to reduced protein production as a result of extreme weather events; |
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| decreased occupancy in certain regions as a result of global shifts in shipping routes to account for droughts, such as the ongoing drought in Panama, and extreme weather events; |
| delays during transit of customers products resulting from natural disasters or extreme weather events; and |
| spoiled, damaged or destroyed customer inventory as a result of natural disasters or other serious disruptions caused by fire, earthquakes. |
In addition, risks associated with new or more stringent laws or regulations or stricter interpretations of existing laws could directly or indirectly affect our customers and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. For example, various federal, state and regional laws and regulations have been implemented or are under consideration to mitigate the effects of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Among other things, green building codes may seek to reduce emissions through the imposition of standards for design, construction materials, water and energy usage and efficiency, and waste management. Such codes could require us to make improvements to our properties, increase the cost of maintaining, operating or improving our warehouses, or increase taxes and fees assessed on us.
Climate change regulations could also adversely impact companies with which we do business, which in turn may adversely impact our business, financial condition, results or operations or cash flows. In the future, our customers may demand lower indirect emissions associated with the storage and transportation of frozen and perishable food, which could make our facilities less competitive. Further, such demand could require us to implement various processes to reduce emissions from our operations in order to remain competitive, which could materially and adversely affect us.
Our insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover potential environmental liabilities.
We maintain a portfolio environmental insurance policy that provides coverage for sudden and accidental environmental liabilities, subject to the policys coverage conditions, deductibles and limits, for most of our properties. There can be no assurance that future environmental claims will be covered under these policies or that, if covered, the loss will not exceed policy limits. From time to time, we may acquire properties, or interests in properties, with known adverse environmental conditions where we believe that the environmental liabilities associated with these conditions are quantifiable and that the acquisition will yield an attractive risk-adjusted return. In such an instance, we factor the estimated costs of environmental investigation, cleanup and monitoring into the net cost. Further, in connection with property dispositions, we may agree to remain responsible for, and to bear the cost of, remediating or monitoring certain environmental conditions on the properties. A failure to accurately estimate these costs, or uninsured environmental liabilities, could materially and adversely affect us.
Our properties may contain or develop harmful molds or have other air quality issues, which could lead to financial liability for adverse health effects to our employees or third parties, and costs of remediating the problem.
Our properties may contain or develop harmful molds or suffer from other air quality issues, which could lead to liability for adverse health effects and costs of remediating the problem. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth may occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or is not addressed over a period of time. Some molds produce airborne toxins or irritants. Indoor air quality issues can also stem from inadequate ventilation, poor equipment maintenance, chemical contamination from indoor or outdoor sources and other biological contaminants, such as pollen, viruses and bacteria. Indoor exposure to airborne toxins or irritants present above certain levels can cause a variety of adverse health effects and symptoms, including allergic or other reactions. As a result, the presence of significant mold or other airborne contaminants at any of our properties could require us to undertake a costly remediation program to contain or remove the mold or other airborne contaminants from the affected property, to reduce indoor moisture levels, or to upgrade ventilation systems to improve indoor air quality. In addition, the presence of significant mold or other airborne contaminants could expose us to liability from our team members, our customers, associates of our customers and others if property damage or health concerns arise.
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Illiquidity of real estate investments, particularly our specialized temperature-controlled warehouses, could significantly impede our ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our business and properties.
Real estate investments are relatively illiquid, and given that our properties are highly specialized temperature-controlled warehouses, including built-in automation, our properties may be more illiquid than other real estate investments. This illiquidity is driven by a number of factors, including the specialized and often customer-specific design of our warehouses, the relatively small number of potential purchasers of temperature-controlled warehouses, the difficulty and expense of repurposing our warehouses and the location of some of our warehouses in secondary or tertiary markets. As a result, we may be unable to complete an exit strategy or quickly sell properties in our portfolio in response to adverse changes in the performance of our properties or in our business generally. We cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any property for the price or on the terms set by us or whether any price or other terms offered by a prospective buyer would be acceptable to us. We also cannot predict the length of time it would take to complete the sale of any such property. Such sales might also require us to expend funds to mitigate or correct defects to the property or make changes or improvements to the property prior to its sale. The ability to sell assets in our portfolio may also be restricted by certain covenants in our credit agreements. Code requirements relating to our status as a REIT may also limit our ability to vary our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.
We could experience uninsured or under-insured losses relating to our global warehousing business, including our real property, as well as our integrated solutions business.
We carry insurance for the risks arising out of our business and operations, including coverage on all of our properties in an amount that we believe adequately covers any potential casualty losses. However, there are certain losses, including losses from floods, earthquakes, acts of war or riots, that we are not generally insured against or that we are not generally fully insured against because it is not deemed economically feasible or prudent to do so. In addition, changes in the cost or availability of insurance could expose us to uninsured casualty losses. In the event that any of our properties incurs a casualty loss that is not covered by insurance (in part or at all), the value of our assets will be reduced by the amount of any such uninsured loss, and we could experience a significant loss of capital invested and potential revenues in these properties. Any such losses could materially and adversely affect us. In addition, we may have no source of funding to repair or reconstruct the damaged property, and we cannot assure you that any such sources of funding will be available to us for such purposes in the future on favorable terms or at all.
In the event of a fire, flood or other occurrence involving the loss of or damage to stored products held by us but belonging to others, we may be liable for such loss or damage. In April 2024, we experienced a fire at a warehouse, which represented 0.5% of our global warehousing segment revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, that resulted in a complete loss of the warehouse. Although we have an insurance program in effect, there can be no assurance that such potential liability will not exceed the applicable coverage limits under our insurance policies. In addition, the business interruption insurance we carry may not be sufficient to compensate us fully for losses or damages that may occur because of such events. A number of our properties are located in areas that are known to be subject to earthquake activity, such as California, Washington, Oregon and New Zealand, or in flood zones, such as 84 facilities in zones subject to what we believe to be a moderate to high risk of flooding, in each case exposing them to increased risk of casualty.
If we or one or more of our customers experiences a loss for which we are liable and that loss is uninsured or exceeds policy limits, we could lose the capital invested in the damaged properties as well as the anticipated future cash flows from those properties. In addition, if the damaged properties are subject to recourse indebtedness, we would continue to be liable for the indebtedness, even if these properties were irreparably damaged.
We are self-insured for workers compensation and health insurance under a large deductible program, meaning that we have accrued liabilities in amounts that we consider appropriate to cover losses in these areas. In
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addition, we maintain excess loss coverage to insure against losses in excess of the reserves that we have established for these claims in amounts that we consider appropriate. However, in the event that our loss experience exceeds our reserves and the limits of our excess loss policies, we could be materially and adversely affected.
Costs of complying with governmental laws and regulations could adversely affect us and our customers.
Our business is highly regulated at the federal, state and local level, as well as regulation outside of the United States in the jurisdictions in which we operate our business. The food industry in all jurisdictions in which we operate is subject to numerous government standards and regulations. While we believe that we are currently in compliance with all applicable government standards and regulations, there can be no assurance that all of our warehouses or our customers operations are currently in compliance with, or will be able to comply in the future with, all applicable standards and regulations or that the costs of compliance will not increase in the future.
All real property and the operations conducted on real property are subject to governmental laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and human health and safety. For example, our U.S. warehouses are subject to regulation and inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and our domestic trucking operations are subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Federal Highway Administration. In addition, our international facilities are subject to many local laws and regulations which govern a wide range of matters, including food safety, building, environmental, health and safety, hazardous substances, waste minimization, as well as specific requirements for the storage of meats, dairy products, fish, poultry, agricultural and other products. Any products destined for export must also satisfy applicable export requirements. We are required to comply with applicable economic and trade sanctions and export controls imposed by governments around the world with jurisdiction over the operations of our business. These measures can prohibit or restrict transactions and dealings with certain countries, territories, governments and persons. The failure to comply with such applicable laws and regulations could result in civil or criminal penalties, other remedial measures, and legal expenses, which could have a material and adverse effect on us. Our ability to operate and to satisfy our contractual obligations may be affected by permitting and compliance obligations arising under such laws and regulations. Some of these laws and regulations could increase our operating costs, result in fines or impose joint and several liability on customers, owners or operators for the costs to investigate or remediate contamination, regardless of fault or whether the acts causing the contamination were legal.
Some of these laws and regulations have been amended so as to require compliance with new or more stringent standards in the future. Compliance with new or more stringent laws or regulations or stricter interpretation of existing laws may require that we or our customers incur material expenditures. In addition, there are various governmental, environmental, fire, health, safety and similar regulations with which we and our customers may be required to comply and which may subject us and our customers to liability in the form of fines or damages for noncompliance. Any material expenditures, fines or damages imposed on our customers or us could directly or indirectly have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, changes in these governmental laws and regulations, or their interpretation by agencies and courts, could occur.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, or the ADA, generally requires that public buildings, including portions of our warehouses, be made accessible to disabled persons. Noncompliance could result in the imposition of fines by the federal government or the award of damages to private litigants. If, under the ADA, we are required to make substantial alterations and capital expenditures in one or more of our warehouses, including the removal of access barriers, it could materially and adversely affect us.
Our U.S. properties are subject to regulation under OSHA, which requires employers to protect team members against many workplace hazards, such as exposure to harmful levels of toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress and unsanitary conditions. The cost of complying with
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OSHA and similar laws enacted by other jurisdictions in which we operate is substantial and any failure to comply with these regulations could expose us to penalties and potentially to liabilities to team members who may be injured at our warehouses, any of which could be material. Furthermore, any fines or violations that we face under OSHA could expose us to reputational risk.
We are currently invested in various joint ventures and may invest in additional joint ventures in the future and face risks stemming from our partial ownership interests in such properties, which could materially and adversely affect the value of any such joint venture investments.
Our current and future joint-venture investments involve risks not present in investments in which a third party is not involved, including the possibility that:
| we and a co-venturer or partner may reach an impasse on a major decision that requires the approval of both parties; |
| we may not have exclusive control over the development, financing, management and other aspects of the property or joint venture, which may prevent us from taking actions that are in our best interest but opposed by a co-venturer or partner; |
| a co-venturer or partner may at any time have economic or business interests or goals that are or may become inconsistent with ours; |
| a co-venturer or partner may encounter liquidity or insolvency issues or may become bankrupt, which may mean that we and any other remaining co-venturers or partners generally would remain liable for the joint ventures liabilities; |
| a co-venturer or partner may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions, requests, policies or investment objectives, including our current policy with respect to maintaining our qualification as a REIT under the Code; |
| a co-venturer or partner may take actions that subject us to liabilities in excess of, or other than, those contemplated; |
| in certain circumstances, we may be liable for actions of our co-venturer or partner; |
| our joint venture agreements may restrict the transfer of a co-venturers or partners interest or otherwise restrict our ability to sell the interest when we desire or on advantageous terms; |
| our joint venture agreements may contain buy-sell provisions pursuant to which one co-venturer or partner may initiate procedures requiring the other co-venturer or partner to choose between buying the other co-venturers or partners interest or selling its interest to that co-venturer or partner; |
| if a joint venture agreement is terminated or dissolved, we may not continue to own or operate the interests or investments underlying the joint venture relationship or may need to purchase such interests or investments at a premium to the market price to continue ownership; or |
| disputes between us and a co-venturer or partner may result in litigation or arbitration that could increase our expenses and prevent our management from focusing their time and attention on our business. |
Any of the above could materially and adversely affect the value of our current joint venture investment or any future joint venture investments and potentially have a material adverse effect on us.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
We have significant indebtedness outstanding, which may expose us to the risk of default under our debt obligations.
As of March 31, 2024, we had $9.3 billion of total consolidated indebtedness outstanding, of which $4.2 billion was secured, and borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility of $1.0 billion (net of
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outstanding standby letters of credit in the amount of $66.1 million, which reduce availability), and as of March 31, 2024, on a pro forma basis, we had $ billion of total consolidated indebtedness outstanding, of which $ billion was secured, and borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility of $ billion. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsLiquidity and Capital ResourcesOutstanding Indebtedness. Total debt payments for the remainder of 2024 and 2025 are $3.7 billion (including $30.0 million of scheduled amortization). We expect to meet these repayment requirements primarily through financing activity or net cash from operating activities. Our organizational documents contain no limitations regarding the maximum level of indebtedness that we may incur or keep outstanding. Payments of principal and interest on borrowings may leave us with insufficient cash resources to meet our cash needs or make the distributions to our common stockholders currently contemplated or necessary to maintain our status as a REIT. Our level of debt and the limitations imposed on us by our debt agreements could have significant adverse consequences, including the following:
| our cash flow may be insufficient to meet our required principal and interest payments; |
| cash interest expense and financial covenants relating to our indebtedness may limit or eliminate our ability to make distributions to our common stockholders; |
| we may be unable to borrow additional funds as needed or on favorable terms, which could, among other things, adversely affect our ability to capitalize upon investment opportunities or meet operational needs; |
| we may be unable to refinance our indebtedness at maturity or the refinancing terms may be less favorable than the terms of our original indebtedness; |
| because a portion of our debt bears interest at variable rates, increases in interest rates could increase our interest expense; |
| we may be unable to hedge floating rate debt, counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under any hedge agreements we enter into, such agreements may not effectively hedge interest rate fluctuation risk, and, upon the expiration of any hedge agreements we enter into, we would be exposed to then-existing market rates of interest and future interest rate volatility; |
| we may be forced to dispose of properties, possibly on unfavorable terms or in violation of certain covenants to which we may be subject; |
| we may default on our obligations and the lenders or mortgagees may foreclose on our properties or our interests in the entities that own the properties that secure their loans and receive an assignment of rents and leases; |
| we may be restricted from accessing some of our excess cash flow after debt service if certain of our customers fail to meet certain financial performance metric thresholds; |
| we may violate restrictive covenants in our loan documents, which would entitle the lenders to accelerate our debt obligations; and |
| our default under any loan with cross default provisions could result in a default on other indebtedness. |
The occurrence of any of these events could materially and adversely affect us. Furthermore, foreclosures could create taxable income without accompanying cash proceeds, which could hinder our ability to meet the REIT distribution requirements imposed by the Code.
Increases in interest rates could increase the amount of our debt payments.
As of March 31, 2024 and on a pro forma basis, we had $7.1 billion and $ billion, respectively, of our outstanding consolidated indebtedness that is variable-rate debt, and we may continue to incur variable-rate debt in the future. We have entered into interest rate swaps to convert $1.0 billion of this indebtedness to fixed-rate. We
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have entered into approximately $5.2 billion of interest rate caps to protect majority of remaining variable debt against rising interest rates. Increases in interest rates may raise our interest costs under any variable-rate debt that is not effectively converted to fixed-rate debt and increase our overall cost of capital, which could materially and adversely affect us, reduce our cash flows and funds from operations, and reduce our ability to use the capital that is being paid in interest in other ways, including to make distributions to our stockholders. Increases in interest rates would also increase our interest expense on future fixed rate borrowings and have the same collateral effects described above. In addition, if we need to repay existing debt during periods of rising interest rates, we could be required to liquidate one or more of our investments in properties at times which may not permit realization of the maximum return on such investments. Interest rate increases may also increase the risk that the counterparties to our swap contracts will default on their obligations, which could further increase our exposure to interest rate increases. Conversely, if interest rates are lower than our swapped fixed rates, we will be required to pay more to service our debt than if we had not entered into the interest rate swaps.
Market conditions could adversely affect our ability to refinance existing indebtedness or obtain additional financing for growth on acceptable terms or at all, which could materially and adversely affect us.
Credit markets have experienced over the past several years, and may continue to experience, significant price volatility, displacement and liquidity disruptions, including the bankruptcy, insolvency or restructuring of certain financial institutions. Such circumstances could materially impact liquidity in the financial markets, making financing terms for borrowers less attractive, and potentially result in the unavailability of various types of debt financing. As a result, we may be unable to obtain debt financing on favorable terms or at all or fully refinance maturing indebtedness with new indebtedness. Reductions in our available borrowing capacity or inability to obtain credit, including the Revolving Credit Facility that we expect to have upon the completion of this offering, when required or when business conditions warrant could materially and adversely affect us.
Our existing indebtedness contains, and any future indebtedness is likely to contain, covenants that restrict our ability to engage in certain activities.
The agreements governing our borrowings contain or are likely to contain financial and other covenants with which we are or will be required to comply and that limit or are likely to limit our ability to operate our business. These covenants, as well as any additional covenants to which we may be subject in the future because of additional borrowings, could cause us to have to forego investment opportunities, reduce or eliminate distributions to our common stockholders or obtain financing that is more expensive than financing we could obtain if we were not subject to the covenants. In addition, the agreements governing our borrowing may have cross default provisions, which provide that a default under one of our debt financing agreements would lead to a default on all of our debt financing agreements.
The covenants and other restrictions under our debt agreements may affect, among other things, our ability to:
| incur indebtedness; |
| create liens on assets; |
| cause our subsidiaries to distribute cash to us to fund distributions to stockholders or to otherwise use in our business; |
| sell or substitute assets; |
| modify certain terms of our leases; |
| manage our cash flows; and |
| make distributions to equity holders, including our common stockholders. |
Additionally, these restrictions may adversely affect our operating and financial flexibility and may limit our ability to respond to changes in our business or competitive environment, all of which may materially and adversely affect us.
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Secured indebtedness exposes us to the possibility of foreclosure, which could result in the loss of our investment in certain of our subsidiaries or in a property or group of properties or other assets subject to indebtedness and limits our ability to raise future capital.
We have granted certain of our lenders security interests in certain of our assets, including equity interests in certain of our subsidiaries and in certain of our real property. Incurring secured indebtedness, including mortgage indebtedness, increases our risk of asset and property losses because defaults on indebtedness secured by our assets, including equity interests in certain of our subsidiaries and in certain of our real property, may result in foreclosure actions initiated by lenders and ultimately our loss of the property or other assets securing any loans for which we are in default. Any foreclosure on a mortgaged property or group of properties could have a material adverse effect on the overall value of our portfolio of properties and more generally on us. For tax purposes, a foreclosure of any of our properties would be treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage. If the outstanding balance of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the property, we would recognize taxable income on foreclosure, but would not receive any cash proceeds, which could materially and adversely affect us, including hindering our ability to meet the REIT distribution requirements imposed by the Code. As a result, our substantial secured indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on us.
Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure
Our Co-Founders will have substantial influence over our business, and our Co-Founders interests, and the interests of certain members of our management, will differ from our interests and those of our other stockholders in certain respects.
Immediately after this offering and the formation transactions, Bay Grove and its affiliates, including BGLH, will beneficially own approximately % of our outstanding shares of common stock and % of our outstanding OP units (including Legacy OP Units but excluding OP units held directly or indirectly by us and assuming such affiliates do not purchase any shares of our common stock pursuant to the directed share program or in this offering). As a result, Bay Grove and BGLH will have significant influence in the election of our directors, who in turn will elect our executive officers, set our management policies and exercise overall supervision and control over us and our subsidiaries. Certain potential transactions will affect Bay Grove and/or BGLH differently than other stockholders and it is possible that Bay Grove and/or BGLH will have different interests than those other stockholders with respect to such transactions.
The interests of Bay Grove and BGLH, as well as the interests of other investors in BGLH, will differ from the interests of our other stockholders in certain respects, and Bay Groves and BGLHs significant stockholdings and rights described above may limit other stockholders ability to influence corporate matters. In this regard, sales or other dispositions of our properties may have adverse tax implications for Bay Grove, its affiliates and/or other investors in BGLH. In addition, certain additional members of our management have certain equity interests in Bay Grove and its affiliates, including BGLH, that cause Bay Grove and BGLH to have interests that differ from our other stockholders. The concentration of ownership and voting power of Bay Grove and its affiliates, including BGLH, may also delay, defer or even prevent an acquisition by a third party or other change of control of our company and may make some transactions more difficult or impossible without the support of Bay Grove and BGLH, even if such events are in the best interests of our other stockholders. The concentration of voting power in Bay Grove and its affiliates, including BGLH, may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. As a result of Bay Groves and BGLHs influence, we may take actions that our other stockholders do not view as beneficial, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and cause the value of your investment in us to decline.
Investors in BGLH engage in a broad spectrum of activities, including investments in real estate. In the ordinary course of their business activities, investors in BGLH may engage in activities where their interests conflict with our interests or those of our stockholders. Our charter will provide that, if any director of our company who is also an officer, employee or agent of BentallGreenOak, D1 Capital, Oxford Properties Group,
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OMERS Administration Corporation or Stonepeak or any of their respective affiliates acquires knowledge of a potential business opportunity, we renounce any potential interest or expectation in, or right to be offered to participate in, such business opportunity unless it is a retained opportunity (as defined in our charter). Investors in BGLH also may pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to or competitive with our business without our consent and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. See Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and BylawsCorporate Opportunities.
Our rights and the rights of our stockholders to take action against our directors and officers are limited.
Maryland law provides that a director has no liability in the capacity as a director if he or she performs his or her duties in good faith, in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in our best interests and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL), our charter limits the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from:
| actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services; or |
| a final judgment based upon a finding of active and deliberate dishonesty by the director or officer that was material to the cause of action adjudicated. |
In addition, our charter requires us to indemnify our directors and officers for actions taken by them in those capacities and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, and we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. As a result, we and our stockholders may have more limited rights against our directors and officers than might otherwise exist under common law. Accordingly, in the event that any of our directors or officers are exculpated from, or indemnified against, liability but whose actions impede our performance, our stockholders ability to recover damages from that director or officer will be limited.
Our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent an acquisition of our common stock or a change in control.
Our charter and bylaws contain a number of provisions, the exercise or existence of which could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our stockholders or otherwise be in their best interests, including the following:
| Our Charter Contains Restrictions on the Ownership and Transfer of Our Stock. In order for us to qualify as a REIT, no more than 50% of the value of outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, beneficially or constructively, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of each taxable year other than the first year for which we elect to be taxed as a REIT. Subject to certain exceptions, our charter prohibits any stockholder from owning beneficially or constructively more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock. We refer to these restrictions collectively as the ownership limits. The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause the outstanding stock owned by a group of related individuals or entities to be deemed to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of our outstanding shares of common stock or the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity or another individual or entity to own constructively in excess of the relevant ownership limits. Our charter also prohibits any person from owning shares of our stock that could result in our being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code, otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT or cause us not to qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity until the third anniversary of our initial public offering or such other date that our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity (the Foreign Ownership Limitation Period). Any attempt to own or transfer shares of our stock in violation of these restrictions may result in the shares being |
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automatically transferred to a charitable trust or may be void. These ownership limits may prevent a third-party from acquiring control of us if our board of directors does not grant an exemption from the ownership limits, even if our stockholders believe the change in control is in their best interests. |
| Our Board of Directors Has the Power to Cause Us to Issue Additional Shares of Our Stock Without Stockholder Approval. Our charter authorizes us to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common or preferred stock. In addition, our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of our shares of common stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue and classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common or preferred stock and set the preferences, rights and other terms of the classified or reclassified shares. As a result, our board of directors may establish a class or series of shares of common or preferred stock that could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve payment of a premium price for our shares of common stock or that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interests. |
Certain provisions of Maryland law may limit the ability of a third-party to acquire control of us.
Certain provisions of the MGCL may have the effect of inhibiting a third-party from acquiring us or of impeding a change of control under circumstances that otherwise could provide our common stockholders with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price of such shares, including:
| business combination provisions that, subject to limitations, prohibit certain business combinations between an interested stockholder (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding shares of voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation) or an affiliate of any interested stockholder and us for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, and thereafter imposes two super-majority stockholder voting requirements on these combinations; and |
| control share provisions that provide that holders of control shares of our company (defined as voting shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned or controlled by the acquirer, would entitle the acquirer to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing directors) acquired in a control share acquisition (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares) have no voting rights except to the extent approved by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding all interested shares. |
Pursuant to the Maryland Business Combination Act, our board of directors has by resolution exempted from the provisions of the Maryland Business Combination Act business combinations between us and any other person, provided that the business combination is first approved by our board of directors (including a majority of our directors who are not affiliates or associates of such person). Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. There can be no assurance that these exemptions or resolutions will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.
Additionally, Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL permits our board of directors, without stockholder approval and regardless of what is currently provided in our charter or bylaws, to implement certain corporate governance provisions, some of which we do not have. In accordance with the MGCL, our charter provides that, without the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by our stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, we may not elect to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 that permits our board of directors to classify itself.
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Termination of the employment of certain members of our senior management team could be costly and prevent a change in control of our company.
The employment, severance and equity award arrangements with certain members of our senior management team provide that if their employment with us terminates under certain circumstances (including in connection with a change in control of our company), we may be required to provide them significant amounts of severance compensation and benefits, thereby making it costly to terminate their employment. Furthermore, these provisions could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium paid for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Our board of directors may change our investment and financing policies without stockholder approval, and we may become more highly leveraged, which may increase our risk of default under our debt obligations.
Our investment and financing policies are exclusively determined by our board of directors. Accordingly, our stockholders do not control these policies. Further, our organizational documents do not limit the amount or percentage of indebtedness, funded or otherwise, that we may incur. Although we are not required to maintain a particular leverage ratio, we generally intend to target a level of net debt (which includes recourse and non-recourse borrowings and any outstanding preferred stock issuance less unrestricted cash and cash equivalents) that, over time, is less than six times our Adjusted EBITDA. However, from time to time, our ratio of net debt to our Adjusted EBITDA may exceed six times. Our board of directors may alter or eliminate our current policy on borrowing at any time without stockholder approval. If this policy changed, we could become more highly leveraged, which could result in an increase in our debt service. Higher leverage also increases the risk of default on our obligations. In addition, a change in our investment policies, including the manner in which we allocate our resources across our portfolio or the types of assets in which we seek to invest, may increase our exposure to interest rate risk, real estate market fluctuations and liquidity risk. Changes to our policies with regards to the foregoing could materially and adversely affect us. We plan to notify stockholders of any material change to our investment and financing policies by disclosing such changes in documents furnished to the SEC, posted on our website or filed with the SEC, such as a current report on Form 8-K and/or a periodic report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K, as appropriate, to the extent required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Upon the completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will be a holding company with no direct operations and will rely on funds received from our operating partnership to pay liabilities and distributions to our stockholders.
Upon the completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will be a holding company and will conduct substantially all of our operations through our operating partnership. We will not have, apart from an interest in our operating partnership, any independent operations. As a result, we will rely on distributions from our operating partnership to pay any distributions we might declare on shares of our common stock. We will also rely on distributions from our operating partnership to meet any of our obligations, including any tax liability on taxable income allocated to us from our operating partnership. In addition, because we will be a holding company, your claims as stockholders will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities and obligations (whether or not for borrowed money) of our operating partnership and its subsidiaries. Therefore, in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, our assets and those of our operating partnership and its subsidiaries will be able to satisfy the claims of our stockholders only after all of our and our operating partnerships and its subsidiaries liabilities and obligations have been paid in full.
In connection with our future acquisition of properties or otherwise, we may issue units of our operating partnership to third parties. Such issuances would reduce our ownership in our operating partnership. Because you will not directly own units of our operating partnership, you will not have any voting rights with respect to any such issuances or other partnership level activities of our operating partnership.
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Conflicts of interest exist or could arise in the future with our operating partnership or its partners.
Conflicts of interest exist or could arise in the future as a result of the relationships between us and our affiliates, on the one hand, and our operating partnership or any partner thereof, on the other. Our directors and officers have duties to our company under applicable Maryland law in connection with their direction of the management of our company. At the same time, we, as general partner of our operating partnership, have duties to our operating partnership and to the limited partners under Maryland law in connection with the management of our operating partnership. Under Maryland law, the general partner of a Maryland limited partnership has fiduciary duties of care and loyalty, and an obligation of good faith, to the partnership and its partners. While these duties and obligations cannot be eliminated entirely in the partnership agreement, Maryland law permits the parties to a partnership agreement to specify certain types or categories of activities that do not violate the general partners duty of loyalty and to modify the duty of care and obligation of good faith, so long as such modifications are not unreasonable. These duties as general partner of our operating partnership to the partnership and its partners may come into conflict with the interests of our company. Under the partnership agreement of our operating partnership, the limited partners of our operating partnership will expressly agree that the general partner of our operating partnership is acting for the benefit of the operating partnership, the limited partners of our operating partnership and our stockholders, collectively. The general partner is under no obligation to give priority to the separate interests of the limited partners in deciding whether to cause our operating partnership to take or decline to take any actions. If there is a conflict between the interests of us or our stockholders, on the one hand, and the interests of the limited partners of our operating partnership, on the other, the partnership agreement of our operating partnership will provide that any action or failure to act by the general partner that gives priority to the separate interests of us or our stockholders that does not result in a violation of the contractual rights of the limited partners of our operating partnership under the partnership agreement will not violate the duties that the general partner owes to our operating partnership and its partners.
Additionally, the partnership agreement of our operating partnership will expressly limit our liability by providing that we and our directors, officers, agents and employees will not be liable or accountable to our operating partnership or its partners for money damages. In addition, our operating partnership will be required to indemnify us, as general partner, our directors, officers and employees, employees of our operating partnership and any other persons whom we, as general partner, may designate from and against any and all claims arising from operations of our operating partnership in which any indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise unless it is established by a final judgment that the act or omission of the indemnitee constituted fraud, intentional harm or gross negligence on the part of the indemnitee, the claim is brought by the indemnitee (other than to enforce the indemnitees rights to indemnification or advance of expenses) or the indemnitee is found to be liable to our operating partnership, and then only with respect to each such claim.
No reported decision of a Maryland appellate court has interpreted provisions that are similar to the provisions of the partnership agreement of our operating partnership that modify the fiduciary duties of the general partner of our operating partnership, and we have not obtained an opinion of counsel regarding the enforceability of the provisions of the partnership agreement that purport to waive or modify the fiduciary duties and obligations of the general partner of our operating partnership.
In addition, the stockholders agreement will provide that we, on our own behalf and in our capacity as general partner of the operating partnership, must use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) structure certain significant exit transactions (including mergers, consolidations and sales of substantially all of our assets or the assets of our operating partnership and its subsidiaries) in a manner that is tax-deferred to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste, their respective estate planning vehicles, family members and controlled affiliates, does not cause such parties to recognize gain for federal income tax purposes, and provides for substantially similar tax protections after such transactions, and (ii) cause our operating partnership or its subsidiaries to continuously maintain sufficient levels of indebtedness that are allocable for federal income tax purposes to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste and their respective personal holding entities to prevent them from recognizing gain as a result of any negative tax capital account or insufficient debt allocation, provided that such amount of debt shall not be
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required to exceed the amount allocable to the parties immediately following this offering, subject to certain exceptions. In connection with the obligation to maintain sufficient liability allocations, if we or our operating partnership believes insufficient liabilities may be allocated to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste and their respective personal holding entities, we shall, and shall cause our subsidiaries to, provide Messrs. Marchetti and Forste, their respective estate planning vehicles, family members and controlled affiliates with an opportunity to guarantee indebtedness. These rights granted to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste, their respective estate planning vehicles, family members and controlled affiliates will last with respect to each as long as such person (or his estate planning vehicles, family members and controlled affiliates) has not disposed of more than 60% of his interest in us or obtained a fair market value adjusted tax basis as a result of the death of Messrs. Marchetti or Forste, respectively. These requirements could limit our ability to allocate debt to other members of our operating partnership or structure certain transactions in a way that may otherwise be favorable to us and/or our stockholders.
Our bylaws designate any state court of competent jurisdiction in Maryland and the United States District Court located in Maryland, as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders and provide that claims relating to causes of action under the Securities Act may only be brought in federal district courts, which could limit our stockholders ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that the stockholders believe is a more favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees.
Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, any state court of competent jurisdiction in Maryland, or, if such state courts do not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court located within the State of Maryland will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (b) any Internal Corporate Claim, as such term is defined in the MGCL, including, without limitation, (i) any action asserting a claim based on an alleged breach of any duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or to our stockholders or (ii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or our charter or bylaws, or (c) any other action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. These choice of forum provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Furthermore, our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any claim arising under the Securities Act. This provision may limit a stockholders ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that the stockholder believes is more favorable for disputes against us or our directors, officers or employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees.
Risks Related to this Offering and Ownership of Shares of Our Common Stock
There has been no public market for our common stock prior to this offering and an active trading market for our common stock may not develop following this offering.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock, and there can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop or be sustained or that shares of our common stock will be resold at or above the initial public offering price. We intend to apply to have our common stock listed on Nasdaq, subject to official notice of issuance. The initial public offering price of our common stock will be determined by agreement among us and the underwriters, but there can be no assurance that our common stock will not trade below the initial public offering price following the completion of this offering. See Underwriters. The market value of our common stock could be substantially affected by general market conditions, including the extent to which a secondary market develops for our common stock following the completion of this offering, the extent of institutional investor interest in us, the general reputation of REITs and the attractiveness of their equity securities in comparison to other equity securities (including securities issued by other real estate-based companies), our financial performance and general stock and bond market conditions.
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The market price and trading volume of shares of our common stock may be volatile following this offering.
The market price of shares of our common stock may fluctuate. In addition, the trading volume in shares of our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of shares of our common stock declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your shares of our common stock at or above the public offering price. We cannot assure you that the market price of shares of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly, including a decline below the public offering price, in the future.
Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the market price or trading volume of shares of our common stock include:
| actual or anticipated declines in our quarterly operating results or distributions; |
| changes in government regulations; |
| changes in laws affecting REITs and related tax matters; |
| the announcement of new contracts by us or our competitors; |
| reductions in our FFO, Core FFO, Adjusted FFO or earnings estimates; |
| publication of research reports about us or the real estate industry; |
| increases in market interest rates that lead purchasers of shares of our common stock to demand a higher yield; |
| future equity issuances, or the perception that they may occur, including issuances of common stock upon exercise or vesting of equity awards or redemption of OP units; |
| changes in market valuations of similar companies; |
| adverse market reaction to any increased indebtedness we incur in the future; |
| additions or departures of key management personnel; |
| actions by institutional stockholders; |
| differences between our actual financial and operating results and those expected by investors and analysts; |
| changes in analysts recommendations or projections; |
| speculation in the press or investment community; and |
| the realization of any of the other risk factors presented in this prospectus. |
There can be no assurance that we will be able to make or maintain cash distributions, and certain agreements relating to our indebtedness may, under certain circumstances, limit or eliminate our ability to make distributions to our common stockholders.
We intend to make cash distributions to our stockholders in amounts such that all or substantially all of our taxable income in each year, subject to adjustments, is distributed. Our ability to continue to make distributions in the future may be adversely affected by the risk factors described in this prospectus. There can be no assurance that we will be able to make or maintain distributions and certain agreements relating to our indebtedness may, under certain circumstances, limit or eliminate our ability to make distributions to our common stockholders. There can be no assurance that rents from our properties will increase, or that future acquisitions of real properties or other investments will increase our cash available for distributions to stockholders. In addition, any distributions will be authorized at the sole discretion of our board of directors, and their form, timing and amount, if any, will depend upon a number of factors, including our actual and projected results of operations, FFO, Core FFO Adjusted FFO, EBITDA, EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDA, liquidity, cash flows and financial
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condition, the revenue we actually receive from our properties, our operating expenses, our debt service requirements, our capital expenditures, prohibitions and other limitations under our financing arrangements, our REIT taxable income, the annual REIT distribution requirements, applicable law and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.
If we do not have sufficient cash available for distributions, we may need to fund the shortage out of working capital or borrow to provide funds for such distributions, which would reduce the amount of proceeds available for real estate investments and increase our future interest costs. Our inability to make distributions, or to make distributions at expected levels, could result in a decrease in the market price of our common stock.
We may use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to make distributions to our stockholders, which would, among other things, reduce our cash available to acquire properties and may reduce the returns on your investment in our common stock.
Prior to the time we have fully invested the net proceeds from this offering, we may fund distributions to our stockholders out of the net proceeds, which would reduce the amount of cash we have available to acquire properties and may reduce the returns on your investment in our common stock. The use of these net proceeds for distributions to stockholders could materially and adversely affect us. In addition, funding distributions from the net proceeds from this offering may constitute a return of capital to our stockholders, which would have the effect of reducing each stockholders tax basis in our common stock.
Increases in market interest rates may result in a decrease in the value of shares of our common stock.
One of the factors that will influence the price of shares of our common stock will be the distribution yield on shares of our common stock (as a percentage of the price of shares of our common stock) relative to market interest rates. An increase in market interest rates may lead prospective purchasers of shares of our common stock to expect a higher distribution yield and higher interest rates would likely increase our borrowing costs and potentially decrease funds available for distribution. Thus, higher market interest rates could cause the market price of our common stock to decrease.
Broad market fluctuations could negatively impact the market price of shares of our common stock.
The stock market may experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of many companies in industries similar or related to ours and that have been unrelated to these companies operating performances. The changes frequently appear to occur without regard to the operating performance of the affected companies. Hence, the price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with us in particular. These broad market fluctuations could reduce the market price of shares of our common stock. Furthermore, our operating results and prospects may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors or may be lower than those of companies with comparable market capitalizations. Either of these factors could lead to a material decline in the market price of our common stock.
This offering is expected to be dilutive to earnings, and there may be future dilution to earnings related to shares of our common stock.
On a pro forma basis, we expect that this offering will have a dilutive effect on our expected earnings per share, FFO per share and Core FFO per share. The actual amount of dilution cannot be determined at this time and will be based upon numerous factors. The market price of shares of our common stock could decline as a result of issuances or sales of a large number of shares of our common stock in the market after this offering or the perception that such issuances or sales could occur. Additionally, future issuances or sales of substantial amounts of shares of our common stock may be at prices below the initial public offering price of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus and may result in further dilution in our earnings, FFO per share and Core FFO per share and/or materially and adversely impact the market price of our common stock. See Dilution.
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Future offerings of debt, which would be senior to shares of our common stock upon liquidation, and/or preferred equity securities that may be senior to shares of our common stock for purposes of distributions or upon liquidation, may materially and adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock.
In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by making additional offerings of debt or preferred equity securities (or causing our operating partnership to issue debt securities). Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive distributions of our available assets prior to our common stockholders. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock and may result in dilution to owners of our common stock. Our stockholders are not entitled to preemptive rights or other protections against dilution. Our preferred stock, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on distribution payments that could limit our right to make distributions to our stockholders. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Our stockholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock.
Future contractual repurchase obligations may materially and adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock and may reduce future distributions.
We have issued rollover equity to various sellers of assets acquired by us as part of the purchase price consideration for those assets. This rollover equity has generally taken the form of units in BGLH or units in Lineage OP, although in certain circumstances we have issued such rollover equity at our subsidiaries. Some of these sellers who received rollover equity were provided with separate classes of equity that included special one-time redemption features such as minimum value guarantees and in some cases the alternative option to elect cash or equity top-up rights to achieve a certain minimum equity valuation at a specified date (collectively, the Guarantee Rights). The ultimate obligations in respect of the Guarantee Rights, while currently structured at BGLH and Lineage OP, will become obligations of Lineage Holdings in connection with the formation transactions in order to ensure that the financial obligations associated with the Guarantee Rights impact investors in Lineage, our operating partnership and Lineage Holdings proportionately at the time they arise. Any trigger of the Guarantee Rights at BGLH or our operating partnership will result in successive redemptions or successive top-up cash payments or equity issuances between Lineage, our operating partnership and Lineage Holdings to effect this result, which may reduce our liquidity or dilute the ownership interest of our common stockholders. Such amounts could be material and could materially and adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock and reduce future distributions to our stockholders.
In addition, pursuant to the coordinated settlement process that will occur for up to three years following this offering, all of the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to this offering will transition from the control of BGLH, and all of the Legacy OP Units will transition from the control of BGLHs subsidiary, the LHR, through (i) Cash Settlements of such equity in amounts that are expected to be material and (ii) Securities Settlements for all remaining amounts of such equity, resulting in the transfer of control of all such securities to the underlying legacy investors who will then determine the timing of their future disposition of such securities. Such transactions may reduce our liquidity and materially and adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock and reduce funds available for distribution to our stockholders.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that they might occur, could reduce the price of our common stock and may dilute your voting power and your ownership interest in us.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market following our initial public offering, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and may make it more difficult for you to sell your common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate. We expect to have outstanding shares of our common stock (or shares of our common stock if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares).
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The shares of our common stock that we are selling in this offering (except for shares of our common stock purchased by our directors and officers in the directed share program, which are subject to a 180-day lock-up period) may be resold immediately in the public market unless they are held by affiliates, as that term is defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act. The common stock, OP units, Legacy OP Units and OPEUs to be issued in the formation transactions will be restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may not be sold in the absence of registration under the Securities Act unless an exemption from registration is available, including the exemptions contained in Rule 144. Bay Grove (as well as our directors, director nominees, officers and certain other persons buying shares of our common stock through the directed share program) has agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell or otherwise dispose of any of its common stock, OP units (which may be exchanged for common stock), Legacy OP Units (which, upon reclassification as OP units, may be exchanged for common stock) or OPEUs from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, except with the underwriters prior written consent. Pursuant to the coordinated settlement process that will occur for up to three years following this offering, all of the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to this offering will transition from the control of BGLH and all of the Legacy OP Units will transition from the control of BGLHs subsidiary, the LHR, through (i) Cash Settlements of such equity in amounts that are expected to be material and (ii) Securities Settlements for all remaining amounts of such equity, resulting in the transfer of control of all such securities to the underlying legacy investors who will then determine the timing of their future disposition of such securities. Legacy investors that receive Securities Settlements will have registration rights with respect to shares of our common stock, including common stock that may be issued in exchange for OP units (including OP units that may be issued upon reclassification of Legacy OP Units or exchange of OPEUs). As a result of these registration rights agreements, however, all of these shares of our common stock, including common stock that may be issued in exchange for OP units (including OP units that may be issued upon reclassification of Legacy OP Units or exchange of OPEUs), may be eligible for future sale without restriction, subject to applicable lock-up arrangements. See Shares Eligible for Future Sale and Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsRegistration Rights Agreements. Sales of a substantial number of such shares upon expiration of the lock-up agreements, the perception that such sales may occur, or early release of these agreements, could cause the market price of our common stock to fall or make it more difficult for you to sell your common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.
In addition, upon completion of this offering, our charter will provide that we may issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. Moreover, under Maryland law and as will be provided in our charter, a majority of our entire board of directors will have the power to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we are authorized to issue without stockholder approval. Future issuances of shares of our common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock may dilute the ownership interest of our common stockholders. Because our decision to issue additional equity or convertible or exchangeable securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future issuances. In addition, we are not required to offer any such securities to existing stockholders on a preemptive basis. Therefore, it may not be possible for existing stockholders to participate in such future issuances, which may dilute the existing stockholders interests in us.
A lack of research analyst coverage or restrictions on the ability of analysts associated with the co-managers of this offering to publish during certain time periods, including when we report our results of operations, could materially and adversely affect the market price and liquidity of our common stock.
We cannot assure you that research analysts, including those associated with the underwriters of this offering, will initiate or maintain research coverage of us or our common stock. In addition, regulatory rules prohibit research analysts associated with the co-managers of this offering from publishing or otherwise distributing a research report or from making a public appearance regarding us for 15 days prior to and after the expiration, waiver or termination of any lock-up agreement that we or certain of our stockholders have entered into with the underwriters of this offering. Accordingly, it could be the case that research concerning our results of operations or the possible effects on us of significant news or a significant event will not be published or will be published on a delayed basis. A lack of research or the inability of certain research analysts to publish research
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relating to our results of operations or significant news or a significant event in a timely manner could materially and adversely affect the market price and liquidity of our common stock.
Risks Related to Our REIT Status and Other Tax Risks
Failure to qualify as a REIT would cause us to be taxed as a regular C corporation, which would substantially reduce funds available for distributions to stockholders.
We elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2020. We believe that our organization and method of operation has enabled and will continue to enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, we cannot assure you that we will qualify as such. This is because qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex provisions of the Code as to which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations and involves the determination of facts and circumstances not entirely within our control. The complexity of these provisions and of the applicable regulations (as in effect from time to time) of the United States Department of the Treasury under the Code is greater in the case of a REIT, like us, that holds assets through a partnership. Future legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions may significantly change the tax laws or the application of the tax laws with respect to qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes or the federal income tax consequences of such qualification.
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy a number of requirements, including requirements regarding the ownership of our stock and the composition of our gross income and assets. Also, a REIT must make distributions to stockholders aggregating annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and are unable to obtain relief under certain statutory provisions, we will face material tax consequences that will substantially reduce the funds available for distributions to our stockholders because:
| we would be subject to regular United States federal corporate income tax on our net income for the years we did not qualify for taxation as a REIT (and, for such years, would not be allowed a deduction for dividends paid to stockholders in computing our taxable income); |
| we could be subject to a federal alternative minimum tax and possibly increased state and local taxes for such periods; |
| unless we are entitled to relief under applicable statutory provisions, neither we nor any successor company could elect to be taxed as a REIT until the fifth taxable year following the year during which we were disqualified; and |
| for five years following re-election of REIT status, upon a taxable disposition of an asset owned as of such re-election, we could be subject to corporate level tax with respect to any built-in gain inherent in such asset at the time of re-election. |
As a result of all these factors, our failure to qualify as a REIT could impair our ability to expand our business and raise capital, and it could adversely affect the value of our common stock. If we fail to qualify as a REIT, we would no longer be required to make distributions to our stockholders.
Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
Even if we have qualified and continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, tax on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, and state or local
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income, property and transfer taxes. In addition, we conduct a significant portion of our U.S. business through TRSs that are regular taxable corporations. Furthermore, our status as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally does not reduce non-U.S. taxes on our operations and assets outside of the United States. Moreover, to the extent that we incur non-U.S. taxes outside of a domestic TRS, we have limited ability to utilize credits against our U.S. federal income tax liabilities for foreign taxes paid or accrued. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distributions to stockholders.
If our operating partnership or any other subsidiary partnership or limited liability company fails to qualify as a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we could fail to qualify as a REIT and would suffer adverse consequences.
We believe that our operating partnership is organized and will be operated in a manner so as to be treated as a partnership, and not an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, our operating partnership will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income. Instead, each of its partners, including us, will be allocated that partners share of our operating partnerships income. No assurance can be provided, however, that the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, will not challenge the status of our operating partnership or any other subsidiary partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest as a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If the IRS were successful in treating our operating partnership or any such other subsidiary partnership or limited liability company as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we could fail to meet the gross income tests and certain of the asset tests applicable to REITs and, accordingly, could cease to qualify as a REIT. Also, the failure of our operating partnership or of any such other subsidiary partnership or limited liability company to qualify as a partnership or disregarded entity would cause it to become subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, which would reduce significantly the amount of its cash available for debt service and for distribution to its partners or members, including us.
Our operating partnership has a carryover tax basis on certain of its assets as a result of certain transactions, and the amount that we have to distribute to stockholders therefore may be higher.
Certain of our operating partnerships assets were acquired in tax-deferred transactions and have carryover tax bases that are lower than the fair market values of these assets at the time of the acquisition. As a result of this lower aggregate tax basis, our operating partnership will recognize higher taxable gain upon the sale of these assets and our operating partnership will be entitled to lower depreciation deductions on these assets than if it had purchased these assets in taxable transactions at the time of the acquisition. Such lower depreciation deductions and increased gains on sales allocated to us generally will increase the amount of our required distribution under the REIT rules, and will decrease the portion of any distribution that otherwise would have been treated as a return of capital distribution.
Our property taxes could increase due to property tax rate changes or reassessment, which could impact our cash flow.
Even if we qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we are required to pay state and local property taxes on certain of our assets. The property taxes on our assets may increase as property tax rates change or as our assets are assessed or reassessed by taxing authorities. Therefore, the amount of property taxes we pay in the future may increase substantially from what we have paid in the past. If the property taxes we pay increase, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, per share trading price of our common stock, and ability to satisfy our principal and interest obligations and to make distributions to our stockholders could be adversely affected.
We use TRSs, which may cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT.
To qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we hold, and plan to continue to hold, substantially all of our non-qualifying REIT assets and conduct certain of our non-qualifying REIT income
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activities in or through one or more TRS entities. A TRS is a corporation other than a REIT in which a REIT directly or indirectly holds stock, and that has made a joint election with such REIT to be treated as a TRS. A TRS also includes any corporation other than a REIT with respect to which a TRS owns securities possessing more than 35% of the total voting power or value of the outstanding securities of such corporation. Other than some activities relating to lodging and health care facilities, a TRS may generally engage in any business, including the provision of customary or non-customary services to tenants of its parent REIT. A TRS is subject to U.S. federal income tax as a regular C corporation at a current rate of 21%.
The net income of our TRS entities is not required to be distributed to us, and income that is not distributed to us will generally not be subject to the REIT income distribution requirement. However, our TRS entities may pay dividends. Such dividend income should qualify under the 95%, but not the 75%, gross income test. We will monitor the amount of the dividend and other income from our TRS entities and will take actions intended to keep this income, and any other non-qualifying income, within the limitations of the REIT income tests. While we expect these actions will prevent a violation of the REIT income tests, we cannot guarantee that such actions will in all cases prevent such a violation.
Our ownership of TRS entities is subject to limitations that could prevent us from growing the portion of our business that does not qualify for operating through a REIT, and our transactions with our TRS entities could cause us to be subject to a 100% penalty tax on certain income or deductions if those transactions are not conducted on an arms-length basis.
No more than 20% of the value of a REITs gross assets may consist of interests in TRS entities. We hold a portion of our business that could adversely impact our status as a REIT, if conducted directly by the REIT, through one or more TRS entities. In addition, we may acquire companies and properties through our TRS entities until such companies or properties can be restructured to operate in a REIT compliant manner. Compliance with the TRS ownership limitation could limit our ability to grow the portion of our business that does not qualify for operating through a REIT. The Code also imposes a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an arms-length basis. Our board of directors may determine in good faith the valuation of our gross assets, including the value of securities in our TRS entities, on a quarterly basis. We will monitor the value of investments in our TRS entities in order to comply with TRS ownership limitations and will structure our transactions with our TRS entities on terms that we believe are arms-length to avoid incurring the 100% excise tax described above. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to comply with the TRS ownership limitation or be able to avoid application of the 100% excise tax.
REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plans, including because we may be required to borrow funds to make distributions to stockholders or otherwise depend on external sources of capital to fund such distributions.
We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (which is determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction or net capital gain for this purpose) in order to continue to qualify as a REIT. To the extent that we satisfy the distribution requirement but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains), we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our undistributed taxable income. In addition, we may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, if we so elect, a stockholder would be taxed on its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term gain and would receive a credit or refund for its proportionate share of the tax we paid. A stockholder, including a tax-exempt or non-U.S. stockholder, would have to file a U.S. federal income tax return to claim that credit or refund. Furthermore, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we distribute to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under federal tax laws.
We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax. We may be required to make distributions to our
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stockholders at times when it would be more advantageous to reinvest cash in our business or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.
If we do not have other funds available, we could be required to borrow funds on unfavorable terms, sell investments at disadvantageous prices, distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions or capital expenditures or used for the repayment of debt, pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends or find another alternative source of funds to make distributions sufficient to enable us to distribute enough of our taxable income to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax in a particular year. These alternatives could increase our costs or adversely affect the value of our common stock.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
To continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to stockholders and the ownership of our stock. As discussed above, we may be required to make distributions to you at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution. Additionally, we may be unable to pursue investments that would be otherwise attractive to us in order to satisfy the requirements for qualifying as a REIT.
At the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets must consist of cash, cash items, U.S. government securities and qualified real estate assets, including certain mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than U.S. government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets can consist of the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and qualified real estate assets) and no more than 20% of the value of our gross assets may be represented by securities of one or more TRS entities. Finally, no more than 25% of our assets may consist of debt investments that are issued by publicly offered REITs and would not otherwise be treated as qualifying real estate assets. If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct such failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter to avoid losing our REIT status and being subject to adverse tax consequences, unless certain relief provisions apply. As a result, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of profit maximization and may require us to liquidate investments from our portfolio, or refrain from making otherwise attractive investments. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to stockholders.
The prohibited transactions tax may limit our ability to engage in transactions, including disposition of assets, which would be treated as sales for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
A REITs net income from prohibited transactions is subject to a 100% tax. In general, prohibited transactions are sales or other dispositions of dealer property (i.e., property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our trade or business), other than foreclosure property. We may be subject to the prohibited transaction tax upon a disposition of real property. Although a safe-harbor exception to prohibited transaction treatment is available, we cannot assure you that we can comply with such safe harbor or that we will avoid owning property that may be characterized as dealer property. Consequently, we may choose not to engage in certain sales of real property or may conduct such sales through a TRS.
It may be possible to reduce the impact of the prohibited transaction tax by conducting certain activities through a TRS. However, to the extent that we engage in such activities through a TRS, the income associated with such activities will be subject to a corporate income tax. In addition, the IRS may attempt to ignore or otherwise recast such activities in order to impose a prohibited transaction tax on us, and there can be no assurance that such recast will not be successful.
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We may recognize substantial amounts of REIT taxable income, which we would be required to distribute to our stockholders, in a year in which we are not profitable under GAAP or other economic measures.
We may recognize substantial amounts of REIT taxable income in years in which we are not profitable under GAAP or other economic measures as a result of the differences between GAAP and tax accounting methods. For instance, certain of our assets may be marked-to-market for GAAP purposes but not for tax purposes, which could result in losses for GAAP purposes that are not recognized in computing our REIT taxable income. Additionally, we may deduct our capital losses only to the extent of our capital gains in computing our REIT taxable income for a given taxable year. Consequently, we could recognize substantial amounts of REIT taxable income and would be required to distribute such income to you in a year in which we are not profitable under GAAP or other economic measures.
Our qualification as a REIT could be jeopardized as a result of an interest in joint ventures.
We may hold certain limited partner or non-managing member interests in partnerships or limited liability companies that are joint ventures. If a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our qualification as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a REIT gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to continue to qualify as a REIT unless we are able to qualify for a statutory REIT savings provision, which may require us to pay a significant penalty tax to maintain our REIT qualification.
Dividends payable by REITs may be taxed at higher rates.
Dividends payable by REITs may be taxed at higher rates than dividends of non-REIT corporations. The maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for qualified dividends paid by domestic non-REIT corporations to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates is generally 20%. Dividends paid by REITs to such stockholders are generally not eligible for that rate, but under current tax law, such stockholders may deduct up to 20% of ordinary dividends (i.e., dividends not designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income) received from a REIT for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2026. Although this deduction reduces the effective tax rate applicable to certain dividends paid by REITs, such tax rate may still be higher than the tax rate applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends. This may cause investors to view REIT investments as less attractive than investments in non-REIT corporations, which in turn may adversely affect the value of stock of REITs, including our stock. In addition, the relative attractiveness of real estate in general may be adversely affected by the favorable tax treatment given to corporate dividends, which could negatively affect the value of certain of our assets.
In the event we acquire assets of C corporations (including by merger) in carry-over basis transactions, we may inherit material tax liabilities and other tax attributes from such acquired corporations, and we may be required to distribute earnings and profits.
From time to time, we may acquire assets from C corporations in transactions in which the basis of the corporations assets in our hands is determined by reference to the basis of the assets in the hands of the acquired corporations (including in connection with post-acquisition integration transactions), or carry-over basis transactions.
If Lineage, Inc. or one of our subsidiaries that have elected or will elect to be treated as REITs under the Code (collectively, Subsidiary REITs) acquires any asset from a corporation that is or has been a C corporation in a carry-over basis transaction and Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT subsequently recognizes gain on the disposition of the asset during the five-year period beginning on the date on which Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT acquired the asset, then Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT will be
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required to pay tax at the regular corporate tax rate on this gain to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the asset over Lineage, Inc.s or its applicable Subsidiary REITs adjusted basis in the asset, in each case determined as of the date on which Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT acquired the asset (the so-called sting tax). The results described in this paragraph with respect to the recognition of gain assume that the C corporation will refrain from making an election to receive different treatment under applicable Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code (the Treasury Regulations) on its tax return for the year in which Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT acquires the asset from the C corporation.
We acquired a portion of our assets through a contribution by BGLH of the Lineage Logistics business to us in 2020. Treasury Regulations also apply the rules described above to property transferred to us by a partnership, such as BGLH, that directly or indirectly has partners that are C corporations. Under these rules, any gain that would have been allocated directly or indirectly by the transferor partnership to a C corporation partner, if the property had been sold at fair market value on the date of the contribution of the property to us, would be subject to the sting tax. As a result, a sale of a portion of our assets may be subject to the sting tax.
Any such sting taxes Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT pays would reduce the amount available for distribution to our stockholders. The imposition of such tax may require Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT to forgo an otherwise attractive disposition of any assets acquired from a C corporation in a carry-over basis transaction and, as a result, may reduce the liquidity of our portfolio of investments. In addition, in such a carry-over basis transaction, Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT will succeed to any tax liabilities and earnings and profits of the acquired C corporation. To qualify as a REIT, Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT must distribute any non-REIT earnings and profits by the close of the taxable year in which such transaction occurs. Any adjustments to the acquired corporations income for taxable years ending on or before the date of the transaction, including as a result of an examination of the corporations tax returns by the IRS, could affect the calculation of the corporations earnings and profits.
If the IRS were to determine that Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT acquired non-REIT earnings and profits from a corporation that Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT failed to distribute prior to the end of the taxable year in which the carry-over basis transaction occurred, Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT could avoid disqualification as a REIT by paying a deficiency dividend. Under these procedures, Lineage, Inc. or its applicable Subsidiary REIT generally would be required to (i) pay a statutory interest charge at a specified rate to the IRS on 50% of any such non-REIT earnings and profits and (ii) distribute any such non-REIT earnings and profits (less any interest charge paid to the IRS) to its stockholders within 90 days of the determination. Such a distribution would be in addition to the distribution of REIT taxable income necessary to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement and may require that we borrow funds to make the distribution even if the then-prevailing market conditions are not favorable for borrowings. In addition, payment of the statutory interest charge could materially and adversely affect us.
Legislative or regulatory tax changes could adversely affect us or our stockholders.
At any time, the U.S. federal income tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. We cannot predict when or if any new U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, or any amendment to any existing U.S. federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective and any such law, regulation or interpretation may take effect retroactively. Any such change could result in an increase in our, or our stockholders, tax liability or require changes in the manner in which we operate in order to minimize increases in our tax liability. A shortfall in tax revenues for states and municipalities in which we operate may lead to an increase in the frequency and size of such changes. If such changes occur, we may be required to pay additional taxes on our assets or income or be subject to additional restrictions. These increased tax costs could, among other things, adversely affect our financial condition, the results of operations, and the amount of cash available for the payment of dividends. We and our stockholders could be adversely affected by any such change in, or any new, U.S. federal income tax law, regulation, or administrative interpretation.
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We are subject to IRS tax audits that could adversely affect us.
On November 30, 2023, Lineage, Inc. received notice from the IRS that its federal tax return (Form 1120-REIT) for the tax year ended December 31, 2021, has been selected for examination. The audit is ongoing and to date no issues have been identified. It is possible that the results of the audit could nevertheless have a material adverse impact on us and our stockholders. On December 18, 2023, Lineage Holdings received a Notice of Administrative Proceeding (audit) from the IRS for its partnership federal tax return for the tax year ended December 31, 2021. The audit is ongoing and to date no issues have been identified. It is possible that the results of the audit could nevertheless have a material adverse impact on us and our stockholders.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. In particular, statements pertaining to our business and growth strategies, investment and development activities and trends in our business, contain forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words estimate, anticipate, expect, believe, intend, may, will, could, should, would, seek, position, support, drive, enable, optimistic, target, opportunity, approximately or plan, or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions of management.
Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:
| general business and economic conditions; |
| continued volatility and uncertainty in the credit markets and broader financial markets, including potential fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index and changes in foreign currency exchange rates; |
| other risks inherent in the real estate business, including customer defaults, potential liability relating to environmental matters, illiquidity of real estate investments and potential damages from natural disasters; |
| the availability of suitable acquisitions and our ability to acquire properties or businesses on favorable terms; |
| our success in implementing our business strategy and our ability to identify, underwrite, finance, consummate, integrate and manage diversifying acquisitions or investments; |
| our ability to meet budgeted or stabilized returns on our development and expansion projects within expected time frames, or at all; |
| our ability to manage our expanded operations, including expansion into new markets or business lines; |
| our failure to realize the intended benefits from, or disruptions to our plans and operations or unknown or contingent liabilities related to, our recent and future acquisitions; |
| our failure to successfully integrate and operate acquired or developed properties or businesses; |
| our ability to renew significant customer contracts; |
| the impact of supply chain disruptions, including the impact on labor availability, raw material availability, manufacturing and food production and transportation; |
| difficulties managing an international business and acquiring or operating properties in foreign jurisdictions and unfamiliar metropolitan areas; |
| changes in political conditions, geopolitical turmoil, political instability, civil disturbances, restrictive governmental actions or nationalization in the countries in which we operate; |
| the degree and nature of our competition; |
| our failure to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness; |
| our ability to access debt and equity capital markets; |
| continued increases and volatility in interest rates; |
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| increased power, labor or construction costs; |
| changes in consumer demand or preferences for products we store in our warehouses; |
| decreased storage rates or increased vacancy rates; |
| labor shortages or our inability to attract and retain talent; |
| changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, government regulation; |
| a failure of our information technology systems, systems conversions and integrations, cybersecurity attacks or a breach of our information security systems, networks or processes; |
| our failure to maintain our status as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| changes in local, state, federal and international laws and regulations, including related to taxation, real estate and zoning laws, and increases in real property tax rates; |
| the impact of any financial, accounting, legal or regulatory issues or litigation that may affect us; and |
| additional factors discussed in the sections entitled Business and Properties, Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this prospectus. |
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus. While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events discussed in this prospectus might not occur as described, or at all.
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We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $ billion, or $ billion if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated expenses, in each case, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, which is the mid-point of the price range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. We will contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our operating partnership in exchange for OP units.
We expect our operating partnership to use the net proceeds received from us to repay the $2.4 billion of borrowings outstanding under Delayed Draw Term Loan and the remainder for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Pending the permanent use of the net proceeds from these offerings, we intend to invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing, short-term investment-grade securities, money-market accounts or other investments that are consistent with our intention to qualify for taxation as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
The Delayed Draw Term Loan permits prepayments of principal, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium or penalty. The Delayed Draw Term Loan bears interest at an annual floating rate of term SOFR plus 0.10% (Adjusted SOFR) plus a spread of between 1.60% and 2.20% based on our total leverage ratio. Based on our existing total leverage ratio, the interest rate expected to be in effect for our Delayed Draw Term Loan borrowing is Adjusted Term SOFR plus 1.60%. In addition, the Delayed Draw Term Loan is subject to a commitment fee of 0.20% on the average daily unused amount of the commitment. The Delayed Draw Term Loan proceeds were utilized to repay our ICE4 CMBS loan on April 9, 2024, prior to maturity in May 2024, and to repay a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. Our ICE4 CMBS loan bore interest at an annual floating rate of term SOFR plus a margin of 1.66%.
The Revolving Credit Facility may be voluntarily prepaid in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty. Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest, at our election, up to either 1.20% over the base rate or 2.20% over (i) for dollar-denominated loans, an adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (adjusted Term SOFR rate) or (ii) for loans denominated in a foreign currency, an adjusted daily simple RFR (adjusted Daily Simple RFR), in each case, with step-downs based on the borrowers total leverage ratio as defined by the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement. As of , 2024, the Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at % over the Term SOFR rate or adjusted Daily Simple RFR, as applicable, plus % spread adjustment. As of , 2024, our Revolving Credit Facility had a total outstanding balance of $ billion.
Certain of the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates are acting as lenders under the Delayed Draw Term Loan and will receive their pro rata portion of the approximately $2.4 billion of the net proceeds from this offering used to repay amounts outstanding under such facility. Certain of the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates are lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility. Therefore, to the extent that we use any net proceeds to reduce the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility, such underwriters and/or affiliates of such underwriters may receive their pro rata portion of such net proceeds through the repayment of borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. For additional information, see Underwriters.
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We have elected to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains. To the extent we satisfy the distribution requirement but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains), we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our undistributed taxable income. In addition, as a REIT, we will be required to pay a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which the distributions we make in a calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income and 100% of our undistributed income from prior years. For more information, see Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Our CompanyAnnual Distribution Requirements. To satisfy the requirements to qualify as a REIT and to avoid paying tax on our income, we intend to make quarterly distributions of all, or substantially all, of our REIT taxable income (including net capital gains) to our stockholders. In addition, we have a long-term target of distributing approximately 50% of our Adjusted FFO to our stockholders annually.
Although we anticipate initially making quarterly distributions to our stockholders, the timing, form and amount of distributions, if any, to our stockholders will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors, and their form, timing and amount, if any, will depend upon a number of factors, including our actual and projected results of operations, Core FFO, Adjusted FFO, EBITDA, EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDA, liquidity, cash flows and financial condition, the revenue we actually receive from our properties, our operating expenses, our debt service requirements, our capital expenditures, prohibitions and other limitations under our financing arrangements, our REIT taxable income, the annual REIT distribution requirements, applicable law, including restrictions on distributions under Maryland law, and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. In addition, our charter allows us to issue preferred stock that could have a preference on distributions and could limit our ability to make distributions to our common stockholders.
If our operations do not generate sufficient cash flow to enable us to pay our intended or required distributions, we may be required either to fund distributions from alternative sources, including working capital, borrowings, asset sales or equity capital, or reduce such distributions. Our actual results of operations will be affected by a number of factors, including the revenues we generate, our operating expenses, interest expense and unanticipated expenditures, among others. For more information regarding risk factors that could materially and adversely affect us and our ability to make cash distributions, see Risk Factors.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we declared aggregate distributions of $88.5 million with respect to shares of our common stock, which distributions were paid in January 2024. We have not declared any distributions with respect to shares of our common stock during 2024.
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The following table sets forth our historical cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of March 31, 2024 and our pro forma cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of March 31, 2024 to give effect to this offering, the formation transactions and the other adjustments described in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, based on the mid-point of the price range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus. This table should be read in conjunction with the sections entitled Use of Proceeds, Summary Selected Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial and Other Data, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our historical and pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
As of March 31, 2024 | ||||||||
Historical (Unaudited) |
Pro Forma (Unaudited) |
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(in millions, except share and per share amounts) |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 91.2 | $ | |||||
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Debt: |
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Revolving Credit Facility |
$ | 2,385.0 | $ | |||||
Term Loan |
1,000.0 | |||||||
CMBS |
3,706.4 | |||||||
Senior Unsecured Notes |
1,690.2 | |||||||
Secured mortgage debt |
473.4 | |||||||
Other secured debt |
12.1 | |||||||
Other unsecured debt |
25.0 | |||||||
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Total debt |
9,292.1 | |||||||
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Stockholders equity: |
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Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 630 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 100,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding, pro forma(2) |
0.6 | |||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized, 162,017,515 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 500,000,000 shares authorized and shares issued and outstanding, pro forma(1) |
1.6 | |||||||
Additional paid in capitalcommon stock |
5,990.9 | |||||||
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) |
(918.3 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
(96.8 | ) | ||||||
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|
|
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Total stockholders equity |
$ | 4,978.0 | $ | |||||
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|
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|
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Noncontrolling interests |
630.0 | |||||||
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|
|
|
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Total capitalization |
$ | 14,900.1 | $ | |||||
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|
(1) | The shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering include: |
| shares of our common stock to be issued in this offering; |
| shares of our common stock to be issued to our executives and employees under the 2024 Plan as initial public offering bonuses; |
| shares of our common stock to be awarded to certain of our employees under the 2024 Plan in connection with the completion of this offering; |
| shares of our common stock that may be issued to certain of our employees under the 2024 Plan, and to employees, former employees and others, in private placements, in settlement of outstanding vested LMEP Units; and |
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| shares of our common stock that may be issued to certain of our employees in settlement of outstanding vested LVCP Awards. |
The shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering exclude:
| shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise in full of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares; |
| shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting awarded or to be awarded to certain of our executive officers and employees under the 2024 Plan as part of our annual equity award program; |
| shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting to be awarded to certain of our employees under the 2024 Plan in connection with the completion of this offering; |
| shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting awarded or to be awarded to certain of our non-employee directors under the 2024 Plan in connection with the completion of this offering; |
| shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting awarded or to be awarded to certain of our executive officers and employees under the 2024 Plan in respect of certain vested LMEP Units and/or the cancellation of unvested LMEP Units; |
| shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting awarded or to be awarded to certain of our employees under the 2024 Plan in respect of certain vested LVCP Awards and/or the cancellation of unvested LVCP Awards; |
| up to shares of our common stock underlying restricted stock units subject to performance-based vesting awarded or to be awarded in connection with this offering under the 2024 Plan as part of our annual equity award program (the number of shares of our common stock reflected in this bullet assumes maximum performance for performance-based awardsto the extent that we do not attain maximum performance with respect to the applicable performance goals, the actual number of shares issued under those awards will be less than the number reflected in this bullet); and |
| shares of our common stock issuable in the future under the 2024 Plan, as more fully described in Executive and Director CompensationAmended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan. |
(2) | Upon written notice to each record holder of our Series A preferred stock as to the effective date of redemption, we may redeem, the shares of our outstanding Series A preferred stock at our option, in whole or in part, at any time for cash at a price equal to $1,000 per share, for a total of $630,000 for the 630 shares outstanding, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to and including the date fixed for redemption. Shares of the Series A preferred stock that are redeemed shall no longer be deemed outstanding shares of our company and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate. In connection with this offering, we will redeem our outstanding Series A preferred stock. |
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Dilution After This Offering
Purchasers of our common stock offered by this prospectus will experience an immediate and substantial dilution of the net tangible book value per share of our common stock from the initial public offering price. Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of total tangible assets less total tangible liabilities, divided by the number of outstanding shares of common stock, assuming the exchange of OP units (including (i) OP units into which Legacy OP Units may be reclassified and (ii) OP units issuable upon exchange of OPEUs) for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis. As of March 31, 2024, we had a net tangible book value of approximately $ million, or $ per share. After giving effect to the completion of the formation transactions, this offering and the other adjustments described in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, our pro forma net tangible book value as of March 31, 2024 would have been $ million, or $ per share of common stock, assuming the exchange of OP units for shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis. This amount represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $ per share to our continuing investors and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of $ per share from the public offering price of $ per share of common stock to our new investors. The following table illustrates this per share dilution, assuming an initial public offering price of $ per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus.
Initial public offering price per share |
$ | |||||||
Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2024 before the formation transactions, this offering and other pro forma adjustments |
$ | |||||||
Net decrease in net tangible book value per share attributable to the formation transactions and other pro forma adjustments (other than this offering) |
$ | |||||||
Net increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering |
$ | |||||||
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Pro forma net tangible book value per s hare after the formation transactions, this offering and other pro forma adjustments(1) |
$ | |||||||
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Dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to new investors(2) |
$ | |||||||
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(1) | The pro forma net tangible book value per share after the formation transactions, this offering and other pro forma adjustments was determined by dividing net tangible book value of approximately $ million by shares of common stock and OP units to be outstanding after the formation transactions, this offering and other pro forma adjustments, assuming the exchange of OP units (including (i) OP units into which Legacy OP Units may be reclassified and (ii) OP units issuable upon exchange of OPEUs) for shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis. This excludes the shares that may be issued by us upon exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares, the related proceeds and additional common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2024 Plan. |
(2) | The dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to new investors was determined by subtracting pro forma net tangible book value per share after the formation transactions, this offering and other pro forma adjustments from the assumed initial public offering price paid by a new investor for our common stock. |
Assuming the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of common stock in full, our pro forma net tangible book value as of March 31, 2024 would have been $ million, or $ per share of common stock, assuming the exchange of OP units (including (i) OP units into which Legacy OP Units may be reclassified and (ii) OP units issuable upon exchange of OPEUs) for shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis. This represents an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of $ per share of common stock to new investors.
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Differences Between New Investors and Continuing Investors
The table below summarizes, as of March 31, 2024, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the formation transactions and this offering, the differences between the number of shares of common stock and OP units (including (i) OP units into which Legacy OP Units may be reclassified and (ii) OP units issuable upon exchange of OPEUs) held by the continuing investors following the formation transactions and the new investors purchasing shares in this offering, the total consideration paid and the average price per share of common stock or OP unit paid by the continuing investors following the formation transactions and paid in cash by the new investors purchasing shares in this offering (based on the net tangible book value attributable to the continuing investors in the formation transactions). In calculating the net tangible book value attributable to cash paid by the new investors purchasing common shares in this offering, we used an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts, financial advisory fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
(1) | Represents pro forma net tangible book value as of March 31, 2024 after giving effect to the formation transactions and this offering. |
(2) | Includes OP units to be issued in connection with the formation transactions, OP units into which Legacy OP Units will ultimately be reclassified and OPEUs into which interests held by Bay Grove are to be reclassified in connection with the formation transactions (which OPEUs are ultimately exchangeable for OP units). Excludes OP units that may be issued to holders of Legacy Class A-4 OP Units upon exercise of the top-up right, or the dilutive effect on our shares or the OP units of the special Class A-4 OP Unit redemption rights or cash top-up rights, in each case as described in Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation TransactionsOperating Partnership Conversion and Reclassification of Units, which cannot be predicted or quantified at this time. |
(3) | Includes shares of common stock to be sold in this offering. |
The foregoing discussion does not reflect any potential purchases made by participants in the directed share program that are associated with us.
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MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Summary Selected Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial and Other Data, Business and Properties and consolidated financial statements and related notes that are included elsewhere in this prospectus. Where appropriate, the following discussion includes the effects of the completion of the formation transactions, this offering and the use of the net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis. These effects are reflected in our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements, such as statements regarding our expectation for future performance, liquidity and capital resources, that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under Risk Factors, Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements or in other parts of this prospectus.
Managements Overview
We are the worlds largest global temperature-controlled warehouse REIT, with a modern and strategically located network of properties. Our business is competitively positioned to deliver a seamless end-to-end, technology-enabled, customer experience for thousands of customers each with their own unique requirements in the temperature-controlled supply chain. As of March 31, 2024, we operated an interconnected global temperature-controlled warehouse network, comprising over 84.1 million square feet and 3.0 billion cubic feet of capacity across 482 warehouses predominantly located in densely populated critical-distribution markets, with 312 in North America, 82 in Europe and 88 in Asia-Pacific. We have a well-diversified and stable customer base and currently serve more than 13,000 customers that include household names of the largest food retailers, manufacturers, processors and food service distributors in the industry. In the three months ended March 31, 2024, we generated $1.3 billion of revenue, $48.0 million of net loss, $444.2 million of NOI and $326.6 million of Adjusted EBITDA. In the year ended December 31, 2023, we generated $5.3 billion of revenue, $96.2 million of net loss, $1.8 billion of NOI and $1.3 billion of Adjusted EBITDA.
We view, manage and report on our business through two segments:
| Global warehousing, which utilizes our high-quality industrial real estate properties to provide temperature-controlled warehousing storage and services to our customers; and |
| Global integrated solutions, which complements warehousing with supply chain services to facilitate the movement of products through the food supply chain to generate cost savings for customers and additional revenue streams for our company. |
Components of Our Results of Operations
Global Warehousing Segment. Our primary business is owning and operating temperature-controlled warehouses.
Revenue. Our global warehousing segment revenues are generated from storing frozen and perishable food and other products and providing related warehouse services for our customers. Storage revenues relate to the act of storing products for our customers within our warehouses. Storage revenues can be in the form of storage fees we charge customers for utilization of space in a warehouse, blast freezing fees we charge customers for utilization of specific ultra-cold spaces within a warehouse designed to rapidly reduce product temperature, and rent we charge customers for the lease of warehouse space pursuant to a lease agreement. Warehouse services fees relate to handling and other services required to prepare and move customers pallets into, out of and around the facilities. As part of our warehouse services, we offer handling, case-picking, order assembly and load consolidation, quality control, re-packaging and government-approved storage and inspection, among other services, for which we charge fees.
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The majority of our fees are contracted with customers via warehouse agreements, rate letters and tariff sheets. We also earn rent under lease agreements pursuant to which we lease a portion of a warehouse or an entire warehouse. Customer warehouse agreements and rate letters generally contain a profile that projects the type, size and number of pallets the customer expects to store over a period of time within a specified warehouse, as well as the length of time pallets are expected to remain in the warehouse, and may include guaranteed revenues based on specific storage, handling or other parameters. Material changes to a customer profile that increase costs can trigger rate changes. Additionally, warehouse agreements include mechanisms to adjust rates for inflationary pressures, and rate letters are typically revised annually for price adjustments. Our tariff sheets are updated annually, and the agreements are also short-term in nature and can generally be updated upon 30-days advance notice. These various rate adjustment mechanisms generally allow us to pass on both storage and handling rate increases to customers as necessary to account for increasing rents and inflation in operational costs such as wages, power and warehouse supplies.
Cost of operations. Our global warehousing segment cost of operations consists primarily of labor, power and other warehouse costs. Labor comprises the largest component of the cost of operations from our global warehousing segment and consists primarily of employee wages (both direct and indirect) and benefits. Changes in our labor expense are driven by, among other things, changes in headcount, changes in compensation levels and associated performance incentives, the use of third-party labor to support our operations, changes in terms of collective bargaining agreements, changes in customer requirements and associated work content, workforce productivity, labor availability, governmental policies and regulations and variability in costs associated with employer-provided benefits. Our second-largest cost of operations of our global warehousing segment is electrical power utilized in the operation of our temperature-controlled warehouses. As a result, fluctuations in the price of power in the regions where we operate may have a significant effect on our financial results. We may from time to time hedge our exposure to changes in power prices through fixed rate agreements. In addition, to the extent possible and appropriate, we may seek to mitigate or offset the impact of fluctuations in the price of power on our financial results through rate escalations or power surcharge provisions within our agreements with customers. We also look to implement energy saving alternatives to reduce energy consumption, including the installation of solar panels, state of the art refrigeration control systems, LED lighting, thermal energy storage, motion-sensor technology, variable frequency drives for our fans and compressors and rapid open/close doors, which are all environmentally friendly solutions that have the potential to reduce energy consumption (thereby reducing costs) at the warehouses in which they are installed. Additionally, business mix impacts our power expense depending on the temperature zone and type and frequency of freezing required (e.g., blast freezing). Other warehouse costs include insurance, real estate taxes, utilities other than power, repairs and maintenance, warehouse consumables (e.g., pallets and shrink-wrap), equipment costs, rent under operating leases on both real estate and equipment, personal protective equipment to maintain the health and safety of our team members, and other warehouse operating costs.
Global Integrated Solutions Segment. Our global integrated solutions segment provides our customers with a comprehensive approach to facilitate the movement of products along the supply chain.
Revenues. Our integrated solutions revenues are primarily driven by transportation fees, which may also include fuel and capacity surcharges, to our customers for whom we arrange the transportation of their products. Within transportation, which is the largest component of our global integrated solutions segment, our core focus areas are multi-vendor less-than-full-truckload consolidation, drayage services to and from ports, transportation brokerage and freight forwarding. We also provide rail transportation services and, in select markets, foodservice distribution and e-commerce fulfillment services.
Under our typical multi-vendor less-than-full-truckload consolidation agreements, we earn fees based on the weight, dimensions and density of the customers goods and distance that such goods will be shipped. We typically earn flat fees for our drayage services based on the time and mileage required for the round trip. We include fuel surcharges under both our typical multi-vendor less-than-full-truckload consolidation agreements and drayage services agreements, allowing us to pass on increases in the cost of fuel to customers. For
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transportation brokerage services, we typically earn fees based on the amounts we charge our shipping customers, generating a margin over what we pay in the form of third-party carrier charges. For rail transportation services, we primarily lease temperature-controlled railcars pursuant to long-term full-service leases. We typically earn revenue for our food distribution services on a cost plus or cost sharing basis and our e-commerce fulfillment services on a fully-loaded cost per shipment basis. Similar to our brokerage services, we typically earn fees under our freight forwarding services based on the amounts we charge our shipping customers, generating a margin over what we pay in the form of third-party carrier charges.
Cost of operations. Our global integrated solutions cost of operations consists primarily of third-party carrier charges, which are impacted by factors affecting those carriers, including truck and ocean liner capacity and driver and equipment availability in certain markets. Additionally, in certain markets we employ drivers and operate assets to serve our customers. Costs to operate these assets include wages, fuel, tolls, insurance and maintenance.
Other Consolidated Operating Expenses. We also incur depreciation and amortization expenses, corporate-level general and administrative expenses, corporate-level acquisition, transaction, and other expenses and corporate-level restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals.
Depreciation and amortization. Our depreciation and amortization charges result primarily from the capital-intensive nature of our business. The principal components of depreciation relate to our warehouses, both owned and leased, including buildings and improvements, refrigeration equipment, racking, leasehold improvements, material handling equipment, furniture and fixtures and our computer hardware and software. We also incur depreciation related to owned transportation assets. Amortization relates primarily to intangible assets for customer relationships.
General and administrative expenses. Our corporate-level, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of costs associated with administration of our global warehousing and global integrated solutions segments, including wages and benefits for management, administrative, legal, business development, project management, sales, marketing, engineering, safety and compliance, food optimization, integrated solutions, human resources, finance, accounting, network optimization, data science and information technology personnel, transformational information technology expenses (which include expenses associated with development and deployment of our operating systems), equity incentive plans, communications and data processing, travel, professional fees, credit loss, training, office equipment, supplies and management fees paid to Bay Grove in accordance with the terms of the operating services agreement. Trends in corporate-level general and administrative expenses are influenced by changes in headcount and compensation levels and achievement of incentive compensation targets. In connection with this offering, we intend to internalize certain operating, strategic development and financial services that are currently provided by Bay Grove under the operating services agreement. Accordingly, in connection with this offering, we will terminate the operating services agreement, and we will enter into a transition services agreement with Bay Grove to provide certain of these services for a three-year term while we internalize such functions. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransition Services Agreement.
Acquisition, transaction, and other expenses. Our corporate-level acquisition, transaction, and other expenses consist of costs with a high level of variability from period-to-period and include the following: costs associated with business transactions, whether consummated or not, such as advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, other professional or consulting fees, integration costs, and costs related to public company readiness efforts. These costs are expensed as incurred. It also includes employee-related expenses associated with acquisitions, such as acquisition-related severance and consulting agreements and the Lineage Equity-Tracking Plan discussed in Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals. Our restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals include certain contractual and negotiated severance and separation costs from exited former executives, costs relating to reductions in headcount to achieve operational efficiencies, and costs associated with exiting non-
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strategic operations. We record such costs when there is a substantive plan for employee severance or employees are otherwise entitled to benefits (e.g. in case of one-time terminations) and related costs are probable and estimable. It also includes gains (losses) on dispositions of property, plant, and equipment and impairments of long-lived assets.
Key Factors Affecting Our Business and Financial Results
Recent Trends in Our Global Warehousing Segment
The following are key trends emerging in our global warehousing segment:
| Strategic engagement with customers. We believe that customers are increasingly looking for more bespoke solutions for their supply chain needs, and we have seen customers engaging more deeply with us to support their strategic supply chain initiatives. Our strategic account management team works with our top customers to create a joint roadmap and action plan to optimize each customers supply chain needs based on its unique priorities. For example, our strategic account management team may create a plan with a customer based on such customers goals to increase volume in a particular region, while transitioning the customer from higher-cost trucking to lower-cost rail transportation in another region. We have seen increased engagement from customers with this approach over the last several years, and we expect this trend to continue as we expand these strategic relationships with our customers. |
| Automation. We have industry-leading automation capabilities and intend to continue our leadership in temperature-controlled warehouse automation. We also look to direct our high-case volume customers to our automated or semi-automated facilities because we believe these automated facilities can provide lower cost and more customized solutions to our customers, thereby improving the customer experience and driving customer retention. We are seeing increased demand for automated solutions from our customers. We currently have eight greenfield development and expansion projects under construction, which when completed are expected to contribute approximately 235 thousand pallet positions, approximately 58% of which will be fully automated. |
Market Conditions
Our business is impacted by general economic and market conditions, as well as by national and international political, environmental and socio-economic events. Specifically, our business operations are sensitive to the systemic impact of inflation, the availability of labor, the availability and cost of credit, the food supply chain, fuel, energy and power costs, our customers production, end-consumer demand for food that requires cold storage and transportation of goods and geopolitical issues.
During the last several years, we have leveraged our assets, customer relationships and management best practices to navigate a volatile macroeconomic period that included inflation, supply chain backlogs and a labor shortage. Significant factors impacting our business have included:
| Inflation and Customer Rate Increases. Beginning in 2021, we saw significant inflationary impacts across wages, real estate costs, energy and other operational costs. Following customer rate increases in the second half of 2021 and continuing in 2022 and 2023, our operating results improved significantly. At the same time, we believe that higher food costs are now impacting buying decisions by end users for certain commodities, which in turn affects our customers as they adjust to new levels of demand from the end users. As a result, we have seen lower throughput from our customers, which has impacted volume across our network. Over the long-term, we believe that end-consumer demand for food will remain consistent with historic levels and that the mission-critical nature of our warehouse network positions us well to pass through certain inflationary cost pressures. In addition, as overall inflation eases, we expect to see relief across throughput and operational cost pressures, and we believe that our customers also expect lower rate increases going forward. |
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| Occupancy. Following widespread supply chain backlogs during 2021 and early 2022, customers in North America increased production later in 2021 leading to higher inventories by the end of 2022. As a result, we experienced increased physical occupancy in 2023, particularly in North America. In addition, our increased usage of minimum storage guarantees has further driven an increase in economic occupancy. Going forward, we expect physical occupancy may decrease relative to 2023 as customers rationalize inventory levels. To that end, we saw a decrease in occupancy during the first quarter of 2024 as customer inventory levels declined, driven in part by higher interest rates. The year-over-year occupancy headwind was also impacted by the aforementioned elevated occupancy during the three months ended March 31, 2023. At the same time, we expect our increased usage of minimum storage guarantees to mitigate flow-through of declines in physical occupancy to economic occupancy. |
| Labor. Beginning with the pandemic and lasting through the beginning of 2023, we faced headwinds from wage inflation, labor shortages and team member turnover. Internally, over the last several years, we have been focused on strategic initiatives to decrease turnover through higher wages, engagement best practices and training to help retain talent. More recently in 2023 and into 2024, we saw retention improve due to these internal retention efforts and to macroeconomic factors, including lower competition for labor, slower wage inflation and decreased turnover globally. As turnover continues to decline, we expect increased productivity due to higher tenure of our team members, reduced recruiting costs and reduced wage pressures. |
| Power Supply. Our European operations saw increased power costs in 2022 arising in connection with of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. However, we have generally been able to pass such increased power costs through to our customers, and, accordingly, our global operations to date have not been materially impacted by the ongoing conflict. In addition, we generally saw power costs decrease during 2023. |
Refer to Risk Factors in this prospectus for additional information.
Economic Occupancy of Our Warehouses
We define average economic occupancy as the aggregate number of physical pallets on hand and any additional pallet positions otherwise contractually committed and paid for by customers for a given period divided by the approximate number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouse for the applicable period. We estimate the number of contractually committed pallet positions by taking into account the actual pallet commitment specified in each customers warehouse agreement and subtracting the physical pallets on hand for that customer. We regard economic occupancy as an important driver of our financial results. We plan to expand our use of minimum storage guarantees that pay us minimum or fixed storage fees for pallet positions whether or not a minimum number of pallet positions are physically occupied. We actively seek to enter into minimum storage guarantees when establishing new customer agreements, renewing existing customer agreements or upon a change in the anticipated profile of our customer. We believe that transitioning certain customer contracts from on-demand, as-utilized structures to minimum storage guarantee structures will drive NOI growth and consistency by maintaining our storage revenues during periods of lower inventories.
Physical Occupancy of Our Warehouses
We define average physical occupancy as the average number of physical pallets on hand divided by the estimated number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. We estimate the number of physical pallet positions by taking into account actual racked space and by estimating unracked space on an as-if-racked basis. We base this estimate on a formula utilizing the total cubic feet of each room within the warehouse that is unracked divided by the volume of an assumed rack space that is consistent with the characteristics of the relevant warehouse. The number of our pallet positions is reviewed and updated quarterly, taking into account changes in racking configurations and other warehouse attributes. We regard physical occupancy as an important driver of our financial results.
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Throughput at Our Warehouses
The level and nature of throughput at our warehouses is an important factor impacting our warehouse services revenues. Throughput refers to the volume of inbound pallets that enter our warehouses plus the volume of outbound pallets that exit our warehouses, divided by two. Higher levels of throughput drive warehouse services revenues in our global warehousing segment, as customers are typically billed transactionally for these services. The nature of throughput may be driven by the expected inventory turns of the underlying product or commodity. Throughput pallets can be influenced by both customers production as well as shifts in demand preferences. Customers production levels, which respond to market conditions, labor availability, supply chain dynamics and consumer preferences, may impact inbound pallets. Similarly, a change in inventory turnover due to shift in consumer demand may impact outbound pallets.
Foreign Currency Translation Impact on Our Operations
Our consolidated revenues and expenses are subject to variations caused by the net effect of foreign currency translation on revenues and expenses incurred by our operations outside the United States. Future fluctuations of foreign currency exchange rates and their impact on our Consolidated Statements of Operations are inherently uncertain. As a result of the relative size of our international operations, these fluctuations may be material on our results of operations. Our primary currency exposures are to the euro, Canadian dollar, British pound sterling and Australian dollar. Our revenues and expenses from our international operations are typically denominated in the local currency of the country in which they are derived or incurred. Therefore, the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on our results of operations and margins is partially mitigated.
Focus on Our Operational Effectiveness and Cost Structure
We have focused on further enhancing our operational effectiveness and integrating the acquisitions completed over the last several years. We continuously seek to execute on various initiatives aimed at streamlining our business processes and reducing our cost structure, including: integrating acquired businesses and their assets onto common information technology systems within our company; instituting key health, safety, leadership and training programs; implementing standardized operational processes; developing and deploying proprietary and third-party operating systems; and capitalizing on the purchasing power of our network. As we integrate our many acquired businesses, we are focused on realizing the benefits of scale and operational leverage by growing NOI faster than general and administrative expenses. In addition, we believe we have opportunities to eliminate redundant overhead expenses and reduce expenditures on integration resources over time. As we integrate acquired companies, we are also often able to generate synergies in areas such as benefits and insurance, where our corporate programs are often more efficient than those of the acquired businesses.
We employ multiple strategies to maximize labor productivity, including: instituting lean operating principles, improving cultural engagement and driving standardization work processes, visual management, problem-solving, just-in-time management and quality processes; optimizing the mix of permanent and temporary team members; shift optimization relative to throughput; and offering engagement activities, leadership training and competitive wage and benefit programs to incentivize longer-term employment.
We seek to maximize energy efficiency in our warehouses through the application of best practices, the latest technology and alternative energy generation. The technologies we deploy to optimize energy efficiency include variable frequency drives, refrigeration control systems, rapid close doors, motion sensor technology, LED lighting and flywheelingan innovative process that leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to manage energy load based on predictions of peak demand. Our approach to generating alternative sources of energy is primarily through the deployment of on-site solar, battery capacity and linear generators. These initiatives have allowed us to reduce our consumption of kilowatt hours, optimize rates and reduce overall energy spend. Our alternative energy approach allows us to monetize carbon credits to offset energy costs and is also supportive of our sustainability strategy.
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How We Assess the Performance of Our Business
Segment Net Operating Income or NOI
We evaluate the performance of our business segments based on their net operating income relative to our overall results of operations. We use the term segment net operating income or segment NOI to mean a segments revenues less its cost of operations (excluding any depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, corporate-level general and administrative expenses, corporate-level acquisition, transaction, and other expense and corporate-level restructuring and impairment expenses). We use segment NOI to evaluate our segments for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance in accordance with FASB ASC, Topic 280, Segment Reporting.
We also analyze the segment NOI margin for each of our business segments, which we calculate as segment NOI divided by segment revenues.
Same Warehouse Analysis
We define our same warehouse population once a year at the beginning of the current calendar year. Our same warehouse population includes properties that were owned, leased or managed for the entirety of two comparable periods and that have reported at least twelve months of consecutive normalized operations prior to January 1 of the current calendar year. We define normalized operations as properties that have been open for operation or lease after development or significant modification, including the expansion of a warehouse footprint or a warehouse rehabilitation subsequent to an event, such as a natural disaster or similar event causing disruption to operations. In addition, our definition of normalized operations takes into account changes in the ownership structure (e.g., purchase of a previously leased warehouse would result in a change in the nature of expenditures in the compared periods), which would impact comparability in our global warehousing segment NOI.
Acquired properties will be included in the same warehouse population if owned or leased by us as of the first business day of the prior calendar year and still owned by us as of the end of the current reporting period, unless the property is under development. The same warehouse pool is also adjusted to remove properties that were sold or entering development subsequent to the beginning of the current calendar year. As such, the same warehouse population for the period ended March 31, 2024 includes all properties that we owned at January 1, 2023 which had both been owned and had reached normalized operations by January 1, 2023, and the same warehouse population for the period ended December 31, 2023 includes all properties that we owned at January 1, 2022 which had both been owned and had reached normalized operations by January 1, 2022.
We calculate same warehouse NOI as revenues for the same warehouse population less its cost of operations (excluding any depreciation and amortization, impairment charges and corporate-level general and administrative expenses, corporate-level acquisition, transaction, and other expense, corporate-level restructuring and impairment expenses and gain or loss on sale of real estate). We evaluate the performance of the warehouses we own, lease or manage using a same warehouse analysis, and we believe that same warehouse NOI is helpful to investors as a supplemental performance measure because it includes the operating performance from the population of properties that is consistent from period to period, thereby eliminating the effects of changes in the composition of our warehouse portfolio.
The following table shows the number of same warehouses in our portfolio and the number of warehouses excluded as same warehouses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 |
Year Ended December 31, 2023 |
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Total warehouses(1) |
463 | 463 | ||||||
Same warehouse facilities |
416 | 351 | ||||||
Non-same warehouse facilities |
47 | 112 |
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(1) | Excludes 19 and 18 warehouses in our global integrated solutions segment for periods ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. We categorize warehouses as part of our global integrated solutions segment if the primary business conducted in those warehouses is within our global integrated solutions segment. |
Same warehouse NOI is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP. In addition, other companies providing temperature-controlled warehouse storage and handling and other warehouse services may not define same warehouse or calculate same warehouse NOI in a manner consistent with our definition or calculation. Same warehouse NOI should be considered as a supplement, but not as an alternative, to our results calculated in accordance with GAAP. We provide reconciliations of these measures in the discussions of our comparative results of operations below.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
The following table summarizes our NOI for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
Three months ended March 31, |
|
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2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (48.0 | ) | $ | 18.6 | (358.1 | )% | |||||
General and administrative expense |
124.1 | 114.9 | 8.0 | % | ||||||||
Depreciation expense |
157.7 | 129.5 | 21.8 | % | ||||||||
Amortization expense |
53.4 | 51.7 | 3.3 | % | ||||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
8.6 | 10.8 | (20.4 | )% | ||||||||
Restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals |
(0.4 | ) | 4.2 | (109.5 | )% | |||||||
Equity (income) loss, net of tax |
1.8 | (0.2 | ) | (1000.0 | )% | |||||||
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, net |
10.7 | 1.3 | 723.1 | % | ||||||||
Interest expense, net |
138.8 | 114.7 | 21.0 | % | ||||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt |
6.5 | | n/a | % | ||||||||
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net |
0.7 | 0.2 | 250.0 | % | ||||||||
Income tax (benefit) expense |
(9.7 | ) | (2.6 | ) | 273.1 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
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NOI |
$ | 444.2 | $ | 443.1 | 0.2 | % |
Global Warehousing Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our global warehousing segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Three months ended March 31, |
|
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2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) |
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Warehouse storage |
$ | 515.6 | $ | 513.0 | 0.5 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services |
453.0 | 444.6 | 1.9 | % | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
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Total global warehousing segment revenue |
$ | 968.6 | $ | 957.6 | 1.1 | % | ||||||
Power |
$ | 47.1 | $ | 48.0 | (1.9 | )% | ||||||
Labor |
354.1 | 342.3 | 3.4 | % | ||||||||
Other warehouse costs(1)(2) |
182.9 | 182.1 | 0.4 | % | ||||||||
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|
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Three months ended March 31, |
|
|||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) |
||||||||||||
Total global warehousing segment cost of operations |
$ | 584.1 | $ | 572.4 | 2.0 | % | ||||||
|
|
|
|
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Global warehousing segment NOI |
$ | 384.5 | $ | 385.2 | (0.2 | )% | ||||||
Total global warehousing segment margin |
39.7 | % | 40.2 | % | (50 | ) bps | ||||||
Number of warehouse sites |
463 | 457 | 1.3 | % | ||||||||
Warehouse storage(3) |
||||||||||||
Average economic occupancy(4) |
||||||||||||
Average occupied economic pallets |
8,187 | 8,332 | (1.7 | )% | ||||||||
Economic occupancy percentage |
83.6 | % | 87.3 | % | (370 | ) bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per economic occupied pallet |
$ | 62.98 | $ | 61.52 | 2.4 | % | ||||||
Average physical occupancy(5) |
||||||||||||
Average physical occupied pallets |
7,603 | 7,809 | (2.6 | )% | ||||||||
Average physical pallet positions |
9,796 | 9,540 | 2.7 | % | ||||||||
Physical occupancy percentage |
77.6 | % | 81.9 | % | (430 | ) bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per physical occupied pallet |
$ | 67.82 | $ | 65.63 | 3.3 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services(3) |
||||||||||||
Throughput pallets (in thousands) |
12,874 | 12,672 | 1.6 | % | ||||||||
Warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet |
$ | 32.40 | $ | 32.39 | 0.0 | % |
(1) | Includes real estate rent expense of $25.1 million and $22.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. |
(2) | Includes non-real estate rent expense (equipment lease and rentals) of $4.9 million and $6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. |
(3) | Warehouse storage and warehouse services metrics exclude managed sites. |
(4) | Calculated as the aggregate number of physical pallets on hand and any additional pallets otherwise contractually committed for a given period divided by the approximate number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
(5) | Calculated as the average number of physical pallets on hand divided by the approximate number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
Global warehousing segment revenue was $968.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $11.0 million, or 1.1%, compared to $957.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Revenue was driven by an approximate $13.7 million increase from acquisitions completed during 2023 and 2024 and an approximate $15.0 million increase from our recently completed and in-progress expansion and developments. This growth was offset by $15.5 million decrease in our same warehouse pool. The foreign currency translation of revenues earned by our foreign operations had a $0.8 million favorable impact during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Global warehousing segment cost of operations was $584.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $11.7 million, or 2.0%, compared to $572.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The cost of operations for our same warehouse pool decreased $4.9 million, representing decreases across power and other warehouse costs. Approximately $9.9 million of the increase was driven by the additional facilities in the global warehousing segment we acquired in connection with the above-mentioned acquisitions. We also incurred higher costs of $8.9 million related to our recently completed and in progress expansion and development projects.
Global warehousing segment NOI was $384.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $0.7 million, or 0.2%, compared to $385.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The NOI for our same warehouse pool decreased $10.6 million or 2.9% attributable to revenue and cost of operations
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factors previously described. Global warehousing segment NOI was positively impacted by approximately $3.8 million related to the above mentioned acquisitions and $6.1 million related to our recently completed and in-process expansion and development projects as they continue to ramp up prior to stabilization. The foreign currency translation of our results of operations had a $0.4 million favorable impact to the global warehousing segment NOI period-over-period.
Same Warehouse Results
We had 416 same warehouses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The following table presents revenues, cost of operations, NOI and margins for our same warehouses with a reconciliation to the total financial metrics of our global warehousing segment for the months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023.
Three months ended March 31, |
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2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) |
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Warehouse storage |
$ | 459.2 | $ | 470.3 | (2.4 | )% | ||||||
Warehouse services |
399.8 | 404.2 | (1.1 | )% | ||||||||
|
|
|
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Total same warehouse revenues |
$ | 859.0 | $ | 874.5 | (1.8 | )% | ||||||
Power |
$ | 41.4 | $ | 42.8 | (3.3 | )% | ||||||
Labor |
312.7 | 309.3 | 1.1 | % | ||||||||
Other warehouse costs |
154.8 | 161.7 | (4.3 | )% | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
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Total same warehouse cost of operations |
$ | 508.9 | $ | 513.8 | (1.0 | )% | ||||||
|
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|
|
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Same warehouse NOI |
$ | 350.1 | $ | 360.7 | (2.9 | )% | ||||||
Total same warehouse margin |
40.8 | % | 41.2 | % | (40 | ) bps | ||||||
Number of same warehouse sites |
416 | 416 | n/a | |||||||||
Warehouse storage(1) |
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Economic occupancy(2) |
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Average occupied economic pallets |
7,307 | 7,655 | (4.5 | )% | ||||||||
Economic occupancy percentage |
85.1 | % | 89.3 | % | (420 | ) bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per economic occupied pallet |
$ | 62.84 | $ | 61.46 | 2.2 | % | ||||||
Physical occupancy(3) |
||||||||||||
Average physical occupied pallets |
6,787 | 7,154 | (5.1 | )% | ||||||||
Average physical pallet positions |
8,585 | 8,568 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||
Physical occupancy percentage |
79.1 | % | 83.5 | % | (440 | ) bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per physical occupied pallet |
$ | 67.66 | $ | 65.76 | 2.9 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services(1) |
||||||||||||
Throughput pallets (in thousands) |
11,304 | 11,559 | (2.2 | )% | ||||||||
Warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet |
$ | 32.49 | $ | 32.23 | 0.8 | % |
(1) | Warehouse storage and warehouse services metrics exclude managed sites. |
(2) | Calculated as the aggregate number of physical pallets on hand and any additional pallets otherwise contractually committed for a given period. |
(3) | Calculated as the average number of occupied pallets divided by the estimated number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
Economic occupancy at our same warehouses was 85.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of 420 basis points compared to 89.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Our economic occupancy at our same warehouses was 600 basis points higher than our corresponding average physical occupancy of 79.1%. Economic occupancy was lower than the prior year due to lower physical utilization as customers rationalize their inventory during continued economic pressures driven by higher interest rates. Same warehouse storage revenues per economic occupied pallet increased 2.2% period-over-period, primarily driven by pricing actions taken to offset inflationary pressures.
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Throughput pallets at our same warehouses were 11.3 million pallets for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of 2.2% from 11.6 million pallets for the three months ended March 31, 2023. This decrease was the result of lower turns due to continued economic pressures driven by higher interest rates. Same warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet increased 0.8% compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of pricing actions taken to offset inflationary pressures.
Non-Same Warehouse Results
The following tables present revenues, cost of operations, NOI and margins for our non-same warehouses with a reconciliation to the total financial metrics of our global warehousing segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Three months ended March 31, |
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2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) |
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Warehouse storage |
$ | 56.4 | $ | 42.7 | 32.1 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services |
53.2 | 40.4 | 31.7 | % | ||||||||
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|
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Total non-same warehouse revenues |
$ | 109.6 | $ | 83.1 | 31.9 | % | ||||||
Power |
$ | 5.7 | $ | 5.2 | 9.6 | % | ||||||
Labor |
41.4 | 33.0 | 25.5 | % | ||||||||
Other warehouse costs |
28.1 | 20.4 | 37.7 | % | ||||||||
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Total non-same warehouse cost of operations |
$ | 75.2 | $ | 58.6 | 28.3 | % | ||||||
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Non-same warehouse NOI |
$ | 34.4 | $ | 24.5 | 40.4 | % | ||||||
Total non-same warehouse margin |
31.4 | % | 29.5 | % | 190 | bps | ||||||
Number of non-same warehouse sites(1) |
47 | 41 | 14.6 | % | ||||||||
Warehouse storage (2) |
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Economic occupancy(3) |
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Average occupied economic pallets |
880 | 677 | 30.0 | % | ||||||||
Economic occupancy percentage |
72.6 | % | 69.6 | % | 300 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per economic occupied pallet |
$ | 64.13 | $ | 63.28 | 1.3 | % | ||||||
Physical occupancy(4) |
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Average physical occupied pallets |
816 | 655 | 24.6 | % | ||||||||
Average physical pallet positions |
1,211 | 972 | 24.6 | % | ||||||||
Physical occupancy percentage |
67.4 | % | 67.4 | % | 0 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per physical occupied pallet |
$ | 69.09 | $ | 65.32 | 5.8 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services (2) |
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Throughput pallets (in thousands) |
1,570 | 1,113 | 41.1 | % | ||||||||
Warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet |
$ | 31.68 | $ | 34.18 | (7.3 | %) |
(1) | Refer to our Same Warehouse Analysis, which describes the composition of our non-same warehouse pool. |
(2) | Warehouse storage and warehouse services metrics exclude managed sites. |
(3) | Calculated as the aggregate number of physical pallets on hand and any additional pallets otherwise contractually committed for a given period. |
(4) | Calculated as the average number of occupied pallets divided by the estimated number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
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Global Integrated Solutions Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our global integrated solutions segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Three months ended March 31, |
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2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) |
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Global Integrated Solutions segment revenues |
$ | 359.4 | $ | 375.7 | (4.3 | )% | ||||||
Global Integrated Solutions segment cost of operations |
299.7 | 317.8 | (5.7 | )% | ||||||||
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Global Integrated Solutions segment NOI |
$ | 59.7 | $ | 57.9 | 3.1 | % | ||||||
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Global Integrated Solutions margin |
16.6 | % | 15.4 | % | 120 | bps |
Global integrated solutions segment revenues were $359.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $16.3 million, or 4.3%, compared to $375.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was due to lower volumes and fuel surcharges and the sale of the Dedert business in September 2023, offset by increases from acquisitions which closed in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Global integrated solutions segment cost of operations was $299.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $18.1 million, or 5.7%, compared to $317.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was due to lower volumes, cost controls, and the above-mentioned sale of Dedert, offset by increases from the above-mentioned 2023 acquisitions.
Global integrated solutions segment NOI was $59.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $1.8 million, or 3.1%, compared to $57.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Other Consolidated Operating Expenses
Three months ended March 31, | Change | |||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | % | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Other consolidated operating expense: |
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Depreciation and amortization expense |
$ | 211.1 | $ | 181.2 | 16.5 | % | ||||||
General and administrative expense |
$ | 124.1 | $ | 114.9 | 8.0 | % | ||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
$ | 8.6 | $ | 10.8 | (20.4 | )% | ||||||
Restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals |
$ | (0.4) | $ | 4.2 | (109.5 | )% |
Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense was $211.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $29.9 million, or 16.5%, compared to $181.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to information technology investments, acquisitions, greenfields, and expansions projects.
General and administrative expense. Corporate-level general and administrative expenses were $124.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $9.2 million, or 8.0%, compared to $114.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to growing our global platform in support of our expanding operations. We expect our general and administrative expenses to stabilize and generate operating leverage. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, corporate-level general and administrative expenses were 9.3% and 8.6% of total revenues, respectively.
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Acquisition, transaction, and other expense. Corporate-level acquisition, transaction and other expenses were $8.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $2.2 million compared to $10.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily related to fewer acquisition-related costs in 2024 compared to 2023.
Restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals. Corporate-level restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals were a net (gain) of $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $4.6 million compared to net expenses of $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily related to severance charges that were incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Other Income (Expense)
The following table presents other items of income and expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Three months ended March 31, | Change | |||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | % | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||
Interest (expense), net |
$ | (138.8 | ) | $ | (114.7 | ) | 21.0 | % | ||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt |
$ | (6.5 | ) | $ | | 100.0 | % | |||||
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net |
$ | (10.7 | ) | $ | (1.3 | ) | 723.1 | % | ||||
Equity income (loss), net of tax |
$ | (1.8 | ) | $ | 0.2 | (1000.0 | )% | |||||
Other nonoperating income (expense) |
$ | (0.7 | ) | $ | (0.2 | ) | 250.0 | % |
Interest (expense), net. Interest (expense), net was $138.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $24.1 million, or 21.0%, compared to $114.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The average effective interest rate of our outstanding debt increased from 5.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to 6.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, due to higher average borrowings paired with rising interest rates associated primarily with our credit facilities and CMBS loans. When taking into account income (expense) generated from those hedging instruments, the average effective interest rate of our outstanding debt increased from 4.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to 5.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt. Gain (loss) on debt extinguishment was a loss of $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as the result of various debt refinancing arrangements. There was no gain (loss) on debt extinguishment recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2023. For additional information regarding our debt, see Note 10, Debt to Lineage, Inc.s audited historical consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net. We reported a net foreign currency exchange loss of $10.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to a net loss of $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in foreign currency exchange loss was due to less favorable foreign currency exchange rates driven by the relative strength of the foreign currencies we transact in against the US dollar.
Equity income (loss), net of tax. We reported a net (loss) from equity method investments of $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to net income of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily related to our investment in Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings LLC.
Other nonoperating income (expense). We reported net nonoperating expense of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to net expense of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to market adjustments on our non-consolidated investments.
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Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax (benefit) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $9.7 million, which represented an increase of $7.1 million from an income tax (benefit) of $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The tax (benefit) in 2024 was principally created by tax-effect of pre-tax earnings in various jurisdictions, changes in tax laws, and withholding taxes paid in various jurisdictions. The tax (benefit) in 2023 was principally created by tax-effect of pre-tax earnings and losses in various jurisdictions, tax adjustments related to REIT activity, and changes to uncertain tax positions. Our income taxes are discussed in more detail in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has issued Pillar Two Model Rules introducing a new global minimum tax of 15% intended to be effective on January 1, 2024. While the U.S. has not yet adopted the Pillar Two rules, various other governments around the world are enacting legislation. The Company has consolidated revenue of more than 750 million per annum and therefore is in scope of the Pillar Two rules, which entail tax compliance obligations and can potentially lead to additional taxes where the effective tax rate in a jurisdiction is below 15%. In 2024, we expect to incur insignificant tax expenses in connection with Pillar 2 and are continuing to evaluate the potential impact on our business in future periods.
Comparison of Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
The following table summarizes our NOI for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (96.2 | ) | $ | (76.0 | ) | 26.6 | % | ||||
General and administrative expense |
501.8 | 398.9 | 25.8 | % | ||||||||
Depreciation expense |
551.9 | 479.5 | 15.1 | % | ||||||||
Amortization expense |
207.8 | 197.7 | 5.1 | % | ||||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
60.0 | 66.2 | (9.4 | )% | ||||||||
Restructuring and impairment expense |
31.8 | 15.5 | 105.2 | % | ||||||||
Equity (income) loss, net of tax |
2.6 | 0.2 | 1,200.0 | % | ||||||||
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, net |
(3.9 | ) | 23.8 | (116.4 | )% | |||||||
Interest expense, net |
490.4 | 347.0 | 41.3 | % | ||||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt |
| (1.4 | ) | 0.0 | % | |||||||
Other nonoperating (income) expense |
19.4 | (2.3 | ) | (943.5 | )% | |||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(13.9 | ) | 6.0 | (331.7 | )% | |||||||
|
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NOI |
$ | 1,751.7 | $ | 1,455.1 | 20.4 | % |
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Global Warehousing Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our global warehousing segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) |
||||||||||||
Warehouse storage |
$ | 2,070.6 | $ | 1,795.1 | 15.3% | |||||||
Warehouse services |
1,786.3 | 1,637.5 | 9.1% | |||||||||
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Total global warehousing segment revenue |
$ | 3,856.9 | $ | 3,432.6 | 12.4% | |||||||
Power |
$ | 203.9 | $ | 218.8 | (6.8)% | |||||||
Labor |
1,402.4 | 1,271.1 | 10.3% | |||||||||
Other warehouse costs(1)(2) |
742.8 | 721.2 | 3.0% | |||||||||
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|
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Total global warehousing segment cost of operations |
$ | 2,349.1 | $ | 2,211.1 | 6.2% | |||||||
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Global warehousing segment NOI |
$ | 1,507.8 | $ | 1,221.5 | 23.4% | |||||||
Total global warehousing segment margin |
39.1% | 35.6% | 350 bps | |||||||||
Number of warehouse sites |
463 | 454 | 2.0% | |||||||||
Warehouse storage(3) |
||||||||||||
Average economic occupancy(4) |
||||||||||||
Average occupied economic pallets |
8,292 | 7,618 | 8.8% | |||||||||
Economic occupancy percentage |
86.0% | 83.2% | 280 bps | |||||||||
Storage revenue per economic occupied pallet |
$ | 249.59 | $ | 235.63 | 5.9% | |||||||
Average physical occupancy(5) |
||||||||||||
Average physical occupied pallets |
7,716 | 7,251 | 6.4% | |||||||||
Average physical pallet positions |
9,642 | 9,160 | 5.3% | |||||||||
Physical occupancy percentage |
80.0% | 79.2% | 80 bps | |||||||||
Storage revenue per physical occupied pallet |
$ | 268.20 | $ | 247.53 | 8.4% | |||||||
Warehouse services(3) |
||||||||||||
Throughput pallets (in thousands) |
51,601 | 50,427 | 2.3% | |||||||||
Warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet |
$ | 31.73 | $ | 29.82 | 6.4% |
(1) | Includes real estate rent expense of $96.4 million and $82.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. |
(2) | Includes non-real estate rent expense (equipment lease and rentals) of $21.0 million and $21.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. |
(3) | Warehouse storage and warehouse services metrics exclude managed sites. |
(4) | Calculated as the aggregate number of physical pallets on hand and any additional pallets otherwise contractually committed for a given period divided by the approximate number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
(5) | Calculated as the average number of physical pallets on hand divided by the approximate number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
Global warehousing segment revenue was $3,856.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $424.3 million, or 12.4%, compared to $3,432.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This growth was driven by $174.7 million of growth in our same warehouse pool. Additionally, approximately
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$144.1 million of the increase was driven by acquisitions completed during 2022 and 2023. Revenue growth was also impacted by our recently completed and in-progress expansion and developments in our non-same warehouse pool, which increased approximately $68.3 million. The foreign currency translation of revenues earned by our foreign operations had a $8.5 million unfavorable impact during the year ended December 31, 2023, which was mainly driven by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against our foreign subsidiaries currencies.
Global warehousing segment cost of operations was $2,349.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $138.0 million, or 6.2%, compared to $2,211.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The cost of operations for our same warehouse pool increased $14.4 million, representing increases in labor costs that were offset by decreases in power and other warehouse costs. Approximately $83.8 million of the increase was driven by the additional facilities in the global warehousing segment we acquired in connection with the above-mentioned acquisitions. We also incurred higher costs of $39.3 million related to our recently completed and in progress expansion and development projects.
Global warehousing segment NOI was $1,507.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $286.3 million, or 23.4%, compared to $1,221.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The NOI for our same warehouse pool increased $160.3 million, attributable to revenue and cost of operations factors previously described. Approximately $60.3 million of the increase was driven by the additional facilities in the global warehousing segment as a result of the aforementioned acquisitions. Additionally, global warehousing segment NOI was positively impacted by our recently completed and in-process expansion and development projects in the non-same warehouse pool by $29.0 million as they continue to ramp up prior to stabilization. The foreign currency translation of our results of operations had a $3.3 million unfavorable impact to the global warehousing segment NOI period-over-period.
Same Warehouse Results
We had 351 same warehouses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The following table presents revenues, cost of operations, NOI and margins for our same warehouses with a reconciliation to the total financial metrics of our global warehousing segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) | ||||||||||||
Warehouse storage |
$ | 1,576.4 | $ | 1,448.0 | 8.9 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services |
1,424.6 | 1,378.3 | 3.4 | % | ||||||||
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Total same warehouse revenues |
$ | 3,001.0 | $ | 2,826.3 | 6.2 | % | ||||||
Power |
$ | 142.6 | $ | 166.2 | (14.2 | )% | ||||||
Labor |
1,099.4 | 1,051.2 | 4.6 | % | ||||||||
Other warehouse costs |
548.1 | 558.3 | (1.8 | )% | ||||||||
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Total same warehouse cost of operations |
$ | 1,790.1 | $ | 1,775.7 | 0.8 | % | ||||||
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Same warehouse NOI |
$ | 1,210.9 | $ | 1,050.6 | 15.3 | % | ||||||
Total same warehouse margin |
40.3 | % | 37.2 | % | 310 | bps | ||||||
Number of same warehouse sites |
351 | 351 | n/a |
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Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) | ||||||||||||
Warehouse storage(1) |
||||||||||||
Economic occupancy(2) |
||||||||||||
Average occupied economic pallets |
6,335 | 6,178 | 2.5 | % | ||||||||
Economic occupancy percentage |
88.3 | % | 86.0 | % | 230 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per economic occupied pallet |
$ | 248.84 | $ | 234.39 | 6.2 | % | ||||||
Physical occupancy(3) |
||||||||||||
Average physical occupied pallets |
5,913 | 5,911 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Average physical pallet positions |
7,175 | 7,180 | (0.1 | )% | ||||||||
Physical occupancy percentage |
82.4 | % | 82.3 | % | 10 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per physical occupied pallet |
$ | 266.59 | $ | 244.98 | 8.8 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services(1) |
||||||||||||
Throughput pallets (in thousands) |
38,880 | 40,501 | (4.0 | )% | ||||||||
Warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet |
$ | 33.10 | $ | 30.81 | 7.4 | % |
(1) | Warehouse storage and warehouse services metrics exclude managed sites. |
(2) | Calculated as the aggregate number of physical pallets on hand and any additional pallets otherwise contractually committed for a given period. |
(3) | Calculated as the average number of occupied pallets divided by the estimated number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
Economic occupancy at our same warehouses was 88.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of 230 basis points compared to 86.0% for the year ended December 31, 2022. Our economic occupancy at our same warehouses was 590 basis points higher than our corresponding average physical occupancy of 82.4%. Economic occupancy was higher than the prior year due to increasing amount of minimum storage guarantees and higher physical utilization. Same warehouse storage revenues per economic occupied pallet increased 6.2% period-over-period, primarily driven by pricing actions taken to offset inflationary pressures.
Throughput pallets at our same warehouses were 38.9 million pallets for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of 4.0% from 40.5 million pallets for the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease was the result of lower turns as customers focused on rebuilding inventory. Same warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet increased 7.4% compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of pricing actions taken.
Non-Same Warehouse Results
The following tables present revenues, cost of operations, NOI and margins for our non-same warehouses with a reconciliation to the total financial metrics of our global warehousing segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) | ||||||||||||
Warehouse storage |
$ | 494.2 | $ | 347.1 | 42.4 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services |
361.7 | 259.2 | 39.5 | % | ||||||||
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Total non-same warehouse revenues |
$ | 855.9 | $ | 606.3 | 41.2 | % | ||||||
Power |
$ | 61.3 | $ | 52.6 | 16.5 | % | ||||||
Labor |
303.0 | 219.9 | 37.8 | % | ||||||||
Other warehouse costs |
194.7 | 162.9 | 19.5 | % | ||||||||
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Total non-same warehouse cost of operations |
$ | 559.0 | $ | 435.4 | 28.4 | % | ||||||
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Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) | ||||||||||||
Non-same warehouse NOI |
$ | 296.9 | $ | 170.9 | 73.7 | % | ||||||
Total non-same warehouse margin |
34.7 | % | 28.2 | % | 650 | bps | ||||||
Number of non-same warehouse sites |
112 | 103 | 8.7 | % | ||||||||
Warehouse storage (1) |
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Economic occupancy(2) |
||||||||||||
Average occupied economic pallets |
1,957 | 1,440 | 35.9 | % | ||||||||
Economic occupancy percentage |
79.4 | % | 72.7 | % | 670 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per economic occupied pallet |
$ | 252.00 | $ | 240.31 | 4.9 | % | ||||||
Physical occupancy(3) |
||||||||||||
Average physical occupied pallets |
1,803 | 1,340 | 34.6 | % | ||||||||
Average physical pallet positions |
2,466 | 1,980 | 24.5 | % | ||||||||
Physical occupancy percentage |
73.1 | % | 67.7 | % | 540 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per physical occupied pallet |
$ | 273.49 | $ | 258.84 | 5.7 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services (1) |
||||||||||||
Throughput pallets (in thousands) |
12,722 | 9,926 | 28.2 | % | ||||||||
Warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet |
$ | 27.54 | $ | 25.86 | 6.5 | % |
(1) | Warehouse storage and warehouse services metrics exclude managed sites. |
(2) | Calculated as the aggregate number of physical pallets on hand and any additional pallets otherwise contractually committed for a given period. |
(3) | Calculated as the average number of occupied pallets divided by the estimated number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
Global Integrated Solutions Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our global integrated solutions segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Global Integrated Solutions segment revenues |
$ | 1,484.6 | $ | 1,495.7 | (0.7 | )% | ||||||
Global Integrated Solutions segment cost of operations |
1,240.7 | 1,262.1 | (1.7 | )% | ||||||||
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Global Integrated Solutions segment NOI |
$ | 243.9 | $ | 233.6 | 4.4 | % | ||||||
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Global Integrated Solutions margin |
16.4 | % | 15.6 | % | 80 | bps |
Global integrated solutions segment revenues were $1,484.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $11.1 million, or 0.7%, compared to $1,495.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower fuel prices and lower volumes with some offset from 2022 and 2023 acquisitions.
Global integrated solutions segment cost of operations was $1,240.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $21.4 million, or 1.7%, compared to $1,262.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to cost controls and lower fuel costs.
Global integrated solutions segment NOI was $243.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $10.3 million, or 4.4%, compared to $233.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
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Other Consolidated Operating Expenses
Year ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | % | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Other consolidated operating expense: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
$ | 759.7 | $ | 677.2 | 12.2 | % | ||||||
General and administrative expense |
$ | 501.8 | $ | 398.9 | 25.8 | % | ||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
$ | 60.0 | $ | 66.2 | (9.4 | )% | ||||||
Restructuring and impairment expense |
$ | 31.8 | $ | 15.5 | 105.2 | % |
Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense was $759.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $82.5 million, or 12.2%, compared to $677.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to acquisitions, greenfields, and expansions projects.
General and administrative expense. Corporate-level general and administrative expenses were $501.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $102.9 million, or 25.8%, compared to $398.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to growing our global platform in support of our expanding operations, including through acquisition and development activity. We expect our general and administrative expenses to stabilize and generate operating leverage. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, corporate-level general and administrative expenses were 9.4% and 8.1% of total revenues, respectively.
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense. Corporate-level acquisition, transaction, and other expenses were $60.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $6.2 million compared to $66.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily related to fewer acquisitions in 2023 compared to 2022, partially offset by increases in transaction costs incurred in anticipation of a potential initial public offering.
Restructuring and impairment expense. Corporate-level restructuring and impairment expenses were $31.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $16.3 million compared to $15.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily related to a $7.0 million impairment related to an indefinite-lived trade name, which we determined to phase out, and increased severance and separation costs.
Other Income (Expense)
The following table presents other items of income and expense for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Year ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | % | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
$ | (490.4 | ) | $ | (347.0 | ) | 41.3 | % | ||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt |
$ | | $ | 1.4 | (100.0 | )% | ||||||
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net |
$ | 3.9 | $ | (23.8 | ) | (116.4 | )% | |||||
Equity income (loss), net of tax |
$ | (2.6 | ) | $ | (0.2 | ) | 1,200.0 | % | ||||
Other nonoperating income (expense) net |
$ | (19.4 | ) | $ | 2.3 | (943.5 | )% |
Interest (expense), net. Interest (expense), net was $490.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $143.4 million, or 41.3%, compared to $347.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The average effective interest rate of our outstanding debt increased from 3.3% for the year ended December 31, 2022 to 5.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023 due to higher average borrowings paired with rising interest rates associated primarily with our credit facilities and CMBS loans. When taking into account income (expense)
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generated from those hedging instruments, the average effective interest rate of our outstanding debt increased from 2.9% for the year ended December 31, 2022 to 4.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The following table presents the components of interest expense, net for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
$ | 509.1 | $ | 281.5 | ||||||||
(Gain) loss on designated and non-designated hedge instruments |
(115.9 | ) | (37.9 | ) | ||||||||
Finance lease liabilities interest |
91.3 | 94.3 | ||||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
19.0 | 17.8 | ||||||||||
Capitalized interest |
(13.1 | ) | (8.6 | ) | ||||||||
Interest income |
(5.8 | ) | (3.2 | ) | ||||||||
Other financing fees |
5.8 | 3.1 | ||||||||||
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Interest expense, net |
$ | 490.4 | $ | 347.0 | ||||||||
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|
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt. Gain (loss) on debt extinguishment was a gain of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. There was no gain (loss) on debt extinguishment recognized for the year ended December 31, 2023. In 2022, we recognized a gain on the extinguishment of debt related to our CHHS Sub CDE 23A1 loan and corresponding note receivable. For additional information regarding our debt, see Note 10, Debt to Lineage, Inc.s audited historical consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net. We reported a net foreign currency exchange gain of $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to a net loss of $23.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in foreign currency exchange gain was due to more favorable foreign currency exchange rates driven by the relative strength of the US dollar against foreign currencies that we transact in.
Equity income (loss), net of tax. Income (loss) from equity method investments was $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Other nonoperating income (expense). We reported net nonoperating expense of $19.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net income of $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the net expense was primarily driven by a net loss of $20.9 million we recognized on the sale of our 75% interest in Erweda BV and its subsidiaries. For the year ended December 31, 2022, net income was primarily driven by income of $1.1 million from insurance recoveries associated with damages from Hurricane Ida and income of $0.8 million from market adjustments on our non-consolidated investments.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $13.9 million, which represented a decrease of $19.9 million from income tax expense of $6.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The tax (benefit) in 2023 was principally created by tax-effect of pre-tax earnings in various jurisdictions, uncertain tax position changes, and tax adjustments related to REIT activity. The tax expense in 2022 was principally created by tax-effect of pre-tax earnings in various jurisdictions, valuation allowance changes, and tax adjustments related to REIT activity. Our income taxes are discussed in more detail in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Comparison of Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
The following table summarizes our NOI for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (76.0) | $ | (176.5) | (56.9)% | |||||||
General and administrative expense |
398.9 | 289.3 | 37.9% | |||||||||
Depreciation expense |
479.5 | 416.1 | 15.2% | |||||||||
Amortization expense |
197.7 | 187.6 | 5.4% | |||||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
66.2 | 123.6 | (46.4)% | |||||||||
Restructuring and impairment expense |
15.5 | 26.3 | (41.1)% | |||||||||
Equity (income) loss, net of tax |
0.2 | 0.3 | (33.3)% | |||||||||
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, net |
23.8 | 34.0 | (30.0)% | |||||||||
Interest expense, net |
347.0 | 259.6 | 33.7% | |||||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt |
(1.4) | 4.1 | (134.1)% | |||||||||
Other nonoperating (income) expense |
(2.3) | (4.5) | (48.9)% | |||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
6.0 | (29.3) | (120.5)% | |||||||||
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NOI |
$1,455.1 | $1,130.6 | 28.7% |
Global Warehousing Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our global warehousing segment for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Year ended December 31, |
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2022 | 2021 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) | ||||||||||||
Warehouse storage |
$ | 1,795.1 | $ | 1,398.4 | 28.4 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services |
1,637.5 | 1,257.4 | 30.2 | % | ||||||||
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Total global warehousing segment revenue |
$ | 3,432.6 | $ | 2,655.8 | 29.2 | % | ||||||
Power |
$ | 218.8 | $ | 155.4 | 40.8 | % | ||||||
Labor |
1,271.1 | 997.9 | 27.4 | % | ||||||||
Other warehouse costs(1)(2) |
721.2 | 531.0 | 35.8 | % | ||||||||
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Total global warehousing segment cost of operations |
$ | 2,211.1 | $ | 1,684.3 | 31.3 | % | ||||||
Global warehousing segment NOI |
$ | 1,221.5 | $ | 971.5 | 25.7 | % | ||||||
Total global warehousing segment margin |
35.6 | % | 36.6 | % | (100 | ) bps | ||||||
Number of warehouse sites |
454 | 409 | 11.0 | % | ||||||||
Warehouse storage(3) |
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Average economic occupancy(4) |
||||||||||||
Average occupied economic pallets |
7,618 | 6,050 | 25.9 | % | ||||||||
Economic occupancy percentage |
83.2 | % | 82.3 | % | 90 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per economic occupied pallet |
$ | 235.63 | $ | 230.26 | 2.3 | % | ||||||
Average physical occupancy(5) |
||||||||||||
Average physical occupied pallets |
7,251 | 5,735 | 26.4 | % | ||||||||
Average physical pallet positions |
9,160 | 7,350 | 24.6 | % | ||||||||
Physical occupancy percentage |
79.2 | % | 78.0 | % | 120 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per physical occupied pallet |
$ | 247.53 | $ | 242.90 | 1.9 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services(3) |
||||||||||||
Throughput pallets (in thousands) |
50,427 | 42,840 | 17.7 | % | ||||||||
Warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet |
$ | 29.82 | $ | 26.59 | 12.1 | % |
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(1) | Includes real estate rent expense of $82.1 million and $73.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. |
(2) | Includes non-real estate rent expense (equipment lease and rentals) of $21.4 million and $17.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. |
(3) | Warehouse storage and warehouse services metrics exclude managed sites. |
(4) | Calculated as the aggregate number of physical pallets on hand and any additional pallets otherwise contractually committed for a given period divided by the approximate number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
(5) | Calculated as the average number of physical pallets on hand divided by the approximate number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
Global warehousing segment revenue was $3,432.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $776.8 million, or 29.2%, compared to $2,655.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. This growth was driven by $260.7 million of growth in our same warehouse pool. Additionally, approximately $453.3 million of the increase was driven by acquisitions completed during 2021 and 2022. Revenue growth was also impacted by our recently completed and in-progress expansion and developments in our non-same warehouse pool, which increased approximately $99.1 million. The foreign currency translation of revenues earned by our foreign operations had a $102.2 million unfavorable impact during the year ended December 31, 2022, which was mainly driven by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against our foreign subsidiaries currencies.
Global warehousing segment cost of operations was $2,211.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $526.8 million, or 31.3%, compared to $1,684.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The cost of operations for our same warehouse pool increased $155.0 million representing increases across most of our cost categories due to inflationary pressures and some residual operational inefficiencies stemming from COVID. Approximately $333.3 million of the increase was driven by the additional facilities in the global warehousing segment we acquired in connection with the above-mentioned acquisitions. We also incurred higher costs of $71.1 million related to our recently completed and in progress expansion and development projects.
Global warehousing segment NOI was $1,221.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $250.0 million, or 25.7%, compared to $971.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The NOI for our same warehouse pool increased $105.7 million, attributable to revenue and cost of operations factors previously described. Approximately $22.0 million of the increase was driven by the additional facilities in the global warehousing segment as a result of the aforementioned acquisitions. Additionally, global warehousing segment NOI was positively impacted by our recently completed and in-process expansion and development projects in the non-same warehouse pool by $28.0 million as they continue to ramp up prior to stabilization. The foreign currency translation of our results of operations had a $29.0 million unfavorable impact to the global warehousing segment NOI period-over-period.
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Same Warehouse Results
We had 285 same warehouses for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The following table presents revenues, cost of operations, NOI and margins for our same warehouses with a reconciliation to the total financial metrics of our global warehousing segment for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) | ||||||||||||
Warehouse storage |
$ | 1,246.8 | $ | 1,118.8 | 11.4 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services |
1,152.9 | 1,020.2 | 13.0 | % | ||||||||
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Total same warehouse revenues |
$ | 2,399.7 | $ | 2,139.0 | 12.2 | % | ||||||
Power |
$ | 133.2 | $ | 117.5 | 13.4 | % | ||||||
Labor |
876.6 | 800.4 | 9.5 | % | ||||||||
Other warehouse costs |
453.7 | 390.6 | 16.2 | % | ||||||||
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Total same warehouse cost of operations |
$ | 1,463.5 | $ | 1,308.5 | 11.8 | % | ||||||
Same warehouse NOI |
$ | 936.2 | $ | 830.5 | 12.7 | % | ||||||
Total same warehouse margin |
39.0 | % | 38.8 | % | 20 | bps | ||||||
Number of same warehouse sites |
285 | 285 | n/a | |||||||||
Warehouse storage(1) |
||||||||||||
Economic occupancy(2) |
||||||||||||
Average occupied economic pallets |
4,967 | 4,801 | 3.5 | % | ||||||||
Economic occupancy percentage |
88.2 | % | 85.8 | % | 240 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per economic occupied pallet |
$ | 251.04 | $ | 232.18 | 8.1 | % | ||||||
Physical occupancy(3) |
||||||||||||
Average physical occupied pallets |
4,721 | 4,524 | 4.4 | % | ||||||||
Average physical pallet positions |
5,632 | 5,594 | 0.7 | % | ||||||||
Physical occupancy percentage |
83.8 | % | 80.9 | % | 290 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per physical occupied pallet |
$ | 264.10 | $ | 246.36 | 7.2 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services(1) |
||||||||||||
Throughput pallets (in thousands) |
33,728 | 33,974 | (0.7 | )% | ||||||||
Warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet |
$ | 30.35 | $ | 26.66 | 13.8 | % |
(1) | Warehouse storage and warehouse services metrics exclude managed sites. |
(2) | Calculated as the aggregate number of physical pallets on hand and any additional pallets otherwise contractually committed for a given period. |
(3) | Calculated as the average number of occupied pallets divided by the estimated number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
Economic occupancy at our same warehouses was 88.2% for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of 240 basis points compared to 85.8% for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our economic occupancy at our same warehouses was 440 basis points higher than our corresponding average physical occupancy of 83.8%. Economic occupancy was higher than the prior year due to increasing amount of minimum storage guarantees and higher physical utilization. Same warehouse storage revenues per economic occupied pallet increased 8.1% period-over-period, primarily driven by pricing actions taken to offset inflationary pressures.
Throughput pallets at our same warehouses were 33.7 million pallets for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of 0.7% from 34.0 million pallets for the year ended December 31, 2021. This decrease was the result of lower turns as customers focused on rebuilding inventory. Same warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet increased 13.8% compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of pricing actions taken to offset inflationary pressures.
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Non-Same Warehouse Results
The following table presents revenues, cost of operations, NOI and margins for our non-same warehouses with a reconciliation to the total financial metrics of our global warehousing segment for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions except revenue per pallet) | ||||||||||||
Warehouse storage |
$ | 548.3 | $ | 279.6 | 96.1 | % | ||||||
Warehouse services |
484.6 | 237.2 | 104.3 | % | ||||||||
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Total non-same warehouse revenues |
$ | 1,032.9 | $ | 516.8 | 99.9 | % | ||||||
Power |
$ | 85.6 | $ | 37.9 | 125.9 | % | ||||||
Labor |
394.5 | 197.5 | 99.7 | % | ||||||||
Other warehouse costs |
267.5 | 140.4 | 90.5 | % | ||||||||
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Total non-same warehouse cost of operations |
$ | 747.6 | $ | 375.8 | 98.9 | % | ||||||
Non-same warehouse NOI |
$ | 285.3 | $ | 141.0 | 102.3 | % | ||||||
Total non-same warehouse margin |
27.6 | % | 27.3 | % | 30 | bps | ||||||
Number of non-same warehouse sites |
169 | 124 | 36.3 | % | ||||||||
Warehouse storage(1) |
||||||||||||
Economic occupancy(2) |
||||||||||||
Average occupied economic pallets |
2,651 | 1,250 | 112.1 | % | ||||||||
Economic occupancy percentage |
75.1 | % | 71.2 | % | 390 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per economic occupied pallet |
$ | 206.74 | $ | 222.89 | (7.2 | )% | ||||||
Physical occupancy(3) |
||||||||||||
Average physical occupied pallets |
2,530 | 1,211 | 108.9 | % | ||||||||
Average physical pallet positions |
3,528 | 1,756 | 100.9 | % | ||||||||
Physical occupancy percentage |
71.7 | % | 69.0 | % | 270 | bps | ||||||
Storage revenue per physical occupied pallet |
$ | 216.60 | $ | 229.99 | (5.8 | )% | ||||||
Warehouse services(1) |
||||||||||||
Throughput pallets (in thousands) |
16,699 | 8,866 | 88.3 | % | ||||||||
Warehouse services revenue per throughput pallet |
$ | 28.77 | $ | 26.30 | 9.4 | % |
(1) | Warehouse storage and warehouse services metrics exclude managed sites. |
(2) | Calculated as the aggregate number of physical pallets on hand and any additional pallets otherwise contractually committed for a given period. |
(3) | Calculated as the average number of occupied pallets divided by the estimated number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for the applicable period. |
Global Integrated Solutions Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our global integrated solutions segment for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Change | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Global integrated solutions segment revenues |
$ | 1,495.7 | $ | 1,046.2 | 43.0 | % | ||||||
Global integrated solutions segment cost of operations |
1,262.1 | 887.1 | 42.3 | % | ||||||||
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Global integrated solutions segment NOI |
$ | 233.6 | $ | 159.1 | 46.8 | % | ||||||
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Global integrated solutions segment NOI margin |
15.6 | % | 15.2 | % | 40 | bps |
138
Global integrated solutions segment revenues were $1,495.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $449.5 million, or 43.0%, compared to $1,046.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to acquisitions in 2022 as well as rising fuel surcharges and higher volumes.
Global integrated solutions segment cost of operations was $1,262.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $375.0 million, or 42.3%, compared to $887.1 million for the year ended. The increase was primarily due to the above mentioned acquisitions and rising fuel costs.
Global integrated solutions segment NOI was $233.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $74.5 million, or 46.8%, compared to $159.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Other Consolidated Operating Expenses
Year ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | % | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Other consolidated operating expense: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
$ | 677.2 | $ | 603.7 | 12.2 | % | ||||||
General and administrative expense |
$ | 398.9 | $ | 289.3 | 37.9 | % | ||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
$ | 66.2 | $ | 123.6 | (46.4 | )% | ||||||
Restructuring and impairment expense |
$ | 15.5 | $ | 26.3 | (41.1 | )% |
Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense was $677.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $73.5 million, or 12.2%, compared to $603.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to acquisitions, greenfields, and expansions projects, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign currency translation.
General and administrative expense. Corporate-level general and administrative expenses were $398.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $109.6 million, or 37.9%, compared to $289.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to growing our global platform in support of our expanding operations, including through acquisition and development activity. We expect our general and administrative expenses to stabilize and generate operating leverage. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, corporate-level general and administrative expenses were 8.1% and 7.8% of total revenues, respectively.
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense. Corporate-level acquisition, transaction, and other expenses were $66.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $57.4 million compared to $123.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 primarily related to fewer acquisitions in 2022 compared to 2021.
Restructuring and impairment expense. Corporate-level restructuring and impairment expenses were $15.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $10.8 million compared to $26.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. During 2021, we incurred legal fees related to the Statesville matter, as well as impairments of approximately $7 million. For additional information regarding the Statesville matter, see Note 18, Commitments and Contingencies to Lineage, Inc.s audited historical consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
139
Other Income (Expense)
The following table presents other items of income and expense for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Year ended December 31, | Change | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | % | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
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Interest (expense), net |
$ | (347.0 | ) | $ | (259.6 | ) | 33.7 | % | ||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt |
1.4 | (4.1 | ) | (134.1 | )% | |||||||
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net |
(23.8 | ) | (34.0 | ) | (30.0 | )% | ||||||
Equity income (loss), net of tax |
(0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (33.3 | )% | ||||||
Other nonoperating income (expense) |
2.3 | 4.5 | (48.9 | )% |
Interest (expense), net. Interest (expense), net was $347.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $87.4 million, or 33.7%, compared to $259.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The average effective interest rate of our outstanding debt increased from 2.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021 to 3.3% for the year ended December 31, 2022 due to higher average borrowings paired with rising interest rates associated primarily with our credit facilities and CMBS loans. When taking into account income (expense) generated from those hedging instruments, the average effective interest rate of our outstanding debt increased from 2.2% for the year ended December 31, 2021 to 2.9% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The following table presents the components of interest expense, net for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||
Interest expense |
$ | 281.5 | $ | 141.9 | ||||
(Gain) loss on designated and non-designated hedge instruments |
(37.9 | ) | 8.1 | |||||
Finance lease liabilities interest |
94.3 | 99.7 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
17.8 | 16.7 | ||||||
Capitalized interest |
(8.6 | ) | (6.6 | ) | ||||
Interest income |
(3.2 | ) | (3.7 | ) | ||||
Other financing fees |
3.1 | 3.5 | ||||||
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Interest expense, net |
$ | 347.0 | $ | 259.6 | ||||
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Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt. Gain (loss) on debt extinguishment was a gain of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to a loss of $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. In 2022, we recognized a gain on the extinguishment of debt related to our CHHS Sub CDE 23A1 loan and corresponding note receivable. In 2021, we recognized loss on extinguishment of debt primarily related to the repayment of the UK CMBS Facility Agreement. For additional information regarding our debt, see Note 10, Debt to Lineage, Inc.s audited historical consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net. We reported a net foreign currency exchange loss of $23.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to a net loss of $34.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease in foreign currency exchange loss was due to more favorable foreign currency exchange rates driven by the relative strength of the US dollar against foreign currencies that we transact in.
Equity income (loss), net of tax. Income (loss) from equity method investments was $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
140
Other nonoperating income (expense). Other nonoperating income (expense) was $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2022, net income was primarily driven by income of $1.1 million from insurance recoveries associated with damages from Hurricane Ida and income of $0.8 million from market adjustments on our non-consolidated investments. For the year ended December 31, 2021, net income was primarily driven by income of $6.1 million from market adjustments on our non-consolidated investments, partially offset by a $2.5 million loss we recognized from the sale of Latin American subsidiaries.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $6.0 million, which represented an increase of $35.3 million from an income tax (benefit) of $29.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The tax expense in 2022 was principally created by tax-effect of pre-tax earnings in various jurisdictions, valuation allowance changes, and tax adjustments related to REIT activity. The tax (benefit) in 2021 was principally created by tax-effect of pre-tax earnings and losses in various jurisdictions, valuation allowance changes, tax adjustments related to REIT activity, and uncertain tax positions. Our income taxes are discussed in more detail in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Quarterly Results of Operations and Other Data
The following tables set forth selected unaudited quarterly data regarding our results of operations for our last eight completed fiscal quarters. The quarterly results of operations presented should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are not necessarily indicative of our operating results for any future period. For definitions of the non-GAAP metrics presented below and a statement of why our management believes the presentation of these metrics provides useful information to investors and any additional purposes for which management uses such metrics, see Summary Selected Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial and Other DataNon-GAAP Financial Measures.
Quarterly Revenues
The following table summarizes revenues for our last nine completed fiscal quarters.
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenues: |
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Global Warehousing |
$ | 968.6 | $ | 975.6 | $ | 959.8 | $ | 963.9 | $ | 957.6 | $ | 923.6 | $ | 891.2 | $ | 833.0 | $ | 784.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Global Integrated Solutions |
359.4 | 357.7 | 369.5 | 381.7 | 375.7 | 404.4 | 364.9 | 384.2 | 342.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total Revenues |
$ | 1,328.0 | $ | 1,333.3 | $ | 1,329.3 | $ | 1,345.6 | $ | 1,333.3 | $ | 1,328.0 | $ | 1,256.1 | $ | 1,217.2 | $ | 1,127.0 |
The table below reconciles NOI to net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and sets forth our NOI by segment and same warehouse NOI results, in each case for the last nine completed fiscal quarters.
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions except number of warehouses) |
March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$(48.0) | $ | (56.7 | ) | $ | (50.4 | ) | $ | (7.7 | ) | $ | 18.6 | $ | (17.7 | ) | $ | (42.5 | ) | $ | (16.8 | ) | $ | 1.0 | |||||||||||||
General and administrative expense |
124.1 | 141.0 | 121.3 | 124.6 | 114.9 | 112.6 | 102.6 | 96.2 | 87.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation expense |
157.7 | 149.7 | 137.6 | 135.1 | 129.5 | 115.2 | 129.1 | 118.0 | 117.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense |
53.4 | 53.3 | 50.5 | 52.3 | 51.7 | 52.1 | 47.9 | 49.2 | 48.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
8.6 | 14.5 | 19.0 | 15.7 | 10.8 | 14.1 | 20.1 | 13.4 | 18.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals |
(0.4 | ) | 20.7 | 4.5 | 2.4 | 4.2 | 9.5 | 5.5 | 0.1 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity (income) loss, net of tax |
1.8 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 0.4 | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 |
141
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions except number of warehouses) |
March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, net |
10.7 | (12.5 | ) | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.3 | (18.7 | ) | 16.2 | 28.8 | (2.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
138.8 | 133.1 | 126.8 | 115.8 | 114.7 | 110.8 | 93.4 | 76.5 | 66.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt |
6.5 | | | | | | (1.4 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net |
0.7 | 0.7 | 18.7 | (0.2 | ) | 0.2 | (0.1 | ) | (1.7 | ) | (0.5 | ) | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (benefit) expense |
(9.7 | ) | (6.6 | ) | (4.0 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (2.6 | ) | 0.9 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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NOI |
$444.2 | $ | 437.6 | $ | 430.2 | $ | 440.8 | $ | 443.1 | $ | 378.4 | $ | 372.4 | $ | 367.0 | $ | 337.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
NOI by Segment: |
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Warehouse NOI |
$384.5 | $ | 374.6 | $ | 366.6 | $ | 381.4 | $ | 385.2 | $ | 327.0 | $ | 311.2 | $ | 298.4 | $ | 284.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
Integrated Solutions NOI |
59.7 | 63.0 | 63.6 | 59.4 | 57.9 | 51.4 | 61.2 | 68.6 | 52.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total NOI |
$444.2 | $ | 437.6 | $ | 430.2 | $ | 440.8 | $ | 443.1 | $ | 378.4 | $ | 372.4 | $ | 367.0 | $ | 337.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Warehouse NOI: |
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Number of Same Warehouses |
416 | 351 | 351 | 351 | 351 | 285 | 285 | 285 | 285 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Same Warehouse NOI |
$ | 350.1 | $ | 295.3 | $ | 294.6 | $ | 308.4 | $ | 312.6 | $ | 237.7 | $ | 237.3 | $ | 232.8 | $ | 228.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-Same Warehouse NOI |
34.4 | 79.3 | 72.0 | 73.0 | 72.6 | 89.3 | 73.9 | 65.6 | 56.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total Warehouse NOI |
$ | 384.5 | $ | 374.6 | $ | 366.6 | $ | 381.4 | $ | 385.2 | $ | 327.0 | $ | 311.2 | $ | 298.4 | $ | 284.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Prior Year Results: |
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Same Warehouse NOI |
$ | 360.7 | $ | 271.0 | $ | 265.3 | $ | 259.2 | $ | 255.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-Same Warehouse NOI |
24.5 | 56.0 | 45.9 | 39.2 | 29.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total Warehouse NOI |
$ | 385.2 | $ | 327.0 | $ | 311.2 | $ | 298.4 | $ | 284.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Same Warehouse NOI Year-over-Year Growth |
(2.9 | %) | 9.0 | % | 11.0 | % | 19.0 | % | 22.5 | % |
The table below reconciles EBITDA, EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, in each case for the last nine completed fiscal quarters.
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income (Loss) |
$ | (48.0 | ) | $ | (56.7 | ) | $ | (50.4 | ) | $ | (7.7 | ) | $ | 18.6 | $ | (17.7 | ) | $ | (42.5 | ) | $ | (16.8 | ) | $ | 1.0 | |||||||||||
Adjustments: |
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Depreciation and amortization expense |
211.1 | 203.0 | 188.1 | 187.4 | 181.2 | 167.3 | 177.0 | 167.2 | 165.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
138.8 | 133.1 | 126.8 | 115.8 | 114.7 | 110.8 | 93.4 | 76.5 | 66.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(9.7 | ) | (6.6 | ) | (4.0 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (2.6 | ) | 0.9 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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EBITDA |
$ | 292.2 | $ | 272.8 | $ | 260.5 | $ | 294.8 | $ | 311.9 | $ | 261.3 | $ | 231.0 | $ | 228.7 | $ | 233.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
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Net loss (gain) on sale of real estate assets |
| 1.2 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 4.0 | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment write-downs on real estate property |
| 0.2 | | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.6 | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation of EBITDAre of noncontrolling interests |
(0.8 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.8 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (1.8 | ) | (1.7 | ) | (1.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
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EBITDAre |
$ | 291.4 | $ | 273.7 | $ | 264.3 | $ | 296.6 | $ | 312.7 | $ | 265.2 | $ | 229.2 | $ | 227.0 | $ | 232.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
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Net (gain) loss on sale of non-real estate assets |
(0.5 | ) | 4.9 | (1.0 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (1.3 | ) | 5.6 | (0.3 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net |
0.7 | 0.7 | 18.7 | (0.2 | ) | 0.2 | (0.1 | ) | (1.7 | ) | (0.5 | ) | |
142
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition, restructuring and other |
8.7 | 22.1 | 20.3 | 15.8 | 14.7 | 13.5 | 25.8 | 13.7 | 19.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technology transformation |
3.4 | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense and tax expense from unconsolidated JVs |
0.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense from unconsolidated JVs |
0.9 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on foreign currency exchange transactions, net |
10.7 | (12.5 | ) | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.3 | (18.7 | ) | 16.2 | 28.8 | (2.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
4.5 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 5.8 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 6.9 | 2.0 | 3.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt |
6.5 | | | | | | (1.4 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of intangible assets |
| 7.0 | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation adjustments of noncontrolling interests |
| | (0.3 | ) | | | (0.2 | ) | 0.4 | 0.1 | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 326.6 | $ | 305.0 | $ | 316.1 | $ | 323.3 | $ | 333.8 | $ | 271.0 | $ | 277.3 | $ | 272.3 | $ | 253.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
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The table below reconciles FFO, Core FFO and Adjusted FFO to net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, in each case for the last nine completed fiscal quarters.
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income (Loss) |
$ | (48.0 | ) | $ | (56.7 | ) | $ | (50.4 | ) | $ | (7.7 | ) | $ | 18.6 | $ | (17.7 | ) | $ | (42.5 | ) | $ | (16.8 | ) | $ | 1.0 | |||||||||||
Adjustments: |
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Real Estate depreciation |
85.3 | 85.3 | 83.0 | 76.1 | 80.1 | 70.0 | 80.7 | 69.6 | 71.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In-place lease intangible amortization |
1.5 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 2.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss (gain) on sale of real estate assets |
| 1.2 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 4.0 | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment write-downs on real estate property |
| 0.2 | | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.6 | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate depreciation, (gain) loss on sale of real estate and real estate impairments on unconsolidated JVs |
0.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation of noncontrolling interests |
(0.4 | ) | (0.6 | ) | 0.4 | 0.1 | (0.1 | ) | 0.3 | (1.5 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (0.7 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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FFO |
$ | 39.0 | $ | 31.9 | $ | 39.6 | $ | 74.0 | $ | 103.0 | $ | 60.0 | $ | 39.5 | $ | 54.9 | $ | 74.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
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Net (gain) loss on sale of non-real estate assets |
(0.5 | ) | 4.9 | (1.0 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (1.3 | ) | 5.6 | (0.3 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Finance lease ROU asset amortization - real estate related |
17.8 | 16.9 | 17.3 | 17.9 | 17.4 | 19.0 | 17.6 | 18.6 | 18.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-real estate impairment |
| | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of intangible assets |
| 7.0 | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other nonoperating (income) expense, net |
0.7 | 0.7 | 18.7 | (0.2 | ) | 0.2 | (0.1 | ) | (1.7 | ) | (0.5 | ) | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition, restructuring and other |
8.7 | 22.1 | 20.3 | 15.8 | 14.7 | 13.5 | 25.8 | 13.7 | 19.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technology transformation |
3.4 | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, net |
10.7 | (12.5 | ) | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.3 | (18.7 | ) | 16.2 | 28.8 | (2.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt |
6.5 | | | | | | (1.4 | ) | | |
143
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation related to unconsolidated JVs |
| | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Core FFO |
$ | 86.3 | $ | 71.0 | $ | 99.1 | $ | 110.3 | $ | 135.3 | $ | 79.3 | $ | 95.7 | $ | 115.3 | $ | 109.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
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Non-real estate depreciation and amortization |
100.0 | 91.9 | 80.3 | 86.5 | 75.8 | 72.1 | 73.5 | 73.1 | 69.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finance lease ROU asset amortization - non-real estate |
6.5 | 7.2 | 5.6 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
5.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of debt discount / premium |
0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.8 | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes expense (benefit) |
(22.9 | ) | (9.8 | ) | (16.6 | ) | (16.7 | ) | (15.0 | ) | (9.8 | ) | (23.5 | ) | (8.9 | ) | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
Straight line net operating rent |
(2.3 | ) | 1.8 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 1.2 | | 0.5 | (1.3 | ) | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of above market leases |
0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of below market leases |
(0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
4.5 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 5.8 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 6.9 | 2.0 | 3.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring maintenance capital expenditures |
(29.9 | ) | (88.7 | ) | (48.4 | ) | (41.2 | ) | (29.9 | ) | (54.2 | ) | (32.3 | ) | (32.6 | ) | (25.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Allocation related to unconsolidated JVs |
0.6 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | (0.2 | ) | (0.1 | ) | 0.7 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation of noncontrolling interests |
(0.3 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Adjusted FFO |
$ | 148.3 | $ | 86.6 | $ | 135.9 | $ | 156.5 | $ | 183.3 | $ | 99.9 | $ | 128.7 | $ | 156.0 | $ | 167.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
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The following table reflects our weighted average common shares and operating partnership units that are not owned by our company outstanding for the last nine completed fiscal quarters:
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | December 31 | September 30 | June 30 | March 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares |
161.9 | 162.0 | 162.0 | 162.0 | 161.6 | 157.0 | 154.7 | 149.7 | 148.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average operating partnership units that are not owned by our company |
20.1 | 20.1 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 19.9 | 19.9 | 19.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total |
182.0 | 182.1 | 182.0 | 182.0 | 181.6 | 177.0 | 174.6 | 169.6 | 168.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2024, we had $91.2 million of cash and cash equivalents and $1.0 billion available under our Revolving Credit Facility (net of outstanding standby letters of credit in the amount of $66.1 million, which reduce availability). We currently expect that our principal sources of funding will include:
| current cash balances; |
| cash flows from operations; |
| our credit facilities; and |
| other forms of debt financings and equity offerings. |
144
Our liquidity requirements and capital commitments primarily consist of:
| operating activities and overall working capital; |
| capital expenditures; |
| development and acquisition activities; |
| capital contributions; |
| debt service obligations; and |
| stockholder distributions. |
As of March 31, 2024, we expect that our funding sources as noted above will be adequate to meet our short-term liquidity requirements and capital commitments for the next 12 months. On February 15, 2024, we closed on our $2.4 billion Delayed Draw Term Loan, the proceeds from which we used to repay our ICE4 CMBS loan on April 9, 2024, prior to maturity. We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay the Delayed Draw Term Loan and a portion of our outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. See Use of Proceeds. Our ICE5 CMBS loan, which matures in November 2024 and as of March 31, 2024 had an outstanding principal balance of $1.3 billion, has a one year extension option that we may exercise, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. For more information regarding our ICE4 CMBS loan and ICE5 CMBS loan, see Outstanding IndebtednessCMBS. We expect to utilize the same sources of capital we will rely on to meet our short-term liquidity requirements to also meet our long-term liquidity requirements, which include funding our operating activities, our debt service obligations and stockholder distributions, and our future development and acquisition activities.
Dividends and Distributions
We are required to distribute at least 90% of our taxable income (excluding capital gains) on an annual basis in order to continue to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. See Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Our CompanyAnnual Distribution Requirements. Accordingly, we intend to make, but are not contractually bound to make, regular quarterly distributions to stockholders from cash flows from our operating activities. All such distributions are at the discretion of our board of directors. We consider market factors and our performance in addition to REIT requirements in determining distribution levels. Amounts accumulated for distribution to stockholders are primarily invested in interest-bearing accounts, which are consistent with our intention to maintain REIT status.
As a result of this distribution requirement, we cannot rely on retained earnings to fund our ongoing operations to the same extent that other companies which are not REITs can. We may need to continue to raise capital in the debt and equity markets to fund our working capital needs, as well as potential developments in new or existing properties or acquisitions. In addition, we may be required to use borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, if necessary, to meet REIT distribution requirements and maintain our REIT status.
Outstanding Indebtedness
The following table summarizes our outstanding indebtedness as of March 31, 2024 on a pro forma and actual basis (in millions):
As of March 31, | ||||||||
2024 Pro Forma |
2024 Historical |
|||||||
Fixed rate |
$ | $ | 2,184 | |||||
Variable rateunhedged (includes ICE 56% interest rate cap not triggered) |
2,264 | |||||||
Variable ratehedged |
4,844 | |||||||
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Total debt |
$ | 9,292 | ||||||
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145
As of March 31, | ||||||||
2024 Pro Forma |
2024 Historical |
|||||||
Percent of total debt: |
||||||||
Fixed rate |
23.5 | % | ||||||
Variable rateunhedged |
24.4 | % | ||||||
Variable ratehedged |
52.1 | % | ||||||
Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility |
2,385 | |||||||
Term Loan |
1,000 | |||||||
Senior Unsecured Notes |
1,690 | |||||||
CMBS Loans |
3,706 | |||||||
Secured mortgage debt |
473 | |||||||
Other secured debt & Equipment financing |
12 | |||||||
Other unsecured debt |
25 | |||||||
Financing lease obligations |
1,361 | |||||||
Failed Sale Leaseback |
74 | |||||||
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Total debt and debt-like obligations |
$ | $ | 10,726 | |||||
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The variable rate debt shown above bears interest at interest rates based on various one-month rates of which SOFR, EURIBOR and CODR are the most significant, depending on the respective agreement governing the debt, including our Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan. As of March 31, 2024, our debt had a weighted average term to maturity of approximately 3.1 years, assuming exercise of extension options.
For further information regarding outstanding indebtedness, please see Note 10 and Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement
We have entered into a $4.5 billion revolving credit and term loan agreement (the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement), which provides for (i) a senior unsecured revolving credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of $3.5 billion (the Revolving Credit Facility) and (ii) a senior unsecured term loan facility that permits aggregate borrowings of up to $1.0 billion (the Term Loan). As of March 31, 2024, we had $2.4 billion outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility, leaving $1.0 billion available for future borrowings (net of outstanding standby letters of credit in the amount of $66.1 million, which reduce availability), and the Term Loan was fully drawn.
Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest, at our election, up to either 1.20% over the base rate or 2.20% over (i) for dollar-denominated loans, an adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (adjusted Term SOFR rate) or (ii) for loans denominated in a foreign currency, an adjusted daily simple RFR (adjusted Daily Simple RFR), in each case, with step-downs based on the borrowers total leverage ratio as defined by the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement. As of March 31, 2024, the Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at 1.60% over the Term SOFR rate or adjusted Daily Simple RFR, as applicable, plus 0.10% spread adjustment. The Revolving Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on February 15, 2028, subject to two six-month extension options.
The Term Loan bears interest, at our election, up to either 1.20% over a base rate (as defined below) or 2.20% over an adjusted Term SOFR rate with step-downs based on the borrowers total leverage ratio. The base rate is determined by reference to the highest of (i) the rate of interest established by the administrative agent as its prime rate, (ii) 0.50% above the greater of the federal funds effective rate and the overnight bank funding rate, (iii) 1.00% above the adjusted Term SOFR rate for dollar deposits with a one-month term, and (iv) 1.00% per annum. As of March 31, 2024, the Term Loan bore interest at 1.60% over the Term SOFR rate plus 0.10% spread adjustment. The Term Loan is scheduled to mature on February 15, 2029.
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The Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan may be voluntarily prepaid in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty. Amounts borrowed under the Term Loan and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.
The Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur additional debt, create liens against our assets, make acquisitions, pay dividends or distributions on our stock, merge or consolidate with another entity, and transfer or sell assets. It also contains financial covenants that require us to maintain (i) a total leverage ratio of not more than 60% (or 65% for the four fiscal quarters following a material acquisition), (ii) a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.5:1.0, (iii) a ratio of total unsecured indebtedness to unencumbered asset value of not more than 60% (or 65% for the four fiscal quarters following a material acquisition) and (iv) a ratio of total secured indebtedness to total asset value of not more than 40% (or 45% for the four fiscal quarters following a material acquisition). As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with our covenants under the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement. The Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement contains customary events of default, including defaults in the payment of principal, interest or fees, defaults in compliance with the covenants set forth in the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement and other loan documentation, cross-defaults to certain other indebtedness, and bankruptcy and other insolvency defaults.
Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement
We have entered into a $2.4 billion term loan agreement (the Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement), which provides for a senior unsecured term loan facility (the Delayed Draw Term Loan). The Delayed Draw Term Loan was fully drawn on April 9, 2024. Amounts borrowed under the Delayed Draw Term Loan bear interest, at our election, up to either 1.20% over the base rate or 2.20% over the adjusted Term SOFR rate with step-downs based on the borrowers total leverage ratio as defined by the Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement. The Delayed Draw Term Loan is scheduled to mature on the earlier of February 14, 2025 and the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility, subject to an extension option. The Delayed Draw Term Loan is subject to mandatory prepayment upon the occurrence of certain issuances of equity, certain debt issuances to the extent the amount is over $100 million in the aggregate and certain asset dispositions to the extent proceeds received are over $100 million in the aggregate.
The Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur additional debt, create liens against our assets, make acquisitions, pay dividends or distributions on our stock, merge or consolidate with another entity, and transfer or sell assets. It also contains financial covenants that require us to maintain (i) a total leverage ratio of not more than 60% (or 65% for the four fiscal quarters following a material acquisition), (ii) a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.5:1.0, (iii) a ratio of total unsecured indebtedness to unencumbered asset value of not more than 60% (or 65% for the four fiscal quarters following a material acquisition) and (iv) a ratio of total secured indebtedness to total asset value of not more than 40% (or 45% for the four fiscal quarters following a material acquisition). The Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement contains customary events of default, including defaults in the payment of principal, interest or fees, defaults in compliance with the covenants set forth in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement and other loan documentation, cross-defaults to certain other indebtedness, and bankruptcy and other insolvency defaults.
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Senior Unsecured Notes
The following table provides details of outstanding Senior Unsecured Notes (balances in millions):
Aggregate Principal Amount at Issuance |
Stated Interest Rate(1) |
Balance as of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Borrowing Currency |
USD | Maturity Date | March 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
December 31, 2022 |
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Series A Senior Notes |
$ | 300.0 | $ | 300.0 | August 20, 2026 | 2.22 | % | $ | 300.0 | $ | 300.0 | $ | 300.0 | |||||||||||||||
Series B Senior Notes |
$ | 375.0 | 375.0 | August 20, 2028 | 2.52 | % | 375.0 | 375.0 | 375.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Series C Senior Notes |
| 128.0 | 150.1 | August 20, 2026 | 0.89 | % | 138.2 | 141.3 | 136.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
Series D Senior Notes |
| 251.0 | 294.4 | August 20, 2031 | 1.26 | % | 270.9 | 277.0 | 268.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Series E Senior Notes |
£ | 145.0 | 200.8 | August 20, 2026 | 1.98 | % | 183.0 | 184.6 | 174.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
Series F Senior Notes |
£ | 130.0 | 180.1 | August 20, 2028 | 2.13 | % | 164.1 | 165.5 | 156.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
Series G Senior Notes |
| 80.0 | 82.0 | August 20, 2027 | 3.33 | % | 86.3 | 88.3 | 85.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Series H Senior Notes |
| 110.0 | 112.7 | August 20, 2029 | 3.54 | % | 118.7 | 121.4 | 117.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Series I Senior Notes |
| 50.0 | 51.2 | August 20, 2032 | 3.74 | % | 54.0 | 55.2 | 53.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Total Senior Unsecured Notes |
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$ | 1,690.2 | $ | 1,708.3 | $ | 1,667.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | Interest on our Senior Unsecured Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. |
The Senior Unsecured Notes are the joint and several obligations of Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, Lineage Logistics, LLC, certain U.S. subsidiaries that guarantee or otherwise becomes liable, as a borrower or a co-borrower or otherwise, under any of our material debt facilities and, in the case of Senior Unsecured Notes denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, Lineage Treasury Europe B.V. and certain non-U.S. subsidiaries that guarantee or otherwise becomes liable, as a borrower or a co-borrower or otherwise, under any of our material debt facilities. The Senior Unsecured Notes rank pari passu with our other senior unsecure indebtedness, including the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan, and are subordinated to any of the obligors existing and future secured debt, including indebtedness incurred under the CMBS loans.
We may prepay the Senior Unsecured Notes in full or in part, at any time, subject to notice requirements and minimum principal amount requirements, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, and the make-whole amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount, and accrued interest to the date of prepayment. In the event of certain changes in tax law, Lineage Logistics, LLC or Lineage Treasury Europe B.V. may prepay the Senior Unsecured Notes at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, and a modified make-whole amount and accrued interest to the date of prepayment. Upon a change of control or becoming subject to sanctions, Lineage Logistics, LLC must offer to prepay the entire unpaid principal amount of the Senior Unsecured Notes and accrued interest to the date of prepayment.
The note purchase agreements governing the Senior Unsecured Notes contain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur additional debt, create liens against our assets, make acquisitions, pay dividends or distributions on our stock, repurchase our stock, merge or consolidate with another entity, transfer or sell assets, enter into transactions with affiliates, change our line of business, enter into negative pledges and conduct activities that would result in us being subject to sanctions or violating sanctions. The note purchase agreements also require us to maintain a total leverage ratio, unsecured leverage ratio, secured leverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio each quarter at the same levels as those set forth in the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with our covenants under the note purchase agreements. The note purchase agreements governing the Senior Unsecured Notes also contain customary events of default, including defaults in the payment of principal, interest or fees, defaults in compliance with the covenants set forth in the note purchase agreements, cross-defaults to certain other indebtedness and bankruptcy and other insolvency defaults.
CMBS
We have entered into five non-recourse commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS) loans which, as of March 31, 2024, had an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $3.7 billion (before unamortized debt
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discounts). The CMBS loans are secured by mortgages on the real property and related assets and, beyond that, are non-recourse to us except for certain non-recourse carveouts that are guaranteed by Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC. The CMBS loans are not cross-defaulted or cross-collateralized with each other, but they do provide for cross-defaults with certain material agreements like ground leases for properties that are collateral for such loans and the affiliate master leases described below. Our material CMBS loans are further described below. On February 15, 2024, we closed on a $2.4 billion delayed draw term loan, the proceeds from which we used to repay our ICE4 CMBS loan on April 9, 2024.
ICE4 CMBS Loan
This loan was senior mortgage debt that had an original principal amount of $2.35 billion and was originally secured by 64 of our properties. Lineage WA Columbia RE, LLC and certain of the subsidiaries of Lineage Mezz, LLC constituted the borrowers under this loan. The debt was divided into seven components that were securitized. We released two properties as collateral for this loan, leaving 62 of our properties as collateral for this loan and an outstanding principal balance of $2.34 billion as of March 31, 2024.
The loan was scheduled to mature mature on May 9, 2024. This loan bore interest at an annual floating rate of term SOFR plus a margin of 1.66%. This loan required monthly payments of interest only and may be voluntarily prepaid without penalty or premiums, subject to satisfaction of customary prepayment requirements. We repaid the loan in full on April 9, 2024.
This loan was secured by a first priority lien on all of the property owned by the borrowers, all of the reserve accounts established by the loan documents, the rents received by the borrowers under the ICE4 Affiliate Master Lease (as defined below) and the personal property of the borrowers. The borrowers leased the properties to Lineage Logistics, LLC, an affiliate of the borrowers, pursuant to a master lease agreement (the ICE4 Affiliate Master Lease). Lineage Logistics, LLC subleased certain of the properties to certain other affiliates of the borrowers.
The loan agreement contained customary events of default, including the non-payment of principal or interest, default in compliance with the covenants contained in the documents evidencing this loan and bankruptcy or other insolvency events. Under our loan agreement we had several borrower covenants, including quarterly and annual financial reporting requirements that were to be provided to the lender and certified by an officer of us. We were required to pay any taxes and other charges levied or assessed or imposed against our properties. We were required to obtain and maintain, in full force, certain insurance policies for ourselves and our properties. We were also required to be in compliance with all applicable environmental laws, except as would not materially adversely affect any of the properties, either individually or in the aggregate. Without lender consent or the satisfaction of specified conditions, we were restricted from any modification of the loan agreement or property releases or substitutions.
All rents and other amounts paid to the borrowers under the ICE4 Affiliate Master Lease were required to be deposited into an account controlled by the lender. Funds sufficient to pay the following months debt service and any other amounts then due and payable to the lender were required to be withheld by the lender from such account. If no Cash Sweep Event (as defined below) is continuing, any remaining balance in such account was to be delivered to the ICE4 Borrowers. During the continuance of a Cash Sweep Event, which is defined as (a) the occurrence of an event of default under the loan agreement or (b) any bankruptcy action of the borrowers, funds sufficient to pay the following months tax, insurance, ground rent and replacement reserve were required to be deposited into reserve accounts and the remainder will be held by lender as collateral for this loan. As of March 31, 2024, the remaining balance in such account was being delivered to the borrowers and not to such reserve accounts or to lender as collateral for this loan.
ICE5 CMBS Loan
This loan is senior mortgage debt that had an original principal amount of $1.3 billion and was originally secured by 41 of our properties. Certain of our subsidiaries constitute the borrowers under this loan. The debt has been divided into seven components that have been securitized. Of the original loan amount, $133.8 million was initially deposited into an escrow account to be released to the borrowers if additional properties were added as
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collateral for this loan following the satisfaction of certain conditions. Four of these properties were subsequently added as collateral for this loan and $111.4 million of the escrowed amount was released to the borrowers. The remaining property was not added as collateral for this loan, so the remaining $22.5 million of the escrow amount was repaid to the lender. As of March 31, 2024, 41 of our properties were collateral for this loan and the outstanding principal balance was $1.3 billion.
The loan will mature on November 9, 2024. The borrowers have an option to extend the maturity date for one year, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. This loan bears interest at an annual floating rate of term SOFR plus a margin of 1.97%. This loan requires monthly payments of interest only and may be voluntarily prepaid without penalty or premiums, subject to satisfaction of customary prepayment requirements.
This loan is secured by a first priority lien on all of the property owned by the borrowers, all of the reserve accounts established by the loan documents, the rents received by the borrowers under the ICE5 Affiliate Master Leases (as defined below) and under leases for the one property that is not subject to any of the ICE5 Affiliate Master Leases (the Bartlett Property) and the personal property of the borrowers. The borrowers have leased all of the properties (other than the Bartlett Property) to certain affiliates of the borrowers pursuant to multiple master lease agreements (collectively, the ICE5 Affiliate Master Leases). Such affiliate tenants have subleased certain of the properties to certain other affiliates of the borrowers.
The loan agreement contains customary events of default, including the non-payment of principal or interest, default in compliance with the covenants contained in the documents evidencing this loan and bankruptcy or other insolvency events. Under our loan agreement we have a number of borrower covenants, including quarterly and annual financial reporting requirements that are to be provided to the lender and certified by an officer of us. We are required to pay any taxes and other charges levied or assessed or imposed against our properties. We are required to obtain and maintain, in full force, certain insurance policies for ourselves and our properties. We are also required to be in compliance with all applicable environmental laws, except as would not materially adversely affect any of the properties, either individually or in the aggregate. Without lender consent or the satisfaction of specified conditions, we are restricted from any modification of the loan agreement or property releases or substitutions.
All rents and other amounts paid to the borrowers under the ICE5 Affiliate Master Leases must be deposited into an account controlled by the lender. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Sweep Event (as defined below), all rents and other amounts paid to the borrowers under leases relating to the Bartlett Property must be deposited into such account controlled by lender. Funds sufficient to pay the following months debt service and any other amounts then due and payable to the lender shall be withheld by the lender from such account. If no Cash Sweep Event is continuing, any remaining balance in such account will be delivered to the borrowers. During the continuance of a Cash Sweep Event, which is defined as (a) the occurrence of an event of default under the loan agreement or (b) any bankruptcy action of the borrowers, funds sufficient to pay the following months tax, insurance, ground rent and replacement reserve shall be deposited into reserve accounts and the remainder will be held by lender as collateral for this loan. As of March 31, 2024, the remaining balance in such account was being delivered to the borrowers and not to such reserve accounts or to lender as collateral for this loan.
Security Interests in Customers Products
By operation of law and in accordance with our warehouse customer contracts (other than leases), we typically receive warehousemans liens on products held in our warehouses to secure customer payments. Such liens typically permit us to take control of the products and sell them to third parties in order to recover any monies receivable on a delinquent account, but such products may be perishable or otherwise not available to us for re-sale.
Our credit loss expense relating to customer receivables was $0.9 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, our credit loss expense was $6.2 million, $4.6 million and $4.7 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we maintained allowances for uncollectible balances of approximately $8.0 million and $7.1 million, respectively, which we believed to be adequate.
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Maintenance Capital Expenditures and Repair and Maintenance Expenses
Lineage prides itself on maintaining its facilities, fleet and railcars at a high standard. We regularly update long-range maintenance plans by asset to ensure that our assets maintain the high quality and operational efficiency that our customers expect from us.
Maintenance Capital Expenditures
Maintenance capital expenditures are capitalized funds used to maintain assets that will result in an extended useful life. This includes the cost to purchase and install, repair or construct assets when it results in a useful life longer than one year and the installed cost per asset is over a de minimis threshold. Maintenance capital expenditures are related to both our global warehousing segment and global integrated solutions segment, including information technology, and are all, in managements judgment, recurring in nature. These expenditures include maintenance performed multiple times over the lifetime of the facility or asset such as replacing or repairing roofs, refrigeration systems, racking, material handling equipment and fleet. These expenditures also include information technology maintenance to existing servers, equipment and software.
The following table sets forth our recurring maintenance capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Three months ended March 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
(In millions, except per cubic foot amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Global warehousing |
$ | 20.4 | $ | 22.8 | $ | 143.9 | $ | 106.5 | $ | 92.9 | ||||||||||
Global integrated solutions |
4.7 | 4.5 | 27.3 | 23.9 | 8.4 | |||||||||||||||
Information technology and other |
4.8 | 2.6 | 37.4 | 15.4 | 13.3 | |||||||||||||||
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Maintenance capital expenditures |
$ | 29.9 | 29.9 | $ | 208.6 | $ | 145.8 | $ | 114.6 | |||||||||||
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Global warehousing maintenance capital expenditures per cubic foot |
$ | 0.01 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.04 |
Repair and Maintenance Expenses
Repair and maintenance expenses are incurred when assets need repair or replacement and do not qualify as capital expenditures. If the work does not materially extend the useful life of the asset or the asset value is less than a de minimis threshold, it would be booked as an operating expense under repair and maintenance expenses. Examples include ordinary repairs on roofs, racking, refrigeration and material handling equipment. Project related expenses are excluded.
The following table sets forth our repair and maintenance expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Three months ended March 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
(In millions, except per cubic foot amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Global warehousing |
$ | 33.1 | $ | 33.1 | $ | 141.0 | $ | 111.3 | $ | 80.8 | ||||||||||
Global integrated solutions |
14.0 | 13.4 | 58.5 | $ | 46.5 | $ | 22.0 | |||||||||||||
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Repair and maintenance expenses |
$ | 47.1 | $ | 46.5 | $ | 199.5 | $ | 157.8 | $ | 102.8 | ||||||||||
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Global warehousing repair and maintenance expenses per cubic foot |
$ | 0.01 | 0.01 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.03 |
Integration Capital Expenditures
Integration capital expenditures are capitalized funds related to integrating acquired assets and businesses. Integration capital expenditures are one-time expenditures exceeding a de minimis threshold. These are typically
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acquisition-related costs, including maintenance on acquired assets that are beyond their useful life at the time of acquisition, rebranding expenditures and information technology expenditures to standardize system usage across our business, and also include certain non-acquisition-related costs, including safety and compliance projects to comply with any applicable policies, laws or codes such as installation of site security or a new fire suppression system, as well as freon to ammonia conversions.
The following table sets forth our integration capital expenditures for each of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Three months ended March 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Global warehousing |
$ | 8.3 | $ | 4.4 | $ | 42.0 | $ | 32.8 | $ | 28.0 | ||||||||||
Global integrated solutions |
0.4 | 4.9 | 20.6 | 4.1 | 1.1 | |||||||||||||||
Information technology and other |
8.6 | 6.7 | 12.0 | 14.6 | 5.8 | |||||||||||||||
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Integration capital expenditures |
$ | 17.3 | 16.0 | $ | 74.6 | $ | 51.5 | $ | 34.9 | |||||||||||
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External Growth Capital Investments
External growth capital investments include acquisitions, greenfield projects and expansion initiatives, information technology platform enhancements and other capital projects which result in an economic return. We divide growth projects into the following categories:
| Acquisitions: The purchase of an external company or facility. Also includes the purchase of the real estate of facilities we currently lease. |
| Greenfields and Expansions: Projects either to build a new facility including the purchase of land, or to increase the size of an existing warehouse (as measured by cubic feet). The cost associated with construction and materials are included. |
| Energy and Economic Return: Energy return projects are intended to increase energy efficiency by decreasing the amount of kWh or fossil fuels consumed or reducing the cost to procure energy. Common examples include installing new LED technology, installing solar panels at a warehouse and electrification of transportation fleet. Economic return projects require an investment of capital for a future cash flow and/or NOI benefit that is not an acquisition, greenfield, expansion or energy project. Examples include addition of blast cells, racking replacement, re-rack for additional pallet positions, replacing freezer doors, purchasing compressors, buying out leased equipment and purchasing new rail cars. |
The following table sets forth our external growth capital investments for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Three months ended March 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisitions, including equity issued and net of cash acquired and adjustments |
$ | 58.9 | $ | | $ | 276.0 | $ | 1,686.0 | $ | 2,911.9 | ||||||||||
Asset acquisitions |
| 13.1 | 13.1 | 49.8 | 217.6 | |||||||||||||||
Greenfield and expansion expenditures |
35.6 | 93.8 | 266.7 | 370.7 | 349.4 | |||||||||||||||
Energy and economic return initiatives |
22.1 | 39.5 | 109.7 | 219.9 | 64.4 | |||||||||||||||
Information technology transformation and growth initiatives |
11.8 | 17.1 | 75.0 | 81.4 | 69.7 | |||||||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 128.4 | $ | 163.5 | $ | 740.5 | $ | 2,407.8 | $ | 3,613.0 | ||||||||||
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We completed one acquisition in each of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, this included the acquisition of one property qualifying as an asset acquisition under FASB ASC, Topic 805, Business Combinations. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 we completed six, 12 and 25 acquisitions, respectively, including the acquisition of one property, one property and eight properties, respectively, qualifying as asset acquisitions under FASB ASC, Topic 805, Business Combinations. Refer to Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for details of the purchase price allocation for each acquisition.
The greenfield and expansion expenditures of $35.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 relate primarily to projects that remain under construction as of March 31, 2024. The greenfield and expansion expenditures of $93.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023 related primarily to projects that were completed in 2023 or are expected to be completed in 2024. The greenfield and expansion expenditures of $266.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 related primarily to projects that were completed in 2023 or subsequently in 2024. The greenfield and expansion expenditures of $370.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 relate primarily to projects that were completed in 2022 or subsequently in 2023, in addition to projects that remained under construction as of December 31, 2023.
Energy and economic return initiatives include $22.1 million and $39.5 million of corporate initiatives and smaller customer driven growth projects incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we invested $109.7 million, $219.9 million and $64.4 million in these initiatives, respectively.
In implementing and developing new IT systems globally, we invested $11.8 million and $17.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we invested $75.0 million, $81.4 million and $69.7 million in these initiatives, respectively.
Historical Cash Flows
The following summary discussion of our cash flows is based on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and is not meant to be an all-inclusive discussion of the changes in our cash flows for the periods presented below.
Three months ended March 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 105.3 | $ | 107.5 | $ | 795.1 | $ | 500.9 | $ | 329.9 | ||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
$ | (202.4 | ) | $ | (252.5 | ) | $ | (1,065.4 | ) | $ | (2,368.8 | ) | $ | (3,413.5 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
$ | 121.2 | $ | 145.3 | $ | 136.2 | $ | 1,840.2 | $ | 3,027.4 |
We have finance leases for real estate, most significantly warehouses for use in operations, as well as equipment for use within owned and leased warehouses. The following is a summary of the historical cash flows related to these leases:
Three months ended March 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
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Operating cash flows from finance leases |
$ | 22.0 | $ | 22.0 | $ | 89.9 | $ | 93.7 | $ | 97.6 | ||||||||||
Finance cash flows from finance leases |
$ | 13.6 | $ | 10.4 | $ | 55.3 | $ | 49.5 | $ | 45.8 | ||||||||||
Operating cash flows from operating leases |
$ | 22.6 | $ | 23.5 | $ | 92.4 | $ | 93.7 | $ | 85.2 |
Operating cash flows from finance leases relate to interest expense on the corresponding finance lease obligations. Finance cash flows relate to principal payments.
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Operating Activities
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, our net cash provided by operating activities was $105.3 million, a decrease of $2.2 million, or 2%, compared to $107.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to an unfavorable reduction in net income (loss) adjusted for non-cash items, offset by net favorable changes in working capital, most significantly in accounts receivable.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, our net cash provided by operating activities was $795.1 million, an increase of $294.2 million, or 59%, compared to $500.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to net favorable changes in working capital, most significantly in accounts receivable. In addition, there was a favorable reduction in net loss adjusted for non-cash items.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, our net cash provided by operating activities was $500.9 million, an increase of $171.0 million, or 52%, compared to $329.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to a reduction in net loss adjusted for non-cash items. Within working capital, unfavorable increases in accounts receivable were mostly offset by favorable increases in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred revenue. The changes in working capital were primarily due to acquisitions and organic growth.
Investing Activities
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, cash used for investing activities was $202.4 million. This was primarily driven by $147.5 million in additions to property, plant, and equipment, primarily for growth capital expenditures. In addition, we invested $58.9 million in business combinations, primarily driven by the completion of the acquisition of Entrepôt du Nord Inc.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, cash used for investing activities was $252.5 million. This was primarily driven by $228.7 million in additions to property, plant, and equipment, primarily for growth capital expenditures. In addition, we invested $13.1 million in a real estate acquisition in Christchurch, New Zealand.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used for investing activities was $1,065.4 million. This was primarily driven by $765.8 million in additions to property, plant, and equipment, primarily for growth capital expenditures. In addition, we invested $269.6 million in business combinations and $13.1 million in a real estate acquisition in Christchurch, New Zealand. We completed several acquisitions in 2023, with the most significant cash investments being in the business combinations of Burris and NOVA Coldstore.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, cash used for investing activities was $2,368.8 million. This was primarily driven by $1,589.8 million for business combinations and $49.8 million for a real estate acquisition in Logan Township, New Jersey. We completed several acquisitions in 2022, with the most significant cash investments being in the business combinations of VersaCold, MTC Logistics, Turvo, and Mandai Link Logistics. In addition, we invested $812.9 million in additions to property, plant, and equipment, primarily for growth capital expenditures. This was partially offset by cash proceeds of $92.9 million related to prior year deposits which were utilized in acquisitions which closed in 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, cash used for investing activities was $3,413.5 million. This was primarily driven by $2,459.5 million for business combinations and $217.6 million for real estate acquisitions, most significantly in Savannah, Georgia and Elizabeth, New Jersey. We completed several business combinations in 2021, with the most significant cash investments being in the business combinations of Kloosterboer, Claus Sorenson, Kenyon Zero Storage, Joliet Cold Storage and Bolingbrook Cold Storage, Hanson Cold Storage, UTI Holding B.V., and Midwest Refrigerated Services. In addition, we invested $689.1 million in additions to property, plant and equipment, primarily for growth capital expenditures. There was also $96.8 million used for deposits on acquisitions which were pending as of December 31, 2021. This was partially offset by cash proceeds of $45.4 million from the sale of Latin American subsidiaries.
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Refer to Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for more information regarding business combinations and asset acquisitions.
Financing Activities
Our net cash provided by financing activities was $121.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Cash provided by financing activities during 2024 was primarily driven by $1,205.9 million of net borrowings on revolving credit lines, partially offset net outflows of $890.8 million for net repayments of long-term debt and finance leases, $111.4 million for distributions, $44.2 million for financing fees and $25.0 million for redemption of common stock.
Our net cash provided by financing activities was $145.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Cash provided by financing activities during 2023 was primarily driven by $143.2 million of capital contributions and $60.3 million of net borrowings on revolving credit lines. This was partially offset by outflows of $25.3 million for repayments of long-term debt and finance leases, $11.0 million for distributions, $9.7 million for redemption of units issued as stock compensation and $3.3 million for redemption of common stock.
Our net cash provided by financing activities was $136.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Cash provided by financing activities during 2023 was primarily driven by $214.3 million of net borrowings on revolving credit lines and $144.8 million of capital contributions. This was partially offset by outflows of $95.5 million for repayments of long-term debt and finance leases, $46.5 million for distributions, and $35.6 million for payment of deferred and contingent consideration liabilities.
Our net cash provided by financing activities was $1,840.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Cash provided by financing activities during 2022 was primarily driven by $944.2 million of capital contributions, $843.2 million net proceeds from long term debt and finance leases, and $313.1 million of net borrowing on revolving credit lines. This was partially offset by outflows of $179.7 million for distributions to stockholders and noncontrolling interests, $55.7 million for partial redemption of convertible redeemable noncontrolling interests, $8.8 million for deferred financing fees, and $8.4 million redemption of stock compensation.
Our net cash provided by financing activities was $3,027.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Cash provided by financing activities during 2021 consisted of $2,359.5 million of capital contributions, $962.5 million net proceeds from long term debt and finance leases, $237.0 million of net borrowings on revolving credit lines. This was partially offset by outflows of $275.9 million, for redemption of noncontrolling interests, $199.4 million for distributions to stockholders and noncontrolling interests, $39.6 million redemption of stock compensation, and $15.7 million for deferred financing fees.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had no material off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Inflation
As discussed in greater detail above, where possible, our warehouse contracts contain provisions designed to mitigate the adverse impact of inflation in operational costs such as wages, power and warehouse supplies, and generally include rate escalation provisions. Additionally, our warehouse contracts typically provide us with the ability to adjust rates for material increases in power, property taxes, property insurance and regulatory imposed costs to the extent such increases are outside the escalation provisions. For our customers on month-to-month warehouse contracts, we generally have the ability to adjust our rates upon 30 days advance notice in order to compensate for changes in our costs of providing storage and handling services.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments in certain circumstances that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and contingencies as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be most appropriate and reasonable. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for our significant accounting policies. The following discussion pertains to accounting policies management believes are most critical to the portrayal of our historical financial condition and results of operations and that require a material level of subjectivity or judgement and relate to inherently highly uncertain matters.
Impairment of long-lived assets and finite lived intangible assets
We evaluate long-lived assets and finite lived intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable or when the assets are held for sale. Asset groups are evaluated at the level of the smallest identifiable group of assets that generate cash inflows that are largely dependent on the cash inflows from other assets and liabilities. Our asset groups are generally defined as individual facilities or warehouses. Triggering events include material adverse changes in projected revenues or operating performance measures, a pattern of net losses, significant relevant negative industry trends, internal plans to dispose of an asset group, significant deterioration in the condition of the asset, and an identified impairment of related goodwill or other non-amortizable intangible assets.
Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, we assess whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from the use of the asset and the residual value from the ultimate disposal of the asset exceed the carrying value. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, its fair value is measured relying primarily on a discounted cash flow method. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, we reduce the carrying value to fair value and records an impairment loss in earnings. When an impairment loss is recognized for assets to be held and used, the adjusted carrying amounts of those assets are depreciated over their remaining useful life. Impairments of long-lived assets were $1.7 million, $0.6 million, and $7.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. There were no impairments of finite lived intangible assets in 2023, 2022, or 2021.
Undiscounted cash flows expected from the use of assets and the residual value are estimated based on our judgement using industry experience and knowledge of historical transactions and operations. Fair values are estimated using discounting based on the applicable weighted average cost of capital, independent appraisals, quotes, or expected sales prices, as applicable. Changes in market conditions, the economic environment, and other factors can significantly impact these estimates.
Business combinations
We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, allocation of the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. The excess of the fair value of purchase price consideration over the values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is assigned to each reporting unit based upon the relative fair value of the underlying business operations.
When determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, management makes significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to real estate and intangible assets. Significant estimates used in valuing intangible assets acquired in a business combination include, but are not limited to, revenue growth rates, obsolescence, customer attrition rates, operating costs and margins, capital expenditures, tax rates, long-term growth rates and discount rates. The income approach is applied, specifically by using one of the following valuation techniques: the relief from royalty method, the multi excess earnings method, or the with-and-without method.
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Significant estimates used in valuing land and buildings and improvements acquired in a business combination include, but are not limited to, the selection of comparable real estate sales, estimates of indirect costs, and entrepreneurial profit, which are added to the replacement cost of the acquired assets in order to estimate their fair market value.
With respect to our 2021 acquisition of Kloosterboer Group B.V. and its subsidiaries, Preference Shares issued in connection with the transaction were measured and recorded at fair value upon initial recognition. The valuation technique used was a combination of the income approach and the Black-Scholes Model. Key assumptions include the timing of a conversion event, expected conversion price, volatility, risk-free rate, expected dividend yield, and a market-based discount rate, which was determined based on our cost of borrowing as of the acquisitions date, including a credit risk adjustment for comparable unsecured debt instruments in the market.
Goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets
We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets annually as of October 1 or when events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not indicate an impairment exists.
Goodwill
We determined our reporting units by identifying components of each operating segment, which are Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions, and assessing these components to determine if they meet the definition of a reporting unit and whether they have similar economic characteristics that would make their aggregation appropriate. In the first quarter of 2023, we identified a change in our reporting structure, which resulted in a change in our reporting units. This represents a change in accounting estimate, for which we accounted for prospectively in 2023, reallocating carrying values of goodwill to the new reporting units using relative fair values.
Fair values of our reporting units are estimated using a combination of equally weighted income approach and market approach. The income approach is based on discounted future cash flows and requires key assumptions, including the following:
| Future revenue growth: we estimated future growth based on industry forecasts, historical results, and existing long-term contracts. |
| Operating costs and profitability: we estimated future operating costs based on industry forecasts, historical results, operational focus of management, and market energy cost projections. |
| Capital requirements: we estimated future capital requirements based on current planned expansions, appropriation requests, and projected growth of existing operations included in the estimate of future revenue growth. |
| Discount rates: we utilized a weighted average cost of capital (WACC) that considers the cost of capital and cost of debt, with inputs such as risk premiums, relevant comparable public companies debt and capital metrics, tax rates, risk-free interest rates, and other assumptions. |
The market approach is based on market EBITDA (defines as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) multiples and requires judgement in selection of comparable companies and appropriate multiples.
Goodwill is tested for impairment by assessing qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Qualitative factors assessed include reporting units financial performance as compared to budget, macroeconomic conditions, labor and energy cost trends, growth in pricing of our capital raises, and other events and trends impacting fair values of our reporting units. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, or based on managements judgment, we determine it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is performed.
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In 2023, we utilized the fair values calculated as of the first quarter of 2023 for the allocation of goodwill to assess the goodwill for impairment after the change in our reporting structure. Carrying value of each reporting unit includes assets and liabilities attributable to its business operations and allocated goodwill. Based on a comparison of the fair values to carrying values, we determined that it was more likely than not the fair values of its reporting units exceeded their carrying values. At our annual impairment testing date of October 1, 2023, we assessed qualitative factors to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that the fair values of its reporting units have deteriorated since the first quarter to the fourth quarter. No such indicators were identified. During the fourth quarter of 2022 and 2021, we tested goodwill for impairment by assessing qualitative factors, concluding that impairment of goodwill was not more likely than not in any of its reporting units and no further quantitative analysis was performed.
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets
Intangible assets with indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Indefinite-lived intangibles are tested at least annually in the fourth quarter at the individual asset level. Qualitative factors assessed include financial performance of the related business as compared to budget, macroeconomic conditions, labor and energy cost trends, and our plans regarding continued use of the intangible asset. If qualitative factors indicate that an impairment is likely, a quantitative test is performed, which consists of a comparison of the fair value of the asset to its carrying value as of the impairment testing date. In 2022 and 2021, no adverse qualitative factors were identified and determined to be indicative of an impairment.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the decision was made to phase out the use of our indefinite-lived trade name. This was determined to be a triggering event. We estimated the fair value of the trade name using the income approach, which is based on discounted future cash flows and requires key assumptions, including the following:
| Future revenue growth: we estimated future growth based on industry forecasts, historical results, and existing contracts. |
| Royalty rate: we estimated the royalty rate based on comparable license agreements. |
| Discount rates: we utilized a weighted average cost of capital (WACC) that considers the cost of capital and cost of debt, with inputs such as risk premiums, relevant comparable public companies debt and capital metrics, tax rates, risk-free interest rates, and other assumptions. |
| Remaining useful life: we estimated the useful life based on our planned phase-out period for the use of the trade name. |
We compared the estimated fair value of the trade name to its carrying value and recorded an impairment loss of $7.0 million to write down the asset to its fair value. The remaining value of the trade name was reclassified to definite-lived and is amortized over the remaining useful life.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for more information regarding applicable new accounting pronouncements.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Our future income and cash flows relevant to financial instruments are dependent upon prevalent market interest rates. Market risk refers to the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $3,080 million of variable-rate debt under our revolver and term loan agreement bearing interest at 5.12%, plus a margin of up to 1.60%. We have entered into interest rate hedges to
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effectively lock in the floating rates on $3,000 million of our variable-rate debt at a weighted average rate of 1.16% plus a margin of 160 basis points, including swapping a total of $1.0 billion of borrowings under the Term Loan to a weighted average fixed interest rate of 0.49% plus a margin of 160 basis points through maturity, with $3.0 billion gradually reducing to $1.5 billion by 2025. As a result, our exposure to changes in interest rates as of December 31, 2023 consists mainly of our $1,298 million of borrowings under our CMBS ICE5, which does have a 6% interest rate cap that as of December 31, 2023 was untriggered. As of December 31, 2023, one-month term and daily SOFR was approximately 5.3%, therefore a 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would result in an increase in interest expense to service our variable-rate debt of approximately $11.0 million. A 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would result in a decrease in interest of approximately $30.0 million.
As of March 31, 2024, we had $3,385 million of variable-rate debt under our revolver and term loan agreement bearing interest at 5.19%, plus a margin of up to 1.60%. We have entered into interest rate hedges to effectively lock in the floating rates on $2,500 million of our variable-rate debt at a weighted average rate of 1.40% plus a margin of 160 basis points, including swapping a total of $1.0 billion of borrowings under the Term Loan to a weighted average fixed interest rate of 0.49% plus a margin of 160 basis points through maturity, with $2.5 billion gradually reducing to $1.5 billion by 2025. As a result, our exposure to changes in interest rates as of March 31, 2024 consists mainly of our $1,298 million of borrowings under our CMBS ICE5, which does have a 6% interest rate cap that as of March 31, 2024 was untriggered. As of March 31, 2024, one-month term and daily SOFR was approximately 5.3%, therefore a 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would result in an increase in interest expense to service our variable-rate debt of approximately $18.0 million. A 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would result in a decrease in interest of approximately $38.0 million.
Foreign Currency Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange variability related to investments in and earnings from our foreign subsidiaries, as the revenues and expenses of these subsidiaries are typically generated in the currencies of the countries in which they operate. Foreign currency market risk is the possibility that our results of operations or financial position could be better or worse than planned because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. When the local currencies in these countries decline relative to our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, our consolidated revenues, NOI margins and net investment in properties and operations outside the United States decrease. The impact of currency fluctuations on our earnings is partially mitigated by the fact that most operating and other expenses are also incurred and paid in the local currency. The impact of devaluation or depreciating currency on an entity depends on the residual effect on the local economy and the ability of an entity to raise prices and/or reduce expenses. Due to our constantly changing currency exposure and the potential substantial volatility of currency exchange rates, we cannot predict the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on our business. As a result, changes in the relation of the currency of our international operations to U.S. dollars may also affect the book value of our assets and the amount of total equity. A hypothetical 10% depreciation in the U.S. dollar relative to the year-end functional currencies of our foreign subsidiaries, would have resulted in a reduction in our total equity of approximately $330 million as of December 31, 2023.
Gains or losses from translating the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries are reflected in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of equity within our consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus.
We enter into foreign currency derivative instruments to manage our exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates between the functional currencies of our subsidiaries and the currencies of the underlying cash flows. All derivatives are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value.
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The following is a market report prepared by CBRE, dated April 26, 2024. Such information is included in this prospectus in reliance on CBREs authority as an expert on such matters. Any forecasts prepared by CBRE are based on data (including third party data), models and experience of various professionals and are based on various assumptions with respect to conditions that may exist or events that may occur in the future. While CBRE believes these assumptions to be reasonable for the purpose of the market report, they are dependent upon future events and subject to change without notice, and thus actual conditions may well differ from those assumed. No representations are made or intended, nor should any be inferred, with respect to the likely existence of a particular future set of facts or circumstances.
Introduction
Cold storage refers to temperature-controlled warehouses that enable secure storage and handling of goods that require (or benefit from) refrigeration or freezing, most notably food products. Cold storage properties make up a small but high-growth subset of overall industrial real estate and are a critical component of the global food supply chain. Insufficient access to facilities with effective temperature and humidity control is the primary driver of the estimated one billion metric tons of global food waste per year (per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Growth and efficiency gains in the global cold chain have the potential to generate substantial nutritional, environmental, and economic benefits, making cold storage real estate and related operations increasingly valuable as the global population continues to become larger and more urban. Today, global cold storage capacity is estimated to be approximately 25-30 billion cubic feet, and market researchers broadly expect the industry is on a trajectory to expand in both capacity and revenue generation as demand rises for temperature-controlled products and modern facilities to house them.
What is Cold Storage?
Cold storage properties have various configurations of cooler, freezer, and non-refrigerated (dry) storage space. Space configurations are highly correlated with different warehouse operating models and can also depend on factors such as building age, location, and whether the property was purpose-built or retrofitted. Facilities that have the capability to store goods at all three temperature ranges may be referred to as tri-temp, though this term generally refers to facilities where dry storage makes up a significant portion of the total footprint.
Although most cold storage capacity is devoted to food for human consumption, other common temperature-controlled goods include pharmaceutical products and vaccines, blood and other biological samples, pet food, and certain chemicals and other raw materials. Regardless of commodity type, the roles of cold storage are to allow for consistent supply by preserving shelf-life (particularly for seasonally produced goods); to provide strategically located storage to meet distribution needs; and to facilitate the international flow of temperature-sensitive goods across extended global transportation routes.
Operating Models
The industry is broadly categorized into two operating models: private and third-party. Private warehouses, or in-house space, are owned (or sometimes leased) by companies to store their own products. Third-party facilities, or outsourced space, are operated (and also typically owned) by third-parties that rent storage space to other companies, typically hosting a variety of different customers and product types within the same facilities. These facilities are also known as public refrigerated warehouses (PRWs), so third-party and public are often used interchangeably to describe this segment of the market. Over the past 30 years, it is estimated that about 75% of total U.S. freezer/cooler capacity has been third-party operated.
Although there is some overlap in customers between third-party and private operators (and some private operators that may also be customers of third-party operators), the degree of competition between the public and private segments is relatively low. Food manufacturers are the primary customers of third-party operated space, whereas food retailers, grocery stores, and distributors utilize the bulk of private cold storage capacity.
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U.S. Cold Storage Customer Types by Operating Model
Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Source: | CBRE Valuation and Advisory (private capacity), Lineage and Americold filings (public warehousing revenue). Private capacity reflects customer shares of privately-operated cold storage space (in cubic feet) based on 73 U.S. market studies as of October 2023. Public warehousing revenue reflects the average customer shares in 2023 financials for Lineage and Americold (who together account for more than 50% of total North American cold storage capacity). |
The competition between third-party and private operators is also limited by differing real estate characteristics. Based on estimates from CBRE Valuation and Advisory (VAS), dedicated freezer/cooler facilities made up 95% of total U.S. public capacity. In contrast, most private cold storage is in tri-temp facilities (57% of U.S. private capacity). As a result, cold storage made up an average of 78% of total square footage in third-party facilities, compared to an average of only 55% in private facilities.
Average Cold Storage Share of Total Facility Square Feet by Operating Model
Source: CBRE Valuation and Advisory. Based on 73 U.S. market studies as of October 2023.
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Warehouse Types and Location Factors
Within both the third-party and private segments, cold storage can be further subdivided based on warehouse function and location. There are three primary types of refrigerated warehouse, each of which can be further segmented on secondary location-based distinctions:
| Distribution warehouses are facilities located in primary metro areas or transportation hubs that typically provide services to multiple customers. These facilities are often located within or on the outskirts of large population centers (referred to as infill) or commercial ports (referred to as port-centric). Infill and port-centric distribution warehouses tend to be the most valuable due to their irreplaceable locations and strong, consistent demand underpinned by a large population of consumers. The customer base is diverse, including the largest food producers, grocers, and other retailers. Distribution warehouses can be either public or private, but they are typically associated with third-party operation. |
| Public warehouses typically provide services to multiple customers and usually have lower throughput volumes than distribution warehouses. These facilities are also generally located further from major population or transportation hubs. They may cater to small and mid-sized local and regional producers. |
| Production advantaged warehouses are those associated with a specific production facility that is located in close proximity. With most farming and food processing done at a distance from population centers, most production-advantaged warehouses are not located in primary markets, but they can be found adjacent to ports and are occasionally within smaller metropolitan areas. These facilities may be operated in-house or by third-party operators on behalf of a customer and are typically built-to-suit for a particular set of functions. |
General Categorization of Cold Storage Market
Source: CBRE. Not shown to scale. Facilities may be owned or leased in either operating model.
The third-party operating model generally accounts for the dominant share of cold storage space across markets worldwide, but proportional allocations by warehouse and location type can vary significantly across markets and for different operators within the same market. For example, when comparing the two largest operators, distribution facilities make up 77% of Lineages Warehousing NOI, but only 43% of Americolds.
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Share of Warehousing NOI by Warehouse Type for Leading Cold Storage Companies
Source: | Lineage, Americold, reflects FY23 financials for global warehousing segment. Facility Leased/Managed reflects locations where the company manages warehouse operations on behalf of the tenant that owns or leases the facility. |
Why Is Cold Storage Predominantly Outsourced?
The industry is dominated by third-party operated space for several reasons. First, the capital requirements to build and operate refrigerated warehouses are significant, and the cost of capital for users such as food manufacturers is often too high to justify the investment. Second, warehousing costs are generally a very small share of customers overall cost of goods sold, further reducing the incentive for these firms to invest in in-house operation. Third, transportation costs are typically among the largest portion of customers cost of goods sold, which often fuels demand by many customers for the same specific locations at key points of the supply chain. As a result, it is often more economical for third-party operators to build large facilities that can accommodate multiple customers in the same footprint, as opposed to multiple customers building their own smaller and less efficient facilities next to one another. By outsourcing their cold storage needs, customers can direct more of their capital and attention to their core business and area of expertise, while also benefiting from the economies of scale and flexibility associated with being part of a larger network.
Given the costs and complexity of modern supply-chain management, outsourcing of cold storage has risen in recent years for many customer types. Based on the USDAs monthly survey on stock levels (measured in pounds) of 110 key food commodities stored in U.S. refrigerated warehouses, the average share of total stocks held in public facilities steadily increased from 69% in 2013 to 85% in 2023.
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Share Of USDA-Tracked Perishable Food Stocks in Public Cold Storage
Source: | USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service monthly cold storage summary. Reflects total weight of 110 food commodities stored in public warehouses as share of total weight stored in all warehouses. Chart reflects averages of March and September shares for each year. USDA surveys cover a subset of total U.S. cold storage capacity and primarily focus on facilities serving food processors, wholesalers and distributors. Most facilities serving large retailers and grocers do not meet USDA criteria for inclusion in the survey. |
Industry Operating Conditions
Building Features
Relative to standard dry warehouses, cold storage facilities have many unique features and additional design considerations, which are often capital intensive and require specialized knowledge to build and maintain. To keep temperature and humidity ranges for stored commodities precise and consistent, while also allowing warehouse employees to work safely and efficiently, facilities generally require specialized electrical, insulation, ventilation, HVAC, monitoring and safety, lighting, and flooring systems. These facilities must also have redundancies in place and/or capacity to generate power in the event of a system failure or emergency.
As land costs have risen, particularly for critical infill locations, refrigerated warehouses are also becoming taller to maximize storage volume (as a secondary benefit, taller facilities also tend to be more energy efficient). Recently developed conventional cold storage facilities typically have clear heights ranging from 45 to 60 feet (with some even higher in particularly expensive real estate markets) compared to typical heights of 32 to 40 feet for modern dry warehouses. Automated cold storage facilities can be significantly taller (since the main limitation for height of conventional warehouses is how high forklifts can be operated by humans), with several examples of facilities with clear heights between 100-150 ft.
As customer demand has fueled greater product movement and faster turnaround times, more activity is also taking place on refrigerated loading docks, sometimes without products ever actually being stored within the warehouse (e.g., freight consolidation and cross-docking). Industry standards as recently as five years ago were for 40-foot-wide docks, but modern cold storage warehouses now have 50-to 90-foot-wide docks to accommodate more traffic.
Operator Revenue Streams
Rental fees for storage space make up the primary revenue stream for most cold storage facilities, with customers paying either variable rates for space as it is needed or fixed rates for a set amount of space committed over a longer period. As demand for high-quality cold storage space has increasingly pressured available supply, both customer and operator interest in fixed commitments has risen in recent years. Among large cold storage third-party operators, roughly 40%-50% of total storage revenue in 2023 came from longer-term fixed commitments, a
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marked difference from pre-pandemic norms. This shift reflects the general tightness across the industry, but also generally supports improved planning and less volatile operating conditions for both customers and operators.
Most cold storage facilities also offer customers additional warehousing services beyond storage to provide the most efficient service to customers and maximize the yield of their footprint. According to the GCCA, rental revenue from cold storage space accounted for about 54% of total warehouse revenue in 2022, with the remainder coming from product handling, case-picking (i.e., selecting individual product cases from various pallets and combining into a new pallet) and other supplementary services.
Breakout of Revenue for Typical North American Cold Storage Warehouse
Source: | 2023 GCCA Productivity and Benchmarking Survey, based on survey responses for FY2022. Examples of accessorial services include labeling, order assembly and load consolidation, import/export services, container handling, cross-docking, inspection services, and other ancillary services. |
In addition, refrigerated warehouses are only one part of the cold chainfor perishable goods, temperature and humidity controls are also essential for transportation (e.g., refrigerated shipping containers) and delivery (e.g., insulated packing materials). The ability to seamlessly transition between these different stages of the cold chain is crucial to maintaining the safety, quality, and shelf-life of perishable goods. Therefore, some cold storage operators also provide additional solutions outside the four walls of the warehouse, such as refrigerated transportation. Operators with the ability to provide high quality service offerings, both within the warehouse and elsewhere in the supply chain, will generally attract stronger customer demand and loyalty.
Tenancy and Occupancy
Demand for cold storage space can be measured from both tenants and customers. In this industry, tenancy refers to the space that is leased to third-party operators and other cold storage users, typically with a long-term, triple-net rate lease structure. Occupancy refers to the amount of rack space (i.e., pallet positions) that is in use to store customer goods.
Because customers may rent cold storage pallet positions on either an on-demand basis or through a fixed commitment, there may be a difference between physical occupancy (i.e., the number of occupied pallets during a given period as a share of total possible pallet positions) and economic occupancy (i.e., physical occupancy plus any additional pallets that were unoccupied but had been contractually committed and paid for during a given period). In other words, fixed storage commitments may allow some portions of warehouse space to generate rental revenue even when not physically occupied and could potentially generate multiple revenue streams if customer contracts allow for their unutilized committed pallets to be lent to short-term customers if additional space is needed.
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In recent years, the tenant vacancy rate has averaged around 3%-5%, but it is not unusual for many markets to have vacancy rates below 1%. Given the need to leave some space available for unexpected spikes in demand and seasonal fluctuations, refrigerated warehouses are typically considered stabilized when at 85% physical occupancy, though this varies based on warehouse design and operator preferences (and experience).
While storage revenue is driven by occupancy, handling revenue is driven by the volume of goods flowing through these facilities, i.e., throughput. In the wake of pandemic-era supply chain disruptions, throughput has been down moderately from pre-pandemic levels.
Operating Costs
On average, cold storage facilities have higher operating expenses than traditional warehouses, primarily due to higher labor and utilities costs. Higher labor costs are driven by the need for increased safety measures and worker protections (e.g., cold-rated clothing and equipment, additional training, frequent breaks, etc.) as well as employee turnover. Overall, labor costs make up about half of total cold storage operating costs (not including fixed real estate costs), based on the most recent GCCA Productivity and Benchmarking Survey. The relatively limited pool of workers with sufficient industry knowledge (across all types of positionswarehouse, maintenance, supervisory, etc.) also means that hiring and training can be a significant challenge, particularly for smaller or newer operators with less experience and fewer administrative resources.
Higher utility costs are driven by the need for constant temperature regulation, including significant water consumption for condensers and elevated electricity requirements to run the cooling and support systems (e.g., automatic doors, monitoring, safety, etc.), as well as potential backup power supply and offsite extensions. Overall, electricity made up 14% of cold storage operating costs (based on the same GCCA survey), but total utilities would be higher (non-electric utilities were included in the Other share). By some estimates, cold storage utility usage can be as much as four times higher than traditional warehouses, but this varies significantly based on the age and degree of automation of the facility.
Breakout of Operating Costs for Typical North American Cold Storage Warehouse
Source: | FY2021 International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses Productivity & Benchmarking Survey. Smaller pie represents the cost breakout of non-real estate operating expenses. |
Technological Advancements
To lower operational costs, increase storage capacity, and enhance customer service levels, development and implementation of new technologies has risen in recent years among cold storage industry leaders. More
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modern and technologically advanced facilities can often deliver the lowest cost to customers, which may be particularly appealing to food industry customers that may have relatively tight margins. There are four areas in which technological advances are having the most pronounced impact on the industry: automation, software development and deployment, energy usage and data science. Innovations in these areas are also highly interrelated.
Automation runs the gamut from automation of specific processes (e.g., pallet receiving, storage and retrieval systems) to completely automated facilities that significantly reduce the use of manual labor, enabling a small team to manage a disproportionally large quantity of inventory. Automation in the cold storage industry can add value to the customer by supporting increasingly complex customer requirements (e.g., high throughput for a large quantity of SKUs) at a high level of accuracy and efficiency while also driving lower costs of service overall. For operators, it can significantly reduce labor costs and provide some insulation from the impact of labor shortages, which is critical in an industry with physically demanding jobs with high turnover. Automation also allows operators to maximize their real estate footprints. Automated buildings can feature clear heights between 100-150 ft because they are not height-limited by the capabilities of manually-operated forklifts, thereby maximizing pallet capacity per square foot. In addition, an optimally designed automation system can process inventory on smaller loading docks, minimizing the amount of non-revenue generating space required.
Unique design considerations for significant automation (e.g., racking systems that are integrated into the building as structural elements) generally require new purpose-built construction. Reflecting this dynamic, GCCA estimates as of 2021 show that about 11% of operations were automated in cold storage facilities that were less than 10 years old, more than twice the share for all surveyed cold storage facilities.
Example of Modern Automated Facility Interior
Source: Lineage
Operators that can develop proprietary software and deploy third-party applications can gain a unique edge in a traditionally analog sector. Software applications in the cold storage industry include customer experience platforms to facilitate inventory visibility, order management, and customer service; salesforce tools to digitize the critical processes of quoting, contracting, and billing; and warehouse operation platforms. Warehouse operations software can be paired with automated systems as well as provide solutions to challenges in conventional warehouses, such as efficiently assigning tasks to workers via tablets and wrist-mounted devices. The benefits to operators who develop and deploy these tools may include increased market share and reduced customer churn, significantly higher labor productivity, and increased revenue capture.
For energy, examples of technological advancements that help minimize costs (both financial and environmental) include improved refrigeration systems that are more energy-efficient and less hazardous, installation of solar panels, linear generators that can utilize alternative fuels, and thermal flywheeling, which
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uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to manage energy loads based on predictions of peak demand. In certain circumstances, these strategies can even allow operators to sell pre-purchased capacity back to the grid during energy price spikes (which can result in low or negative power bills).
Advances in each of these areas are underpinned by data science. For example, operators can analyze operational data from facilities across their networks to design and test a warehouse against variations in customer movements, product seasonality and emergencies (like pandemic-induced buying). As a result, operators can design optimal energy-use and automation solutions, such as highly efficient blast freezing systems and highly productive automated case picking systems. Data science capabilities can also benefit warehouse operation by modeling the impacts of different customer profiles on factors like warehouse flows, labor requirements, energy consumption and maintenance. Finally, scaled operators with large networks can leverage data science to identify opportunities to combine inventory of different customers with similar routes and schedules into the same trucks or match outbound inventory to empty trucks already returning to the same destination warehouse. Because transportation costs represent the majority of customers supply chain costs and are several times the size of warehousing costs, these kinds of solutions enable significant savings for customers, less congestion on roads and at receiving points, and a decreased carbon footprint.
Given the unique challenges of cold storage operationparticularly around labor and utilitiesadvances in automation, software, energy efficiency and data science have the potential for more pronounced impacts relative to traditional warehouses. As modern supply chain management continues to become more complex, we believe that operators that can offer customers a combination of physical and digital infrastructure will be most competitive. Given the significant investments required to develop and implement new technologies at scale, as well as the critical role of insights gleaned through analysis of large sets of warehouse operations data, the largest operators may be best positioned to capitalize on this opportunity.
Global Market Size and Competitive Landscape
Based on a combination of survey and government data sources across 48 countries, the GCCA estimated total global cold storage capacity at 25 billion cubic feet as of 2020 (latest available data), up 17% from 2018. Over 60% of the global market is concentrated in the top three countries: the U.S. (5.5 billion cubic feet), India (5.3 billion) and China (4.6 billion). All other countries had less than 1.4 billion cubic feet (most much less).
When looking at the market as of year-end 2023 and including a more comprehensive survey of private capacity, CBRE VAS estimates the core U.S. cold storage market is likely closer to approximately 7 billion cubic feet (excluding facilities where temperature-controlled space represents a minority of the total building footprint). If the U.S. were to account for a similar proportion of the global market as in the GCCAs 2020 survey, this would imply current global capacity of approximately 30 billion cubic feet.
Many countries are likely underserved in terms of access to cold storage facilities, with pent-up or potential demand exceeding the amount of available supply. When comparing GCCAs estimates of cold storage market development (defined as cubic feet per urban resident) against countries average disposable household income levels, there is a clear correlation between higher incomes and greater cold storage capacity. Nearly all the lowest income countries have less than three cubic feet of cold storage space per urban resident, pointing to a significant need for growth (given that ratios in developed economies are roughly 5-10 times higher). The analysis suggests that even in many higher income countries there is likely additional runway for cold storage development. For some countriesmost notably the U.S., Switzerland, and Australiathe ratio of cold storage capacity per urban resident is significantly lower than the trendline would predict.
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Relationship Between Country Income Levels and Cold Storage Capacity Development
Source: | 2022 average household disposable income (real, chained 2015 USD) from Oxford Economics; 2020 GCCA Global Cold Storage Capacity Report (July 2020). |
Competitive Landscape
Although the competitive landscape of the cold storage industry can vary across countries and regions, the general trend has been for significant amounts of space to be consolidated among a few key companies with the rest of the market highly fragmented across many local and regional players. Based on the GCCAs annual list of the largest refrigerated warehousing providers, the top 10 companies owned or operated roughly 6.0 billion cubic feet of cold storage space in 2024, or just below one-quarter of global cold storage capacity (based on the latest 2020 estimate).
The two largest companiesLineage and Americoldtogether own or operate over 4.4 billion cubic feet, representing an estimated 17.5% of total global capacity. Estimated market shares for these companies are even higher in North America, with Lineage representing approximately 32.9% of total capacity and Americold approximately 19.3%.
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Global Cold Storage Capacity and Estimated Global Share
Source: | Lineage and Americold based on company data as of March 31, 2024. All others based on 2024 GCCA Global Top 25 List (April 2024). Global market share based on total global capacity from 2020 GCCA Global Cold Storage Capacity Report (August 2020). |
North American Cold Storage Capacity and Estimated North America Share
Source: | Lineage and Americold based on company data as of March 31, 2024. All others based on 2024 GCCA North America Top 25 List (April 2024). North American market share based on total global capacity from 2020 GCCA Global Cold Storage Capacity Report (August 2020). |
Advantages to Consolidation
The total capacity among the global top 25 companies increased by roughly 1.6 billion cubic feet, or 32%, between GCCAs 2020 and 2024 lists. This growth primarily reflects merger and acquisition activity and new
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development by the two largest players, as over this period Lineage grew its portfolio by over 1.2 billion cubic feet, or 67%, and Americold grew by 344 million cubic feet, or 31%, during the same period.
This consolidation among the top companies reflects the significant advantages from economies of scale in the cold storage industry. The increased brand recognition, breadth and depth of industry relationships, greater access to and lower cost of capital, and more extensive property networks, generally allow larger operators to be more competitive in terms of rates, speed, and quality of service. These networks provide greater cushion to customers in mitigating risks from both scarcity of space and scarcity of product, as well as the simplicity of working with fewer providers across different geographies. The ability to spread fixed costs, administrative overhead, and technology investments over a larger portfolio also allows these operators to offer a wider range of warehouse types, locations, and services, which attracts a higher number and greater diversity of customers. In contrast, smaller companies not only lack these network benefits but are also more likely to specialize in certain products or be anchored to specific customers or geographic regions, which makes them more vulnerable to the risk of demand shifts, shortages, and other market shocks.
Although there has been notable growth in new PRW operators over the last three years, it can be challenging for these new firms to differentiate and compete with existing large players. Further consolidation is likely to continue, particularly as the competitive advantages for operators leveraging modern technology and data science become more pronounced. Small operators with good regional coverage are expected to be prime targets for future M&A activity.
Long-Term Demand Drivers and Growth Trajectory
Industry Revenue
Because food storage is the primary driver of demand for refrigerated warehouse space, growth in the sector is tied to long-term demographic, economic and technological trends and has been minimally impacted by past economic and real estate cycles. Though downturns may have some impact on what and where consumers eat (e.g., restaurant vs. grocery), overall demand for food is largely inelastic.
In fact, during periods of economic stress or inflation, consumption of frozen foods tends to increase, since frozen foods are typically less expensive than fresh or canned equivalents and also allow for waste reduction and bulk buying to take advantage of sales. Based on data collected by the American Frozen Food Institute and equivalent industry groups in other countries, frozen food sales spiked by 20% or more in 2020 across much of North America and Europe. The global frozen food market is forecasted to grow by $133 billion between 2022 and 2027, according to Technavio, which represents an approximate 8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Through the past two economic cycles, increased demand, rent escalation, and the addition of first-generation assets all contributed to relatively stable revenue growth for companies operating in the cold storage space. In addition to the strength of real estate fundamentals, revenue gains for cold storage operators are also tied to the ongoing shift toward outsourcing, with third-party operators receiving a growing share of total expenditures on global cold-chain management.
IBISWorld projections are for U.S. cold storage industry revenue to increase at a CAGR of 3% over the next five years (2023-2028). However, reports from similar research consultancies project much stronger growth rates for the global refrigerated warehouse industry, with low double-digit estimated CAGRs over the next five years.
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U.S. Temperature-Controlled Warehousing Industry Revenue
($ in billions)
Source: | IBISWorld: Refrigerated Storage in the US (October 2023). The Lineage datapoints referenced in this IBIS report were outdated (undercounted), suggesting that the total industry revenue and growth rates are likely higher than what was reported. |
How do Changes in Food Consumption Impact Cold Storage?
The primary drivers of growth in the cold storage industry are how much food is consumed overall and what kinds of food consumers prefer. Population growth is a reliable indicator for overall consumption, while household income growth and broader economic development are good predictors of food preferences and consumption patterns. As incomes rise, consumption of more premium items that tend to have greater temperature sensitivity, such as meat and dairy, as well as prepared and specialty foods (e.g., organic or allergen-free products) also tends to rise. Increases in income also tend to mean more demand for imported foods and items that were previously unavailable or cost prohibitive. These shifts all fuel stronger demand for cold storage space.
Urbanization has also been a major catalyst for cold storage growth over the past several decades. As populations urbanize, they are much more likely to consume food produced outside of their immediate area and to utilize grocery stores, markets and restaurants that rely on cold storage networks. Urban populations also tend to work longer hours and work further from their homes, which tends to drive greater reliance on refrigerated and frozen convenience foods and prepared meals.
In 2020, approximately 56% of the global population was urbanized, but U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs expects this share to rise to 68% of the population by 2050. According to the U.N., 95% of the growth in the urban population from 2020 and 2050 will come from what the organization considers less developed regions of the world. These regions currently have far less access to modern cold storage facilities, presenting a major opportunity for industry growth in the next three decades.
Overall, the global population is projected to reach roughly 8.5 billion by 2030, an increase of 6% and nearly 500 million people from 2023 levels, based on estimates from the U.N. and Oxford Economics. Over the same period, Oxford expects that average disposable household incomes will rise by 10%, which is projected to spur an increase of 15% in inflation-adjusted consumer spending on food worldwide, representing an additional $1 trillion above 2023 levels.
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Global Urban Population by Country Economic Development
(in millions)
Source: | Oxford Economics, with actual data through 2020 for most countries (modeled estimates from Oxford Economics used in countries with data lags). Economic development country aggregates from International Monetary Fund. |
Emerging and Developing Economies
The strongest growth in food consumption is likely to come from emerging and developing economies in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region (group of 30 countries, per International Monetary Fund aggregates). Based on Oxford Economics data, as of 2020, total consumer spending on food in emerging and developing Asia Pacific was about 80% of total food spending in advanced economies (a group of 41 countries across multiple regions). By 2030, Oxford projects that food spending levels will be essentially equal for these two groups of countries, representing over $650 billion worth of additional consumption in real (inflation-adjusted) terms in APAC over the ten-year period.
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Real Consumer Food Spending by Country Aggregates
(in 2015 USD billions)
Source: | Oxford Economics. Last year of actual data varies by country with most advanced economies shown through 2022; all other data points are modeled estimates or forecasts from Oxford Economics. Country aggregates from International Monetary Fund. |
As food consumption increases and diversifies in developing economies, this should gradually lead to implementation of more rigorous food safety standards, which would include proper refrigeration and storage for many items. As regulations tighten, global demand for modern cold storage space will rise. This trend is likely to benefit third-party operators, particularly large operators with the experience and capital to ensure regulatory compliance.
Over time, more stringent regulatory oversight will benefit the industry, as it strengthens both consumer and investor confidence in the quality of cold storage facilities and the products moving through them. This confidence will also help facilitate increased international trade of food and other temperature-sensitive goods.
In developing economies where a significant share of GDP is based on agriculture, cold storage facilities themselves function as economic growth engines. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that as much as 40% of food in developing countries is lost due to damage or spoilage after harvest. Cold chain developments could dramatically reduce these losses and also increase farmers ability to export agricultural products, particularly to advanced economies. This increased productivity and higher earnings could then enable higher consumption, creating a positive feedback loop.
Advanced Economies
In advanced economies, where population and income growth rates will be much more modest, growth in cold storage demand will likely be fueled more by shifts in what consumers are eating and where it comes from, as well as potential growth in non-food sources of demand, such as biotech/pharmaceuticals and high-tech components, particularly given the increased focus and investment (both private and public sector) on domestic production of certain critical commodities.
Survey and consumer spending data consistently point to the continuation of existing trends toward higher consumption of fresh food, as well as organic, allergen-free, plant-based and other health-conscious dietary preferences that tend to include more temperature-sensitive goods. Growth in utilization of meal kits, food delivery, and online grocery will also likely generate greater demand for infill distribution locations, as well as technologically advanced and automated facilities that can help improve cost efficiency.
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Overall, e-commerce penetration remains low in the consumer food sector, but it is expected to be among the fastest growing segments, based on projections from Forrester and other retail market researchers. Given that e-commerce fulfillment requires more warehouse space than does traditional retail or wholesale channels, even incremental growth in online food sales could have a marked impact on cold storage demand, as was demonstrated during the initial spike in adoption at the height of the pandemic.
Current Online Share of U.S. Sales vs. 5-Year Online Growth Projection by Retail Category
Source: | Forrester U.S. Online Retail Forecast 2023-2028 (July 2023); orange marks represent categories with high temperature sensitivity. |
Shifting investor preferences may also be a driver of growth in advanced economies with already established cold storage infrastructure. For example, a growing emphasis on sustainability initiatives may put additional pressure on outdated, inefficient cold storage facilities. Replacement of these obsolete facilities with modern warehouses that can offer dramatic energy savings will likely be a continued trend through the long term.
Supply-Side Dynamics
Barriers to Entry
The rising cost of construction materials, labor and contractor margins has made it more challenging to develop new product in recent years, with construction cost inflation impacting cold storage facilities more than other commercial product. According to Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the final cost for new warehouse construction increased 44% from October 2019 to October 2023, while commercial refrigeration equipment increased 65%, indicating more significant inflation for cold storage development.
Lead times for critical HVAC and insulation materials have also significantly increased in the U.S. since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of September 30, 2023, industrial contractors reported that the average lead time for HVAC equipment remained twice as long as what it was in 2019, while the average lead time for thermal & moisture protection was about 50% longer. Developers outside the U.S. are facing similar challenges around recent inflation and critical materials shortages due to the global nature of these supply chains.
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Though the pace of construction cost inflation is generally expected to return to the pre-pandemic norm in 2024, cold storage capabilities will always add a significant cost delta over dry warehouse development due to the increased complexity and the additional materials and equipment required. For a purpose-built facility where refrigerated space can account for 80% or more of the total building area, the development cost could range from 2-4 times a dry warehouse cost. For certain specialized requirements in higher-cost parts of the U.S., new cold storage developments can exceed $500 per square foot, and automated facilities could be even higher. These substantial cost constraints limit new development, making the cold storage market generally less vulnerable to supply-side risk than conventional dry warehouses.
Cost per Sq. Ft. for Construction of
Dry vs. Cold Warehouse in the U.S.
Source: | CBRE estimates as of December 31, 2023. The cost ranges shown indicate the estimated lower and upper quartile ranges, based on a mix of sources, including estimates from CBRE Project Management, third-party reports, project comps, and surveys of U.S. general contractors. Estimates for cold facilities include the cost of core and shell development plus the build out cost of the specified facility type. These data points are for informational purposes, and prices may fall outside of these ranges. Actual pricing will depend on the market, contractor relationships and complexity of the requirement. |
In addition to high and increasing construction costs, new developers face additional hurdles when trying to deliver cold storage capacity to the market, particularly speculative projects. Because large third-party operators that primarily own their facilities typically have such high market shares, new developers often must seek to lease their space directly to food manufacturers or local distributors, which reduces the available tenant pool. Leasing directly to food manufacturers can also prove challenging, since most prefer to outsource their temperature-controlled warehousing needs rather than operate themselves.
Real estate developers that want to get into operations rather than lease their properties must be prepared to contend with large competitors in securing and retaining both customers and skilled labor. Given the high switching costs for customers, winning new business can also be difficult for operators without established brand recognition or proven track records. Relative to new developers, established cold storage operators backed by trusted brands tend to have a significant advantage in leasing-up (stabilizing) a new property and then keeping it well staffed and maintained due to their long-term relationships with customers and vendors and significantly larger salesforces and human resources departments.
Inventory Obsolescence
Given the major cost and efficiency advantages of operating in newer, more technologically advanced facilities, demand has waned for older, increasingly obsolete facilities. Based on an analysis of Costar data in
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December 2023, approximately 36% of all U.S. cold storage vacancy was within facilities either built or renovated before 1980, despite these facilities accounting for only 18% of the inventory. On average, pre-1980 facilities are about one-third the size (in cubic feet) of modern facilities built or renovated since 2010 and ceiling heights are about two-thirds as high. Most vacant space in pre-1980 facilities is in the South region of the U.S., which is also where the largest share (43%) of facilities have been built or renovated since 2010, indicating that many tenants are eager to trade up for modern space if given the opportunity to do so.
U.S. Cold Storage and Dry Warehouse Average Age Benchmarking
Source: | Lineage, CoStar Group and CBRE Valuation and Advisory. Ages represent weighted averages (by cubic feet) based on the year the facility was built and are estimated as of December 31, 2023. Public REIT Dry Warehouse segment includes U.S. warehouse and distribution properties (excluding facilities with cold storage) of at least 50K sq. ft. owned by public REITs. Lineage global portfolio age represents the weighted average (by cubic feet) based on year built and, for facilities with later expansions, the amount of cubic feet added during the more recent year (e.g., a 3 million cubic foot facility built 20 years ago with a just-completed expansion of an incremental 3 million cubic feet would have a weighted age of 10 years). |
Average Height and Size Of U.S. Cold Storage Facilities by Decade Built or Renovated
Source: | CoStar Group, CBRE Valuation and Advisory. |
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Recent Construction Activity
Rising demand for modernized facilities has led to an increase in new development and renovations in recent years. Over one-third of U.S. cold storage inventory (as measured in cubic feet) was built or renovated since 2010. On average, new facilities are about 56% larger (in cubic feet) with 60% higher ceilings than existing facilities.
Though cold storage market fundamentals have been consistently strong for decades, post-pandemic inflows of institutional capital and steep rent gains made the economics of new cold storage construction much more feasible. Alongside broader real estate and capital markets conditions, this led to a marked increase in development activity that began most notably in 2021. According to Costar data, the amount of cold-storage-capable warehouse square footage actively under construction in the U.S. 2021 was about three times greater than any year over the prior decade. Since then, new construction starts have slowed substantially and new product has hit the market, easing the supply-demand imbalance.
Much of this construction wave has been speculative (spec) projects, which have historically been very rare in this sector given the unique development challenges. Among the spec space that has been delivered since 2020 or is currently under construction, CBRE estimates that roughly 40% has been leased or pre-leased. Space that is currently unleased within spec projects recently completed or underway may take longer to stabilize, given that many currently active speculative developers are purely real estate providers without operational capabilities, as well as the preference of public operators to build rather than lease capacity to meet their growing space requirements.
Despite record construction activity in recent years, completions of publicly operated and speculative cold storage in the U.S. represented a relatively moderate 3.9% of existing public inventory in 2023 and is expected to decline to 3.5% in 2024 (as measured in square feet). These shares are similar to the expected annual pace of demand growth, particularly when considering that some portion of currently unleased spec space will eventually be taken by private users. After 2024, new deliveries are expected to slow substantially to 1.8% of inventory in 2025, as fewer projects have broken ground in the last two years (with almost none speculative), due in large part to higher construction costs, interest rates, financing challenges and some softening in occupancy.
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U.S. Cold Storage Construction by Year of Completion
(% Indicates Share of Total Public Inventory)
Source: | CBRE Food Facilities Group, CBRE VAS, GCCA, operator and developer websites. Includes projects completed or actively under construction as of April 2024 (excludes projects in planning phases). Excludes private built-to-suit projects and spec space taken by private users. Unleased spec construction reflects projects with no committed tenant as of April 2024 that could ultimately be occupied by either a public or private user. |
Recent construction has largely been limited to a select set of markets. Based on CBRE Estimates, nearly 60% of all publicly operated and speculative U.S. cold storage square footage completed between 2020 and 2023 was in just five states Texas, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey and Arizonawith 23% concentrated in Texas alone. During this period, new construction in all other states outside the the top five was limited to two facilities or fewer.
While development in the top five states is partially a response to rising demand from growing populations in the Sun Belt, it is also a reflection of the development challenges facing cold storage developers in many other U.S. states (as well as most metro areas in other advanced economies). A combination of limited development sites, competition from dry warehouse users for available land, soaring land and construction costs, and state and local regulatory hurdles has made it especially difficult to develop in prime coastal states like California and New York, especially when compared to Sun Belt states.
Recent Real Estate Trends & Fundamentals
Commercial Real Estate Fundamentals
Although traditional real estate fundamental metrics capture a fairly small portion of the overall cold storage market (since leasing-based metrics exclude activity among owner-operators), trends still generally reflect the supply/demand dynamics of the broader market. From 2007-2023, the cold storage sector experienced immense occupancy growth. In the U.S., annual net absorption has been positive for 17 straight years, which has led to an additional 45 million square feet of newly occupied space, on net. During this period, the U.S. vacancy rate fell steadily to below 3% in 2020, where it stayed until 2023 when it ticked up to 3.8% amid an unprecedented stretch of construction completions.
From 2020-2023, more square feet of refrigerated warehouse space delivered than in any other four-year period on record (going back to 1990), according to data from Costar. While this relieved some of the supply-demand imbalance, the vacancy rate is still very low as of December 31, 2023indicating there is still ample demand to fill new space as it delivers.
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Given the state of real estate fundamentals in the U.S., operators with a large existing footprint in modern facilities should be well-positioned in the coming years. Operators with advanced facilities (particularly in terms of automation) in strategic geographic locations will be especially prepared to capture future customer demand. While the lack of new supply could hinder expansion opportunities for operators in certain markets, it also limits vacant space and supply risk while increasing pressure on pallet rental fees. Operators that own their facilities or are locked into leases that wont expire for several years, are likely to benefit the most as they do not face immediate pressure on their fixed facilities costs (i.e., rising rents) from the supply/demand imbalance.
U.S. Annual Cold Storage Net Absorption and Vacancy Rate
Source: CBRE, Costar Group, data as of December 2023
Transaction Volume
The strength of cold storage operating conditions and real estate fundamentals, as well as heightened construction deliveries, helped spur a major uptick in investor interest in the sector in recent years. Total acquisition volumes have been driven both by sales of individual assets and by portfolio or entity-level sales (i.e., properties acquired as part of company M&A activity). Individual asset sales are typically the better barometer of prevailing sentiment and cyclical performance within a sector, while portfolio and entity-level sales are a better indicator of broader structural factors for the sector, as well as general capital markets conditions.
The high level of portfolio/entity-level transaction activity (38% of total U.S. cold storage volume, on average, from 2018 to 2023) reflects the consolidation trend in the industry over recent years. Individual asset sales volume held quite steady (hovering at roughly $1.5 billion annually) between 2019-2022, indicating a reliable base pool of investor demand and liquidity.
Cold storage investment slowed in 2023 to the lowest volume since 2013. This is primarily a reflection of financing constraints (e.g., high interest rates, limited capital availability) and other near-term macroeconomic headwinds. This is a consistent trend across commercial real estate sectorsthe percent change in volume last year was larger for the industrial sector overall than for refrigerated warehousesthat is likely to ease as economic conditions improve. For cold storage, muted investment is also partially due to limited for-sale inventory, given multiple years of record acquisition activity in a relatively small sector.
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U.S. Cold Storage Investment Volume By Deal Type
Source: MSCI/Real Capital Analytics
Cap Rates
On average, transaction cap rates for refrigerated warehouses have been similar to dry warehouses, with significant compression over the prior decade. As more institutional investors entered the cold storage sector and volumes surged in 2020, the average U.S. cap rate fell by nearly a full percentage point from the start of 2020 to the end of 2021 and remained 20-40 bps lower than the dry warehouse average during this period, according to Real Capital Analytics. As investment volume slowed and the number of high-quality assets listed for sale increasingly dwindled, cap rates for refrigerated warehouses have risen but remain in line with pre-pandemic norms from 2018 to 2019.
U.S. Average Cap Rate By Warehouse Type
Source: MSCI/Real Capital Analytics, Q3 2023 refrigerated warehouse cap rate is interpolated due to limited transaction activity.
For cold storage, location factors are a major determinant of asset values. In general, cold storage cap rates are lowest for distribution facilities, particularly those located in or near ports and major population centers. General PRWs and production-advantaged warehouses generally have higher cap rates, with cap rates for individual assets varying based on location, tenant quality and other factors. Even for PRW and production-advantaged facilities with strong anchor customers in place, if the market location is small enough that there
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would be difficulty securing a suitable new tenant should the current customer ever decide to relocate (or go under), that risk will be priced in and push up cap rates. As a result, cold storage portfolios with larger shares of revenue and NOI tied to distribution properties typically have higher asset values and less volatility.
According to Green Street analyst estimates from their most recent NAV of Americold as of March 7, 2024, which is their only public Cold Storage REIT under coverage, applied cap rates for distribution facilities were about 20-25 bps lower compared to public facilities and about 100-110bps lower compared to production-advantaged cold storage facilities. These data points are for informational purposes and should not be used as the basis for an investment decision. These cap rate spreads are specifically used towards the valuation of Americolds portfolio in Green Streets NAV and might not be directly applicable at the sector level or for other companies. The cap rate spreads are nominal cap rates based on an after- SG&A allocation basis as per Green Streets valuation methodology for normalization of SG&A in the Cold Storage sector. Green Street Research has allowed for dissemination of this information but has had no involvement with the content of this registration statement.
Outlook
For the past two decades, the cold storage sector has performed consistently well in both commercial real estate and industry fundamentals. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a period of significant growth for the cold storage industry. Supply chain disruptions in general, but particularly the persistent shortages of food and medicine during the height of the pandemic, led to a rise in awareness among consumers, governments, and investors around the importance of an optimally functioning global cold chain. This awareness contributed to both public and private capital being funneled into the sector, fueling construction activity and revenue growth that allowed cold storage operators to better respond to rising demand for space.
The pandemic also accelerated trends that had a marked short-term impact on cold storage demand and have the potential to be growth engines for the industry in coming years. Two key examples are the rapid adoption of online food sales and the heightened emphasis on biopharmaceutical production and distribution (the latter stemming from the lack of suitable facilities for vaccine storage, particularly in developing countries and rural areas of advanced economies).
The inventory of cold storage facilities in the U.S. and globally is relatively old and becoming increasingly obsolete as technology advances and consumer preferences evolve. As the delta between factors such as energy usage, operating costs, and speed of service continues to widen between older and newer cold warehouses, owners and operators of modern facilities will be at an increasing advantage in terms of customer retention and profit margin. This gap will also likely fuel additional investment and development in the industry, particularly as both sustainability initiatives and more stringent food and pharmaceutical safety standards become increasingly common.
However, the significant barriers to entry in the industry will likely continue to limit speculative construction and competition from new market participants, which typically supports high occupancy and steady rent escalation. The high degree of market fragmentation also presents operators with industry expertise and access to capital potential opportunities to acquire and update existing cold storage properties. Given these dynamics, the industry appears well positioned for both near-and long-term growth as global demand for temperature-sensitive goods is expected to rise faster than the limited supply of cold storage facilities.
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Overview
We are the worlds largest global temperature-controlled warehouse REIT, with a modern and strategically located network of properties. Our business is competitively positioned to deliver a seamless end-to-end, technology-enabled, customer experience for thousands of customers, each with their own unique requirements in the temperature-controlled supply chain. As of March 31, 2024, we operated an interconnected global temperature-controlled warehouse network, comprising over 84.1 million square feet and 3.0 billion cubic feet of capacity across 482 warehouses predominantly located in densely populated critical-distribution markets, with 312 in North America, 82 in Europe and 88 in Asia-Pacific. We have a well-diversified and stable customer base and currently serve more than 13,000 customers that include household names of the largest food retailers, manufacturers, processors and food service distributors in the industry. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, no single customer accounted for more than 3.3% of our revenues. In the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, we generated $5.3 billion of revenue, $162.8 million of net loss, $1.8 billion of NOI and $1.3 billion of Adjusted EBITDA.
Our Business Segments
We view, manage and report on our business through two segments:
| Global warehousing, which utilizes our high-quality industrial real estate properties to provide temperature-controlled warehousing storage and services to our customers and represented approximately 86% of our total NOI for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024; and |
| Global integrated solutions, which complements warehousing with supply chain services to facilitate the movement of products through the food supply chain to generate cost savings for customers and additional revenue streams for our company and represented approximately 14% of our total NOI for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. |
Our Global Warehousing Segment
The backbone of our business is our mission-critical network of sophisticated, modern and strategically-located temperature-controlled warehouses.
As of March 31, 2024, our warehousing portfolio encompassed 463 warehouses featuring distribution, public, production advantaged and managed warehouse operations and contained approximately 81.9 million square feet, 2.9 billion cubic feet and 9.8 million pallet positions. We believe we also have the largest automated temperature-controlled portfolio with 81 automated facilities, 24 of which are fully automated and 57 of which are semi-automated.
As of March 31, 2024, the cubic-foot weighted average age of our portfolio was approximately 21 years, which we believe is significantly younger than that of our largest publicly-traded peer and of the broader temperature-controlled industry. In addition, many of our warehouses may operate in a way that is functionally younger than their age given the substantial investments or refurbishments we have made that do not factor into the age calculation in areas such as maintenance, automation, energy efficiency and sustainability. From 2021 through March 31, 2024, we have invested over $474 million in recurring maintenance capital expenditures and integration expenditures we incur when we acquire new warehouses and approximately $366 million in repair and maintenance operating expense, which do not qualify as capital expenditures, across our existing warehouse network because we believe that a more modern and consistently maintained network enhances prospects of winning new customers, retaining existing customers, extending our networks useful lives and driving more efficient operations, improved profitability and greater cash flow.
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Facilities in Our Global Warehousing Segment
The following table provides information regarding the temperature-controlled warehouses in our global warehousing segment that we owned, leased or managed in each of the regions in which we operated as of, or for the twelve months ended, March 31, 2024.
Region |
Number of Warehouses |
Cubic feet (in millions) |
Percent of total cubic feet |
Pallets positions (in thousands) |
Average economic occupancy |
Average physical occupancy |
Revenues (in millions) |
Segment NOI (in millions) |
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North America |
293 | 2,057 | 70.5 | % | 6,198 | 86.6 | % | 78.8 | % | $ | 2,924 | $ | 1,191 | |||||||||||||||||||
Europe |
82 | 616 | 21.1 | % | 2,599 | 82.8 | % | 79.5 | % | 598 | 201 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Asia-Pacific |
88 | 244 | 8.4 | % | 1,008 | 81.8 | % | 79.0 | % | 346 | 115 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Average/Total(1) |
463 | 2,917 | 100.0 | % | 9,804 | 85.1 | % | 79.0 | % | $ | 3,868 | $ | 1,507 | |||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | Totals may not sum due to rounding. Excludes 19 warehouses in our global integrated solutions segment. We categorize warehouses as part of our global integrated solutions segment if the primary business conducted in those warehouses is within our global integrated solutions segment. |
Our Warehouse Types
As of March 31, 2024, we owned, operated, leased and managed multiple types of temperature-controlled warehouses across our global network, which we group into four types: distribution, public, production advantaged and managed warehouses.
| Distribution centers are warehouses that typically store products for multiple customers often in or near difficult to duplicate metropolitan, infill or port locations. |
| Public warehouses are warehouses that typically store products for multiple customers usually outside metropolitan and infill locations. |
| Production advantaged warehouses are warehouses adjacent to or near customer production facilities |
| Managed warehouses are facilities owned or leased by the customer for which we manage the warehouse operations on their behalf. |
Warehouse Type |
Cubic Feet (in millions) |
Pallet Positions (in thousands) |
Number of Warehouses |
NOI (in millions)(3) |
Percentage of Total NOI(3) |
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Distribution |
2,035 | 6,666 | 283 | $ | 1,150 | 76.3% | ||||||||||||||
Public |
478 | 1,975 | 125 | 180 | 11.9% | |||||||||||||||
Production Advantaged |
291 | 1,163 | 41 | 159 | 10.6% | |||||||||||||||
Managed /Other(1) |
112 | | 14 | 18 | 1.2% | |||||||||||||||
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Total(2) |
2,917 | 9,804 | 463 | $ | 1,507 | 100% | ||||||||||||||
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(1) | Includes costs associated with land held for development. |
(2) | Totals may not sum due to rounding. Excludes 19 warehouses in our global integrated solutions segment. We categorize warehouses as part of our global integrated solutions segment if the primary business conducted in those warehouses is within our global integrated solutions segment. |
(3) | For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. |
Our broad network of warehouses is weighted towards high-population density markets and port locations, with a weighted average population density of approximately 3,100 persons per square mile and 241 port facilities across our network. We define a warehouse as a port facility if it is within 30 miles of a port that performs commercial or trade-related activity. These markets feature high value real estate that serve as critical nodes in our customers supply chains which we believe in turn supports high economic occupancy, low volatility in demand, productive NOI generation and strong growth.
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Geographic Diversification
We believe our geographic diversification provides additional stability through exposure to various markets and balancing different seasonality profiles. As of March 31, 2024, we were present in 19 countries, with the United States comprising 70% of our global warehousing segment revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, and within the United States, we are present in 36 states, with no state accounting for more than 15.4% of our global warehousing segment revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, 97% of our global warehousing segment revenue was generated in countries in which we believe our local network of temperature-controlled warehouses is the largest, as measured by cubic feet of capacity. Our portfolio includes locations in top metropolitan statistical areas with high population density, ports with significant global trade, transportation hubs with significant domestic trade and critical food production areas. We believe that this diversification makes our portfolio resilient to local, regional and country-specific impacts such as weather events, labor disputes, currency fluctuations and population shifts.
The following maps show the locations of our temperature-controlled warehouses around the world as of March 31, 2024.
Note: Includes 19 warehouses in our global integrated solutions segment and countries where we only have a presence through our global integrated solutions segment for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024.
(1) | Based on global warehousing segment revenues. Reflects countries in which our local network of temperature-controlled warehouses is the largest, as measured by cubic feet capacity. |
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Global Map of Assets with Population Density
(1) | U.S. data per U.S. Census Bureau, ArcGis, public filings and SNL. |
(2) | Non-U.S. data per NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) managed by the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Earth Institute, Columbia University. |
Commodity Diversification
We store a wide variety of frozen and perishable food and other products in our temperature-controlled warehouses, such as seafood, packaged foods, proteins, fruits and vegetables and dairy, at all stages of production from processing of raw materials to assembly of finished products. The diversity of the product mix in our temperature-controlled warehouses helps insulate us from commodity volatility, shifts in consumer preferences and other macro-economic forces. The following table sets forth information concerning the types of commodities that our customers store in our warehouses based on a percentage of our global warehousing segment revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024.
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Commodity Type as Percentage of Global Warehousing Segment Revenue
Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Features of our Warehouses
Our warehouses include features intended to meet the mission-critical role they serve in the cold chain. Some of our warehouses include customized racking systems that allow for the storage of products on pallets in horizontal rows across vertically stacked levels in an efficient and secure manner. Our racking systems can accommodate a wide array of different customer storage needs. In addition, some of our warehouses also include advanced conveyors and automated pallet putaway and retrieval systems, high volume refrigeration systems, refrigerated docks, specialized fire suppression systems, insulated and heated floors and state-of-the-art temperature-control systems that can implement distinct climate zones within the same warehouse. We believe that our warehouses are well-maintained and in good operating condition.
Occupancy of our Warehouses
Economic and physical occupancy of an individual warehouse is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of warehouse (i.e., distribution, public, production advantaged or managed), specific customer needs in the markets served by the warehouse, timing of harvests or protein production for customers of the warehouse, the existence of leased but unoccupied pallet positions and the adverse effect of weather or market conditions on the customers of the warehouse. On a portfolio-wide basis, economic and physical occupancy rates and warehouse revenues generally peak between mid-September and early December in connection with the holiday season and the peak harvest season in the northern hemisphere. Economic and physical occupancy rates and warehouse revenues on a portfolio-wide basis are generally the lowest during May and June.
Economic and physical occupancy varies across our warehouse portfolio by warehouse and warehouse type because our warehouses are configured to accommodate the individual needs of our customers. We do not believe that a 100% physical occupancy rate is an ideal target for utilization of our warehouses because optimizing pallet throughput and efficient delivery of relevant warehouse services requires a certain amount of free pallet position capacity at all times in order to be able to efficiently place, store and retrieve products from pallet positions, particularly during periods of greatest occupancy or highest volume.
We plan to expand our use of minimum storage guarantees that pay us minimum or fixed storage fees for pallet positions, whether or not a minimum number of pallet positions are physically occupied. We believe that transitioning customer contracts from on-demand, as-utilized structures to minimum storage guarantee structures
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will drive NOI growth and consistency by maintaining our storage revenues during periods of lower inventories, while allowing customers to reserve space to meet their needs. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, 41.8% of our storage revenues were subject to minimum storage guarantees. We believe that implementing minimum storage guarantees will continue to boost recurring revenue and enhance stability of cash flows, while allowing customers to plan for periods of increased need by reserving capacity.
The following chart illustrates average economic and physical occupancy in our global warehousing segment for (i) each quarter during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, (ii) each of the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 and (iii) the quarter and twelve months ended March 31, 2024.
Average Economic and Physical Occupancy
in Our Global Warehousing Segment
Throughput at our Warehouses
The level and nature of throughput at our warehouses is an important factor impacting our warehouse services revenues. Throughput refers to the volume of inbound pallets that enter our warehouses plus the volume of outbound pallets that exit our warehouses, divided by two. Higher levels of throughput drive warehouse services revenues in our global warehousing segment, as customers are typically billed transactionally for these services. The nature of throughput may be driven by the expected inventory turns of the underlying product or commodity.
Ownership of our Real Estate
Historically, we have owned a significant majority of our warehouses as opposed to leasing those warehouses or entering into warehouse management arrangements with third-party owners. As of March 31, 2024, we owned approximately 80% of our global warehousing portfolio as a percentage of square feet, including ground leases and real estate for which we possess bargain purchase options, and we leased or managed 20% of our global warehousing portfolio as a percentage of square feet. We believe that the ownership of our warehouses provides us with cost of capital and balance sheet advantages, stemming from the attractive financing options available to real estate owners and the tax advantages of being a REIT. Additionally, in an acquisition, we would have the ability to utilize our UPREIT operating partnership structure to provide attractive tax-advantaged consideration (i.e., interests in our operating partnership) to potential sellers. We also believe that consolidation of the ownership and operation of our warehouses significantly enhances the value of our business by allowing us to provide customers with our complementary suite of warehouse services across one integrated and reliable cold chain network. Ownership of our integrated cold chain network enhances our ability to efficiently reposition customers and undertake capital improvements or other modifications on their behalf without the need to obtain third-party approvals that might otherwise be required for leasehold facilities or managed facilities owned by third parties. Our decision to own, rather than lease, a significant majority of our warehouses provides us with better control over the specialized nature of our assets and greater influence over our warehouse locations on a long-term basis, which is crucial to meeting our customers mission-critical cold chain needs and allows us to enhance our suite of services.
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A variety of factors influence our decision whether to own or to lease particular warehouses, including the rules applicable to REITs under the Code, specific customers requirements, our existing capacity and supply-demand imbalances, and, in the case of an acquisition of a temperature-controlled warehouse, the existing ownership structure.
Customer Overview
We believe that the average duration of our customer relationships demonstrate their sticky nature irrespective of the type of contract given the size and scope of our integrated warehouse network and the nature, quality and breadth of the services we provide. The weighted average length of our relationship with our 25 largest customers exceeds 30 years. The relationship lengths include periods where a customer was a customer of acquired companies prior to their acquisition.
The following table presents summary information on our 15 largest customers, based on total revenues for the twleve months ended March 31, 2024:
Percentage of Revenue(1) |
Relationship Length (years)(3) |
Network Utilization | ||||||||||||||||
Customer |
Credit Ratings (S&P/Moodys/Fitch)(2) |
Number of Sites |
Number of Countries |
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Fruits & Vegetables |
3.3 | % | BB+ / Ba2 / - | 41 | 26 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Retail Distribution |
3.1 | % | AA / Aa2 / AA | 32 | 18 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Beef / Poultry |
2.3 | % | BBB- / Baa3 / BBB- | 45 | 96 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Beef / Poultry |
2.1 | % | BBB / Baa2 / BBB | 49 | 57 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Packaged Foods |
2.1 | % | - / - / - | 25 | 41 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Retail Distribution |
1.6 | % | BBB / Baa2 / BBB | 49 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Beef / Poultry |
1.6 | % | BBB- / Ba1 / BBB | 6 | 32 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Packaged Foods |
1.4 | % | AA- / Aa3 / A+ | 14 | 22 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Retail Distribution |
1.2 | % | - / - / - | 48 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Beef / Poultry |
1.2 | % | A / A2 / A | 44 | 41 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Fruits & Vegetables |
1.1 | % | - / - / - | 36 | 22 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Retail Distribution |
1.1 | % | BBB / Baa2 / - | 8 | 9 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Retail Distribution |
1.0 | % | BBB / Baa1 / BBB | 22 | 35 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Retail Distribution |
0.9 | % | A / Baa2 / - | 18 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Packaged Foods |
0.9 | % | - / - / - | 40 | 25 | 4 | ||||||||||||
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Total/Weighted Average(4) |
24.8 | % | | 34 | 32 | 4 | ||||||||||||
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(1) | Based on total revenues for the twleve months ended March 31, 2024. |
(2) | Represents long-term issuer ratings as of March 31, 2024, and includes ratings of customers parent entities that may or may not guarantee such customers obligations under its contracts with us. |
(3) | Relationship lengths includes periods where a customer was a customer of acquired companies prior to their acquisition. |
(4) | Total relationship length, number of sites and number of countries shown as a revenue-weighted average of top 15 customers. |
Warehouse Storage and Rent
Our global warehousing segment revenues are generated from storing frozen and perishable food and other products and providing related warehouse services for our customers. Storage revenues relate to the act of storing products for our customers within our warehouses. Storage revenues can be in the form of storage fees we charge customers for utilization of non-exclusive space or a set amount of reserved space in a warehouse, blast freezing fees we charge customers for utilization of specific ultra-cold spaces within a warehouse designed to rapidly reduce product temperature and rent we charge customers for the lease of warehouse space pursuant to a lease agreement.
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Warehouse Services
We provide warehouse services including, but not limited to:
| receipt, handling and placement of products into the warehouse for storage and preservation; |
| retrieval of products from storage upon customer request; |
| case-picking, which involves selecting product cases from pallets to build a new pallet; |
| building customized pallets and repackaging, as well as labeling services; |
| order assembly and load consolidation; |
| exporting and importing support services; |
| container handling; |
| cross-docking, which involves transferring inbound products to outbound trucks utilizing our warehouse docks without storing them in our warehouses; and |
| government approved temperature-controlled storage and inspection services. |
Nature of Our Customer Contracts in Our Global Warehousing Segment
We utilize one of four types of contracts with our customers for use of space within our warehouses depending upon the individual needs and characteristics of the customer warehouse agreements, rate letters, tariff sheets and lease agreements. We may have one contract with a customer that covers all of the warehouses where we store products for the customer or, more typically, multiple contracts with the same customer, which may be driven by a variety of factors, such as the geographic location of the products stored by the customer or the type of products stored by the customer or the different business units of a customer.
Warehouse Agreements. Warehouse agreements are intended to specifically outline the parameters of the relationship with the specific customer while incorporating much of our standard commercial business rule framework we seek to apply to all of our contractual relationships. Warehouse agreements are designed to accommodate the individual needs and characteristics of our customers and may include negotiated provisions such as minimum storage guarantees and specified durations. We believe these terms allow our customers access to temperature-controlled warehousing space for their products on a reliable and consistent basis and help us manage and project occupancy and throughput across our warehouse network and generate predictable cash flows. Our warehouse agreements entered into under this framework may include one or more of the following negotiated features:
| A fixed term, with stated renewal periods. The initial term of our warehouse agreements generally ranges from one to five years for typical customer relationships and 10 to 20 years for build-to-suit warehouses. Renewal periods, in each case, generally range from one to five years. |
| Transactional pricing for warehouse services, with the pricing for our storage and warehouse services based on the anticipated profile of our customer outlining the anticipated pallet occupancy of the customer, anticipated throughput of pallets delivered and retrieved annually and expectations regarding the warehouse services to be used by the customer. Many of our warehouse agreements provide us the flexibility to seek equitable rate increases if the actual customer relationship is materially different than that contained in the customer profile. |
| Pricing increase mechanisms based on inflationary cost increases and customer profile changes that materially affect our cost structures. These price increase mechanisms may be fixed or tied to relevant market indices, giving us the ability to recover cost increases which are incorporated in the indices, such as wage increases and increases in rent, power, real estate and other costs. Additionally, for customers whose contracts are not explicitly fixed or tied to relevant market indices, we typically negotiate rate increases annually to offset increases in wages, power or similar operating costs. |
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| A storage fee based on a minimum storage guarantee of the customer, plus additional storage fees based on additional on demand storage used by the customer. Minimum storage guarantees provide us additional clarity around the expected occupancy of our warehouses and give our customers certainty around anticipated storage costs and dependable pallet availability over the term of the agreement. |
| A warehousemans lien on customer products held in our warehouses as security for payments. |
| Requirement that customers pay for services provided under the contract within 30 days or less after being invoiced and permitting us to charge interest for any late payments. |
Rate Letters. Rate letters are agreements that typically establish storage fee rates on products stored in our warehouses and rates for warehouse services pursuant to terms set forth on a standardized warehouse receipt and related rate schedule. Rate letters may have terms similar to our warehouse agreements, including minimum storage guarantees, and are typically for a term of one year or less. Our standard terms and conditions afford us favorable, industry-standard contractual protections and are generally not subject to negotiation with customers that enter into rate letters, other than relating to minimum storage guarantees or other commitments. Rate letters generally require our customers to pay for storage in seven to 30-day increments, with the majority of our rate letters in the United States using 30-day increments, beginning when customers products are delivered to our warehouses. We generally charge storage fees based on the number of pallets our customers occupy under rate letters; however, like warehouse agreements, our rate letters may provide for minimum storage or other guarantees. Rate letters typically also include mechanisms to adjust rates for inflationary cost increases or customer profile changes.
Tariff Sheets. Similar to rate letters, tariff sheets are agreements that establish storage fee rates on products stored in our warehouses and rates for warehouse services on an as-utilized, on-demand basis, pursuant to terms set forth on a standardized warehouse receipt but that do not require the customer to use our warehouse or for us to reserve space for these customers; however, our tariff sheets in certain jurisdictions may provide for a de minimis minimum monthly payment from a customer to maintain its access to a given warehouse. Tariff sheets are non-negotiable and based on our standard terms and conditions and a tariff rate schedule. Our tariff sheets are updated annually, and the agreements are also short-term in nature and can generally be updated upon 30-days advance notice, which provides the flexibility to pass through inflationary cost increases.
Leases. We lease space to certain customers that desire to manage their own temperature-controlled warehousing or carry on processing operations in warehouses adjacent, or in close proximity, to their production facilities. As of March 31, 2024, we owned 26 facilities which were wholly leased to customers with approximately 148.5 million cubic feet of temperature-controlled capacity and had separately entered into 165 leases with individual warehouse customers to lease a room or space in our other warehouses. Our customer leased warehouses are typically leased to third parties, such as food producers, distributors and retailers, under triple net lease agreements pursuant to which the customer is responsible for all costs incurred for facility maintenance, insurance, taxes, utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the applicable warehouse and the business conducted at the applicable warehouse. We typically charge our customers that are party to these leases rent based on the square footage leased in our warehouses. Our leases of less than a full facility to individual customers are typically on a gross or modified gross basis that generally require the landlord to pay for maintenance and repairs of common areas and building systems and hold the tenant responsible for all or certain other costs. We consider the creditworthiness of a potential tenant to be an important consideration in determining whether to engage in a new lease agreement. Credit evaluations may include a general business credit background and/or business reports with respect to a potential tenant prior to entering into a new lease. With respect to any proposed lease of material size, duration, or capital outlay, we may also require, among other things, historical financial statements for review and evaluation.
The following table sets forth a summary schedule of the expirations for any customer contracts featuring minimum storage guarantees and for leases in effect as of March 31, 2024 and for the partial year beginning
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April 1, 2024 and each of the periods set forth below occurring thereafter. The information set forth in the table assumes no exercise of extension options under these contracts and leases.
Number of Contracts |
Annualized Committed Rent & Storage Revenue(1) |
% of Total Rent & Storage Revenue |
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Month to Month |
98 | 57,036 | 6.6 | % | ||||||||
2024 |
429 | 345,564 | 39.9 | % | ||||||||
2025 |
152 | 132,561 | 15.3 | % | ||||||||
2026 |
78 | 63,528 | 7.3 | % | ||||||||
2027 |
33 | 30,440 | 3.5 | % | ||||||||
2028 |
37 | 51,058 | 5.9 | % | ||||||||
2029 |
7 | 8,417 | 1.0 | % | ||||||||
2030 |
12 | 14,267 | 1.6 | % | ||||||||
2031 |
5 | 7,522 | 0.9 | % | ||||||||
2032 |
6 | 23,074 | 2.7 | % | ||||||||
2033 |
5 | 8,126 | 0.9 | % | ||||||||
2034 |
1 | 90 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
2035 and thereafter |
19 | 125,067 | 14.4 | % | ||||||||
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Total |
882 | 866,750 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
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(1) | Represents monthly minimum storage guarantees and lease rental payments under the applicable warehouse agreements, rate letters and leases as of March 31, 2024, multiplied by 12. |
Our Global Integrated Solutions Segment
Our global integrated solutions segment provides our customers with solutions to move products through the food supply chain. The majority of our customers supply chain costs come from the movement of their products between warehouse nodes, rather than from the cost of warehousing. We believe transportation represents on average more than three times the cost of warehousing as part of our customers supply chain expense. Our integrated solutions provide value-added benefits to warehousing customers, helping them to reduce transport costs while enabling us to generate additional revenue on the same product stored.
We operate several critical and value-added temperature-controlled business lines within our global integrated solutions segment, including, among others, transportation and refrigerated rail car leasing. Within transportation, which is the largest area within our global integrated solutions segment, our core focus areas are multi-vendor less-than-full-truckload consolidation, drayage services to and from ports, over-the-road trucking and freight forwarding. We also provide foodservice distribution in select markets and e-commerce fulfillment services. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, transportation and refrigerated rail car leasing together accounted for approximately 67% of our global integrated solutions segment NOI.
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We believe that data-driven visibility into our customers warehouse volumes and shipping destinations enables us to provide efficient integrated solutions. These services deepen our customer relationships, allow for an all services under one roof experience and promote cross-sale opportunities within our warehouses. As we collaborate with our customers across their supply chains, we seek to reduce waste and redundancy and deliver more cost efficient and sustainable solutions for them. We believe that our comprehensive set of integrated solutions offerings differentiates us from our competitors, positions us well to win new business, strengthens customer retention and enhances the value of our warehousing business.
For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, we estimate that approximately 93% of our total NOI was generated by our warehouse customers (based on our global warehousing segment NOI and, as it relates to our global integrated solutions segment NOI, the relative revenue contribution from our warehouse customers who utilize one or more of our integrated solutions and our customers who exclusively utilize our integrated solutions).
The following chart summarizes our total NOI generation from Lineage warehouse customers who utilize one or more integrated solutions and Lineage customers who exclusively utilize Lineage integrated solutions:
NOI by Customer Type
(1) | Estimated based on global warehousing segment NOI for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 and, as it relates to Lineages global integrated solutions segment NOI, the relative revenue contribution from Lineage warehouse customers who utilize one or more integrated solutions and Lineage customers who exclusively utilize Lineage integrated solutions. |
(2) | Total NOI represents the sum of both the global warehousing segment and global integrated solutions segment. |
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Our Competitive Strengths
We believe we are the premier technology-enabled temperature-controlled warehousing REIT in the world, as evidenced by the following competitive strengths:
We are the global leader in a fragmented industry with meaningful scale and network benefits.
We are the largest temperature-controlled warehousing company globally, including in some of the worlds largest developed markets such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia and New Zealand. As measured by cubic feet of storage space, we are approximately twice the size of our next largest competitor globally and are as large as our next nine global competitors combined, as reflected in the charts below.
Estimate of Top 10 Global Temperature-Controlled
Companies Cubic Feet Capacity and Market Share
Source: | 2024 GCCA Global Top 25 List (April 2024), except Lineage figures, which are based on company data as of March 31, 2024, and Americold Realty Trust, Inc. (Americold) figures, which are based on public filings of Americold with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as of March 31, 2024. We present data with respect to Americold, as Americold is our largest competitor for whom data is publicly available. Global market share is based on total global capacity from 2020 GCCA Global Cold Storage Capacity Report (August 2020). |
(1) | As of March 31, 2024, Lineage owned 9.0% of the investment interests in Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings LLC as well as a right to receive an additional portion of certain profits generated by Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings LLC, which could represent anywhere from zero to 10% of the additional profits generated on invested capital. |
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Estimate of Top 10 North American Temperature-Controlled
Companies Cubic Feet Capacity and Market Share
Source: | April 2024 GCCA North America Top 25 List (April 2024), except Lineage figures, which are based on company data as of March 31, 2024, and Americold figures, which are based on public filings of Americold with the SEC as of March 31, 2024. North America market share based total North American capacity from 2020 GCCA Global Cold Storage Capacity Report (August 2020). |
Approximately 97% of our global warehousing segment revenues are from countries in which our local network of temperature-controlled warehouses is the largest, as measured by cubic feet of capacity. The interconnected nature of our global warehouse network aligns with the global nature of many of our customers, allowing us to provide warehousing services to many of them across multiple geographies. On average, our top 25 customers utilize 23 of our facilities per customer, and eight of our top 10 customers use our facilities in multiple countries. Importantly, we believe customers equate the Lineage brand with service, quality and safety around the world, which provides an advantage over local competitors.
We believe that our network and the economies of scale in our business drive operational leverage and allow us to invest in customer service and technology, which, in turn, attracts more customers. With a larger customer base, we believe that we can leverage our resources more efficiently, supporting strong profitability. Moreover, our growing customer base enables us to gather and analyze vast amounts of data. We believe that this data-driven approach empowers us to continuously refine our operations, improve productivity and lower operating costs, creating a win-win scenario for both our customers and Lineage.
We believe that it would be difficult and costly to replace or replicate our network of temperature-controlled facilities given the high and rising value of industrial land, difficulties in obtaining land and zoning entitlements and approvals and the significant and increasing construction costs of temperature-controlled warehouses. As of March 31, 2024, we owned approximately 80% of our global warehousing portfolio as a percentage of square feet, including ground leases and real estate for which we possess bargain purchase options, and we leased or managed 20% of our global warehousing portfolio as a percentage of square feet. We have a deep sales pipeline via the largest existing customer base and sales group in the industry, a recognized and respected brand among customers, the broadest suite of temperature-controlled services through our global integrated solutions segment, our innovative technology, extensive development experience, a broad industry knowledgebase and a flexible balance sheet and favorable cost of capital. In addition, we believe that our skilled and experienced team of over 26,000 team members provide a differentiated service that would be difficult to replicate, as they are trained to operate in a highly-specialized environment while complying with stringent food safety requirements.
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Our high quality portfolio is located in highly desirable and strategic locations around the world
Our cubic-foot weighted average facility age is approximately 21 years, which we believe is significantly younger than that of our largest publicly traded peer and of the broader temperature-controlled warehousing industry. Moreover, our portfolio includes 81 fully- and semi-automated warehouses, which we believe is the most of any cold storage provider in the world, making our network the most technologically advanced in our industry. We believe that modern warehouses are more desirable to our customers because of their increased operational efficiency and enhanced ability to meet todays most sophisticated customer needs.
We have a robust presence in key metropolitan statistical areas, or MSAs, and ports throughout the United States with a larger number of facilities in such locations relative to our largest competitor, which drives a significantly higher weighted average population density of approximately 3,100 persons per square mile.
We have a particularly strong presence in top-tier U.S. markets, including New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles and Southern California, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Kansas City, Denver, Philadelphia, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, the Bay Area and Northern California, Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. We consider these U.S. markets to be key geographies, as we believe they have among the highest industrial real estate values and lowest cap rates in our industry.
For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, 76% of our NOI was from distribution centers and approximately 48% of our NOI was from warehouses located near ports, many of which are in the key distribution markets. This solidifies the mission-critical nature of our portfolio in highly desirable locations for imports, exports and local consumption and distribution. We believe our facilities are strategic to our customer base with locations that serve as critical hubs within their supply chains.
Our business is highly diversified across geographies, commodities and a high-quality, loyal customer base.
Our business profile is highly diversified, which reduces risks to our cash flows from potential headwinds linked to any one facility, market, commodity, food consumption channel or customer. We have 482 facilities globally, with no facility accounting for more than 1.1% of revenues during the twelve months ended March 31, 2024.
The following charts provide information regarding the temperature-controlled warehouses in our global warehousing segment that we owned, leased or managed in each of the regions in which we operated as of March 31, 2024.
Warehouse Segment Geographic Revenue and NOI Diversification
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Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
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In addition, our global warehousing segment revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 were diversified by commodity type as demonstrated by the graph below:
Commodity Type as Percentage of Global Warehousing Segment Revenue
Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
We offer a broad range of warehousing services and integrated solutions around the world for a variety of customers with complex requirements in the food supply chain. As of March 31, 2024, we served more than 13,000 customers around the world across numerous commodity categories and with complex requirements in the food supply chain. Approximately 32.0% of our total revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 came from our top 25 customers. Our customer base was highly diversified, with no customer accounting for more than 3.3% of revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024.
The following chart sets forth the percentage of our total revenues attributable to our top 15 and top 25 customers for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024.
Customers as Percentage of Total Revenue
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We target dependable customers with strong credit profiles, as evidenced by the fact that over 60% of the revenue generated from our top 25 customers is from companies with at least one investment grade rating at the parent or subsidiary level from Moodys, S&P or Fitch. Additionally, 93% of our top 25 customers that are publicly-traded or have a publicly-traded parent company also have at least one investment grade rating.
The stability of our business is further supported by long-term contracts with most of our largest customers by revenues in our global warehousing segment. These long-term contracts often include minimum storage guarantees that generate minimum or fixed storage revenues regardless of whether the underlying pallet positions are occupied. As of March 31, 2024, 41.8% of Lineages storage revenues were subject to minimum storage guarantees.
Our customer base is loyal, with a weighted average customer relationship, including relationships with legacy companies we acquired, of over 30 years across our current top 25 customers based on revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. We believe this loyalty is driven by:
| the mission-critical role we play in our customers cold chain; |
| the expansive and interconnected nature of our warehouse network; |
| the locations of our warehouses and the services we offer; |
| the comprehensive suite of integrated solutions that we offer to our customers; and |
| excellent customer service and innovative technologies. |
Through a combination of our vast warehouse network, integrated solutions, innovative technology, and dedicated team of supply chain professionals, we strive to deliver the highest quality of service to our customers, tailored to their specific product and location needs. Our commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in our long-standing partnerships with some of the worlds largest and most critical food producers and retailers, as well as a reputation as a trusted strategic partner in the food supply chain industry.
Our complementary, value-added global integrated solutions segment drives customer value, retention and growth.
In addition to our temperature-controlled warehousing operations, we offer a comprehensive suite of value-added integrated solutions that we believe are highly complementary and valuable to our warehouse customers. These services deepen our customer relationships by providing an all services under one roof experience and promoting cross-sell opportunities. Given the majority of our customers supply chain costs come from product movement versus storage, this integration provides a value-added benefit to warehousing customers of reducing transport costs while enabling us to generate additional revenue on the same product stored. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, we estimate that approximately 93% of our total NOI was generated by our warehouse customers (based on our global warehousing segment NOI and, as it relates to our global integrated solutions segment NOI, the relative revenue contribution from our warehouse customers who utilize one or more of our integrated solutions and our customers who exclusively utilize our integrated solutions).
We believe we can grow our global integrated solutions segment by offering these services to customers who have not yet utilized them, often with minimal incremental capital investments required, and likewise that our integrated solutions offerings can generate customer leads for our global warehousing segment.
Our highly synergistic platform differentiates us from our competitors, supports a strong win rate with new business, enhances customer loyalty and increases the value of our warehousing business.
We believe we are an innovative industry leader driving disruption with differentiated technology.
In a traditionally analog, fragmented and family-owned industry, we believe that our innovation and large-scale deployment of cutting-edge technology provides a comprehensive service offering for our customers that
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enhances our competitive position relative to our peers, while driving industry-leading growth and margins. Since the start of 2019, we have invested more than $725 million into transformational technology initiatives, which include developing, acquiring and deploying both proprietary operating systems and third-party platforms, an amount we believe is more than any of our industry competitors. In addition, since the start of 2019, we have deployed approximately $380 million to capital and operating expenses in information technology investments. This investment encompasses migrating workloads to the cloud, implementing SaaS-based tools, rolling out next-generation SD-WAN, and upgrading our core human capital and financial ERP software. These initiatives are strategically designed to standardize, integrate, and enhance the technological framework across our enterprise. In addition, our deliberate and forward-thinking focus has allowed us to create what we believe is the largest automated portfolio in the industry with 81 fully-and semi-automated facilities backed by innovative proprietary software and an in-house automation team. Due to the increasing demand for automated solutions from our customers, the higher construction cost of automated facilities and the complexity of implementing automated solutions, we expect the growth of automation in our warehouse network to be a key differentiator for Lineage over time.
Some key elements of our technology strategy include the following:
| Establishing a highly integrated platform. We use a standardized and disciplined approach to apply our best practices to integrating acquired companies. This has been a core part of our strategy since our inception. As of March 31, 2024, approximately 95% of our global warehousing segment revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 was integrated on our human capital and financial ERP software. As of March 31, 2024, approximately 69% of our global warehousing segment revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 flowed through one of our four Core WMS, excluding facilities leased to customers and managed facilities. We are in the process of growing this percentage across our network. From 2019 through March 31, 2024, we converted over 100 facilities to Core WMS, demonstrating our strong conversion record and ability to increase the penetration rate quickly. As of March 31, 2024, all of our global warehousing segment revenue was reporting on metricsOne, a proprietary operating KPI dashboard that provides enhanced visibility into our operational execution, labor, safety and financial performance. |
| Providing a superior customer experience to support growth and retention. We have deployed proprietary operating systems and third-party platforms to improve customer experience and retention. We have developed Lineage Link, a proprietary customer visibility platform that empowers customers to actively manage their inventories, orders, shipments and transportation appointment scheduling across our warehouse network, which seeks to drive incremental NOI through increased efficiencies for customers and Lineage. Through March 31, 2024, Lineage Link had been rolled out across approximately 63% of our network as measured by global warehousing segment revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, and we are in the process of further growing its penetration. We believe these technologies will support customer retention as we improve our responsiveness to our customers complex and evolving needs. |
| Maximizing yield and productivity to support leading NOI growth. We are in the initial phases of deploying proprietary operating systems and third-party platforms to seek to drive NOI yield, operational productivity and process automation across our warehouse network and thereby drive margin improvement. Our specialized warehouse execution system, LinOS, is engineered to boost our operational efficiency. It employs unique, patented algorithms to optimize task allocation among team members and strategically prioritize tasks within our warehouses. Currently operational in one of our automated facilities, LinOS shows significant potential for extensive deployment across our conventional warehouse network in the future. In addition, we are implementing a third-party contracting and invoicing platform that automates the processes of quoting, contracting and invoicing, which we believe will lead to more dynamic and standardized implementation of revenue growth initiatives. As of March 31, 2024, this platform had been rolled out across facilities comprising approximately 58% of our network as measured by global warehousing segment revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024, and we are in the process of further growing its penetration. In |
addition, our productivity and process automation initiatives are supported by our in-house data science |
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team, which is comprised of 50 applied science and product professionals that provide data-driven business intelligence and innovations to maximize operational efficiencies, revenues, profitability, energy efficiency and cash flows. Our innovations have yielded 96 patents issued and 151 patents pending as of March 31, 2024, in such areas as facility design, methods and mechanisms for operating facilities, refrigeration and thermodynamic designs and cold-rated instrumentation. |
We have a purpose-driven, experienced, and aligned management team and board of directors that believe robust corporate governance is essential to long-term value creation for all stockholders.
Our experienced management team and board of directors have proven backgrounds both inside and outside the temperature-controlled warehousing industry. Since founding Lineage with a single asset in 2008, our Co-Founders and Co-Executive Chairmen have developed a strong operating and capital deployment track record while displaying a commitment to building a durable business. The average tenure of members of our senior management is over eight years. Our management team is led by our Chief Executive Officer, Greg Lehmkuhl, who joined our company in 2015.
Our governance structure, policies and processes are designed to serve the needs of our business, our stockholders and other stakeholders, and to promote a culture of accountability across our company. We believe that fostering a compliant, ethical, accountable and transparent culture requires the full engagement of our board of directors and management. The diversity of our team members experiences and backgrounds is core to our innovative culture, and our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, is highlighted by our establishment of multiple Employee Resource Groups, or ERGs, to support and strengthen our team.
Our board of directors provides oversight and guidance on our most important activities and matters, including the direction and performance of our strategy. We believe our directors offer diversity of thought and a range of experiences and expertise that contribute to the ongoing evolution of our company. Since the beginning of 2022, we added three highly experienced independent female directors to our board of directors. As we pursue our purpose and live our values, we remain focused on maintaining robust governance practices and taking measures to continually enhance our approach to governance. To date, we have undertaken an independence analysis of our board of directors and have created focused board committees, including an audit committee, compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee.
Finally, as evidence of the confidence in our company, our current equity holders represent some of the strongest and most sophisticated institutional investors globally. We have raised more than $9.0 billion of equity capital since inception and more than $8.5 billion since the start of 2018 from these investors over multiple capital raises (in each case, including equity issued to sellers in connection with our acquisitions and reinvestment by our Co-Founders).
We have a strong and flexible balance sheet and we have demonstrated access to debt and equity capital to support growth.
As of March 31, 2024, on a pro forma basis, our balance sheet will be de-levered to total debt and debt-like obligations (defined as total debt, net plus financing lease obligations and failed sale-leaseback financing obligations) to net income (loss) and net debt to Adjusted EBITDA, % of our debt will be unsecured and % of our debt will be fixed or interest rate hedged and our total liquidity, including cash on hand and available revolver capacity, will be $ billion, supporting our external growth strategy. Additionally, our Revolving Credit Facility provides flexibility in funding our greenfield and expansion development pipeline and future acquisition opportunities, while our owned real estate provides us flexibility to access various financing options that may not be available otherwise and, in turn, allows us to access financing markets with the goal of minimizing our cost of capital. We may also attempt to access property-level secured debt, bank debt and the unsecured bond market, in each case across multiple currencies and geographies, which would provide us with capital-raising flexibility to fund our operations. We will have also increased our unencumbered asset pool to over $ billion on a pro forma basis as of March 31, 2024, which we believe will provide us with the ability to upsize our facilities while maintaining future flexibility once we become a
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public company. We intend to preserve a flexible capital structure with an investment grade profile. We believe that our balance sheet flexibility and strength will allow us to continue expanding our business and pursue new growth opportunities.
We operate with the purpose to transform the global food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world.
As we strive to play a key role in shaping the global food chain, we recognize our responsibility to help create a more sustainable, equitable future. Accordingly, we work to strategically integrate sustainability initiatives into the way we do business, working to act in alignment with our core values to guide our policies.
To help tackle food insecurity, we established the Lineage Foundation for Good as a non-profit charity to serve the communities in which we operate. The foundation partners with Feeding America domestically as well as the Global Food Banking Network internationally to redirect surplus food to those in need. In response to COVID-19, we launched our Share a Meal Campaign with Feeding America, supporting the organizations temperature-controlled supply chain needs with our assets. Since 2020, we have donated the equivalent of over 176 million meals, including through our Share a Meal Campaign and in partnership with customers donating surplus product, team members donating food to local food banks and grants issued to help build capacity at food banks around the globe. As a result of these and other initiatives, we were named a Visionary Partner of Feeding America and a Fast Companys 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards finalist in the Pandemic Response category.
We have also signed The Climate Pledge, committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions across our global operations by 2040. Signing The Climate Pledge demonstrates our commitment to minimize the carbon emissions associated with our daily operations. Through solar installations at our facilities, we had installed capacity of 108 megawatts of solar energy as of December 1, 2022, which places us as the fifth-largest corporate producer in the United States, and the second-largest REIT producer, of on-site solar and battery capacity per the 2022 Solar Means Business Report published by the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA). Our goal is to achieve a top-three corporate ranking in the coming years. Having installed 87 megawatts of solar panels at our facilities since 2020, we have completed more on-site solar installations than any other company on the SEIA list during the same period. Our energy efficiency initiatives have resulted in four consecutive awards from the U.S. Department of Energy from 2019 to 2022 for innovations and leadership in flywheeling, blast freezing, energy procurement and hedging and deployment of advanced refrigeration control systems.
We seek to maximize energy efficiency in our warehouses through the application of best practices, the latest technology and alternative energy generation. Our best practices include energy hedging strategies and a centralized energy and sustainability team that deploys these initiatives across our network to ensure standardization and minimization of energy waste. In addition to our focus on generating alternative sources of energy, the technologies we deploy to optimize energy efficiency include variable frequency drives, refrigeration control systems, rapid close doors, motion sensor technology, LED lighting and flywheeling, an innovative process that leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to manage energy load based on predictions of peak demand. As multinational corporations increasingly require supplier adherence to their own sustainability goals, Lineage recognizes its role in global sustainability, and we are continuously refining and improving our processes to reduce energy waste.
Further demonstrating our continued commitment to sustainable business practices, our Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility features a sustainability-linked pricing component, with pricing subject to adjustment based on annual performance targets in areas such as solar energy capacity and female representation in leadership.
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Our Growth Strategy
Our objective is to maximize stockholder value by growing our business to expand solutions for our customers, creating opportunities for new and existing team members and driving innovation across our business and the supply chain to create efficiencies and increase sustainability. We believe these objectives are supported by our strategy for growth illustrated in our growth flywheel:
| We grow our same warehouse NOI and free cash flow through numerous organic business initiatives we have developed over many years. This growth helps delever our balance sheet and creates capacity for new investments. |
| Our strong cash flows and our tax efficient REIT structure help to create an efficient and attractive cost of capital to support our inorganic growth. |
| We deploy our capital into a deep pipeline of investments within our existing facilities, accretive greenfield and expansion development projects and acquisition opportunities at returns in excess of our cost of capital. |
| We then use our organic business initiatives and drive operational and administrative synergies to seek to grow our same warehouse NOI and cash flows post investment. |
| We then repeat the process through our growth flywheel. |
Same Warehouse Growth
We have a history of robust same warehouse growth with strong operating leverage and cash flow generation. In 2023, our same warehouse NOI was $1,210.9 million, representing growth of 15.3% compared to same warehouse NOI of $1,050.6 million the prior year, and in 2022, our same warehouse NOI was $936.2 million, representing growth of 12.7% compared to same warehouse NOI of $830.5 million in 2021, which growth rates compare favorably to those of our largest competitor and publicly traded peer. Our same warehouse NOI margins of 40.3% in 2023 compared to 37.2% in the prior year and 39.0% in 2022 compared to 38.8% in the prior year compare favorably to those of our largest publicly traded competitor. In addition, we increased our global same warehouse storage revenue per economic pallet 6.2% and 8.1% and our same warehouse services revenue per pallet 7.4% and 13.8% in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
We expect to continue our organic growth through the following business initiatives:
| Leverage the scale of our warehouse network and the breadth of our integrated solutions offerings to win new customers and expand our footprint with existing customers; |
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| Maximize our same warehouse NOI growth through occupancy and commercial optimization initiatives; |
| Further implement productivity tools and cost containment measures; |
| Use our integrated platform, scalable corporate infrastructure and business processes to realize synergies from recent acquisitions and drive same warehouse growth post-acquisition; |
| Strategically deploy innovative technologies to provide customers more sophisticated solutions while enhancing profitability; and |
| Transform the industry through our data science driven approach to warehouse control and design. |
Accretive Capital Deployment
A cross functional network optimization, data science and automation team has overseen 39 major greenfield or expansion projects since the start of 2019, with total cost of approximately $1.2 billion, representing an NOI yield of approximately 9% to 11%. The total aggregate cubic feet of these projects is approximately 291 million, which is equivalent to the total warehousing capacity of the fourth largest standalone global temperature-controlled warehousing company. Since 2019, this team has also supported more than 375 economic return on capital projects within our warehouses to enhance organic growth. We have spent significant time and cost to establish a team of experts in construction, energy, automation and innovation, and we believe our development process and expertise, together with our robust pipeline of facility expansions and greenfield development, has the potential ability to drive future growth and ongoing value to our stockholders.
We believe we are an acquiror of choice in the industry, as demonstrated by our long history of acquiring leading companies through direct sourcing and long-term relationships with their owners. Our acquisition strategy targets profitable businesses with strategic, high-quality assets that complement our network and customers needs. These businesses often present opportunities to accretively deploy capital and recognize revenue and cost synergies. We have extensive experience acquiring cold chain companies of all sizes. In the last 16 years we have executed 116 acquisitions with nearly two-thirds of those proprietarily sourced. Moreover, through 2023, we have achieved an approximately 12% NOI compounded annual growth rate from the temperature-controlled warehousing companies we acquired during the period of 2011 through 2021, excluding additional NOI growth as a result of post-acquisition greenfield and expansion initiatives, demonstrating the positive impact of Lineages comprehensive approach to integration and Lineages ability to compound capital over a long period of time.
We intend to continue our track record of accretive capital deployment through the following business initiatives:
| Invest in potentially accretive projects across our existing facilities to enhance same warehouse growth; |
| Execute on our greenfield and existing facility expansion initiatives; and |
| Capitalize on strategically attractive and financially accretive acquisition opportunities. |
Same Warehouse Growth
Same Warehouse Growth: Leverage the scale of our warehouse network and the breadth of our integrated solutions offerings to win new customers and expand our footprint with existing customers.
As the worlds largest temperature-controlled warehouse REIT based on cubic feet, we believe our portfolio of strategically located temperature-controlled warehouses and comprehensive set of integrated solutions create
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the scale and breadth of services to maximize value for both existing and new customers. Our platform includes 482 warehouses and is supported by more than 26,000 dedicated team members across 19 countries. Our modern warehousing assets are predominantly located in key port and infill locations that are strategic to customers of the cold chain. We believe the interconnected nature of our network and our presence in these strategic locations enables us to provide comprehensive solutions, competitively positioning us to both win new business and expand our footprint with existing customers.
Our warehouse portfolio is complemented by our integrated solutions business, offering an all services under one roof experience for our customers, providing our customers a holistic solution to their complex needs. This approach supports our growth by deepening our relationships with existing customers as well as allowing us to compete effectively for new customers. Additionally, the depth of our relationships allows us to seek to increase the penetration of customers utilizing both warehousing and integrated solutions.
Providing a global system of top-tier warehouses and ever broadening services has deepened our customer relationships with a growing customer base. As evidence of the interconnected nature of our warehouse and integrated solutions segments, as of March 31, 2024 our top 25 customers utilize an average of 23 of our warehouses per customer, with eight of our top 10 customers using our facilities in multiple countries. The interconnected nature of our integrated solutions business is demonstrated by our estimate that approximately 93% of our total NOI was generated by our warehouse customers for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 (based on our global warehousing segment NOI and, as it relates to our global integrated solutions segment NOI, the relative revenue contribution from our warehouse customers who utilize one or more of our integrated solutions and our customers who exclusively utilize our integrated solutions).
Same Warehouse Growth: Maximize our same warehouse NOI growth through occupancy and commercial optimization initiatives.
We seek to grow our same warehouse NOI through occupancy and commercial optimization initiatives. Our occupancy initiatives are highlighted by a focus on optimizing physical warehouse occupancy and improving economic occupancy through increased use of minimum storage guarantees, while our commercial optimization initiatives are enabled by customer profitability tools and allowing us to align rates charged to customers with our cost to serve.
| Optimizing Physical Warehouse Occupancy Through Increased Utilization. Increases in warehouse physical occupancy generate high flow-through to NOI due to operational leverage. We seek to optimize physical occupancy in our existing warehouse network by winning new customers, expanding our business with existing customers and more efficiently matching customer profiles to the best available pallet positions in our markets. We support these initiatives with a team of sales and customer account management people who are focused on using the Lineage network to solve customers supply chain needs. These utilization initiatives have increased our physical occupancy from 78.0% in 2021 to 79.2% in 2022 and to 80.0% in 2023. |
| Increasing use of Minimum Storage Guarantees to Improve Economic Occupancy. We plan to expand our use of minimum storage guarantees that pay us minimum or fixed storage fees for pallet positions, whether they are physically occupied or not. We believe that transitioning certain customer contracts from on-demand, as-utilized structures to minimum storage guarantee structures will drive greater consistency of our NOI by increasing revenue predictability and enabling us to better manage our labor force while meeting customers needs. This strategy helps maintain our storage revenues during periods of lower inventories matching ongoing revenue streams with fixed warehousing costs while allowing customers to reserve space to meet their needs. We believe that implementing minimum storage guarantees will continue to boost recurring revenue and enhance stability of cash flows, while allowing customers to plan for periods of increased need by reserving capacity and ultimately enabling a better temperature-controlled warehousing experience for our customers. Our minimum storage guarantee initiatives have increased our economic occupancy from 82.3% in 2021 to 83.2% in 2022 and to 86.0% in 2023. |
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| Commercial Optimization Initiatives. We employ three main types of customer contracts: warehouse agreements, rate letters and tariff sheets. We also earn rent under lease agreements pursuant to which we lease a portion of a warehouse or an entire warehouse. Warehouse agreements and rate letters generally provide us with some flexibility to pass on rate increases to customers during the term of the contract. Warehouse agreements and rate letters often also include mechanisms to adjust rates for inflationary cost increases and customer profile changes, while tariff sheets are short-term in nature and can generally be updated upon 30 days advance notice. We are generally able to translate industry-wide rent increases into storage rate increases to customers, and our various rate adjustment mechanisms generally allow us to pass on both storage and handling rate increases to customers as necessary to account for inflation in operational costs such as wages, power and warehouse supplies as well. Additionally, we have been refining an array of tools to evaluate relative customer profitability to ensure that we are allocating our warehouse space to the customers that value it the most. |
| Aligning Rates with Cost to Serve. We are deploying technologies such as a third-party contracting and invoicing platform to professionalize our commercial optimization capabilities across our company. We are driving standardization of rates across our warehouse network as well as seeking to implement standardized billing practices to ensure that we are adequately compensated for all services performed. Incremental cost to serve charges capturing previously unbilled services are anticipated to support NOI growth as these initiatives are implemented across our warehouse network. In addition, to deliver the best service and most efficient cost to serve, we seek to closely monitor agreed-upon customer profiles in our contracts and make pricing adjustments as necessary to compensate for variances. |
Same Warehouse Growth: Further implement productivity and cost containment measures to grow same warehouse NOI.
We seek to grow our NOI by reducing our operating expenses with a specific emphasis on two of the largest cost drivers facing the temperature-controlled warehouse industry: labor and energy.
| Labor Productivity. Labor and benefits represent the largest variable cost of operating a temperature-controlled warehouse. We employ multiple strategies to maximize labor productivity, such as our focus on lean operating principles and our emphasis on team member retention. The implementation of lean operating principles drives operational excellence, which we believe leads to greater productivity and consistency over time resulting in better customer service and better operating results in certified warehouses. We anticipate the implementation of these operating principles will support NOI growth as we significantly expand internal certification in our portfolio from 67 warehouses certified out of 482 total warehouses as of March 31, 2024. We internally certify warehouses based on their progression across six categoriesculture, standardized work, visual management, problem solving, just-in-time and quality process. Our focus on labor retention through total rewards, market wage benchmarking, team member onboarding and training leads to increased tenure and reduced turnover, which generally increases productivity, reduces recruiting costs and has knock-on benefits in other areas of the warehouse such as reduced maintenance expense and claims, as well as better customer service. We have extensive experience with many of these tools through various labor market conditions, including the challenging labor market driven by COVID-19. We are seeing evidence that these tools are having a positive impact as the labor market continues to normalize post pandemic. |
| Energy Efficiency. We seek to maximize energy efficiency in our warehouses through the application of best practices, implementation of the latest technology and generation of alternative sources of energy. Our best practices include energy hedging strategies and a centralized energy and sustainability team that deploys these initiatives across our network to ensure standardization and minimization of energy waste. The technologies we deploy to optimize energy efficiency include variable frequency drives, advanced refrigeration control systems, rapid close doors, motion sensor technology, LED lighting and flywheeling, an innovative process that leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to manage energy load based on predictions of power prices based on fluctuations in demand. Our approach to generating alternative sources of energy is primarily through the deployment |
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of onsite solar, onsite battery capacity and onsite generators. Our focus on energy efficiency in our portfolio reduces our operating costs and supports stronger and more predictable NOI margins and growth while also supporting our sustainability initiatives. |
Same Warehouse Growth: Use our integrated platform, scalable corporate infrastructure and business processes to realize synergies from recent acquisitions and drive same warehouse growth post-acquisition.
We have a long history of acquiring and integrating companies into the Lineage platform and expect to continue to drive growth from more recently acquired companies as well as acquisitions in the future. We anticipate driving future growth by leveraging our broad and deep customer relationships, applying our management best practices, driving penetration of our suite of integrated solutions and technology offerings, investing growth capital and generating cost efficiencies through our corporate scale and elimination of redundant overhead expenses.
Since inception, we have demonstrated an ability to drive growth from the integration of acquisitions to capture synergies and fuel greater future earnings potential. We believe we will continue to unlock potential substantial value from acquired companies. Moreover, through 2023, we have achieved an approximately 12% NOI compounded annual growth rate from the temperature-controlled warehousing companies we acquired during the period of 2011 through 2021, excluding additional NOI growth as a result of post-acquisition greenfield and expansion initiatives, demonstrating the positive impact of Lineages comprehensive approach to integration and Lineages ability to compound capital over a long period of time.
Our rapid pace of inorganic expansion and the need for significant integration resources and the expense related to Core WMS conversions have resulted in substantial growth in general and administrative expenses. As we integrate our many acquired businesses, we are focused on realizing the benefits of scale and operational leverage and believe we have opportunities to further eliminate redundant overhead expenses and reduce expenditures on integration resources over time. Historically, as we have integrated acquired companies, we have also often been able to generate synergies in areas such as procurement, benefits and insurance, where our corporate programs are often more efficient than those of the acquired companies and anticipate continuing to do so in the future.
Same Warehouse Growth: Strategically deploy innovative technologies to provide customers more sophisticated solutions while enhancing profitability.
We view innovative technologies as core to who we are at Lineage and strategic to maintaining our competitive position relative to our peers, driving industry leading margins and growth and providing the best service to our customers. We believe our significant previous investments have allowed us to build a superior technology-enabled platform designed to meet the needs of our customers into the future and anticipate that deploying these technologies will support potential continued growth in our NOI while transforming the experience for our customers with a digitally connected cold chain and enhancing operational excellence inside our warehouses.
| Transforming the experience for our customers with a digitally connected cold chain. We plan to continue the roll out of proprietary operating systems and third-party platforms focused on providing a superior customer experience and increasing customer loyalty. Our proprietary Lineage Link platform empowers customers to digitally manage their inventories, orders, shipments and transportation appointment scheduling across our warehouse network through a dynamic user interface that significantly improves the customer experience. This tool also replaces antiquated paper and email based processes that lead to faster interactions, fewer errors and a meaningfully lower cost to serve, which should drive potential incremental NOI. As of March 31, 2024, Lineage Link has been rolled out across approximately 63% of our network as measured by global warehousing segment revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024. We believe the continued roll out of this tool and continued product enhancement will yield attractive future benefits. |
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| Enhancing operational excellence inside our warehouses. We seek to integrate our network onto our common technology systems to standardize operations and increase productivity. We have already largely integrated all of our facilities into our human capital and financial ERP software and our proprietary metricsOne operating KPI dashboard. We are working to increase the number of our warehouses that utilize one of our four Core WMS systems. As of March 31, 2024, approximately 69% of our global warehousing segment revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 flowed through one of our four Core WMS, excluding facilities leased to customers and managed facilities. We are in the process of growing this percentage across our network. We expect increased penetration of our four Core WMS throughout our network to drive operational productivity, reduce general and administrative expenses and accelerate our ability to deploy digital technology solutions network-wide. We believe that the development and subsequent deployment of LinOS and a third-party contracting and invoicing platform will make our operations more efficient and potentially generate NOI growth once fully integrated. |
Additionally, our general and administrative spend currently includes substantial growth and technology investments, which we refer to as transformational technology G&A, such as the development and subsequent deployment of our technology operating systems. Once fully integrated, we believe we will benefit from operating leverage as these new investments are spread across our growing portfolio.
Same Warehouse Growth: Transform the industry through our data science driven approach to warehouse control and design.
Our productivity and process automation initiatives are supported by our in-house data science team, which is comprised of 50 applied science and product professionals that provide data-driven business intelligence and innovations to maximize operational efficiencies, revenues, profitability, energy efficiency and cash flows. Our innovations have yielded 96 patents issued and 151 patents pending as of March 31, 2024, in such areas as facility design, methods and mechanisms for operating facilities, refrigeration and thermodynamic designs and cold-rated instrumentation. These innovations offer numerous ways to potentially grow our NOI, including through optimization of our conventional racking systems, algorithms that better allocate tasks in the warehouse and improvements in electricity consumption for blast freezing. We believe that many of these innovations have now been successfully piloted and can be rolled out to other similar use cases.
Accretive Capital Deployment
Accretive Capital Deployment: Invest in potentially accretive projects across our existing facilities to enhance same warehouse growth.
We continually evaluate opportunities to drive organic growth within our existing facilities through accretive capital deployment into high economic return on capital opportunities, such as re-racking projects to increase pallet capacity, installation of opportunity chargers, solar projects to improve energy efficiency and the addition of blast cell capacity. In addition to potentially generating incremental revenues and NOI, return-on-capital projects are intended to enhance our facilities ability to best serve our customers needs with the most advanced and customized solutions available. Many of these projects are supported by our applied science, energy management and product professionals that provide data-driven business intelligence and innovations to maximize operational efficiencies, revenues, profitability, energy efficiency and cash flows. Since 2019, our team has supported more than 375 economic return on capital projects within our warehouses to enhance organic growth.
Accretive Capital Deployment: Execute on our greenfield and existing facility expansion initiatives.
Because of our reputation for delivering innovative new development projects and the benefits of participating in our industry-leading warehouse network, customers often choose to partner with us for their largest and most important projects. In addition, we have spent considerable time and investment establishing an in-house warehouse network optimization team comprised of warehouse design, automation and construction
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experts. We expect our development expertise will continue to support our growth as we potentially realize the returns on our recently completed greenfield and expansion projects and deliver on our industry-leading pipeline of greenfield development and expansion opportunities.
| Recently Completed Greenfield and Expansion Projects. Since March 31, 2021 through March 31, 2024, we completed 25 greenfield and expansion projects totaling approximately $922 million in costs. |
Recently Completed Projects |
Square Feet (in millions) |
Cubic Feet (in millions) |
Pallet Positions (in thousands) |
Total Cost |
Twelve Months (in millions) |
Weighted | ||||||
25 | 3.3 | 179 | 571 | $922 | $47 | 9%-12% |
(1) | Includes approximately $7 million of remaining spend. |
No assurance can be given that our weighted average targeted NOI yield range will be achieved.
| Industry-Leading Pipeline of Greenfield and Expansion Opportunities. |
| Under Construction Pipeline. As of March 31, 2024, we had eight greenfield development and expansion projects under construction. |
Under |
Estimated Square Feet (in millions) |
Estimated Cubic Feet (in millions) |
Estimated Pallet Positions (in thousands) |
Estimated Total Cost (in millions) |
Remaining Spend (in millions) |
Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2024 Revenue Less Operating Expenses (in millions) |
Weighted Average Target NOI Yield | |||||||
8 | 1.2 | 70.3 | 235 | $578 | $310 | ($4) | 9% -11% |
No assurance can be given that we will complete any of these projects on the terms currently contemplated, or at all, that the actual cost or completion dates of any of these projects will not exceed our estimates or that the targeted NOI yield range of these projects will be consistent with our current projects.
We believe we have industry-leading automation capabilities, including 24 fully automated facilities totaling 386 million cubic feet and 57 semi-automated facilities totaling 361 million cubic feet as of March 31, 2024, which we believe is the most of any temperature-controlled warehousing provider in the world. Our proprietary technology and unique approach to automation enables us to provide customers with truly customizable solutions to address their warehouse needs. For many years, we have been building our own in-house team of automation and software integration experts. All of our development projects are designed in-house based on actual customer data and profiles. Unique to our industry, we have developed proprietary automation control software that helps us optimize our automated warehouse operations. For new developments, because we own our own software, we can select the best hardware regardless of manufacturer, to build what we believe are the most cost-effective and most advanced automated warehouses in our industry. We intend to continue our leadership in temperature-controlled warehouse automation through development of next-generation automated warehouses as part of our pipeline. We anticipate approximately 58% of the total added pallet positions of our facilities under construction as of March 31, 2024 will be fully automated. Automated facilities generally produce a lower cost to serve and lower resource consumption, presenting an attractive solution to our customers and positioning us well to win new business and grow our cash flows from operations.
| Future Long-Term Pipeline. As of March 31, 2024, we owned approximately 1,227 acres of undeveloped land or Land Bank in addition to the owned land included in our under-construction pipeline. Our Land Bank has the potential to support future greenfield development and expansion opportunities, with an estimated cost to replace as of March 31, 2024 of approximately $462 million based on broker inquiries, comparable land sales and our internal estimates. As of March 31, 2024, we |
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were researching or underwriting a range of greenfield development and expansion opportunities as part of our future long-term pipeline, including 16 projects globally at various phases of research and underwriting. The projects in our future long-term pipeline include both projects where we already own the land and projects for which we will need to acquire incremental land. We currently expect that the targeted weighted average NOI yield range of these projects will be generally consistent with our recent projects. |
Estimated Land Bank (in acres) |
Estimated Square Feet (in millions)(1) |
Estimated Cubic Feet (in millions)(1) |
Estimated Pallet Positions (in millions)(1) |
Estimated Cost to Replace (in millions)(2) | ||||||||||||||||
1,227 |
17.7 | 728 | 2.4 | $462 | ||||||||||||||||
Greenfield Development and |
Estimated Square Feet (in millions)(3) |
Estimated Cubic Feet (in millions)(3) |
Estimated Pallet Positions (in thousands)(3) |
Estimated Construction Cost (in millions)(2) | ||||||||||||||||
16 |
4.1 | 246 | 748 | $1,850 |
(1) | Square feet, cubic feet and pallet positions reflect potential capacity undeveloped land can support through future greenfield development and expansion based on typical warehouse designs. |
(2) | Estimated cost to replace is based on broker inquiries, comparable land sales and our internal estimates as of March 31, 2024. |
(3) | Square feet, cubic feet and pallet positions reflect potential capacity of greenfield development and expansion opportunities based on current research and underwriting. |
We have not commenced construction on any potential projects in our long-term pipeline, the completion of which is subject to various factors, including budgeting, diligence, internal and third-party approvals and other factors. No assurance can be given that we will pursue or complete any of these projects on the terms currently contemplated, or at all, that the actual cost or completion dates of any of these projects will not exceed our estimates or that the targeted NOI yield range of these projects will be consistent with our current projects.
As a part of our standard development and expansion underwriting process, we analyze the estimated initial full year stabilized NOI yield we expect to derive from each greenfield development project and the estimated incremental initial full year stabilized NOI yield we expect to derive from each expansion project, as applicable, and establish a targeted NOI yield range. We define estimated initial full year stabilized NOI yield as the percentage of the total estimated cost to complete the greenfield development or expansion project represented by the estimated initial full year stabilized NOI from the greenfield development project or the estimated incremental initial full year stabilized NOI from the expansion project. For development projects, we calculate the estimated initial full year stabilized NOI by subtracting the greenfield development projects estimated initial full year stabilized operating expenses (before interest expense, income taxes (if any) and depreciation and amortization) from its estimated initial full year stabilized revenue. For expansion projects, we calculate the estimated incremental initial full year stabilized NOI by subtracting the expansion projects estimated incremental initial full year stabilized operating expenses (before interest expense, income taxes (if any) and depreciation and amortization) from its estimated incremental initial full year stabilized revenue. Our greenfield development and expansion projects are typically stabilized within 24 to 36 months of completion. See Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and OperationsThe actual initial full year stabilized NOI yields from our greenfield development and expansion projects may not be consistent with the targeted NOI yield ranges set forth in this prospectus and Our future greenfield development and expansion activity may not be consistent with the estimates relating to our future long-term pipeline set forth in this prospectus.
Accretive Capital Deployment: Capitalize on strategically attractive and financially accretive acquisition opportunities.
The temperature-controlled warehousing sector remains highly fragmented and is generally comprised of many family-owned and independent companies that may lack the capital, technology, customer relationships,
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development expertise, technical knowledge and management sophistication that we possess. For example, we estimate based on GCCA data that over 100 temperature-controlled warehousing companies operate in the U.S. market alone and that there are approximately 4.4 billion cubic feet available for growth in North America. We believe that there remain substantial whitespace opportunities in geographies such as Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and that there are approximately 22.4 billion cubic feet available for growth globally. As a result, we see significant potential opportunity in continuing to execute on our proven acquisition strategy, which targets profitable businesses with strategic, high-quality assets that complement our warehouse network and customers needs. In addition to operating businesses, there also remain real estate opportunities to acquire triple-net-leased facilities and execute sale-leaseback transactions with customers and other cold storage operators.
Industry Estimate of North America and Global Market Size
(1) | 2024 GCCA Global Top 25 List (April 2024) and 2024 GCCA North America Top 25 List (April 2024), except Lineage figures, which are based on company data as of March 31, 2024. Global market share is based on total global capacity from 2020 GCCA Global Cold Storage Capacity Report (August 2020). |
(2) | Represents total cubic feet for the market excluding Lineage. |
| Status as an Acquiror of Choice Supports Robust Acquisition Opportunities. We believe we are an acquiror of choice in the industry, as demonstrated by our long history of executing strategic acquisitions through direct sourcing and long-term relationships with their owners. We have extensive experience acquiring cold chain companies of all sizes, and to date former owners of acquired companies have rolled approximately $664 million of equity to become investors in Lineage, while hundreds of members of management of acquired companies have stayed on and grown with our company over time. Over the course of our extensive acquisition history, we have successfully leveraged existing relationships and direct sourcing channels for nearly two-thirds of the companies we have acquired, with the remainder coming to fruition through successful bidding in advisor-led sale processes. In addition, we believe we enjoy multiple advantages when participating in sale processes, including our prolific transaction experience and track record of quickly closing transactions and our flexible balance sheet. |
| Multiple Levers to Drive Value Creation Post Acquisitions. As described above in our other internal and external growth strategies, we can drive value creation through multiple levers, including revenue growth, cost efficiencies, deployment of capital and implementation of technology. Our proprietary integration playbook includes over 1,000 steps to completion and has been refined throughout the last decade to develop a consistent and successful gameplan for acquisition integration. As acquisitions are incorporated into the Lineage network, the opportunity set for deploying these strategies grows. We |
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have a standardized and disciplined approach to integrating acquired companies while bringing acquired team members into the Lineage family. Through this approach and an open mindset to learn and adopt best practices of newly acquired business, we can seek to capitalize on growth opportunities beyond the acquisition date. |
Information Technology
Our information technology networks and related systems are essential to the operation of our business and our ability to perform day-to-day operations, including managing and operating our warehouses and our integrated solutions business, delivering a smooth customer experience, and processing financial information for internal and external reporting purposes. Furthermore, our ability to effectively manage and maintain our inventory and to receive and ship products to customers on a timely basis depends significantly on the reliability of our WMS. Our transportation management system (TMS) is equally crucial to our integrated solutions offerings. Our TMS is integrated to our WMS where appropriate to offer a seamless customer experience. We rely on a combination of proprietary and third-party operating systems to efficiently run our business. In addition to continuous improvements to these applications, we integrate acquisitions and development projects onto these common technology platforms. We are and will continue to invest in implementing common technology platforms across the geographies in which we operate. As of March 31, 2024, approximately 95% of our global warehousing segment revenue was integrated on our human capital and financial ERP software, and approximately 69% of our global warehousing segment revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 flowed through one of our four Core WMS, excluding facilities leased to customers and managed facilities. As of March 31, 2024, all of our global warehousing segment revenue was reporting on metricsOne, a proprietary operating KPI dashboard that provides enhanced visibility into our operational execution, labor, safety, and financial performance.
Our cloud first strategy allows for the most reliable, scalable, and redundant infrastructure, and our critical applications systems are configured to be highly-available. We continue to enhance our security measures to protect our information technology systems and prevent cyber-attacks, system failures or data or information loss.
In addition, since January 1, 2019, we have invested more than $725 million into transformational information technology initiatives which include developing, acquiring and deploying both proprietary and third-party operating systems. Our innovations have yielded 96 patents issued and 151 patents pending as of March 31, 2024 in such areas as facility design, methods and mechanisms for operating facilities, refrigeration and thermodynamic designs and cold-rated instrumentation. We have developed Lineage Link, a proprietary customer visibility platform that empowers customers to actively manage their inventories, orders, shipments and transportation appointment scheduling across our warehouse network, which seeks to drive incremental NOI through reduced cost-to-serve. As of March 31, 2024, Lineage Link has been rolled out across 63% of our networks as measured by global warehousing segment revenues. We are in the initial phases of deploying proprietary and third-party operating systems to drive yield and productivity across our warehouse network and thereby drive margin improvement. Our specialized warehouse execution system, LinOS, is engineered to boost our operational efficiency. It employs unique, patented algorithms to optimize task allocation among team members and strategically prioritize tasks within our warehouses. Currently operational in one of our automated facilities, LinOS shows significant potential for extensive deployment across our conventional warehouse network in the future.
Seasonality
We are involved in providing services to food producers, distributors and retailers whose businesses, in some cases, are seasonal. On a portfolio-wide basis, economic and physical occupancy rates and warehouse revenues generally peak between mid-September and early December in connection with the holiday season and the peak harvest season in the northern hemisphere. Economic and physical occupancy rates and warehouse revenues on a portfolio-wide basis are generally the lowest during May and June. The diversification of our business across different commodities mitigates, in part, the impact of seasonality as peak demand for various products occurs at different times of the year (for example, demand for ice cream is typically highest in the
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summer while demand for frozen turkeys usually peaks in the late fall). Our southern hemisphere operations in Australia and New Zealand also help balance the impact of seasonality in our global operations, as their growing and harvesting cycles are complementary to North America and Europe. Each of our warehouses sets its own operating hours based on demand, which is heavily driven by growing seasons and seasonal consumer demand for certain products.
Power Costs
The temperature-controlled warehouse business is power-intensive. Keeping food products refrigerated or frozen requires substantial amounts of power and managing power costs is a priority for us and our customers. Power costs accounted for 5.3% of our total global warehousing segment revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023. We seek to maximize energy efficiency in our warehouses through the application of best practices, the latest technology and alternative energy generation.
| Application of Best Practices: Certain jurisdictions and regions in which we operate, including Texas, Illinois, the Northeast United States, Europe, New Zealand and Australia, have deregulated market-based electricity exchanges. To manage our exposure to volatile power prices, we have entered, and may continue to enter, into arrangements to fix power costs for all or a portion of our anticipated electricity requirements. The durations of these forward contracts are generally one to three years. In addition, we employ a centralized energy and sustainability team that we deploy across our network to promote standardization and minimization of energy waste. |
| Modern Technologies: The technologies we deploy to optimize energy efficiency include variable frequency drives, refrigeration control systems, rapid close doors, motion sensor technology, LED lighting and flywheeling, an innovative process that leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to manage energy load based on predictions of peak demand. Further, we believe that automated facilities can significantly reduce energy intensity as compared to conventional facilities. Select recent examples within our network indicate reductions of approximately 20% as measured by kWh usage per pallet position in automated facilities relative to conventional facilities in the same metropolitan areas. |
| Alternative Energy Generation: We are also focused on generating alternative sources of energy through on-site solar, battery storage and linear generators. Our alternative energy approach allows us to buy power at a cheaper cost and monetize carbon credits to offset energy costs and is also supportive of our sustainability strategy. Through solar systems at our facilities, we had installed capacity of 108 megawatts of solar energy as of December 1, 2022. |
In addition to maximizing energy efficiency, when appropriate we seek to pass through increases in power costs to our customers.
Commercial Organization
Our relationships with customers, regulators, communities in which we operate and the broader cold chain are essential to our overall purpose to transform the global food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world. Our sales, business development and marketing functions are responsible for developing and strengthening those relationships to promote the safe and efficient movement of food products to consumers worldwide.
Our sales and business development teams actively partner with customers to determine best options for optimizing and streamlining their cold chain services. Accordingly, we work across our business to realize opportunities to serve our customers extended cold chains. Our sales and business development teams also play a critical role in the development strategy for new warehouses commissioned by customers who seek out our design and build-to-suit expertise, which is supported by our award-winning data science team. As of March 31, 2024, our sales team was comprised of over 250 team members.
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Our commercial team is organized to serve customers by size, segment and solution. Large, multi-national customers are served through our strategic account management team, while our business development team is responsible for new customer acquisition and business expansion. Regional customers are served through a local sales structure that is directly aligned to our operations teams in facility locations, working together to optimize warehouse capacity. We also house product-specific expertise to address the diverse and specialized needs of the numerous commodities we serve.
Our marketing function partners with departments across our company and is organized to include corporate communications, public relations, brand marketing, commercial intelligence and government relations. The primary focus of our marketing team is to grow relationships with new and existing customers as well as promote engagement with Lineage as a trustworthy, innovative and ethical brand. We constantly look to generate awareness and a positive perception of the cold chain as a whole, boosting consumer confidence in how food products move from farm to fork.
Trademarks
The name Lineage and the Lineage logo are registered trademarks. We have established considerable goodwill with customers under this brand name and believe its reputation in our industry is a strong competitive advantage.
Regulatory Matters
General
Many laws and governmental regulations are applicable to our properties and changes in these laws and regulations, or interpretation of such laws and regulations by agencies and the courts, occur frequently.
Environmental Matters
Our operations are subject to a wide range of environmental laws and regulations in each of the locations in which we operate, and compliance with these requirements involves expertise, significant capital and operating costs. Failure to comply with these environmental requirements can result in civil or criminal fines or sanctions, claims for environmental damages, remediation obligations, revocation of permits or restrictions on our operations. Future changes in environmental laws or in the interpretation of those laws, including stricter requirements affecting our operations, could result in increased capital and operating costs, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects and, consequently, amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.
Under various United States federal, state and local environmental laws, a current or previous owner or operator of real property may be liable for the entire cost of investigating, removing and remediating hazardous or toxic substances on such property. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the contamination. Even if more than one person may have been responsible for the contamination, each person covered by the environmental laws may be held responsible for the entire clean-up cost.
The presence of hazardous or toxic substances on our properties, or the failure to properly remediate contaminated properties, could give rise to liens in favor of the government for failure to address the contamination, or otherwise adversely affect our ability to sell or lease properties or borrow using our properties as collateral. Environmental laws also may impose restrictions on the manner in which properties may be used or how our businesses may be operated.
Under environmental laws, a property owner or operator is subject to compliance obligations, potential government sanctions for violations or natural resource damages, claims from private parties for cleanup
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contribution or other environmental damages and investigation and remediation costs. In connection with the acquisition, ownership or operation of our properties, we may be exposed to such costs. The cost of resolving environmental, property damage or personal injury claims, of compliance with environmental regulatory requirements, of paying fines, or meeting new or stricter environmental requirements or of remediating contaminated properties could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects and, consequently, amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.
In the future, our customers may demand lower indirect emissions associated with the storage and transportation of refrigerated and frozen foods, which, if we are unable to meet these demands, could lead customers to seek temperature-controlled storage from our competitors or increase demand for alternatives to refrigerated and frozen foods. Further, such demand could require us to implement various processes to reduce emissions from our operations in order to remain competitive, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.
Most of our warehouses utilize anhydrous ammonia (NH3) as a refrigerant. Anhydrous ammonia is classified as a hazardous chemical regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a significant release of anhydrous ammonia from one of our properties could result in injuries, loss of life and property damage. Releases of anhydrous ammonia may occur at our warehouses from time to time due to routine maintenance or an unanticipated mechanical failure. Although we cannot predict the extent of our liabilities as a result of these incidents, we expect any related product damage claims to be covered by insurance subject to applicable deductibles. Although our warehouses have risk management programs required by U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the EPA and other regulatory agencies in place, we could incur liability in the event of an unanticipated release of anhydrous ammonia from one of our refrigeration systems. Our warehouses also may have under-floor heating systems, some of which utilize chemicals such as ethylene glycol; releases from these systems could potentially contaminate soil and groundwater.
Nearly all of our properties have been the subject of environmental assessments conducted by environmental consultants. However, many of these assessments are not current and most have not been updated for the purposes of this offering. Most of these assessments have not included soil sampling or subsurface investigations. Many of our older properties have not had asbestos surveys. In many instances, we have not conducted further investigations of environmental conditions disclosed in these environmental assessments nor can we be assured that these environmental assessments have identified all potential environmental liabilities associated with our properties. Material environmental conditions, liabilities or compliance concerns may arise after the date of the environmental assessments on our properties. Moreover, there can be no assurance that (1) future laws, ordinances or regulations will not impose new material environmental obligations or costs, including with respect to the potential effects of climate change or new climate change regulations, (2) we will not incur material liabilities in connection with known or undiscovered environmental conditions arising out of past activities on our properties or (3) our properties will not be adversely affected by the operations of customers, by environmental impacts or operations on neighboring properties (such as releases from underground storage tanks), or by the actions of parties unrelated to us.
Food Safety Regulations
Most of our warehouses are subject to compliance with federal regulations regarding food safety. Under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, the United States Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, requires us to register all warehouses in which food is stored and further requires us to maintain records of sources and recipients of food for purposes of food recalls. The Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA, was signed into law in January 2011 and significantly expanded the FDAs authority over food safety, providing the FDA with new tools to proactively ensure the safety of the entire food system, including for example, new hazard analysis and preventive controls requirements, food safety planning, requirements for sanitary transportation of food, increased inspections and mandatory food recalls under certain
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circumstances. Since the adoption of FSMA, the FDA has issued many new food safety-related final rules, some of which impact our business. The most significant new rule which impacts our business is the Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food rule. This rule requires a food facility to establish a food safety system that includes an analysis of hazards and the implementation of risk-based preventive controls, among other steps. This is in addition to requirements that we satisfy existing Good Manufacturing Practices with respect to the holding of foods, as set forth in FDA regulations. The USDA also grants to some of our warehouses ID status, which entitles us to handle products of the USDA. As a result of the regulatory framework from the FDA, the USDA and other local regulatory requirements, we subject our warehouses to annual third-party food safety audits. Our third-party food safety audits are conducted by certified providers, including SAI Global, AIB International, Mérieux Nutrisciences, ASI and NSF, following the one of the following schemes: Good Distribution Practices (GDP) or a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) scheme, such as Safe Quality Foods (SQF) or Brand Recognition through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS) audit programs.
To the extent we fail to comply with existing food safety regulations or contractual obligations, or are required to comply with new regulations or obligations in the future, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects, as well as the amount of funds available for distribution to our stockholders.
Occupational Safety and Health Act
Our properties are subject to regulation under OSHA, which requires employers to provide employees with an environment free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm and includes regulations relating to exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress and unsanitary conditions. In addition, due to the amount of anhydrous ammonia stored at some of our facilities, we are also subject to compliance with OSHAs Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard and OSHAs ongoing National Emphasis Program related to potential releases of highly hazardous chemicals. The cost of complying with OSHA and similar laws enacted by states and other jurisdictions in which we operate can be substantial, and any failure to comply with these regulations could expose us to substantial penalties and potentially to liabilities to employees who may be injured at our warehouses.
International Regulations
Our international facilities are subject to many local laws and regulations which govern a wide range of matters, including food safety, building, environmental, health and safety, hazardous substances and waste minimization, as well as specific requirements for the storage of meat, dairy products, fish, poultry, agricultural and other products. Any products destined for export must also satisfy the applicable export requirements. A failure to comply with, or the cost of complying with, these laws and regulations could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects and, consequently, the amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.
Other Regulations
Our properties are also subject to various federal, state and local regulatory requirements, such as fire and safety requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the imposition of fines by governmental authorities or awards of damages to private litigants. We believe that our properties are currently in substantial compliance with all such regulatory requirements. However, there can be no assurance that these requirements will not be changed or that new requirements will not be imposed which would require significant unanticipated expenditures by us, which expenditure could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.
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Insurance
We carry insurance for the risks arising out of our business and operations, including coverage on all of our properties in an amount that we believe adequately covers any potential casualty losses. However, there are certain losses that we are not generally insured against or that we are not generally fully insured against because it is not deemed economically feasible or prudent to do so. In addition, changes in the cost or availability of insurance could expose us to uninsured casualty losses. In the event that any of our properties incurs a casualty loss that is not covered by insurance (in part or at all), the value of our assets will be reduced by the amount of any such uninsured loss, and we could experience a significant loss of capital invested and potential revenues in these properties. Any such losses could materially and adversely affect us. In addition, we may have no source of funding to repair or reconstruct the damaged property, and we cannot assure you that any such sources of funding will be available to us for such purposes in the future on favorable terms or at all.
In the event of a fire, flood or other occurrence involving the loss of or damage to stored products held by us but belonging to others, we may be liable for such loss or damage. Although we have an insurance program in effect, there can be no assurance that such potential liability will not exceed the applicable coverage limits under our insurance policies. Limit adequacy is reviewed annually. We have 84 facilities in zones subject to what we believe to be a moderate to high risk of flooding, in each case exposing them to increased risk of casualty.
If we or one or more of our customers experiences a loss for which we are liable and that loss is uninsured or exceeds policy limits, we could lose the capital invested in the damaged properties as well as the anticipated future cash flows from those properties. In addition, if the damaged properties are subject to recourse indebtedness, we would continue to be liable for the indebtedness, even if these properties were irreparably damaged.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may be party to a variety of legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not a party to, nor is any of our property a subject of, any material litigation or legal proceedings or, to the best of our knowledge, any threatened litigation or legal proceedings which, in the opinion of management, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material impact on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.
Competition
In our global warehousing segment, the principal competitive factors are warehouse location, warehouse and yard size, which represents the square footage of the external area surrounding a loading dock used for truck parking and movement, space availability, warehouse type, design/layout, number of temperature zones, types of service, degree of automation and price. For refrigerated food customers, transportation costs are typically significantly greater than warehousing costs and, accordingly, location and transportation capabilities are major competitive factors. The size of a warehouse is important in part because customers generally prefer to have all of their products needed to serve a given market in a single location and to have the flexibility to increase storage at that single location during seasonal peaks. In areas with direct local competition, customers generally will select a temperature-controlled warehouse based upon service level, price, the quality of the warehouse, the services it offers and their overall network-wide relationship with the warehousing provider. In addition, some food producers and distributors attend to their own warehousing and distribution needs by either building or leasing warehouses, creating a private warehousing market which may compete with the public warehouse industry. Many customers, including those for whom private warehousing is a viable option, will select distribution services based upon service level and price, provided that an appropriate network of related storage facilities is available. Technology offerings and integrated solutions provided are additional and increasingly important bases upon which we compete in the marketplace. In this segment, we compete with Americold in many of our key geographies. In addition, we compete with NewCold in several key geographies including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. Other than Americold and NewCold, our competition in this segment is primarily composed of local operators which vary by geography. In our largest geography, the United
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States, we believe our main competitors in addition to Americold and NewCold include US Cold, Interstate Warehousing and FreezPak Logistics. Outside these top operators, the temperature-controlled warehousing industry in the United States is highly fragmented. We believe that other significant competitors in other geographies include Nichirei and Constellation Cold, in addition to Americold, in the Netherlands; Conestoga and Congebec, in addition to Americold, in Canada; and Magnavale in the United Kingdom.
In our global integrated solutions segment, competition is highly fragmented by service offering and geography, and we do not believe that we have a single global competitor across offerings and geographies. In temperature-controlled transportation, the principal competitive factors include service, capacity and rates. We believe we are uniquely positioned by leveraging our temperature-controlled warehousing network and deploying contracting strategies that leverage third-party owner-operators, dedicated third-party fleets, common carriers and our own physical truck assets. In refrigerated rail car leasing, the principal competitive factors include car reliability, car thermal performance, repair and maintenance capabilities and price. In our largest geography, the United States, we believe our main competitors in temperature-controlled transportation include Americold, US Cold and CH Robinson, while in refrigerated rail car leasing we believe that our main competitor is Trinity Rail. Examples of significant local competitors in other geographies include DFDS in the United Kingdom, Wolter Koops in the Netherlands, Primafrio in Spain and Erb Transport and Midland Transport in Canada.
Human Capital Resources
We are committed to creating a work environment that supports the growth and success of our team members. We have employees located throughout the world. As of March 31, 2024, we employed 26,127 people worldwide.
The geographic distribution of our team members as of March 31, 2024 is summarized in the following table:
Region |
Number of team members | Percentage of workforce | ||||||
North America |
17,974 | 68.8 | % | |||||
Europe |
5,548 | 21.2 | % | |||||
Asia Pacific |
2,605 | 10.0 | % | |||||
Total |
26,127 | 100.0 | % |
As of March 31, 2024, fewer than 5% of our 16,201 team members in the United States were represented by various local labor unions and associations. Globally (including the United States), approximately 17% (based on team members for whom we are able to ascertain union status) or 26% (assuming that the entire 9% of our team members for whom we are not able to ascertain union status due to applicable privacy or freedom of association laws are represented by labor unions and associations) of our total team members were represented by various local labor unions and associations.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The diversity of our team members experiences and backgrounds is core to our innovative culture. We are committed to providing a working environment in which all team members, customers and community partners should know they are respected. Where all team members and partners understand that we are striving to identify and eliminate barriers that could prevent the full participation of any individual or group. It is our policy to recruit talent based on skill, knowledge and experience, without discrimination. We are an equal opportunity employer, with all qualified applicants receiving consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, age, sexual orientation or identification, gender, veteran status, political affiliation, physical appearance, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We evaluate compensation equity regularly and address pay disparities as appropriate. We are committed to developing and implementing programs and practices that create
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a supportive learning environment and encompasses the inclusion of diverse perspectives and experiences. We are committed to team member development and training. Our team members are offered regular opportunities to participate in formal and informal personal growth and professional development programs and opportunities.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is highlighted by our establishment of multiple Employee Resource Groups, or ERGs, to support and strengthen our team. We anchor our overall approach in our six core values of safe, trust, respect, innovation, bold and servant leadership drives how we develop team members and celebrate wins.
Climate
We have long focused on building value through efficiency, innovation, minimizing harmful impacts and doing good for the communities in which we live and work. We have signed The Climate Pledge, committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions across our global operations by 2040, and demonstrating our commitment to minimize the carbon emissions associated with our daily operations. In addition, in 2023, we issued our inaugural sustainability report.
We have made significant progress on our largest scope 2 emissions through solar installations at our facilities. Through solar installations, we had installed capacity of 108 megawatts of solar energy as of December 1, 2022, which places us as the fifth-largest corporate user in the US, and the second-largest REIT user, of on-site solar and battery capacity per the 2022 Solar Means Business Report published by the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA). Our goal is to achieve a top-three corporate ranking in coming years. Having installed 87 megawatts of solar panels at our facilities since 2020, we have completed more on-site solar installations than any other company on the SEIA list during the same time period. Our energy efficiency initiatives have resulted in four consecutive awards from the U.S. Department of Energy from 2019 to 2022 for innovations and leadership in flywheeling, blast freezing, energy procurement and hedging and deployment of advanced refrigeration control systems.
Philanthropy
We are consistently guided by our purpose: to transform the global food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world. This singular phrase governs the culture of Lineage seeking to do good while doing well. To tackle food insecurity, we established the Lineage Foundation for Good as a non-profit charity to serve the communities in which we operate. Lineage Foundation for Good is bridging the hunger gap across the world and in our local communitiesand everyone is invited to be a part of it. Since 2020, Lineage has donated the equivalent of over 176 million meals in partnership with customers donating surplus product, team members donating food to local food banks and grants issued to help build capacity at food banks around the globe.
Lineage Foundation for Good partners with Feeding America domestically as well as the Global Food Banking Network internationally to enable redirection of surplus food to those in need. In response to COVID-19, we launched our Share a Meal Campaign with Feeding America, supporting the organizations temperature supply chain needs with our assets. As a result of these and other initiatives, we were named a Visionary Partner of Feeding America and a Fast Companys 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards finalist in the Pandemic Response category.
Safety and Wellbeing
At Lineage, safe is our first value. The safety of our team members is our number one priority. Our team members receive safety training and conduct emergency response drills throughout the year to equip them with the knowledge and tools that will allow them to conduct their daily tasks safely. Our team members are provided with personal protective equipment appropriate for the performance of their job functions. Lineage has robust safety and compliance policies and programs, and we track safety and compliance metrics throughout the year. Our total global
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recordable incidence rate (TIR) of 3.4 for the year ended December 31, 2023 is approximately 35% better than the industry average of 4.6 for cold warehouses. TIR is a measure of occupational health and safety based on the number of recordable safety incidents reported against the number of hours worked based on the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) record-keeping criteria (injuries per 200,000 hours).
Lineage prioritizes near miss reporting and has a Behavioral Based Safety (BBS) Program throughout the network as well as deploys wearable technology at high-risk operations to monitor and reinforce safe working behaviors by actively addressing observations, as well as providing constructive feedback to address at risk behaviors.
Because our most valuable asset is our people, we are constantly looking to give team members the wellbeing support they need with the goal of having a healthier and more engaged workforce. Through our comprehensive health and medical benefits, including our Team Member Assistance programs that offer holistic mental health and other benefits to team members and their families, team members have access to a wide range of care options. We look at wellbeing from a holistic perspective inclusive of physical and mental wellness and prioritize psychological safety in addition to physical safety.
Total Rewards
We provide programs and benefits designed to attract, retain and reward high-performing team members. In addition to salaries or hourly wages, our compensation programs, which are market-based, can include performance incentives for front-line workers, annual bonuses, share-based compensation awards, paid time off, retirement savings programs, healthcare and insurance benefits, health savings accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance programs and tuition assistance. To foster a stronger sense of ownership, aid in retention and to align the interests of our team members with our stockholders, we plan to provide restricted stock units to eligible team members through our equity incentive programs.
Business Conduct and Ethics
We believe that a strong culture is the foundation of a strong company. At Lineage, our values define who we are and connect us to one another and to our work. We are striving to be the standard for honest, ethical and responsible business in the temperature-controlled warehouse industry. To support this commitment, we recently adopted our refreshed Code of Conduct. Our Code of Conduct is available in the languages in which we conduct business and addresses global regulatory topics through three substantive sections: acting respectfully and responsibly in the workplace; working ethically with customers and stakeholders; and supporting our surrounding communities and protecting our planet. Our Code of Conduct includes policy statements on psychological safety, human rights, human trafficking and a statement on our commitment to fair labor practices. We provide calls to action in each topic section as well as learning aids to help bring our Code of Conduct to life. We provide an Ethics Hotline, which allows anonymous reporting where permitted by law and is administered by our corporate compliance & ethics and human resources teams. We take all reports to our Speak Up Resources seriously and evaluate all claims, conduct internal or external investigations as appropriate and implement remediation plans if necessary. Our corporate compliance and ethics committee and audit committee are regularly briefed on reports received and have access to reports made through our Ethics Helpline.
Through our global online learning management platform, we provide code of conduct training in multiple native languages so that our team members understand our expectations and how to apply these standards to their work. We also maintain an anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy that includes mandatory harassment training for team members. We do not tolerate any form of racism, sexism or injustice within our facilities or across our organization.
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Our Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the individuals who will be our directors and executive officers upon the completion of this offering:
Name |
Age |
Position | ||
Adam Forste |
46 | Co-Executive Chairman | ||
Kevin Marchetti |
46 | Co-Executive Chairman | ||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
51 | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Nominee | ||
Robert Crisci |
48 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Jeffrey Rivera |
51 | Global Chief Operations Officer | ||
Sudarsan Thattai |
51 | Chief Information Officer and Chief Transformation Officer | ||
Sean Vanderelzen |
52 | Chief Human Resources Officer | ||
Natalie Matsler |
48 | Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary | ||
Timothy Smith |
59 | Chief Commercial Officer | ||
Brian McGowan |
50 | Chief Network Optimization Officer | ||
Gregory Bryan |
61 | Chief Integrated Solutions Officer | ||
Abigail Fleming |
42 | Chief Accounting Officer | ||
Shellye Archambeau |
61 | Director Nominee(1) | ||
John Carrafiell |
59 | Director Nominee(1) | ||
Joy Falotico |
56 | Director Nominee(1) | ||
Luke Taylor |
46 | Director Nominee(1) | ||
Michael Turner |
51 | Director Nominee(1) | ||
Lynn Wentworth |
65 | Director Nominee(1)(2) | ||
James Wyper |
34 | Director Nominee(1) |
(1) | These individuals have agreed to become members of our board of directors in connection with this offering. It is expected that each director nominee will become a director immediately upon completion of this offering. |
(2) | Our board of directors intends to appoint Ms. Wentworth as the lead independent director upon completion of this offering. |
Biographical Summaries of Director Nominees and Executive Officers
Director Nominees
Shellye Archambeau. Shellye Archambeau has served on the board of directors of Lineage Holdings since April 2024. From December 2002 until December 2017, Ms. Archambeau was Chief Executive Officer of MetricStream, Inc., a leading provider of governance, risk, compliance and quality management solutions. Prior to that, Ms. Archambeau served as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Sales for Loudcloud, Inc., Chief Marketing Officer of NorthPoint Communications Group, Inc., and President of Blockbuster Inc.s e-commerce division. Before joining Blockbuster, she held domestic and international executive positions at IBM. Ms. Archambeau has served on the boards of directors of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) since November 2013, Roper Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROP) since April 2018 and Okta, Inc. (NASDAQ: OKTA) since December 2018. Ms. Archambeau previously served on the boards of directors of Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) from February 2015 to May 2022 and Arbitron Inc. from 2005 to 2013. Ms. Archambeau holds a Bachelor of Science from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
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We believe that Ms. Archambeau is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors because of her experience as a company executive, her valuable knowledge of technology, digital media and communications platforms and her experience serving on other boards.
John Carrafiell. John Carrafiell has been a member of the board of directors of Lineage Holdings since March 2021. Mr. Carrafiell has served as the co-Chief Executive Officer of BentallGreenOak (BGO), a global real estate investment and private equity investment management firm, since July 2021. Mr. Carrafiell was a co-Founder of GreenOak Real Estate in May 2010 prior to its 2019 merger with Bentall Kennedy (owned by Sun Life Financial Inc.). He also serves as the chairman of the board of IREIT by BGO, a logistics and industrial REIT launched in July 2023.
Mr. Carrafiell has been a member of the board of directors and audit committee of publicly-traded Klepierre, one of Europes largest REITs, since January 2015 and has served as the chairman of the audit committee since July 2018. He has served on the board of European data center company Bulk Infrastructure since December 2020, as a member then observer. Mr. Carrafiell has previously served as a member of the board and the chairman of both the audit committee and the operating committee of Canary Wharf and served as from June 2004 to March 2009 and as a member of the board of Shurgard, a leading European self-storage company, from October 2018 to February 2020.
Mr. Carrafiell is a former Executive Member of the Board of the European Public Real Estate Association. Mr. Carrafiell was previously a member of the Supervisory Boards of publicly-traded Corio (Holland) and Deutsche Immobilien Chancen Group (Germany). Mr. Carrafiell joined Morgan Stanley in 1987 and was based in Europe from September 1989 to December 2009, as Head of European Real Estate from January 1995, and Global Head of Real Estate and a member of the investment banks six person global operating management committee from December 2005 to March 2007. Mr. Carrafiell holds a B.A in philosophy from Yale.
We believe that Mr. Carrafiell is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive real estate, investment and public company experience.
Joy Falotico. Joy Falotico has served on the board of directors of Lineage Holdings since December 2022. Ms. Falotico was formerly the President of Lincoln Motor at Ford Motor Company from March 2018 to November 2022 and also served as Ford Motor Companys Chief Marketing Officer from March 2018 until January 2021. Prior to that, Ms. Falotico served as Ford Motor Credit Companys Chief Executive Officer from October 2016 to February 2018 and Chief Operating Officer prior to that period. She has served in a number of leadership roles at Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Credit Company since 1989. Ms. Falotico serves on the board of Alliant Energy Corp (Nasdaq: LNT), where she is the chair of the audit committee and a member of the executive committee and the operations committee. She previously served on the board and executive committee of American Financial Services Association and the board and audit committee of Ford Motor Credit Company and as the chair of the board of FCE Bank, plc. Ms. Falotico holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration from Truman State University and a M.B.A. from DePaul University.
We believe that Ms. Falotico is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of her extensive management, regulatory, board and leadership experience.
Luke Taylor. Luke Taylor has served on the board of directors of Lineage Holdings since May 2018. Mr. Taylor serves as Co-President of Stonepeak, a global infrastructure and real assets investment management firm, where he has served in various roles, including Co-Chief Operating Officer and Senior Managing Director, since 2011. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Stonepeak Executive Committee and a member of all of Stonepeaks investment committees. In these roles, Mr. Taylor shares broad responsibilities across investing and oversight of the firms day-to-day business. Mr. Taylor has been investing across the infrastructure space for over 20 years has served on the board of Stonepeak Infrastructure Logistics Platform since March 2021 and is a former director of Evolve Transition Infrastructure LP (NTSEAM: SNMP), Paradigm Energy Partners, Hygo Energy Transition Ltd.,
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Ironclad Energy Partners, LLC, TRAC Intermodal, Casper Crude to Rail Holdings LLC and Tidewater Holdings. Prior to joining Stonepeak, Mr. Taylor was a Senior Vice President with Macquarie Capital. Mr. Taylor has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business (Distinction) from the University of Otago (New Zealand).
We believe that Mr. Taylor is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive experience as an infrastructure and real assets investment professional, including his experience in finance and mergers and acquisitions.
Michael Turner. Michael Turner has served on the board of directors of Lineage Holdings since September 2020. Mr. Turner was formerly President of Oxford Properties Group and was the chair of Oxfords investment committee and executive committee from April 2018 to April 2023, during which time he also served as Global Head of Real Estate for OMERS (Oxfords shareholder) where he was a member of their management investment committee and transaction approval committee. Previously, Mr. Turner held the positions of Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President at Oxford Properties Group from June of 2010 to April 2018. Prior to joining Oxford, Mr. Turner was Executive Vice President at CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), a leading global real estate investment services provider. He has also served as a board member for several investment and asset management companies, including M7 Real Estate (UK), Honest Buildings (sold to NYSE: PCOR) and R-Labs. Mr. Turner holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Planning from Queens University and a Master of Finance from the University of Toronto, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
We believe that Mr. Turner is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive real estate investment, financial reporting and management and board experience.
Lynn Wentworth. Lynn Wentworth has served on the board of directors of Lineage Holdings since June 2022. Additionally, Ms. Wentworth has served on the board of directors of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK) since November 2009, where she chairs the compensation and management development committee and is a member of the nominating and corporate governance committee, and Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE) since June 2021, where she chairs the audit committee. Ms. Wentworth was a director and chair of the audit committee for CyrusOne, Inc. from 2014 until its acquisition by a consortium led by KKR and Global Infrastructure Partners in March 2022 and had served as chair of the board of directors since May 2021. She was also a director and chair of the audit committee of Cincinnati Bell, Inc. from 2008 until its acquisition by Macquarie Asset Management in September 2021 and had served as chair of the board of directors since May 2019. She served as the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of BlueLinx Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BXC) until her retirement in 2008. Prior to joining BlueLinx in 2007, Ms. Wentworth was with BellSouth Corporation from 1985 to 2007, where she served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Communications Group from 2004 to 2007 and Vice President Treasurer from 2003 to 2004. Ms. Wentworth holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Babson College, a Masters degree in taxation from Bentley College and a M.B.A. from Georgia State University.
We believe that Ms. Wentworth is qualified to serve on our board of directors and as our lead independent director because of her public accounting and corporate finance experience, including her service as Chief Financial Officer of a public company, as well as her extensive board and corporate governance experience.
James Wyper. James Wyper has served on the board of directors of Lineage Holdings since May 2018. Mr. Wyper serves as Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Transportation and Logistics at Stonepeak, where he has served in various roles since 2013. Mr. Wyper also serves on various Stonepeak investment committees. Mr. Wyper has also served on the board of directors of Textainer Holdings since March 2024, Logistec Corporation since January 2024, TRAC Intermodal since March 2020, Seapeak since January 2022, Akumin, Inc. since November 2021, Venture Global Calcasieu Pass since August 2019, Tidewater Holdings since 2015, Intrado Life and Safety since January 2023, Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings LLC since August 2021, and previously on a number of other Stonepeak portfolio companies. He also serves on the board of directors of Streetsquash. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Yale University.
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We believe that Mr. Wyper is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive experience as an infrastructure investment professional, including his experience in finance and mergers and acquisitions.
Executive Officers
Adam Forste. Adam Forste is a Co-Founder of our company and has served as our Co-Executive Chairman since our formation. Mr. Forste is also a co-founder of Bay Grove, our companys original owner-operator, and has served as a Managing Partner of Bay Grove since 2007. Prior to co-founding Bay Grove, Mr. Forste worked at KKR. Mr. Forste began his career with Morgan Stanley in its investment banking group, both in New York and San Francisco. He serves on the board of directors of the Global Cold Chain Foundation, Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings LLC, Turvo Inc. and ndustrial.io. Mr. Forste is also a Fulbright Fellow and a graduate of Dartmouth College.
We believe that, as a Co-Founder, Mr. Forstes prior management and board experience, as well has his experience as an investment professional qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Kevin Marchetti. Kevin Marchetti is a Co-Founder of our company and has served as our Co-Executive Chairman since our formation. Mr. Marchetti is also a co-founder of Bay Grove, our companys original owner-operator, and has served as Managing Partner of Bay Grove since 2007. Prior to co-founding Bay Grove, Mr. Marchetti worked at The Yucaipa Companies. Mr. Marchetti began his career with Morgan Stanley in its investment banking group in San Francisco. He currently serves as a Trustee for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and previously served on the board of directors of the Pittsburgh Penguins, The San Francisco Zoological Society and The International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses. Mr. Marchetti is a graduate of Duke University.
We believe that, as a Co-Founder, Mr. Marchettis prior management and board experience, as well has his experience as an investment professional qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Greg Lehmkuhl. Greg Lehmkuhl has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since June 2015. Prior to joining Lineage, he served in various executive appointments for Con-Way, Inc. (NYSE: CNW) from 2001 to 2011, including President and Corporate Executive Vice President and held management positions at Menlo Logistics, Delphi Automotive and Penske Logistics. Mr. Lehmkuhl has also served on the board of directors of Agree Realty Corp. (NYSE: ADC) since July 2018. Mr. Lehmkuhl received his Bachelor of Material and Logistics Management from Michigan State University and a M.B.A. from Oakland University.
We believe that Mr. Lehmkuhls experience as a director and company executive, including his experience in real estate, corporate governance and business management, qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Robert Crisci. Robert Crisci has served as our Chief Financial Officer since April 2023. Prior to joining Lineage, Mr. Crisci served in various financial and executive leadership positions at Roper Technologies (NYSE: ROP) from April 2013 to February 2023, in which he helped lead the growth of the companys market capitalization from $12 billion to over $45 billion. He served as Ropers Chief Financial Officer from May 2017 to February 2023. Mr. Crisci worked at VRA Partners, a boutique investment bank, from 2012 to April 2013 and Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc., which was subsequently acquired by Raymond James Financial Inc., from 2010 to 2012, where he advised on capital raising and merger and acquisitions transactions. He also served as vice president at Devon Value Advisers from 2004 to 2009 where he worked on various engagements including buy and sell side transaction advisory, recapitalizations, and strategic acquisitions. Prior to working at Devon Value Advisors, Mr. Crisci worked as a consultant at Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mr. Crisci currently serves on the board of directors of MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc. He received his A.B. in Economics from Princeton University and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.
Jeffrey Rivera. Jeffrey Rivera has served as our Global Chief Operations Officer since August 2016. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations since July 2015. Prior to joining Lineage, he served in various leadership positions at Con-Way Freight, Inc. Menlo Logistics and General Motors (NYSE: GM).
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Mr. Rivera currently serves as the board vice president of the Coalition of Temporary Shelters Detroit and serves on the board of Kem Krest. Mr. Rivera received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technical University and a M.S. in Manufacturing Systems from Stanford University.
Sudarsan Thattai. Sudarsan Thattai has served as our Chief Information Officer and Chief Transformation Officer since February 2013. Prior to joining Lineage, he served as Senior Vice President of IT Services at UTi Worldwide Inc. and has held technology leadership positions at Cisco Systems and DFS Group. Mr. Thattai received a B.Sc in Computer Science and a M.Sc in Management Information Technology from University of Sunderland.
Sean Vanderelzen. Sean Vanderelzen has served as our Chief Human Resources Officer since March 2016. Prior to that, he served as our Vice President Human Resources. Prior to joining Lineage, he held a variety of leadership positions at General Motors. Mr. Vanderelzen currently serves on the board and as a member of the compensation committee of the Global Cold Chain Alliance and serves on the board and as a the chair of the private company committee of the HR Policy Association. Mr. Vanderelzen received a bachelors degree in Management and Human Relations from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Natalie Matsler. Natalie Matsler has served as our Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary since May 2022. Ms. Matsler rejoined Lineage from McCourt Partners, a private investment platform, where she was a member of the executive team from April 2021 to May 2022 and successfully led several projects in real estate development featuring green technology and resilient design. Ms. Matsler originally joined Lineage in 2014, serving in several legal leadership roles, including Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, through April 2021. Ms. Matsler began her legal career at Latham & Watkins LLP and continued on to Downey Savings and Loan Association and U.S. Bank. Ms. Matsler holds a bachelors degree from the University of California at Los Angeles and her J.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law.
Timothy Smith. Timothy Smith has served as our Chief Commercial Officer since February 2022. Prior to that, he served as our Executive Vice President of Sales and Business Development since January 2011. Prior to joining Lineage, he served in various management positions at Millard Refrigerated Services, CHEP and The Hershey Company. Mr. Smith received a bachelors degree from St. Lawrence University and an M.B.A. from Stetson University.
Brian McGowan. Brian McGowan has served as our Chief Network Optimization Officer since May 2022. Previously, he served as our President Eastern US Operations and Executive Vice President, Continuous Improvement since September 2019 and our Senior Vice President of Lean since July 2015. Prior to joining Lineage, Mr. McGowan served as Vice President of Lean for Con-Way Freight and held leadership positions at Menlo Worldwide and the Ford Motor Company. He holds a bachelors degree and an M.B.A. from Wayne State University.
Gregory Bryan. Gregory Bryan has served as our Chief Integrated Solutions Officer since June 2023. Prior to that, he served as our President of Global Logistics since November 2022 and our Executive Vice President of Logistics since January 2016. Prior to joining Lineage, Mr. Bryan served as Senior Vice President of Operations for C&S Wholesale Grocers and held transportation leadership positions at Americold Logistics and Ryder Integrated Solutions. He holds a bachelors degree and a Master of Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University.
Abigail Fleming. Abigail Fleming has served as our Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President since January 2024. Prior to joining Lineage, Ms. Fleming served as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer for Visteon Corporation, a global automotive supplier, from August 2020 to January 2024. She also served as Executive Director and Assistant Controller of Tenneco Inc. (formerly Federal-Mogul, LLC) from March 2017 to August 2020, and Director, Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from March 2015 to March 2017. Ms. Fleming began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in August 2004 and is a certified public accountant. She holds a bachelors degree from Albion College and a M.S. in accounting from Western Michigan University.
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Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
Corporate Governance Profile
We have structured our corporate governance in a manner we believe closely aligns our interests with those of our stockholders. Notable features of our corporate governance structure include the following:
| our board of directors will not be classified and each of our directors will be subject to election annually, and our charter will provide that we may not elect to be subject to the provision of the MGCL that would permit us to classify our Board, unless we receive prior approval from stockholders; |
| we will have a lead independent director; |
| a majority of our board of directors will consist of independent directors; |
| we will have a fully independent audit committee and independent director representation on our compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees immediately at the time of the offering, and our independent directors will meet regularly in executive sessions without the presence of our corporate officers or non-independent directors; |
| at least one of our directors will qualify as an audit committee financial expert by applicable SEC regulations and all members of the audit committee are financially literate in accordance with Nasdaq listing standards; |
| we have opted out of the business combination and control share acquisition statutes in the MGCL; |
| we will not have a stockholder rights plan, and we will not adopt a stockholder rights plan in the future without (i) the approval of our stockholders or (ii) seeking ratification from our stockholders within 12 months of adoption of the plan if our board of directors determines, in the exercise of its duties under applicable law, that it is in our best interest to adopt a rights plan without the delay of seeking prior stockholder approval; |
| we will have adopted a stock ownership policy that requires each non-employee director, the chief executive officer and each other named executive officer to own a certain amount of specified equity interests in our company; and |
| our bylaws will provide that our stockholders may alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and adopt new bylaws if any such alteration, repeal or adoption is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. |
Our directors will stay informed about our business by attending meetings of our board of directors and the committees on which they serve and through supplemental reports and communications.
Composition of the Board of Directors after this Offering
Upon completion of this offering, our charter and bylaws will provide that our board of directors will consist of such number of directors as may from time to time be fixed by our board of directors, but may not be more than 15 or fewer than the minimum number permitted by Maryland law, which is one. So long as BGLH, Stonepeak, BentallGreenOak, Mr. Forste and Mr. Marchetti, in each case, together with their respective affiliates, continue to beneficially own a certain percentage of the total outstanding equity interests in our company, we will agree to nominate for election as our directors individuals designated by the applicable investor as specified in our stockholders agreement. Each director will serve until our next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies or until the directors earlier death, resignation or removal. For a description of our board of directors and each of BGLHs, Stonepeaks, BentallGreenOaks, Mr. Forstes and Mr. Marchettis right to require us to nominate its designees, see Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsStockholders Agreement.
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Controlled Company Exception
After the completion of this offering, affiliates of Bay Grove will continue to beneficially own shares representing more than 50% of the voting power of shares of our common stock eligible to vote in the election of directors. As a result, we will be a controlled company within the meaning of the Nasdaq corporate governance standards and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance standards, including that: (1) a majority of our board of directors consist of independent directors, (2) our board of directors have a compensation committee that is comprised entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committees purpose and responsibilities and (3) our board of directors have a nominating and corporate governance committee that is comprised entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committees purpose and responsibilities. Although upon completion of this offering a majority of our board of directors will consist of independent directors, our compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees will not be composed entirely of independent directors, and we may utilize any of these exemptions until the time we cease to be a controlled company. Accordingly, to the extent and for so long as we utilize these exemptions, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of these corporate governance requirements. In the event that we cease to be a controlled company and shares of our common stock continue to be listed on Nasdaq, we will be required to comply with these provisions within the applicable transition periods.
Director Independence
We expect our board of directors to determine that each of Mses. Archambeau, Falotico and Wentworth and Messrs. Carrafiell, Taylor, Turner and Wyper is an independent director as such term is defined by the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq.
Board Committees
Upon the completion of this offering, our board of directors will have three standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. The principal functions of each committee are briefly described below. Additionally, our board of directors may from time to time establish other committees to facilitate the boards oversight of management of the business and affairs of our company. The charter of each committee will be available on our website at www.onelineage.com upon the completion of this offering. Our website is not part of this prospectus.
Audit Committee
In connection with this offering, our board of directors will adopt an audit committee charter, which will define the audit committees principal functions, including oversight related to:
| our accounting and financial reporting processes; |
| the integrity of our consolidated financial statements and financial reporting process; |
| our systems of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; |
| our compliance with financial, legal and regulatory requirements; |
| reviewing and approving or ratifying related person transactions; |
| the performance of our internal audit functions; and |
| our overall risk exposure and management and overseeing the management of our financial risks and information technology risks, including cybersecurity and data privacy risks. |
The audit committee will also be responsible for engaging, evaluating, compensating, and overseeing an independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm
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the plans for and results of the audit engagement, approving services that may be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, including audit and non-audit services, reviewing the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm, considering the range of audit and non-audit fees and reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The audit committee also will prepare the audit committee report required by SEC regulations to be included in our annual report.
Upon the completion of this offering, our audit committee will be composed of Mses. Falotico and Wentworth and Mr. Turner. Ms. Falotico will serve as chair of our audit committee. Our board of directors is expected to determine affirmatively that (i) Ms. Falotico qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as such term has been defined by the SEC in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K, (ii) each member of our audit committee is financially literate as that term is defined by Nasdaq listing standards and (iii) each member of the audit committee meets the definition for independence for the purposes of serving on our audit committee under Nasdaq listing standards and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
Compensation Committee
In connection with this offering, our board of directors will adopt a compensation committee charter, which will define the compensation committees principal functions to include:
| reviewing and approving, or recommending for approval by the board of directors, the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers; |
| making recommendations to the board of directors with respect to director compensation; |
| reviewing and approving, or recommending for approval by the board of directors, our incentive compensation and equity-based plans and arrangements; |
| reviewing and discussing with management our compensation discussion and analysis required by SEC regulations and recommending to the board of directors that such compensation discussion and analysis be included in our annual report; and |
| preparing the compensation committee report to be included in our annual report. |
The compensation committee shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, to retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser as it deems appropriate. The committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when it deems appropriate. Upon the completion of this offering, our compensation committee will be composed of Messrs. Forste, Carrafiell and Wyper and Ms. Wentworth. Mr. Forste will serve as chair of our compensation committee. Our board of directors is expected to determine affirmatively that Messrs. Carrafiell and Wyper and Ms. Wentworth meet the definition for independence for the purpose of serving on our compensation committee under applicable rules of Nasdaq and Ms. Wentworth meets the definition of a non-employee director for the purpose of serving on our compensation committee under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
In connection with this offering, our board of directors will adopt a nominating and corporate governance committee charter, which will define the nominating and corporate governance committees principal functions, to include:
| identifying individuals qualified to become members of our board of directors consistent with the stockholders agreement and criteria approved by our board of directors; |
| ensuring that our board of directors has the requisite expertise and its membership consists of persons with sufficiently diverse and independent backgrounds; |
| reviewing the committee structure of the board of directors and recommending directors to serve as members of each committee of the board of directors; |
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| periodically reviewing our board of directors leadership structure and recommending any proposed changes to our board of directors; |
| developing and recommending to the board of directors a set of corporate governance guidelines applicable to us and, from time to time as it deems appropriate, reviewing such guidelines and recommending changes to the board of directors for approval as necessary; and |
| overseeing the self-evaluations of the board of directors. |
Upon the completion of this offering, we will establish a nominating and corporate governance committee comprised of Messrs. Forste and Marchetti and Ms. Archambeau. Mr. Marchetti will serve as chair of our nominating and corporate governance committee. Our board of directors is expected to determine affirmatively that Ms. Archambeau meets the definition of independence under Nasdaq listing standards.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers serves, or in the past has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee, or other committee serving an equivalent function, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve as members of our board of directors or our compensation committee. Mr. Forste, a member of our compensation committee, is our Co-Executive Chairman.
Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment arrangements with our Chief Executive Officer and certain of our other executive officers. For a description of the terms of these employment agreements, see Executive Compensation2023 Executive CompensationNarrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards TableNamed Executive Officer Employment Agreements.
Director Compensation
2023 Director Compensation
None of the members of the board of directors of Lineage, Inc. received compensation for their service on our board of directors in 2023. Certain members of the board of directors of Lineage Holdings received an award of BGLH Restricted Units as compensation for the directors Lineage Holdings board service. Each such award vests on the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to the directors continued service through the vesting date. Certain members of the board of directors of Lineage Holdings also received a quarterly cash retainer fee equal to $25,000 per quarter, and were eligible to receive the following additional quarterly cash fees:
| Audit Committee Chair: $6,250 |
| Audit Committee Non-Chair Member: $3,750 |
| Compensation Committee Non-Chair Member: $2,500 |
The total compensation earned in 2023 by directors of Lineage Holdings in 2023 who are expected to serve as members of our board of directors upon the completion of this offering is shown in the table below. None of the other members of the board of directors of Lineage Holdings received any compensation in 2023 for their service as a director of Lineage Holdings.
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock Awards ($)(1) |
All Other Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
||||||||||||
Joy Falotico |
86,250 | 150,000 | | 236,250 | ||||||||||||
Lynn Wentworth |
101,250 | 150,000 | | 251,250 |
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(1) | Amounts reflect the full grant-date fair value of awards of BGLH Restricted Units granted during 2023 computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The value of BGLH Restricted Units is based on the equity value of BGLH derived from an independent third-party valuation of Lineage Holdings as of December 31, 2022. |
(2) | As of December 31, 2023, directors of Lineage Holdings held the aggregate numbers of unvested BGLH Restricted Units set forth in the table below. |
Name |
BGLH Restricted Units (#) |
|||
Joy Falotico |
1,554 | |||
Lynn Wentworth |
1,667 |
Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, each of whom served on the board of directors of Lineage, Inc., received distributions from Bay Grove, BGLH and/or their respective affiliates and/or our affiliates in respect of their direct and indirect ownership interests in such entities and in respect of the services agreement. See Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions. Such amounts are distributions in respect of Messrs. Forstes and Marchettis equity ownership interests in such entities and are not considered compensation paid by us. Neither Mr. Forste nor Mr. Marchetti received any compensation for their service as a director of Lineage, Inc. in 2023.
Post-IPO Non-Employee Director Compensation Program
In connection with this offering, we intend to approve and implement a compensation program (the Director Compensation Program) for our non-employee directors (other than directors designated by Stonepeak or BentallGreenOak) (each, an Eligible Director) that consists of annual cash retainer fees and a long-term equity awards. An Eligible Director shall not include any executive director or Executive Chairman. The material terms of the Director Compensation Program are summarized below.
The Director Compensation Program consists of the following components for Eligible Directors:
Cash Compensation
| Annual Retainer: $120,000 |
| Annual Committee Chair Retainers: |
| Audit Committee: $30,000 |
| Compensation Committee: $25,000 |
| Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee: $20,000 |
| Investment Committee: $25,000 |
| Other Committees: $25,000 |
| Annual Non-Chair Committee Member Retainers: |
| Audit Committee: $15,000 |
| Compensation Committee: $15,000 |
| Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee: $10,000 |
| Investment Committee: $10,000 |
| Other Committees: $10,000 |
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Annual cash retainers will be paid in quarterly installments in advance and will be pro-rated for any partial calendar quarter of service. In addition, under the Director Compensation Program, we will reimburse all of our directors for any out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by them in connection with their board service, up to $30,000 annually.
Equity Compensation
| Initial Award: Each Eligible Director who is initially elected or appointed to serve on the Board following completion of this offering will be granted an award of RSUs at the time of the election or appointment with a value of approximately $200,000. Each Initial Grant will vest in full on the earlier to occur of (i) the one-year anniversary of the applicable grant date and (ii) the date of the next annual meeting following the grant date, subject to the directors continued service through the applicable vesting date. Initial grants to Eligible Directors who are elected or appointed other than at an annual meeting of our stockholders will be pro-rated. |
| Annual Award: Each Eligible Director who is serving on the Board as of the date of each annual meeting of the companys stockholders beginning in 2025 will be granted, on such annual meeting date, an award of RSUs with a value of approximately $200,000, which will vest in full on the earlier to occur of (i) the one-year anniversary of the applicable grant date and (ii) the date of the next annual meeting following the grant date, subject to the directors continued service through the applicable vesting date. |
Compensation under the Director Compensation Program is subject to the annual limits on non-employee director compensation set forth in the 2024 Plan, as described below.
Director IPO Awards
We intend to grant an aggregate of RSU awards under the 2024 Plan to certain of our Eligible Directors, which will become effective in connection with the completion of this offering. These awards will vest in full on April 1, 2025, subject to the directors continued service through the vesting date.
Code of Conduct
Our board of directors has adopted a code of conduct that applies to our directors, officers and employees. Among other matters, our code of conduct is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
| honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; |
| full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in our SEC reports and other public communications; |
| compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; |
| prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to appropriate persons identified in the code; |
| accountability for adherence to the code of conduct; |
| the protection of the companys legitimate business interests, including its assets and corporate opportunities; and |
| confidentiality of information entrusted to directors, officers and employees by our company and our customers. |
Any waiver of the code of conduct for our directors or executive officers must be approved by a majority of our independent directors, and any such waiver shall be promptly disclosed as required by law and Nasdaq regulations.
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Indemnification
We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers that will obligate us to indemnify them to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law as discussed under Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and BylawsLimitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers. The indemnification agreements will provide that, if a director or executive officer is a party to, or witness in, or is threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, any proceeding by reason of his or her service as a director, officer, employee or agent of our company or any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, trustee, member, manager or partner of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of such persons service in that capacity, we must indemnify the director or executive officer for all expenses and liabilities actually and reasonably incurred by him or her, or on his or her behalf, to the maximum extent permitted under Maryland law, including in any proceeding brought by the director or executive officer to enforce his or her rights under the indemnification agreement, to the extent provided by the agreement. The indemnification agreements will also require us to advance reasonable expenses incurred by the indemnitee within ten days of the receipt by us of a statement from the indemnitee requesting the advance, provided the statement evidences the expenses and is accompanied or preceded by:
| a written affirmation of the indemnitees good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification; and |
| a written undertaking by the indemnitee or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid if it shall ultimately be established that the standard of conduct has not been met. |
The indemnification agreements will also provide for procedures for the determination of entitlement to indemnification, including requiring such determination be made by independent counsel after a change of control of us.
Our charter obligates us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (i) any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (ii) any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity, as discussed under Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and BylawsLimitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Our charter will also permit us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.
In addition, our directors and officers may be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement of our operating partnership.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis
General
In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we provide an overview and analysis of the compensation awarded to or earned by our named executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table below (each, an NEO) during 2023, including the elements of our compensation program for NEOs, material compensation decisions made under that program for 2023 and the material factors considered in making those decisions. Our NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2023 are:
| Greg Lehmkuhl, President and Chief Executive Officer; |
| Rob Crisci, Chief Financial Officer; |
| Jeffrey Rivera, Global Chief Operations Officer; |
| Sudarsan Thattai, Chief Information Officer and Chief Transformation Officer; and |
| Sean Vanderelzen, Chief Human Resources Officer. |
Mr. Crisci joined our company as its Chief Financial Officer effective April 19, 2023.
Compensation Governance and Best Practices
We are committed to having strong governance standards with respect to our compensation programs, procedures and practices. Our key compensation practices that were either in place during 2023 or that we expect to adopt in connection with this offering, include the following:
What We Do |
What We Do Not Do | |||||||
✓ |
Emphasize performance-based, at risk compensation. | X | Do not grant uncapped cash incentives. | |||||
✓ |
Emphasize the use of equity compensation to promote executive retention and reward long-term value creation. | X | Do not provide single-trigger payments or benefits upon a change in control. | |||||
✓ |
Weight the overall pay mix towards incentive compensation for senior executives. | X | Do not guarantee annual salary or target bonus increases. | |||||
✓ |
Engage an independent compensation consultant to advise our compensation committee. | X | Do not maintain defined benefit pension plans or supplemental executive retirement plans. | |||||
✓ |
Maintain stock ownership guidelines. | |||||||
✓ |
Maintain a clawback policy for recovery of erroneously awarded compensation. |
Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
At our first annual meeting of stockholders following the completion of this offering, we expect to ask our stockholders to vote in a non-binding, advisory vote to approve the compensation of our NEOs (the Say-on-Pay Vote). Our compensation committee will review the result of this vote, and, depending on the outcome, will consider any necessary changes to our executive compensation program as a result of the vote. At that same annual meeting of stockholders, we also expect to ask our stockholders to vote in a non-binding, advisory vote regarding the frequency in which we will conduct our Say-on-Pay Vote.
Executive Compensation Objectives and Philosophy
The key objective of our executive compensation program is to attract, motivate, and retain valued leaders who create an inclusive and diverse environment and have the skills and experience necessary to successfully
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execute on our strategic plan to maximize shareholder value. The fundamental elements and core principals of our executive compensation program are as follows:
| Paying for performance is our central compensation tenet: Reinforce pay-for-performance and individual accountability through the grant of performance-based cash and equity-based award opportunities |
| Provide a total pay program that is competitive in terms of level and design: In combination with the above, align with market on vesting periods that encourage our top talent to stay with our company long term. This supports our investment in talent specifically trained to run our unique business |
| Our compensation supports the attainment of key business, strategic and human capital goals aimed at driving long-term shareholder value: The components of our compensation program are specifically designed to support each driver of our business. We have compensation elements supporting progress toward annual strategic priorities and strong long-term stockholder return |
| Emphasize alignment across our business by tailoring compensation to reflect organization level and impact to the business with greater focus on variable/performance-based compensation at higher levels |
We strive to be market competitive on all elements of compensation, with significant upside for strong individual and company performance. In addition, we factor in an executives experience, performance, scope of position and the competitive demand for proven executive talent, as described further below under Determination of Executive Compensation.
Determination of Executive Compensation
Role of Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee is responsible for establishing and overseeing our executive compensation programs and annually reviews and determines the compensation to be provided to our Chief Executive Officer and our other NEOs, except with respect to equity compensation awards which shall be determined by the full board of directors or by action of two or more non-employee directors (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act).
In setting executive compensation, the compensation committee considers a number of factors, including the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to his own compensation), current and past total compensation, competitive market data and analysis provided by the compensation committees independent compensation consultant, company performance and each executives impact on performance, each executives relative scope of responsibility and potential, each executives individual performance and demonstrated leadership, and internal equity pay considerations.
Role of Compensation Consultant
In order to design a competitive executive compensation program that will continue to attract top executive talent and reflect our compensation philosophy, our compensation committee has retained Pay Governance as an independent compensation consultant to provide executive compensation advisory services, help evaluate our compensation philosophy and objectives and provide guidance in administering our executive compensation program.
Role of the CEO
At the end of each performance year, our Chief Executive Officer assesses the contributions of each executive officer and recommends to our compensation committee the compensation to be awarded based on numerous factors, future contributions, leadership abilities, external market competitiveness, internal pay comparisons, retention risk and other factors deemed relevant. The compensation committee considers this information and makes final compensation determinations for our executive officers. Our Chief Executive Officer does not participate in any deliberations regarding his own compensation.
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Use of Comparative Market Data
Use of Market Data
The compensation committee periodically examines pay practices and pay data for a peer group of 16 companies as a source of market data to better understand the competitiveness of our compensation program and its various elements. Specifically, we review the range of market compensation between the 25th and 75th percentiles of our peer group as well as compensation survey data to develop an understanding of market pay levels for each position.
The external market data reviewed for our 2023 executive compensation program included peer group proxy data and broad industry-comparative compensation surveys. The compensation committee reviews the composition of the peer group on an annual basis and considers the following criteria:
| Industries that attract and retain similar talent; |
| Global presence and brand recognition; |
| Organizational complexity; |
| Comparable size based on annual revenue, market capitalization, Adjusted EBITDA and number of team members; and |
| High-growth profile. |
Based on the above, the peer group used for assessing 2023 compensation levels for our NEOs was as follows:
Americold Realty Trust, Inc.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
Conagra Brands, Inc.
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
Extra Space Storage Inc.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
Kellogg Company
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Ryder System, Inc.
Simon Property Group, Inc.
US Foods Holding Corp.
XPO, Inc.
Yum! Brands, Inc.
The compensation committee reviewed the total compensation of our companys executives relative to compensation of comparable positions among the peer companies but did not set 2023 executive compensation levels at a specific target percentile within the peer group or any other comparator group. The compensation committee does not establish compensation levels solely based on a review of competitive data, and also considers a number of other factors, including: company performance relative to our stakeholder priorities, each executives impact and criticality to our strategy and mission, relative scope of responsibility and potential, individual performance and demonstrated leadership, and internal equity pay considerations. 2023 NEO total compensation levels within the peer group range varied by individual, and were slightly above the median for our CEO and between the 33rd and 89th percentiles (average of +12% of the median) for other NEOs for whom comparable positions were identified in the peer group (which did not include our Chief Information Officer and Chief Transformation Officer).
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Elements of Compensation
Pay Mix
In establishing an appropriate mix of fixed and variable pay to reward and retain our NEOs, we consider company-wide and individual performance. The compensation committee balances the importance of meeting our short-term business goals with the need to create shareholder value and drive growth over the long-term. Our compensation framework heavily weights variable compensation to reward achievements against pre-established, quantifiable financial performance objectives and individual strategic performance objectives.
The primary components of our executive compensation program and the purposes of each are set forth below:
Pay Component |
Purpose | |
Base Salary |
To recognize an executives immediate contribution to the organization To compensate for assuming a significant level of responsibility To provide financial stability To be market competitive | |
Short-Term Incentives |
To reinforce the optimization of operating results throughout the year To pay for performance and reinforce individual accountability To reinforce the achievement of Lineages goals To drive shareholder value To ensure both short and long-term goals of the company are met via compensation elements | |
Long-Term Incentives |
To hold executives accountable for long-term decisions To reinforce collaboration between key leaders throughout the organization for long-term goals To retain key talent over the long term To share success with stockholders To build executive stock ownership and shareholder value To be competitive in the markets where we compete for executive talent | |
Benefits |
To provide competitive employee benefit packages in order to attract and retain highly qualified personnel To avoid materially different approaches to benefit strategy among executive and non-executive populations To be cost effective through shared expense with executives To be tax-effective |
Base Salary
The base salaries of our NEOs are an important part of their total compensation package and are intended to reflect their respective positions, duties and responsibilities. The base salary levels of our NEOs are intended to position each individuals base salary competitively in the labor market in which we compete for talent, as well as to reflect additional considerations set forth above under Determination of Executive Compensation. Our NEOs 2023 base salaries are set forth below:
Name |
2023 Annual Base Salary | |||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
$ | 1,200,000 | ||
Rob Crisci |
$ | 700,000 | ||
Jeffrey Rivera |
$ | 660,000 | ||
Sudarsan Thattai |
$ | 630,000 | ||
Sean Vanderelzen |
$ | 525,000 |
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Annual Bonus Program
Our short-term cash incentive plan has been designed to attract and retain key talent and reward executives based on performance against key financial and strategic priorities.
Target Levels
Each NEO is eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus based on a specified target annual bonus award amount, expressed as a percentage of the NEOs base salary. In 2023, each of our NEOs participated in our annual cash incentive bonus program at the following target percentages of base salary:
Name |
Target Bonus as a Percentage of Base Salary |
|||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
175 | % | ||
Rob Crisci |
125 | % | ||
Jeffrey Rivera |
110 | % | ||
Sudarsan Thattai |
100 | % | ||
Sean Vanderelzen |
100 | % |
Mr. Riveras target bonus opportunity increased from 100% of base salary in 2022 to 110% of base salary in 2023. The target bonus opportunities for Messrs. Lehmkuhl, Thattai and Vanderelzen in 2023 were not increased or changed from fiscal year 2022. Mr. Crisci was not an employee of our company in 2022.
Financial and Individual Objectives, Targets, and Potential Payouts
The annual bonus program for each of our NEOs includes the following two primary components:
(i) | Company overall financial performance, measured by Management Adjusted EBITDA, weighted at 70%; and |
(ii) Individual performance objectives, as set forth below for each NEO, weighted at 30%.
Company Performance ObjectiveManagement Adjusted EBITDA
Seventy percent of each NEOs annual cash bonus is based on the extent to which the Management Adjusted EBITDA objective is achieved. The following table provides threshold, target and maximum targets for the Management Adjusted EBITDA objective and provides actual 2023 results and achievement as a percentage of target. For the Management Adjusted EBITDA objective, Mr. Lehmkuhl receives a 0% payout at or below threshold performance, a 100% payout of target at target performance, and a 200% payout of target at maximum performance. Each NEO other than Mr. Lehmkuhl receives a 20% payout of target at threshold performance, a 100% payout of target at target performance, and a 200% payout of target at maximum performance. For all NEOs, the payout for performance between percentages is interpolated on a straight-line basis and performance below threshold results in a 0% payout for the Management Adjusted EBITDA objective.
Financial Objective |
Threshold (0% Payout for CEO; 20% Payout for other NEOs)(1) |
Target (100% Payout)(1) |
Maximum (200% Payout)(1) |
Result(1) | Achievement | Payout (% of Target) |
||||||||||||||||||
Management Adjusted |
$ | 1,116.6 | $ | 1,246.6 | $ | 1,327.6 | $ | 1,341.6 | 107.6 | % | 200 | % |
(1) | Amounts in millions. |
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Management Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA with additional adjustments to exclude current year acquisitions, dispositions, closed operations, annual bonus program expense, other certain one-time items (both favorable and unfavorable), and management fees paid to Bay Grove in accordance with the terms of the operating services agreement. In addition, Management Adjustment EBITDA is not adjusted for our share of EBITDA related to certain joint ventures or the allocation of our consolidated EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, see Summary Selected Historical and Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial and Other Data.
Individual Performance Objectives
Thirty percent of each NEOs annual cash bonus (excluding the Supplemental CEO Bonus for Mr. Lehmkuhl) is based on achievement of individual performance objectives. The individual performance objectives varied by NEO depending on their specific responsibilities, and payout percentages at threshold (where applicable) and maximum performance varied by objective. For each NEO other than Mr. Lehmkuhl, the payout for performance between threshold and target and between target and maximum is interpolated on a straight-line basis and performance below threshold results in a 0% payout for the individual performance objectives. Mr. Lehmkuhls individual performance objectives are not subject to a threshold, and payout is interpolated on a straight-line basis between 0% performance (corresponding to a 0% payout) and target and between target and maximum.
The following is a summary of each of our NEOs individual objectives:
| Mr. Lehmkuhls individual objectives included goals relating to our companys return on assets (50% of individual objectives), initial public offering readiness (33.33% of individual objectives) and company mergers and acquisitions (16.67% of individual objectives). Because Mr. Lehmkuhls initial public offering readiness objective did not include an opportunity for maximum payout above 100% of target, Mr. Lehmkuhl was eligible to receive an additional payout based on our companys Management Adjusted EBITDA performance above the maximum level established for the company performance objective described above (the Supplemental CEO Bonus). The potential payout range of the Supplemental CEO Bonus opportunity was between $0 and $210,000 and was determined based on linear interpolation of performance between 106.5% of the target Management Adjusted EBITDA set forth above ($1,327.6 million) and 108% of target Management Adjusted EBITDA ($1,346.3 million). |
| Mr. Criscis individual objectives included goals relating to his onboarding plan, including his integration into the organization and orientation to our companys operations, finances and industry at-large. |
| Mr. Riveras individual objectives included goals relating to capital projects, employee and management engagement, reduction of employee turnover, customer experience, positioning for future growth and other operational goals (weightings per goal between 5% and 15% of individual objectives). |
| Mr. Thattais individual objectives included operational, strategic, customer and budget goals relating to our companys global business, including the deployment of operating systems, warehouse system conversions and core-strategic customer facing technology products (weightings per goal between 5% and 15% of individual objectives). |
| Mr. Vanderelzens individual objectives included goals relating to our companys global recruiting transformation, harmonizing our companys global employee compensation and benefit programs, initial public offering readiness, employee retention goals, non-U.S. onboarding and operations objectives, and achieving the G&A budget for our companys human resources function (weightings per goal between 5% and 30% of individual objectives). |
Following the end of 2023, our compensation committee reviewed and evaluated the performance of each NEO and determined the extent to which the NEO satisfied his individual performance objectives. The
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compensation committee consulted with Mr. Lehmkuhl regarding each other NEOs performance with respect to such NEOs individual objectives.
2023 Annual Incentive Payouts
The following table summarizes each NEOs 2023 annual incentive plan objectives described above, including the applicable weighting, achievement as a percentage of target performance, payout percentage and payout amount.
Name |
Objective |
Weighting | Achievement | Payout (% of Target Bonus) |
Payout | |||||||||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
Management Adjusted EBITDA |
70 | % | 107.6 | % | 200 | % | $ | 2,940,000 | |||||||||
Individual Performance Objectives |
30 | % | 100.7 | % | 106.5 | % | $ | 670,950 | ||||||||||
Supplemental CEO Bonus* |
| | | $ | 154,000 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,764,950 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Rob Crisci |
Management Adjusted EBITDA |
70 | % | 107.6 | % | 200 | % | $ | 862,534 | |||||||||
Individual Performance Objectives |
30 | % | 135 | % | 135 | % | $ | 249,519 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,112,053 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
Management Adjusted EBITDA |
70 | % | 107.6 | % | 200 | % | $ | 1,005,768 | |||||||||
Individual Performance Objectives |
30 | % | 135 | % | 135 | % | $ | 290,954 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,296,722 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
Management Adjusted EBITDA |
70 | % | 107.6 | % | 200 | % | $ | 872,334 | |||||||||
Individual Performance Objectives |
30 | % | 113 | % | 113 | % | $ | 211,230 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,083,564 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
Management Adjusted EBITDA |
70 | % | 107.6 | % | 200 | % | $ | 723,723 | |||||||||
Individual Performance Objectives |
30 | % | 157 | % | 157 | % | $ | 243,481 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 967,204 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
* | Actual Management Adjusted EBITDA for 2023 was $1,341.6 million, which resulted in a payment to Mr. Lehmkuhl of a Supplemental CEO Bonus equal to $154,000. |
Equity-Based Long-Term Incentive Awards
We view equity-based compensation as a critical component of our balanced total compensation program. Equity-based compensation creates an ownership culture among our employees that provides an incentive to contribute to the continued growth and development of our business and aligns the interest of executives with those of our stockholders.
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We have granted to our NEOs Class C Units in LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC (LMEP Units), which correspond to the value of Class C Units in Lineage Holdings held by LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC. In addition BGLH has granted to our NEOs Class B Units in BGLH (BGLH Restricted Units). The LMEP Units are issued in the form of profits interest units to eligible participants for the performance of services to or for the benefit of our company.
LMEP Units
Awards of LMEP Units typically vest (i) with respect to 50% of the units subject to the award, in five (or, for awards granted in 2023, three) substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five or three anniversaries, respectively of the grant date (the Time-Based LMEP Units); and (ii) with respect to the remaining 50% of the units subject to the award, for awards granted to Mr. Lehmkuhl, based on the attainment of Management Adjusted EBITDA performance targets, and for awards granted to our other NEOs, (A) based 50% on the attainment of the applicable individual key performance indicators for each NEO set forth above under Annual Bonus ProgramIndividual Performance Objectives and (B) based 50% on the attainment of Management Adjusted EBITDA performance targets, each in substantially equal installments over a five-year (or, for awards granted in 2023, three-year) period (the Performance-Based LMEP Units), in each case, subject to the NEOs continued service relationship through the applicable vesting date. For each award of LMEP Units, the key performance indicators and EBITDA targets are established at the beginning of the year in which the applicable Performance-Based LMEP Units are eligible to vest (each, a Performance Vesting Tranche). In addition, in connection with his promotion to his current positions with our company in 2022, Mr. Thattai was granted an award of LMEP Units in March 2022 that is subject to vesting based on the achievement of specified performance goals as of March 29, 2024 and Mr. Thattais continued employment with our company through March 29, 2025.
In the event that any Performance-Based LMEP Units fail to satisfy the applicable performance targets in the applicable year, such Performance-Based LMEP Units will, unless and until otherwise terminated, remain outstanding and (i) will vest in full upon the occurrence of an exit transaction that generates net proceeds in excess of certain specified thresholds and (ii) may also vest on a discretionary basis as determined by the manager of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC or LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC (as applicable). For purposes of the LMEP Unit award agreements, an exit transaction generally includes certain third party sale transactions resulting in a change in control of our company. For a description of how LMEP Unit awards are treated upon qualifying terminations of employment or in connection with a change in control, see the section entitled, Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in ControlLMEP Awards.
2023 LMEP Awards
In April 2023, in connection with Mr. Criscis commencement of employment with our company, Mr. Crisci was granted a special long-term incentive award of 2,191,000 LMEP Units that are subject to vesting pursuant to the three-year vesting schedule described above. The performance metrics applicable to such LMEP Units included Management Adjusted EBITDA (50%) and the individual performance targets (50%) set forth with respect to Mr. Crisci above under Annual Bonus ProgramIndividual Performance Objectives. None of our other NEOs received an award of LMEP Units in 2023.
BGLH Restricted Units
The BGLH Restricted Units generally vest in full on December 31 of the calendar year of the grant date, subject to the NEOs continued service with our company or its affiliates through the vesting date. However, certain BGLH Restricted Units granted to Mr. Lehmkuhl pursuant to the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement (as defined and described below) vest in two or three substantially equal annual installments commencing on December 31 of the calendar year of the grant date, subject to continued employment. In addition, in connection with Mr. Criscis commencement of employment with our company, Mr. Crisci was granted a special long-term incentive award of BGLH Restricted Units in 2023 that will vest in full on the first to occur of the 18-month
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anniversary of his employment commencement date and the consummation of this offering, in each case, subject to continued employment. BGLH Restricted Units are subject to repurchase in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of BGLH.
2023 BGLH Restricted Unit Awards
In 2023, our NEOs were granted the following awards of BGLH Restricted Units:
Name |
Number of BGLH Restricted Units |
|||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
48,889 | (1) | ||
Rob Crisci |
111,111 | |||
Jeffrey Rivera |
6,111 | |||
Sudarsan Thattai |
5,556 | |||
Sean Vanderelzen |
6,111 |
(1) | Of the BGLH Restricted Units granted to Mr. Lehmkuhl in 2023, 33,333 vest pursuant to the two-year vesting schedule described above, and the remaining 15,556 vest pursuant to the standard one-year vesting schedule described above. |
Pursuant to a letter agreement dated April 12, 2023, BGLH has also agreed to work with Mr. Crisci in good faith regarding the satisfaction by him of his tax liabilities with respect to the vesting of his 2023 BGLH Restricted Units, subject to compliance with applicable law and company policy.
LMEP Units2023 Performance Vesting
As of December 31, 2023, the 2023 Performance Vesting Tranches of LMEP Unit awards granted in 2023 and prior years vested as follows based on Management Adjusted EBITDA performance and the satisfaction of individual key performance indicator goals:
Management Adjusted EBITDA
Objective |
Target(1) | Result(1) | Achievement | Payout (% of Target Award) |
||||||||||||
Management Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 1,246.6 | $ | 1,341.6 | 107.6 | % | 100 | % |
(1) | Amounts in millions. |
Key Performance Indicators
Key performance indicator goals for our NEOs other than Mr. Lehmkuhl were achieved as follows with respect to 2023 Performance Vesting Tranches. Mr. Lehmkuhls LMEP Unit awards are subject only to Management Adjusted EBITDA performance goals and are not subject to any key performance indicators.
LMEP Unit Awards |
Key Performance Indicators Level of Achievement |
|||
Rob Crisci |
||||
2023 LMEP Units |
100 | % | ||
Jeffrey Rivera |
||||
2020 LMEP Units |
100 | % | ||
2021 LMEP Units |
100 | % | ||
2022 LMEP Units |
100 | % | ||
Sudarsan Thattai |
||||
2019 LMEP Units |
100 | % | ||
2020 LMEP Units |
100 | % | ||
2021 LMEP Units |
100 | % | ||
2022 LMEP Units |
100 | % |
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LMEP Unit Awards |
Key Performance Indicators Level of Achievement |
|||
Sean Vanderelzen |
||||
2019 LMEP Units |
100 | % | ||
2020 LMEP Units |
100 | % | ||
2021 LMEP Units |
100 | % | ||
2022 LMEP Units |
100 | % |
Based on such Management Adjusted EBITDA performance and key performance indicator performance, each NEO vested in the following numbers of LMEP Units for 2023 Performance Vesting Tranches:
NEO |
Aggregate Number of LMEP Units Subject to 2023 Performance Vesting Tranches (Granted) |
Aggregate Number of LMEP Units Subject to 2023 Performance Vesting Tranches (Vested) |
||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
187,875 | 187,875 | ||||||
Rob Crisci |
365,167 | 365,167 | ||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
84,031 | 84,031 | ||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
134,890 | 134,890 | ||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
57,910 | 57,910 |
Treatment of LMEP Units and BGLH Restricted Units in Connection with this Offering
In connection with this offering and the formation transactions, we will have purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock the vested awards of LMEP Units valued at less than $3.0 million per individual that are held by certain of our officers and employees who are not named executive officers. After such purchase, LLH MGMT Profits I and LLH MGMT Profits II will each contribute their interests in Lineage Holdings to our operating partnership in exchange for Legacy Class B OP Units as part of the formation transactions. Following the contribution, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC will distribute the Legacy Class B OP Units to its members, including certain of our officers and employees whose LMEP Units are not purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock, in complete liquidation of each such entity.
All officers, employees and others to whom such Legacy Class B OP Units are distributed will generally continue to hold such Legacy Class B OP Units subject to settlement over a period of up to three years as part of the same settlement process that applies to all of our legacy investor equity. See Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation TransactionsHistoric Management Equity.
All outstanding LMEP Units that remain unvested as of the contribution and distribution described above will automatically terminate at such time. In connection with this offering and, in part, the termination of outstanding and unvested LMEP Units, we will grant one-time equity-based awards under the 2024 Plan in the form of RSUs covering shares of our common stock and/or LTIP units in our operating partnership that will be subject to vesting based on continued employment over a period of up to three years. The aggregate number of such RSUs and LTIP units granted to all applicable executive officers and employees is expected to be approximately , including awards in the following amounts to our NEOs:
Name |
Replacement LMEP RSU Awards (#) |
Replacement LMEP LTIP Unit Awards (#) |
||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
||||||||
Rob Crisci |
||||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
||||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
||||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
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New equity-based awards under the 2024 Plan will not include any new Legacy Class B OP Units. Any new equity-based awards issued at our operating partnership at or following the completion of this offering will be in the form of LTIP units. See Amended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan below for more information.
All BGLH Restricted Units that remain unvested as of the initial closing of this offering will automatically vest in full in connection with this offering and will be included in the coordinated settlement process for the settlement of all legacy BGLH and legacy operating partnership equity over the up-to-three-year settlement period for such equity following the initial closing of this offering.
Employee Benefits and Perquisites
Retirement Savings
We maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan for our employees, including our NEOs, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. Our NEOs are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan on the same terms as other full- time employees. In 2023, contributions made by participants in the 401(k) plan were matched up to a specified percentage of the employee contributions, and these matching contributions are fully vested when made by our company. We believe that providing a vehicle for tax-deferred retirement savings though our 401(k) plan, and making fully vested matching contributions, adds to the overall desirability of our executive compensation package and further incentivizes our employees, including our NEOs, in accordance with our compensation policies.
Health and Welfare Plans
All of our full-time employees, including our NEOs, are eligible to participate in our health and welfare plans, including medical, dental and vision benefits, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and life insurance.
Other Perquisites
We provided certain perquisites to each of our NEOs in 2023, including a company-paid annual executive physical. In 2023 we reimbursed certain of our NEOs for certain personal travel, entertainment and other non-business expenses incurred by them and their families, and also provided Mr. Lehmkuhl with a car allowance. Subject to approval by our company in its discretion, each NEO was also permitted certain personal use by the applicable NEO and/or his family of aircraft owned and/or leased by our company or its affiliates. In addition, in 2023, certain of our NEOs received tax gross-up payments related to company-provided family and spousal travel, international assignments, and the grant and/or vesting of BGLH Restricted Units. The personal expense reimbursement program for our NEOs (other than Mr. Lehmkuhl) and the provision of all tax gross-ups for our NEOs were discontinued as of January 1, 2024. The personal expense reimbursement program for Mr. Lehmkuhl was discontinued as of April 1, 2024.
Severance and Change in Control Arrangements
We have entered into an employment agreement with each of Mr. Lehmkuhl and Mr. Crisci and a letter agreement with Mr. Thattai, which provide for severance benefits and payments upon certain terminations of their employment. Our compensation committee believes that these types of arrangements are necessary to attract and retain executive talent and are a customary component of executive compensation. A description of these arrangements, as well as information on the estimated payments and benefits that our NEOs would have been eligible to receive as of December 31, 2023, are set forth in Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control below.
In connection with this offering, we intend to adopt the Lineage, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (the Severance Plan), and expect that each of Messrs. Rivera, Thattai and Vanderelzen will be a participant in the Severance Plan. For a description of the Severance Plan, see Potential Payments on Termination or Change in ControlExecutive Severance Plan below.
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Other Policies and Considerations
Clawback Policy. We intend to adopt a compensation recovery policy that will require the recovery of certain erroneously paid incentive compensation received by our Section 16 officers on or after the date on which this registration statement becomes effective, as required by new SEC rules and Nasdaq Listing Standards implemented pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, and which can be recovered from time-vesting or performance-vesting equity compensation (in addition to other forms of compensation).
Stock Ownership Guidelines. In connection with this offering, we expect to adopt stock ownership guidelines that will be applicable to our executive officers, including our NEOs, and to our non-employee directors.
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. The compensation committee takes into account whether components of the compensation for our executive officers will be adversely impacted by the penalty tax imposed by Section 409A of the Code and aims to structure these components to be compliant with or exempt from Section 409A to avoid such potential adverse tax consequences.
Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Code denies a publicly-traded corporation a federal income tax deduction for remuneration in excess of $1 million per year per person paid to executives designated in Section 162(m) of the Code, including, but not limited to, its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and the next three highly compensated executive officers. However, we believe that maintaining the discretion to provide compensation that is non-deductible allows us to provide compensation tailored to the needs of our company and our named executive officers and is an important part of our responsibilities and benefits our stockholders.
Accounting for Share-Based Compensation. We follow Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, (ASC Topic 718), for our share-based compensation awards. ASC Topic 718 requires companies to measure the compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on the grant date fair value of these awards.
2023 Executive Compensation
2023 Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Name and Principal Position |
Salary(1) ($) |
Stock Awards(2) ($) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(3) ($) |
All Other Compensation(4) ($) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
1,197,693 | 5,433,313 | 3,764,950 | 1,183,994 | 11,579,950 | |||||||||||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
||||||||||||||||||||
Rob Crisci |
465,769 | 14,367,378 | 1,112,053 | 14,987 | 15,960,187 | |||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
||||||||||||||||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
651,923 | 923,356 | 1,296,722 | 274,328 | 3,146,329 | |||||||||||||||
Global Chief Operations Officer |
||||||||||||||||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
621,924 | 1,255,135 | 1,083,564 | 226,895 | 3,178,518 | |||||||||||||||
Chief Information Officer and Chief Transformation Officer |
||||||||||||||||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
515,578 | 833,017 | 967,204 | 298,766 | 2,614,565 | |||||||||||||||
Chief Human Resources Officer |
(1) | For Mr. Crisci, amount reflects 2023 base salary earned or paid to him commencing on April 19, 2023 (the start date of his employment with our company). |
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(2) | Amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of (i) time-vesting LMEP Units and BGLH Restricted Units granted to the NEOs in 2023, and (ii) 2023 Performance Vesting Tranches of LMEP Units awarded to the NEOs in 2023 and prior years. For Mr. Crisci, the amounts reflect special long-term incentive awards of LMEP Units and BGLH Restricted Units granted to him in connection with his commencement of employment with our company (see Compensation Discussion and AnalysisElements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive Awards). All amounts shown are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For 2023, the following assumptions were used in the calculation of these amounts for LMEP Units: volatility 48.5%, risk free rate 4.68%, and dividend yield 0.00%. The value of BGLH Restricted Units is based on the equity value of BGLH derived from an independent third-party valuation of Lineage Holdings as of December 31, 2022. For 2023 Performance Vesting Tranches of LMEP Units, amounts shown are based on probable outcomes as of the applicable measurement date under FASB ASC Topic 718, which is also maximum level performance. |
(3) | Amounts shown in this column represent amounts earned under our annual bonus program for the year shown and paid in the first quarter of the following year. For a description of our cash annual incentive bonus program see Compensation Discussion and AnalysisElements of CompensationAnnual Bonus Program above. |
(4) | The following table sets forth the amount of each other item of compensation paid to, or on behalf of, our NEOs during 2023 included in the All Other Compensation column. Amounts for each other item of compensation are valued based on the aggregate incremental cost to us, in each case without taking into account the value of any income tax deduction for which we may be eligible. |
Name |
Company 401(k) Match(a) ($) |
Personal Use of Company Aircraft(b) ($) |
Reimbursement of Personal Travel, Entertainment and Other Expenses(c) ($) |
Tax Gross-Ups(d) ($) |
Other(e) ($) |
Total ($) |
||||||||||||||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
8,115 | 54,329 | 487,269 | 600,701 | 33,580 | 1,183,994 | ||||||||||||||||||
Rob Crisci |
9,500 | 903 | | 544 | 4,040 | 14,987 | ||||||||||||||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
13,200 | 5,812 | 16,132 | 235,604 | 3,580 | 274,328 | ||||||||||||||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
9,199 | 903 | 7,950 | 207,763 | 1,080 | 226,895 | ||||||||||||||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
9,008 | 2,610 | 36,066 | 247,502 | 3,580 | 298,766 |
(a) | For 2023, we matched 100% of the first 3% and 50% of the next 2% percent of eligible compensation (subject to applicable Internal Revenue Code limits) contributed on a pre-tax basis to our 401(k) plan. |
(b) | Amounts in this column reflect the incremental cost to our company relating to personal use by the applicable NEO and/or his family of aircraft owned and/or leased by our company or its affiliates. |
(c) | Amounts include, as applicable, reimbursement by our company of airfare, hotel, dining and other personal, entertainment and travel related expenses for the NEO and/or his family. |
(d) | Amounts include tax gross-ups relating to company-provided family and spousal travel, international assignment, and/or the grant and/or vesting of BGLH Restricted Units. |
(e) | Amounts in this column are based on the aggregate incremental cost to our company for company-paid life insurance premiums (Mr. Lehmkuhl- $1,080; Mr. Crisci- $540; Mr. Rivera- $1,080; Mr. Thattai- $1,080; and Mr. Vanderelzen- $1,080), annual executive medical examinations (Mr. Lehmkuhl- $2,500; Mr. Crisci- $3,500; Mr. Rivera- $2,500; and Mr. Vanderelzen- $2,500) and auto allowance (Mr. Lehmkuhl- $30,000). |
In addition to the amounts reflected in the table above, Messrs. Lehmkuhl and Thattai also received payments in respect of the redemption by BGLH of certain BGLH Restricted Units. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsUnit Redemptions. Such amounts are payments with respect to the NEOs equity ownership interests in BGLH and are not considered compensation paid by us.
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2023
The following table provides information relating to grants of plan-based awards made during 2023.
Name |
Grant Date(3) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units(5) (#) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(6) ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of Award(4) |
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold (#) |
Target (#) |
Maximum (#) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Bonus |
| | | 2,100,000 | 4,200,000 | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BGLH Restricted Units |
1/9/2023 | 1/9/2023 | | | | | | | 15,556 | 1,400,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BGLH Restricted Units |
2/10/2023 | 2/10/2023 | | | | | | | 33,333 | 3,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 1/31/2020 | | | | | 187,875 | | | 1,033,313 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rob Crisci |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Bonus |
| | 178,668 | 616,096 | 1,232,192 | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BGLH Restricted Units |
4/19/2023 | 4/19/2023 | | | | | | | 111,111 | 9,999,990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Time-Vesting) |
4/19/2023 | 4/19/2023 | | | | | | | 1,095,498 | 3,275,539 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
4/19/2023 | 4/19/2023 | | | | | 365,167 | | | 1,091,849 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Bonus |
| | 208,338 | 718,405 | 1,436,811 | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BGLH Restricted Units |
1/9/2023 | | | | | | | | 6,111 | 550,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 3/29/2022 | | | | | 29,595 | | | 92,928 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 3/5/2021 | | | | | 10,598 | | | 39,319 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 3/9/2020 | | | | | 43,838 | | | 241,109 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Bonus |
| | 180,698 | 623,096 | 1,246,192 | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BGLH Restricted Units |
1/9/2023 | | | | | | | | 5,556 | 500,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 3/29/2022 | | | | | 18,500 | | | 58,090 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 3/5/2021 | | | | | 23,316 | | | 86,502 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 3/9/2020 | | | | | 25,050 | | | 137,775 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 2/28/2019 | | | | | 68,024 | | | 472,767 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Bonus |
| | 149,914 | 516,945 | 1,033,890 | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BGLH Restricted Units |
1/9/2023 | | | | | | | | 6,111 | 550,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 3/29/2022 | | | | | 7,400 | | | 23,236 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 3/5/2021 | | | | | 16,957 | | | 62,910 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 3/9/2020 | | | | | 25,050 | | | 137,775 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LMEP Units (Performance-Vesting) |
1/1/2023 | 2/28/2019 | | | | | 8,503 | | | 59,096 |
(1) | Reflects threshold, target and maximum payment opportunities under our 2023 annual bonus program, based on the NEOs base salary actually paid for the applicable year. For a description of our annual incentive bonus plan, see Compensation Discussion and AnalysisElements of CompensationAnnual Bonus Program. The actual amounts paid in the first quarter of 2024 under our 2023 annual bonus program are disclosed in the 2023 Summary Compensation Table under the NonEquity Incentive Plan Compensation column. |
(2) | Reflects 2023 Performance-Vesting Tranches of LMEP Units granted during 2023 and in prior years. The performance criteria and vesting provisions for the performance-vesting LMEP Units are described above in the section titled Compensation Discussion and AnalysisElements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
(3) | For LMEP Units (including 2023 Performance Vesting Tranches of LMEP Units awarded in prior years) and BGLH Restricted Units, represents the grant date determined for financial statement reporting purposes pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718. |
(4) | For 2023 Performance Vesting Tranches of LMEP Units awarded in years prior to 2023, represents the date on which the applicable issuer took action to grant the applicable award (which date differs from the grant date determined for financial statement reporting purposes pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718). |
(5) | Reflects Time-Based LMEP Units and BGLH Restricted Units granted during 2023. The vesting provisions for the Time-Based LMEP Units and BGLH Restricted Units are described above in the sections titled Compensation Discussion and AnalysisElements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive Awards. |
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(6) | Amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For Performance-Based LMEP Units, amounts are based on probable outcomes as of the grant date, which is also maximum level performance. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are set forth above in Note 2 to the Summary Compensation Table. |
Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
Named Executive Officer Employment Agreements
We have entered into an employment agreement with each of Mr. Lehmkuhl and Mr. Crisci, and an employment letter with Mr. Rivera. The material terms of the Employment Agreements and Mr. Riveras employment letter are described below.
Greg Lehmkuhl
Original Employment Agreement
On January 1, 2020, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Lehmkuhl (the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement), which provides for Mr. Lehmkuhls continued employment with our company as our Chief Executive Officer.
The term of employment under the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement is five years, following which the employment relationship will remain at-will or as otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties. Pursuant to the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement, Mr. Lehmkuhl is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $1,000,000 per year, subject to annual review and increase by our board of directors in its sole discretion. Mr. Lehmkuhls 2023 annual base salary was $1,200,000.
Mr. Lehmkuhl is eligible to earn annual cash performance bonuses, based on the attainment of company, individual and/or performance objectives as determined by our board of directors, with target and maximum bonus opportunities equal to 150% and 250%, respectively, of Mr. Lehmkuhls annual base salary. The target and maximum bonus amounts may be increased (but not reduced) by our board of directors in its sole discretion. Mr. Lehmkuhls 2023 target annual bonus is equal to 175% of his annual base salary.
Mr. Lehmkuhl received an initial award of 65,217 BGLH Restricted Units in connection with his entry into the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement in 2020. In addition, the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement provides for subsequent issuances of BGLH Restricted Units to Mr. Lehmkuhl, each with a value equal to $3,000,000, within the first 60 days of each of 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The BGLH Restricted Units awarded in 2020, 2021 and 2022 vest in three substantially equal annual installments and the BGLH Restricted Units awarded in 2023 will vest in two substantially equal installments, in each case, beginning on the December 31 of the year in which the applicable grant date occurs. The BGLH Restricted Units awarded in 2024 will vest in full on December 31, 2024 (or, if earlier, in connection with the consummation of this offering, as described above). In each case, the vesting of the BGLH Restricted Units is subject to Mr. Lehmkuhls continued employment through the applicable vesting date. In addition to the foregoing BGLH Restricted Unit awards granted to Mr. Lehmkuhl pursuant to the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement, Mr. Lehmkuhl has received additional discretionary grants of BGLH Restricted Units.
The Original Lehmkuhl Agreement also provides that BGLH will make certain tax loans to Mr. Lehmkuhl with respect to the BGLH Restricted Units. These loans were forgiven or repaid prior to the consummation of this offering.
Also in connection with Mr. Lehmkuhls entry into the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement, Mr. Lehmkuhl received an award of 1,878,750 Class C-10 Units of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC (the LMEP Class C-10 Units). The LMEP Class C-10 Units will vest (i) with respect to 50% of such units in five substantially equal annual installments commencing on December 31, 2020, and (ii) with respect to 50% of such units based on the
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attainment of EBITDA targets and other performance goals established by our board of directors for calendar years 2020-2024, in each case, subject to Mr. Lehmkuhls continued employment through the applicable vesting date.
In addition, the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement contains customary confidentiality and assignment of inventions provisions, as well as (i) non-compete restrictions effective during employment and for 24 months thereafter (or during any period during which LLH MGMT Profits, LLC or BGLH is paying for the repurchase of the LMEP Class C-10 Units or the BGLH Restricted Units respectively, or such purchase price remains payable), and (ii) customer, supplier and service provider non-solicitation provisions, effective during employment and for 24 months thereafter.
The severance benefits and payments payable to Mr. Lehmkuhl upon certain qualifying terminations of his employment are summarized below under the section entitled Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.
Lehmkuhl Amended Employment Agreement
We intend to enter into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Lehmkuhl (the Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement) that will become effective upon the closing of this offering and will amend and restate in its entirety the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement. We expect that the material terms of the Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement will be substantially the same as the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement, except as follows:
| The Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement provides for an initial five year term of employment commencing on the closing of this offering, with automatic successive one-year renewals, unless either the company or the executive provides notice of such partys intention not to renew the term at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the then-current term; |
| The Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement memorializes Mr. Lehmkuhls current base salary ($1,200,000) and current target and maximum annual bonus opportunities (175% and 350%, respectively, of his annual base salary); |
| The Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement provides that Mr. Lehmkuhl will be eligible to receive annual equity-based awards under the 2024 Plan as determined by our board of directors or the compensation committee in its sole discretion; |
| The Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement includes a best pay cap under Section 280G of the Code, pursuant to which any parachute payments that become payable to Mr. Lehmkuhl will either be paid in full or reduced so that such payments are not subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, whichever results in the better after-tax treatment to Mr. Lehmkuhl; and |
| The Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement provides for certain severance benefits and payments payable to Mr. Lehmkuhl upon qualifying terminations of his employment that differ from the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement in certain respects, as summarized below under the section entitled Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control. |
The Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement also updates and/or removes certain provisions relating to BGLH Restricted Units and LMEP Units previously granted to Mr. Lehmkuhl.
Rob Crisci
Original Employment Agreement
On April 12, 2023, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Crisci (the Original Crisci Agreement), which provides for Mr. Criscis employment with our company as our Chief Financial Officer.
The term of employment under the Original Crisci Agreement is three years, following which the employment relationship will remain at-will. Pursuant to the Original Crisci Agreement, Mr. Crisci is entitled to
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receive an annual base salary of $700,000 per year, pro-rated for any partial years of employment, subject to annual review and increase by our company in its sole discretion.
Mr. Crisci is eligible to earn annual cash performance bonuses, based on the attainment of company, individual and/or performance objectives as determined by our company with a target bonus opportunity equal to 125% of Mr. Criscis annual base salary.
In connection with Mr. Criscis entry into the Original Crisci Agreement, Mr. Crisci was granted an award of 111,111 BGLH Restricted Units and an award of 2,191,000 LMEP Class C-14 Common Units of LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC. The BGLH Restricted Units will vest in full on the first to occur of (i) the eighteen-month anniversary of the date on which Mr. Crisci commenced employment with our company, and (ii) the consummation of our initial public offering, subject to Mr. Criscis continued employment through the vesting date. The LMEP Class C-14 Units will vest (i) with respect to 50% of such units in three substantially equal annual installments commencing on April 19, 2024, and (ii) with respect to 50% of such units based on the attainment of EBITDA targets and other performance goals established by our board of directors for calendar years 2023-2025, in each case, subject to Mr. Criscis continued employment through the applicable vesting date.
In connection with entering into the Original Crisci Agreement, Mr. Crisci concurrently entered into a Proprietary Information, Inventions, Non-Solicitation Agreement and a Confidentiality Agreement, containing customary confidentiality and assignment of inventions provisions, as well as (i) standard non-solicitation of personnel and business relationships provisions, effective during employment and for 24 months thereafter and (ii) a non-disparagement provision.
The severance benefits and payments payable to Mr. Crisci upon certain qualifying terminations of his employment are summarized below under the section entitled Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.
Crisci Amended Employment Agreement
We intend to enter into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Crisci (the Amended Crisci Agreement) that will become effective upon the closing of this offering and will amend and restate in its entirety the Original Crisci Agreement. We expect that the material terms of the Amended Crisci Agreement will be substantially the same as the Original Crisci Agreement, except as follows:
| The Amended Crisci Agreement provides that Mr. Crisci will be eligible to receive annual equity-based awards under the 2024 Plan as determined by our board of directors or the compensation committee in its sole discretion; |
| The Amended Crisci Agreement includes a best pay cap under Section 280G of the Code, pursuant to which any parachute payments that become payable to Mr. Crisci will either be paid in full or reduced so that such payments are not subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, whichever results in the better after-tax treatment to Mr. Crisci; and |
| The Amended Crisci Agreement provides for certain severance benefits and payments payable to Mr. Crisci upon qualifying terminations of his employment that differ from the Original Crisci Agreement in certain respects, as summarized below under the section entitled Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control. |
The Amended Crisci Agreement also updates and/or removes certain provisions relating to BGLH Restricted Units and LMEP Units previously granted to Mr. Crisci.
Jeffrey Rivera
We and Mr. Rivera are parties to an employment letter, dated April 5, 2022, which provides for Mr. Riveras employment as our Chief Operating Officer on an at-will basis. The letter provides for an annual base salary equal to $630,000 per year and provides that Mr. Rivera will report to our Chief Executive Officer.
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End Table
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding unvested incentive equity awards held by our NEOs as of December 31, 2023.
Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Name | Grant Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(1) |
Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) |
|||||||||||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
1/31/2020 | (2) | 187,875 | 1,162,290 | | | ||||||||||||||
1/31/2020 | (3) | | | 187,875 | 1,162,290 | |||||||||||||||
2/18/2022 | (4) | 12,423 | 1,198,827 | | | |||||||||||||||
2/10/2023 | (5) | 16,667 | 1,608,397 | | | |||||||||||||||
Rob Crisci |
4/19/2023 | (6) | 1,095,498 | 219,980 | | | ||||||||||||||
4/19/2023 | (7) | | | 730,335 | 146,654 | |||||||||||||||
4/19/2023 | (8) | 111,111 | 10,722,212 | | | |||||||||||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
3/9/2020 | (9) | 87,674 | 542,396 | | | ||||||||||||||
3/9/2020 | (10) | | | 43,838 | 271,204 | |||||||||||||||
3/5/2021 | (11) | 31,794 | 72,060 | | | |||||||||||||||
3/5/2021 | (12) | | | 21,196 | 48,040 | |||||||||||||||
3/29/2022 | (13) | 118,380 | 70,280 | | | |||||||||||||||
3/29/2022 | (14) | | | 88,785 | 52,710 | |||||||||||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
2/28/2019 | (15) | 68,024 | 583,794 | | | ||||||||||||||
2/28/2019 | (16) | 4,761 | 40,860 | | | |||||||||||||||
3/9/2020 | (17) | 50,100 | 309,944 | | | |||||||||||||||
3/9/2020 | 1,753 | (18) | 10,845 | (18) | 25,050 | (19) | 154,972 | (19) | ||||||||||||
3/5/2021 | (20) | 69,946 | 158,530 | | | |||||||||||||||
3/5/2021 | 1,632 | (21) | 3,699 | (21) | 46,632 | (22) | 105,690 | (22) | ||||||||||||
3/29/2022 | (23) | | | 739,850 | 439,235 | |||||||||||||||
3/29/2022 | (24) | 74,000 | 43,932 | | | |||||||||||||||
3/29/2022 | 1,295 | (25) | 769 | (25) | 55,500 | (26) | 32,949 | (26) | ||||||||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
2/28/2019 | (27) | 8,503 | 72,974 | | | ||||||||||||||
3/9/2020 | (28) | 50,100 | 309,944 | | | |||||||||||||||
3/9/2020 | (29) | | | 25,050 | 154,972 | |||||||||||||||
3/5/2021 | (30) | 50,871 | 115,297 | | | |||||||||||||||
3/5/2021 | (31) | | | 33,914 | 76,865 | |||||||||||||||
3/29/2022 | (32) | 29,600 | 17,573 | | | |||||||||||||||
3/29/2022 | (33) | | | 22,200 | 13,180 |
(1) | Amounts in this column reflect the value of the applicable LMEP Unit or BGLH Restricted Unit as of December 31, 2023 multiplied by the number of unvested units subject to the applicable award. Neither the LMEP Units or BGLH Restricted Units were publicly traded as of the end of our last fiscal year and, therefore, there was no ascertainable public market value for the units as of December 31, 2023. The value of the units reported is based on the equity value of Lineage Holdings or BGLH, as applicable, derived from an independent third-party valuation of Lineage Holdings as of December 31, 2023. |
(2) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Lehmkuhl on January 31, 2020 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on December 31 of each year from 2020 through 2024. |
(3) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Lehmkuhl on January 31, 2020 that vests based on the attainment of Management Adjusted EBITDA goals over a five calendar year period following the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
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(4) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of BGLH Restricted Units granted to Mr. Lehmkuhl on February 18, 2022 that vests in three substantially equal annual installments on December 31 of each year from 2022 through 2024. |
(5) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of BGLH Restricted Units granted to Mr. Lehmkuhl on February 10, 2023 that vests in two substantially equal annual installments on December 31 of each year from 2023 through 2024. |
(6) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Crisci on April 19, 2023 that vests in three substantially equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. |
(7) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Crisci on April 19, 2023 that vests based on the attainment of individual key performance indicators and Management Adjusted EBITDA goals over a three calendar year period following the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
(8) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of BGLH Restricted Units granted to Mr. Crisci on April 19, 2023 that vests in 18 months of the grant date or an initial public offering of Lineage. |
(9) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Rivera on March 9, 2020 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. |
(10) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Rivera on March 9, 2020 that vests based on the attainment of individual key performance indicators and Management Adjusted EBITDA goals over a five calendar year period following the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
(11) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Rivera on March 5, 2021 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. |
(12) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Rivera on March 5, 2021 that vests based on the attainment of individual key performance indicators and Management Adjusted EBITDA goals over a five calendar year period following the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
(13) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Rivera on March 29, 2022 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. |
(14) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Rivera on March 29, 2022 that vests based on the attainment of individual key performance indicators and Management Adjusted EBITDA goals over a five calendar year period following the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
(15) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on February 28, 2019 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. |
(16) | Reflects LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on February 28, 2019 which were previously subject to, but failed to satisfy, pre-established performance goals. Such LMEP Units remain outstanding and eligible to vest in our sole discretion, without regard to any objective performance goals. |
(17) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on March 9, 2020 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. |
(18) | Reflects LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on March 9, 2020 which were previously subject to, but failed to satisfy, pre-established performance goals. Such LMEP Units remain outstanding and eligible to vest in our sole discretion, without regard to any objective performance goals. |
(19) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on March 9, 2020 that vests based on the attainment of individual key performance indicators and Management Adjusted EBITDA goals over a five calendar year period following the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
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(20) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on March 5, 2021 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. |
(21) | Reflects LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on March 5, 2021 which were previously subject to, but failed to satisfy, pre-established performance goals. Such LMEP Units remain outstanding and eligible to vest in our sole discretion, without regard to any objective performance goals. |
(22) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on March 5, 2021 that vests based on the attainment of individual key performance indicators and Management Adjusted EBITDA goals over a five calendar year period following the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
(23) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on March 29, 2022 that vests based on the attainment of individual key performance indicators on the third anniversary of the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
(24) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on March 29, 2022 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. |
(25) | Reflects LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on March 29, 2022 which were previously subject to, but failed to satisfy, pre-established performance goals. Such LMEP Units remain outstanding and eligible to vest in our sole discretion, without regard to any objective performance goals. |
(26) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Thattai on March 29, 2022 that vests based on the attainment of individual key performance indicators and Management Adjusted EBITDA goals over a five calendar year period following the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
(27) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Vanderelzen on February 28, 2019 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. |
(28) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Vanderelzen on March 9, 2020 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. |
(29) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Vanderelzen on March 9, 2020 that vests based on the attainment of individual key performance indicators and Management Adjusted EBITDA goals over a five calendar year period following the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
(30) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Vanderelzen on March 5, 2021 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. |
(31) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Vanderelzen on March 5, 2021 that vests based on the attainment of individual key performance indicators and Management Adjusted EBITDA goals over a five calendar year period following the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
(32) | Reflects the unvested portion of an award of Time-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Vanderelzen on March 29, 2022 that vests in five substantially equal annual installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. |
(33) | Reflects the unearned portion of an award of Performance-Based LMEP Units granted to Mr. Vanderelzen on March 29, 2022 that vests based on the attainment of individual key performance indicators and Management Adjusted EBITDA goals over a five calendar year period following the date of grant. See Elements of CompensationEquity-Based Long-Term Incentive AwardsLMEP Units. |
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Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2023
Stock Awards | ||||||||
Name |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting(1) ($) |
||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
435,100 | 8,051,813 | ||||||
Rob Crisci |
365,167 | 73,327 | ||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
174,172 | 1,215,304 | ||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
275,335 | 2,141,299 | ||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
121,931 | 1,125,731 |
(1) | Amounts are calculated by multiplying the number of units vested by the value of the applicable LMEP Unit or BGLH Restricted Unit on the vesting date. Neither the LMEP Units or BGLH Restricted Units were publicly traded as of the applicable vesting date and, therefore, there was no ascertainable public market value for the units as of such date. The value of the units reported is based on the equity value of Lineage Holdings or BGLH, as applicable, derived from an independent third-party valuation of Lineage Holdings as of December 31, 2023. |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table
We maintain the Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC Deferred Compensation Plan (the Deferred Compensation Plan) for a select group of our highly compensated employees, in which all of our NEOs are eligible to participate. The following table contains information regarding the Deferred Compensation Plan.
Name |
Executive Contributions in Last Year ($)(1) |
Registrant Contributions in Last Year ($) |
Aggregate Earnings in Last Year ($) |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) |
Aggregate Balance at Last Year End ($) |
|||||||||||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
Rob Crisci |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
451,786 | | 6,261 | | 458,047 | |||||||||||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
146,394 | | 4,070 | | 150,464 |
(1) | Mr. Riveras and Mr. Vanderelzens 2023 contribution to the Deferred Compensation Plan consists of a portion of their 2023 annual cash bonus and was made in 2024 (when 2023 annual cash bonuses were determined and paid). The amounts are included as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table for 2023. |
Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, eligible employees, including our NEOs, are permitted to defer receipt of a minimum of 10% up to a maximum of 75% of their base salary and a minimum of 10% up to a maximum of 100% of their annual cash bonus, commissions and/or other cash compensation earned during a plan year. The Deferred Compensation Plan also provides for the deferral of awards under the Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC 2021 Value Creation Unit Plan (the 2021 LVCP). However, none of our NEOs participate in the 2021 LVCP and consequently, the provisions relating to 2021 LVCP awards are not included in this description of the Deferred Compensation Plan.
The amounts deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan are deemed to be invested in investment alternatives chosen by the participant from a range of choices established by the plan administrator. The balances of participant accounts are adjusted to reflect the earnings that would have been obtained if the participant contributions had actually been invested in the applicable investment alternatives.
Participants may allocate their deferred compensation to (i) a retirement account or (ii) one or more flex accounts (i.e. separation accounts and specified date accounts). Participants may also elect whether to receive
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distributions of their account balances in a single lump sum amount or in annual installments to be paid over a period not to exceed five years (with respect to specified date accounts) or ten years (with respect to retirement and separation accounts).
We may from time to time in our sole discretion, credit discretionary company contributions in the form of matching, profit sharing or other contributions, to any participants retirement account, in any amount. Company contributions shall vest on the schedule specified by the plan administrator (unless they are make-up matching contributions or supplemental matching contributions which vest at the rate provided under the 401(k) plan), and shall become 100% vested if while the participant is employed, such participant dies, becomes disabled, or there is a change in control (as defined in the Deferred Compensation Plan), the participant attains age 65, or accelerated vesting is otherwise provided for by the participating employer.
A participants account becomes payable upon the first to occur of the payment date or events applicable to such account, including: (i) the calendar year specified by the participant, (ii) a separation from service, (iii) death, or (iv) an unforeseeable emergency (upon request of participant and approval of the plan administrator). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the plan administrator in its discretion may cash-out small balances and/or accelerate or delay payments to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code.
Payment of a participants account will be made or commence, as applicable, as follows: (i) in the case of a specified date account, on the first day of the month specified by the participant, (ii) in the case of a separation from service (other than death), in the calendar year following the year in which the separation from service occurs, unless, with respect to a retirement or separation account, the participant elected a later year (specified date account balances will be paid in a single lump sum, regardless of whether payment commenced pursuant to the preceding subclause (i), as of the date of separation from service), (iii) in the case of death (regardless of whether the participant is an employee at the time of death), all remaining vested account balances shall be paid to his or her beneficiary in a single lump sum no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the participants death occurs, (iv) in the case of an unforeseeable emergency, in a single lump sum within the 90-day period following the plan administrators approval of the payment. In the case of a change in control (as defined in the Deferred Compensation Plan) of our company, a participant who experiences a separation from service in the same calendar year, or within 24 months following such Change in Control will receive all of their unpaid account balances in a single lump sum in the calendar year following the separation from service.
The Deferred Compensation Plan is administered by our company, which has the authority to appoint or delegate the administration of the plan to a committee. The Deferred Compensation Plan is an unfunded plan for Federal tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. A rabbi trust has been established to satisfy our obligations under the Deferred Compensation Plan.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Original Employment AgreementMr. Lehmkuhl
Under the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement, in the event of a termination of Mr. Lehmkuhls employment by us without cause, or by Mr. Lehmkuhl for good reason (each as defined in the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement), Mr. Lehmkuhl is eligible to receive the following severance payments and benefits:
(i) | a cash amount equal to two times the sum of (A) his then-current annual base salary, and (B) his then-current annual target cash bonus, payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with our customary payroll practices; |
(ii) | a cash amount equal to Mr. Lehmkuhls annual bonus that would have otherwise been earned by him for the year in which the termination occurs (determined in accordance with the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement and pro-rated based on the number of days employed during such year) (the Pro-Rata Annual Bonus), payable no later than March 15 of the year following the year in which the termination occurs; |
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(iii) | company-subsidized healthcare coverage at the same levels as in effect on the date of termination for up to 24 months following the applicable date of termination; and |
(iv) | accelerated vesting of a pro rata portion of the tranche of any then-outstanding LMEP Class C-10 Units that would, absent such termination, have vested on the next subsequent vesting date following the date of termination. |
In the event of a termination of Mr. Lehmkuhls employment due to his death or disability (as defined in the Original Lehmkuhl Agreement), Mr. Lehmkuhl is eligible to receive the following severance payments and benefits:
(i) | the Pro-Rata Annual Bonus; and |
(ii) | each then-outstanding award of LMEP Class C-10 Units held by Mr. Lehmkuhl will vest with respect to an aggregate number of LMEP Class C-10 Units equal to (x) the number of LMEP Class C-10 Units that would have vested prior to such termination had 20% of such award vested on each anniversary of the grant date, plus (y) 20% of such award, plus (z) a pro-rated portion of 20% of such award for the year in which the date of his termination occurs, provided that in no event shall the sum of (x), (y) and (z) be greater than 100% of the award. |
Amended Employment AgreementMr. Lehmkuhl
In connection with this offering, we intend to enter into the Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement. We expect that under the Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement, in the event of a termination of Mr. Lehmkuhls employment by our company without cause or by Mr. Lehmkuhl for good reason (each as defined in the Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement), Mr. Lehmkuhl will be eligible to receive the following severance payments and benefits:
| (i) a cash amount equal to two times (2x) (or, in the event such termination occurs on or within 18 months following a change in control (as defined in the 2024 Plan), three times (3x)) the sum of (A) his then current annual base salary and (B) his then-current target annual cash bonus, payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the companys customary payroll practices; |
| (ii) the Pro-Rata Annual Bonus, plus any unpaid annual cash bonus for any prior completed year (the Prior Year Bonus), payable no later than March 15 of the year following the year in which the termination occurs; and |
| (iii) company-subsidized healthcare coverage at the same levels as in effect on the date of termination for up to 24 months (or, in the event such termination occurs on or within 18 months following a change in control, 36 months) following the applicable date of termination. |
In addition, we expect that the Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement will provide that in the event of a termination of Mr. Lehmkuhls employment due to his death, disability, family disability or retirement (each as defined in the Amended Lehmkuhl Agreement), Mr. Lehmkuhl will be eligible to receive the Pro-Rata Annual Bonus, plus any Prior Year Bonus, as set forth above.
In consideration of the severance payments and benefits described above, Mr. Lehmkuhl will be required to execute a general release of claims in favor of the company and its affiliates.
Original Employment AgreementMr. Crisci
Under the Original Crisci Agreement, in the event of a termination of Mr. Criscis employment by us without cause, or by Mr. Crisci for good reason (each as defined in the Original Crisci Agreement), Mr. Crisci is eligible to receive an amount equal to the sum of (i) his then-current annual base salary, and (ii) his then-current target annual cash bonus, payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with our customary payroll practices.
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In the event of a termination of Mr. Criscis employment upon the expiration of the Original Crisci Agreement, Mr. Crisci is entitled to any unpaid annual cash bonus earned in respect of the calendar year immediately preceding the year of expiration, payable in a lump-sum.
Mr. Lehmkuhls and Mr. Criscis eligibility to receive the severance payments and benefits described above upon certain qualifying terminations of employment, as described above, is subject to the applicable NEOs (i) timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of our company and (ii) continued compliance with the restrictive covenant obligations described above under Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards TableNamed Executive Officer Employment Agreements.
Amended Employment AgreementMr. Crisci
In connection with this offering, we intend to enter into the Amended Crisci Agreement. We expect that under the Amended Crisci Agreement, in the event of a termination of Mr. Criscis employment by the company without cause or by Mr. Crisci for good reason (each as defined in the Amended Crisci Agreement), Mr. Crisci will be eligible to receive the following severance payments and benefits:
| (i) a cash amount equal to one times (1x) (or, in the event that such termination occurs on or within 18 months following a change in control, one and one-half times (1.5x)) the sum of (A) his then-current annual base salary and (B) his then-current target annual cash bonus, payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the companys customary payroll practices; |
| (ii) any Prior Year Bonus, payable no later than 60 days following the termination date; and |
| (iii) company-subsidized healthcare coverage at the same levels as in effect on the date of termination for up to 12 months (or, in the event that such termination occurs on or within 18 months following a change in control, 18 months) following the applicable date of termination. |
In addition, we expect that the Amended Crisci Agreement will provide that in the event of a termination of Mr. Criscis employment upon the expiration of his amended Employment Agreement, or due to his death, disability, or retirement (each as defined in his Amended Crisci Agreement), Mr. Crisci will be eligible to receive the Prior Year Bonus, payable no later than 60 days following the termination date.
In consideration of the severance payments and benefits described above, Mr. Crisci will be required to execute a general release of claims in favor of the company and its affiliates.
Letter AgreementMr. Thattai
We are a party to a letter agreement, dated February 19, 2012, with Mr. Thattai, which provides that in the event of a termination of Mr. Thattais employment other than by us for cause, Mr. Thattai will be entitled to continued base salary and employee benefits for a period of six months following the date of termination (or ending on such earlier date on which he accepts employment with a subsequent employer). In the event of a termination by Mr. Thattai, such severance payments and benefits are conditioned on Mr. Thattais continued support of our company during the severance period.
LMEP Awards
If a NEOs service relationship is terminated by us for any reason other than for cause, LLH MGMT Profits, LLC or LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, as applicable, will have the option to purchase the vested LMEP Units at fair market value at any time within six months after the date of such termination.
If a NEOs service relationship is terminated as a result of his death or disability (as defined in the applicable award agreement), then subject to the timely execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in
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favor of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC or LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, as applicable, Lineage and their affiliates, the LMEP Units will vest on an accelerated basis with respect to an aggregate number of LMEP Units equal to (x) 33% or 20% (depending on whether the time-vesting schedule of the award is a three-year or five-year period) of the total Time-Based LMEP Units, plus (y) a pro-rated portion of 33% or 20% of the Time-Based LMEP Units for the year in which the date of such termination occurs, provided that in no event shall the sum of (x) and (y) be greater than 100% of the total time-based vesting LMEP Units subject to the award.
In the event of an exit transaction, all Time-Based LMEP Units will, subject to the applicable NEOs timely execution and non-revocation of a release in favor of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC or LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, as applicable, Lineage and their affiliates, vest upon the earlier to occur of (i) the exit transaction, unless the successor buyer agrees to continue the NEOs service relationship on terms that are not materially worse, in the aggregate, for the NEO than those applicable to the NEO immediately prior to the exit transaction, and (ii) if the successor buyer agrees to continue the NEOs service relationship on terms that are not materially worse, in the aggregate, for the NEO than those applicable to the NEO immediately prior to the exit transaction, the date on which the NEOs service relationship is terminated following an exit transaction for any reason other than a termination of the service relationship (x) by the NEO for any reason, (y) by us or any of our affiliates for Cause or (z) due to death or disability.
In the event of an exit transaction, (i) all Performance-Based LMEP Units that first become eligible to vest in the calendar year in which the closing of the exit transaction occurs, will, subject to the applicable NEOs timely execution and non-revocation of a release in favor of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC or LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, applicable, Lineage and their affiliates, vest immediately prior to such closing (irrespective of the achievement of performance criteria); and (ii) all unvested Performance-Based LMEP Units subject to performance vesting in subsequent years will be forfeited. If the exit transaction generates net proceeds in excess of certain specified thresholds, any outstanding Performance-Based LMEP Units that failed to vest in prior years will vest in full upon the occurrence of such exit transaction.
Estimated Potential Payments
The following table summarizes the payments that would be made to our NEOs upon the occurrence of certain qualifying terminations of employment or a change in control, in any case, occurring on December 31, 2023. Amounts shown do not include (i) accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of termination or (ii) other benefits earned or accrued by the NEO during his employment that are available to all salaried employees, such as accrued vacation.
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Name |
Benefits |
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason (no Change in Control) ($) |
Change in Control (no Termination) ($) |
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason in Connection with a Change in Control ($) |
Termination due to Death or Disability ($) |
Other Terminations ($) |
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Greg Lehmkuhl |
Cash Severance | 10,364,950 | | 10,364,950 | 3,764,950 | | ||||||||||||||||
Equity Acceleration(1) | | 1,162,209 | 2,324,580 | 2,324,580 | | |||||||||||||||||
Continued Healthcare(2) | 48,789 | | 48,789 | | | |||||||||||||||||
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|
|
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|
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|
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Total | 10,413,739 | 1,162,290 | 12,738,319 | 6,089,530 | | |||||||||||||||||
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Rob Crisci |
Cash Severance | 1,575,000 | | 1,575,000 | | | ||||||||||||||||
Equity Acceleration(1) | | 73,327 | 239,307 | 73,327 | | |||||||||||||||||
Continued Healthcare | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total | 1,575,000 | 73,327 | 1,868,307 | 73,327 | | |||||||||||||||||
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Jeffrey Rivera |
Cash Severance | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Equity Acceleration(1) | | 312,794 | 997,530 | 312,788 | | |||||||||||||||||
Continued Healthcare | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Total | | 312,794 | 997,530 | 312,788 | | |||||||||||||||||
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Sudarsan Thattai |
Cash Severance | 315,000 | | 315,000 | 315,000 | 315,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Equity Acceleration(1) | | 858,767 | 1,954,968 | 802,592 | | |||||||||||||||||
Continued Benefits(3) | 14,437 | | 14,437 | 14,437 | 14,437 | |||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
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Total | 329,437 | 858,767 | 2,284,405 | 1,132,029 | 329,437 | |||||||||||||||||
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Sean Vanderelzen |
Cash Severance | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Equity Acceleration(1) | | 270,772 | 786,561 | 270,772 | | |||||||||||||||||
Continued Healthcare | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
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|
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|
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Total | | 270,772 | 786,561 | 270,772 | | |||||||||||||||||
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(1) | Equity Acceleration values for LMEP Units are based on the equity value of Lineage Holdings derived from an independent third-party valuation of Lineage Holdings as of December 31, 2023, and, with respect to performance-vesting awards, assume that the applicable performance goals would have been satisfied as of the date of the triggering event. |
(2) | For Mr. Lehmkuhl, amounts reflect the value of 24 months of healthcare coverage using our 2024 COBRA premium rate. |
(3) | Pursuant to Mr. Thattais letter agreement, in the event of a termination of his employment for any reason other than by us for cause, Mr. Thattai will be entitled to continued base salary and employee benefits for a period of six months following the date of termination. The amount included for employee benefits reflects our 2024 premium rates for group health, life, long-term disability, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. |
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Executive Severance Plan
In connection with this offering, we intend to adopt the Severance Plan, and expect that each of Messrs. Rivera, Thattai and Vanderelzen will be a participant in the Severance Plan. Messrs. Lehmkuhl and Crisci will not participate in the Severance Plan. The description below summarizes the expected material terms of the Severance Plan.
In connection with the adoption of the Severance Plan, the company expects to enter into a participation agreement with each of the applicable executives with respect to their participation in the Severance Plan. Pursuant to the participation agreement, any prior employment agreement or offer letter between the participant and us (or any of our affiliates) will terminate.
Under the Severance Plan and the applicable participation agreement, in the event that Mr. Riveras, Thattais or Vanderelzens employment with the company is terminated by the company without cause (other than by reason of death or disability) or by the participant for good reason (each, as defined in the Severance Plan), the participant will be entitled to receive the following:
| A severance payment in an amount equal to one times (1x) (or, in the event that such termination occurs on or within 18 months following a change in control (as defined in the Severance Plan), one and one-half times (1.5x)) the sum of (A) the participants annual base salary and (B) the participants target annual bonus, payable in a lump-sum cash payment within 60 days following the participants termination date; |
| Any Prior Year Bonus, payable in a lump-sum cash payment within 60 days following the participants termination date; and |
| Payment or reimbursement by the company of premiums for healthcare continuation coverage under COBRA for the participant and his or her dependents for up to 12 months (or, in the event that such termination occurs on or within 18 months following a change in control, 18 months) after the termination date. |
In addition, in the event that Mr. Riveras, Mr. Thattais or Mr. Vanderelzens employment with the company is terminated due to the participants death, disability or retirement (each as defined in the Severance Plan), the participant will be eligible to receive the Prior Year Bonus, payable no later than 60 days following the termination date.
A participants right to receive the severance or other benefits described above will be subject to the participant signing, delivering and not revoking a general release agreement in a form generally used by the company.
The Severance Plan further provides that, to the extent that any payment or benefit received by a participant in connection with a change in control (as defined in the Severance Plan) would be subject to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, as amended, such payments and/or benefits will be subject to a best pay cap reduction if such reduction would result in a greater net after-tax benefit to the participant than receiving the full amount of such payments.
Each participation agreement entered into with the applicable executives will contain a confidentiality covenant by the executive that extends indefinitely, a non-disparagement covenant, a noncompetition covenant that extends during the Executives employment and for a period of two years following a termination of the executives employment, and a service provider and customer non-solicitation covenant that extends during the Executives employment and for a period of two years following a termination of the executives employment.
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The company may amend or terminate the Severance Plan at any time and for any reason, provided that a participants right to receive payments and benefits under the Severance Plan may not, without the participants written consent, be adversely affected by an amendment or termination of the Severance Plan made within 12 months prior to the participants termination of employment or within 12 months before and after a change of control. The company is required to provide notice to participants within 15 days of any amendment or termination of the Severance Plan.
Amended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan
On April 24, 2024, our board of directors adopted, and BGLH (as our sole common stockholder) approved, the Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan. In connection with this offering, we intend to adopt, subject to approval by BGLH, (as our sole common stockholder), an amendment and restatement of the 2024 Plan, under which we may grant cash and equity-based incentive awards to eligible service providers in order to attract, motivate and retain the talent for which we compete. The 2024 Plan authorizes the plan administrator to provide equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share awards, dividend equivalents, LTIP units of our operating partnership and other stock or cash based awards to eligible service providers. The following summarizes the expected material terms of the 2024 Plan.
Administration
Prior to the closing of this offering, the 2024 Plan will be administered by the board of directors. From and after the closing of this offering, the 2024 Plan will be administered by the compensation committee or another committee or subcommittee appointed by the board of directors (or, with respect to awards granted to our non-employee directors, by the board of directors). Unless otherwise determined by the board of directors, the committee that administers the 2024 Plan will consist solely of two or more non-employee directors, each of whom is intended to qualify as a non-employee director as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and an independent director under applicable stock exchange rules. All awards granted to individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act will be granted and administered by the the full board of directors or by action of two or more non-employee directors (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act). The board of directors or the compensation committee may delegate its authority to a committee of one or more members of the board of directors or one or more of our officers, other than with respect to awards held by individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or our officers (or directors) to whom authority to grant or amend awards has been delegated.
Eligibility
Any employee or consultant of our company, our operating partnership or any subsidiary of our company or our operating partnership and any non-employee director of our company is eligible to be granted awards under the 2024 Plan.
Share Authorization
The 2024 Plan provides that the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards is equal to the sum of (i) 12,500,000 shares and (ii) an annual increase on the first day of each calendar year beginning on and including January 1, 2025 and ending on and including January 1, 2034 equal to (A) a number of shares equal to 1% of the sum of (I) the aggregate number of shares of our common stock outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, plus (II) the aggregate number of OP units (other than OP units that are held by the company and other than any OP units resulting from the conversion of LTIP units) outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, plus (III) the aggregate number of OPEUs outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, plus (IV) the aggregate number of Legacy OP Units outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, or (B) such smaller number of shares as is determined by the board of directors. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued in connection with awards of ISOs under the 2024 Plan is 12,500,000 shares. Each LTIP unit of our operating partnership subject to an award will count as one share for purposes of calculating the aggregate number of shares available for
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issuance under the 2024 Plan and for purposes of calculating the non-employee director award limits under the 2024 Plan. The sum of any cash compensation and the value (determined as of the date of grant) of awards that may be granted to any non-employee director during any calendar year may not exceed $1,000,000.
If shares subject to an award under the 2024 Plan are forfeited, expire or are settled for cash, any shares subject to such award may, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, be used for new grants under the 2024 Plan. Prior to the tenth anniversary of the effective date of the 2024 Plan, shares tendered or withheld to satisfy the exercise or purchase price or tax withholding obligation for any award will become or again be available for award grants under the 2024 Plan. Further, the payment of dividend equivalents in cash in conjunction with any awards under the 2024 Plan will not reduce the shares available for grant under the 2024 Plan. However, shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of an option may not be used again for a grant under the 2024 Plan.
To the extent permitted under applicable securities exchange rules without stockholder approval, awards granted under the 2024 Plan in connection with the assumption, replacement, conversion or adjustment of outstanding equity awards in the context of a corporate acquisition or merger will not reduce the shares authorized for grant under the 2024 Plan.
Awards
| Stock Options. Stock options provide for the purchase of shares of our common stock in the future at an exercise price set on the grant date. The exercise price of a stock option cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date the stock option is granted (or 110% in the case of ISOs granted to certain significant stockholders) except with respect to certain substitute options granted in connection with a corporate transaction. The maximum period in which an option may be exercised will be fixed by the plan administrator but cannot exceed ten years (or five years in the case of ISOs granted to certain significant stockholders). Vesting conditions determined by the plan administrator may apply to stock options and may include continued service, performance and/or other conditions. |
| Restricted Stock Units. Restricted stock units (RSUs) are contractual promises to deliver shares of our common stock (or the fair market value of such shares in cash) in the future, which may also remain forfeitable unless and until specified vesting conditions are met. RSUs generally may not be sold or transferred until vesting conditions are removed or expire. The shares underlying RSUs will not be issued until the RSUs have vested, and recipients of RSUs generally will have no voting or dividend rights prior to the time the RSUs are settled in shares, unless the RSU includes a dividend equivalent right (in which case the holder may be entitled to dividend equivalent payments under certain circumstances). Delivery of the shares underlying the RSUs may be deferred under the terms of the award or at the election of the participant if the plan administrator permits such a deferral. On the settlement date or dates, we will issue to the participant one unrestricted, fully transferable share of our common stock (or the fair market value of one such share in cash) for each vested and nonforfeited RSU. |
| Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted stock is an award of nontransferable shares of our common stock that remain forfeitable unless and until specified vesting conditions are met. Vesting conditions applicable to restricted stock may be based on continued service, the attainment of performance goals and/or such other conditions as the plan administrator may determine. With respect to restricted stock that is subject to performance-based vesting, dividends which are paid prior to vesting may only be paid to the participant to the extent that the performance-based vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied. In general, restricted stock may not be sold or otherwise transferred until all restrictions are removed or expire. |
| Stock Appreciation Rights. A SAR is an award that entitles its holder, upon exercise, to receive an amount equal to the appreciation of the shares subject to the award between the grant date and the |
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exercise date. The exercise price of a SAR may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the underlying share on the date of grant (except with respect to certain substitute SARs granted in connection with a corporate transaction) and the term of a SAR may not be longer than ten years. Vesting conditions determined by the plan administrator may apply to SARs and may include continued service, performance and/or other conditions. SARs under the 2024 Plan will be settled in cash or shares of common stock, or in a combination of both, as determined by the plan administrator. |
| Stock Payments. Stock payments are awards of fully vested shares of our common stock that may, but need not, be made in lieu of base salary, bonuses, fees or other cash compensation otherwise payable to any individual who is eligible to receive awards. Stock payments also include the issuance of shares of our common stock in exchange for, upon, or in connection with, the redemption or settlement of awards of LMEP Units and/or OP units or Legacy OP Units issued in respect of LMEP Units. |
| Performance Share Awards. Performance share awards represent the right to receive a number (or a range) of shares or the fair market value of such number of shares in cash, the vesting of which may be based on the attainment of specified performance criteria or other criteria, as determined by the plan administrator. |
| LTIP Units. LTIP units are awards of units of our operating partnership intended to constitute profits interests within the meaning of the relevant IRS Revenue Procedure guidance. LTIP units may be granted under the 2024 Plan to the extent authorized under the operating agreement of the operating partnership. |
| Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents represent the right to receive the equivalent value of dividends paid on shares of our common stock and may be granted alone or in tandem with awards other than stock options or SARs. Dividend equivalents are credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between a specified date and the date such award terminates or expires, as determined by the plan administrator. Dividend equivalents with respect to an award that is subject to performance-based vesting that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of the award may only be paid to the participant to the extent that the performance-based vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied. |
| Other Incentive Awards. Other incentive awards are awards (including cash bonus awards) other than those enumerated in this summary that are denominated in cash or shares, or are otherwise linked to or derived from shares of our common stock or value metrics related to our shares, and may remain forfeitable unless and until specified conditions are met. |
Foreign Participants, Clawback Provisions, Transferability and Participant Payments
The plan administrator may modify award terms, establish subplans and/or adjust other terms and conditions of awards, subject to the non-employee director share limit described above, in order to facilitate grants of awards subject to the laws and/or stock exchange rules of countries outside of the United States.
All awards granted under the 2024 Plan will be subject to the provisions of any clawback policy implemented by our company to the extent set forth in such clawback policy and/or in the applicable award agreement.
With limited exceptions for estate planning, domestic relations orders, certain beneficiary designations and the laws of descent and distribution, awards under the 2024 Plan are generally non-transferable prior to vesting, and are exercisable only by the participant, unless otherwise provided by the plan administrator.
With regard to tax withholding, exercise price and purchase price obligations arising in connection with awards under the 2024 Plan, the plan administrator may, in its discretion, accept cash or check, shares of our common stock held by the participant or that are otherwise issuable pursuant to the award, a market sell order or such other consideration as it deems suitable.
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Amendment and Termination
The board of directors may amend or terminate the 2024 Plan at any time, provided that, except in connection with certain changes in our capital structure, stockholder approval will be required for any amendment that (i) increases the aggregate number of shares available under the 2024 Plan or the non-employee director award limit under the 2024 Plan, (ii) reduces the price per share of any stock option or SAR, or (iii) cancels any stock option or SAR in exchange for cash or another award when the option or SAR price per share exceeds the fair market value of the underlying shares. In addition, no amendment, suspension or termination of the 2024 Plan may, without the consent of the affected participant, materially impair any rights or obligations under any previously-granted award, unless the award itself otherwise expressly so provides. The 2024 Plan will remain in effect until the 10th anniversary of the date the board of directors adopted the 2024 Plan or, if earlier, the date our stockholders approved the 2024 Plan.
Certain Transactions
The plan administrator has broad discretion to take action under the 2024 Plan, as well as make adjustments to the terms and conditions of existing and future awards, to prevent the dilution or enlargement of intended benefits and facilitate necessary or desirable changes in the event of certain transactions and events affecting our common stock, such as stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations and other corporate transactions. Such actions may include, without limitation, providing for the assumption, substitution, replacement and/or accelerated vesting of awards, or providing for the termination of awards, including in exchange for the consideration received by other equityholders of our company in such transaction.
In addition, in the event of certain non-reciprocal transactions with our stockholders known as equity restructurings, the plan administrator will make equitable adjustments to the 2024 Plan and outstanding awards. In the event of a change in control of our company (as defined in the 2024 Plan), to the extent awards are not continued, converted, assumed or replaced by the surviving or successor entity, such awards will become fully vested and, as applicable, exercisable in connection with the transaction (with the performance conditions of awards subject to performance-based vesting deemed satisfied at the actual achievement of applicable performance goals through the date of such transaction, or if the plan administrator determines that such actual achievement cannot reasonably be determined, target level of performance, unless specifically provided otherwise under the applicable award agreement).
REIT Status
No award will be granted or awarded, and no award will vest, be exercisable or be settled to the extent that the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of such award could cause the participant or any other person to be in violation of the REIT ownership limits in our charter or if the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of such award could impair our status as a REIT.
Equity Awards in Connection with the IPO
In connection with the completion of this offering, in addition to the RSUs and LTIP units granted with respect to LMEP Units as described above under Treatment of LMEP Units and BGLH Restricted Units in Connection with this Offering, we intend to grant certain equity-based awards to our employees and members of our board and/or settle certain previously granted equity-based awards, each as more fully described below.
LVCP Awards
Certain employees and former employees, other than our NEOs, hold awards of value creation units under the LVCP Plans. Certain LVCP Awards will vest and be settled in shares of our common stock in connection with the consummation of this offering. LVCP Awards that are not settled in shares of our common stock will be settled in cash, in our discretion. Unless otherwise determined by us, unvested LVCP Awards held by employees will terminate in connection with this offering. In connection with this offering and, in part, the termination of outstanding and unvested LVCP Awards, we will grant one-time equity-based awards under
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the 2024 Plan in the form of RSUs covering shares of our common stock that will be subject to vesting based on continued employment over a period of up to three years (LVCP Replacement RSUs). None of our NEOs holds any LVCP Awards.
The aggregate number of shares of our common stock issuable in respect of any LVCP Awards that are settled in shares of our common stock in connection with the completion of this offering will be approximately shares. We expect that the maximum number of LVCP Replacement RSUs granted will be approximately RSUs.
Executive and Employee IPO Awards
In connection with the completion of this offering, we intend to grant awards under the 2024 Plan to certain of our employees (including our NEOs) in the form of cash, shares of our common stock or RSUs (the IPO Awards). Such IPO Awards may be fully vested at the time of grant or may be subject to vesting over a period of up to three years following the completion of this offering, subject to the grantees continued employment on the vesting date. The aggregate number of shares of our common stock or RSUs (as applicable) subject to the IPO Awards will be approximately shares.
Each of our NEOs may elect to receive a portion of their IPO Award in cash instead of shares of our common stock. The number of shares and the cash amounts subject to the IPO Awards granted to each of our NEOs will be fully vested and are set forth in the table below.
Name |
NEO IPO Awards of Shares (#) |
Cash NEO IPO Awards ($) | ||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
$ | |||||
Rob Crisci |
$ | |||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
$ | |||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
$ | |||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
$ |
Annual Equity-Based Awards
In connection with the completion of this offering, we intend to grant certain employees, including our NEOs, equity-based awards under the 2024 Plan as part of our annual equity award program, consisting of time-vesting and performance-vesting LTIP units in our operating partnership and/or RSUs covering shares of our common stock (annual awards). LTIP units are subject to the applicable terms and conditions of the partnership agreement of our operating partnership, and will be eligible to receive certain distributions from our operating partnership, as described further in the section titled, Description of the Partnership Agreement of Lineage OP, LP.
The aggregate number of LTIP units and/or RSUs subject to all 2024 annual awards is expected to be approximately (assuming maximum performance for performance vesting awards), including awards in the amounts set forth in the table below to our NEOs. Each of our NEOs may elect to receive their 2024 annual awards in the form of LTIP Units, RSUs or a combination of LTIP Units and RSUs. To drive long-term value creation and ensure long-term retention of our NEOs, it is currently anticipated that the annual equity-based awards granted to our NEOs in connection with this offering represent a single award that is intended to cover multiple years of annual equity-based awards to the NEOs.
Name |
LTIP Units (#)* | RSUs (#)* | ||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
||||||||
Rob Crisci |
||||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
||||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
||||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
* | Includes all time-vesting and performance-vesting awards. For performance-vesting awards, assumes maximum performance. |
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Time-Vesting Annual Awards
Pursuant to the time-vesting annual awards granted to our NEOs, each executive will be eligible to vest in a number of LTIP units and/or RSUs (as applicable) based on the executives continued service with the company.
Each time-vesting award will vest in annual installments over a period of three years, subject to the executives continued service through the applicable vesting date.
If an executives service is terminated by us other than for cause, by the executive for good reason, or due to the executives retirement, death, disability or, if applicable, a non-renewal of the executives employment agreement by the company or a family disability (each as defined in the applicable award agreement, a qualifying termination), in any case, the time-vesting annual awards will vest with respect to an additional number of LTIP units and/or RSUs (as applicable) that would have vested had the executive remained in continuous service through the first regularly scheduled vesting date following the date of such termination.
Upon an executives termination of service for any other reason, any then-unvested LTIP units or RSUs (as applicable) subject to the time-vesting award will automatically be cancelled and forfeited by the executive.
Each time-vesting RSU award will be granted in tandem with corresponding dividend equivalents (Dividend Equivalents) entitling the executive to receive payments equal to the dividends paid (if any) on the shares of our common stock underlying RSUs that become vested. Payments in respect of such Dividend Equivalents will be accumulated and made only to the extent that the applicable RSU becomes vested, and will be paid following the applicable vesting date.
The table below sets forth the number of time-vesting LTIP units and/or RSUs that will be granted as annual awards to each of our NEOs in connection with the completion of this offering:
Name |
Time-Vesting LTIP Units (#) |
Time-Vesting RSUs (#) |
||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
||||||||
Rob Crisci |
||||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
||||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
||||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
Performance-Vesting Annual Awards
Pursuant to the performance-vesting annual awards granted to our NEOs, each executive is eligible to vest in a number of LTIP units and/or RSUs (as applicable) ranging from 0% to 100% of the total number of LTIP units granted (which will be equal to the maximum number of units that may vest) or 0% to 200% of the total number of RSUs granted (which will be equal to the target number of units that may vest), based on the companys attainment of specified performance goals relating to (i) adjusted core funds from operations (AFFO); (ii) same warehouse net operating income (NOI) growth; and (iii) the companys relative total shareholder return (TSR), during the performance period commencing on January 1, 2024 (for the AFFO and NOI goals) or the date of the completion of this offering (for the relative TSR goal), and ending on December 31, 2026 (the Performance Periods), subject to the executives continued service with the company.
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The table below sets forth the number of performance-vesting LTIP units and/or RSUs (as applicable) that will be granted as annual awards to each of our NEOs in connection with the completion of this offering.
Performance-Vesting LTIP Units (1) (2) |
||||||||||||
Name |
Total LTIP Units (#) |
Base LTIP Units (#) |
Performance-Vesting RSUs (#) (2)(3) |
|||||||||
Greg Lehmkuhl |
||||||||||||
Rob Crisci |
||||||||||||
Jeffrey Rivera |
||||||||||||
Sudarsan Thattai |
||||||||||||
Sean Vanderelzen |
(1) | Represents the number of LTIP units based on maximum performance, which is the number of LTIP units subject to the award at the time of grant. The LTIP units included in the Total LTIP Units column that are not base LTIP units will be distribution equivalent units (as defined and described below) that will vest, if at all, following the end of the applicable Performance Period based upon the number of base LTIP units that become performance-vested, as described below. |
(2) | Sixty percent (60%) of the base LTIP units and/or RSUs (as applicable) will be eligible to vest with respect to the AFFO goals (the AFFO units), and forty percent (40%) of the base LTIP units and/or RSUs (as applicable) will be eligible to vest with respect to the NOI goals (the NOI units). |
(3) | Represents the number of RSUs based on target performance, which is the number of RSUs subject to the award at the time of grant. |
In the event that the company achieves AFFO per share and/or same warehouse NOI growth during the applicable Performance Period at the threshold, target or maximum level as specified in the applicable award agreement, a number of AFFO units and NOI units (as applicable) will become performance-vested with respect to a percentage of such units, as set forth in the table below. Because the number of LTIP units granted is based on maximum performance and the number of RSUs granted is based on target performance, the vesting percentages applicable to each award have been scaled proportionally in order to reflect the number of units granted.
Performance Vesting Percentage (RSUs) |
Performance Vesting Percentage (Base LTIP Units) |
|||||||
Below Threshold Level |
0 | % | 0 | % | ||||
Threshold Level |
50 | % | 25 | % | ||||
Target Level |
100 | % | 50 | % | ||||
Maximum Level |
200 | % | 100 | % |
The number of LTIP units and/or RSUs that performance-vest based on the foregoing will be modified by multiplying such number of units by a percentage determined in accordance with the following table, based on the companys TSR relative to the TSR of the S&P 500 over the applicable Performance Period:
S&P 500 Index Relative TSR Performance |
Modifying Percentage |
|||||||
Threshold Level |
≤ | 25th Percentile | 80 | % | ||||
Target Level |
50th Percentile | 100 | % | |||||
Maximum Level |
≥ | 75th Percentile | 120 | % |
In the event that the applicable performance goal is achieved at less than the threshold level, none of the applicable LTIP units and/or RSUs (as applicable) will vest. If the applicable performance goal falls between the levels specified above, the performance-vesting percentage or modifying percentage (as applicable) will be determined using straight-line linear interpolation between such levels.
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With respect to each performance-vesting award of LTIP units, an additional number of LTIP units subject to the award (the distribution equivalent units) having a value equal to the dividends declared during the Performance Period in respect of the shares of our common stock corresponding to the base units that become performance vested (less any actual distributions made with respect to such units) will vest as of the completion of the Performance Period. For purposes of calculating the number of distribution equivalent units, the dividend amount will be adjusted (plus or minus) to reflect the gain or loss on such amount had the dividends been reinvested in shares of our common stock on the applicable payment dates. Any distribution equivalent units that do not become vested and earned will be cancelled and forfeited upon the completion of the Performance Period.
Each performance-vesting RSU award will be granted in tandem with corresponding Dividend Equivalents entitling the executive to receive payments equal to the dividends paid (if any) on the shares of our common stock underlying the RSUs that become performance vested. Payments in respect of such Dividend Equivalents will be accumulated and made only to the extent that the applicable RSU becomes performance vested, and will be paid following the applicable vesting date.
In the event of a change in control of the company (as defined in the 2024 Plan), a number of LTIP units and/or RSUs (as applicable) equal to the number of LTIP units or RSUs that would have performance-vested in accordance with the performance vesting schedule described above (if any) assuming the applicable Performance Period ended as of the date of the change in control (with such adjustments to the AFFO goals and/or NOI goals as determined by the 2024 Plan administrator to reflect the truncated performance period) will vest immediately prior to the change in control. Any LTIP units and/or RSUs (as applicable) that do not vest will be cancelled and forfeited as of the date of the change in control.
Except as otherwise described below, any LTIP units or RSUs (as applicable) that have not fully vested as of the date on which an executives service terminates for any reason will be cancelled and forfeited by the executive.
In the event of a qualifying termination prior to the completion of the applicable Performance Period, the performance-vesting award will remain outstanding and eligible to performance vest in accordance with the performance vesting schedule described above, and the number of LTIP units or RSUs (as applicable) that vest upon the completion of the Performance Period will be determined on a pro rata basis, based on the number of days that the executive was employed during the Performance Period. Any LTIP units or RSUs (as applicable) that do not become fully vested will be cancelled and forfeited upon the completion of the Performance Period.
In the event of a qualifying termination following the completion of the applicable Performance Period but prior to the plan administrators determination of performance as described above, the performance-vesting award will remain outstanding and eligible to performance vest in accordance with the performance vesting schedule described above upon such determination by the plan administrator.
Director IPO Awards
We intend to grant an aggregate of RSU awards under the 2024 Plan to certain of our Eligible Directors, which will become effective in connection with the completion of this offering. See Director CompensationDirector IPO Awards above.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Related party transactions are transactions in which we are a participant where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and a member of our board of directors or a director nominee, an executive officer or a holder of more than 5% of our voting securities (or an immediate family member of any of the foregoing) has a direct or indirect material interest. The following is a summary of related party transactions since January 1, 2021, other than compensation arrangements that are described under the sections of this prospectus entitled ManagementDirector Compensation and Executive Compensation.
Transactions with BG Lineage Holdings, LLC
BGLH, an entity indirectly controlled by our Co-Executive Chairmen, Adam Forste and Kevin Marchetti, is currently our sole common stockholder and the holder of a majority of our preferred stock. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we distributed $122.1 million and $148.4 million, respectively, in dividends and tax distributions to BGLH as the sole holder of all of our common stock prior to this offering and the holder of a majority of our preferred stock. We did not make any such distributions in the year ended December 31, 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we distributed $88.5 million in dividends and tax distributions to BGLH.
Messrs. Forste and Marchetti indirectly own Class B units of BGLH entitling them to receive distributions from BGLH in accordance with its operating agreement. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, BGLH distributed $3.0 million and $3.9 million, respectively, and for the three months ended March 31, 2024, BGLH distributed $2.2 million, in each case, with respect to its Class B units. Of those distributions, Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities received approximately $0.8 million, $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities received approximately $0.8 million, $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively. BGLH did not make any distributions with respect to its Class B units in the year ended December 31, 2023.
In addition, BG Cold, an entity indirectly controlled by Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, holds all Class C units in BGLH, which represent the right to receive the Founders Equity Share at BGLH, entitling BG Cold to receive a specified percentage of distributions on, and proceeds from redemptions and repurchases of, Class A units in BGLH held by other investors in BGLH. In order for BG Cold to receive the Founders Equity Share with respect to its Class C units in BGLH, a Class A unit in BGLH must first receive the return of, plus a specified return on, its invested capital. The Founders Equity Share is intended to reward Messrs. Forste and Marchetti for value accretion in a holders BGLH Class A units, which value accretion ultimately occurs only if there is value accretion in BGLHs stockholdings in our company above the valuation at which a BGLH Class A unit holder purchased its Class A units. The Founders Equity Share in respect of each BGLH Class A unit will continue to accrue until, and will be finally calculated and settled at the time of, any repurchase or redemption of such Class A unit or upon the distribution of shares of our common stock to the holder of such Class A unit, but not later than the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering.
Following the initial closing of this offering, BGLH intends to wind down its holding of our shares over a period of up to three years, during which it will settle all legacy investor equity held through BGLH. To do this, BGLH generally expects to distribute our shares in kind to its investors in settlement of their equity interests in BGLH. These investors will have made elections as to whether they want a Cash Settlement, pursuant to which we will repurchase our shares of common stock held by such investors, or whether they instead want a Securities Settlement such that they can continue holding the shares until such time as they individually determine to arrange their own dispositions. The Cash Settlement option occurs for each share as a one-time event with respect to that share based on the Cash Settlement event that we arrange; there is no ongoing option to cash settle a previously-received share at a later date of an investors choosing through a repurchase by our company. The settlement of all legacy investor equity held through BGLH is currently intended to be effected through multiple installments of Cash Settlements and Securities Settlements, until all legacy investor equity held through BGLH has been settled in this manner, at such times and in such amounts (over an up-to-three-year period) as BGLH may determine in its sole discretion, but BGLH could also determine in its sole discretion to effect the settlement
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of all legacy BGLH equity through fewer installments or in a single event at any time. If any legacy investor equity held through BGLH has not been settled by the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering, we expect that BGLH would effect a final Securities Settlement at that time. BGLH could also effect a final Securities Settlement on any earlier date in its sole discretion.
BGLHs investors will generally be permitted to change their elections regarding Cash Settlement, Securities Settlement or any combination thereof at any time with respect to legacy equity that has not yet been settled, subject to certain administrative limitations established by BGLH. BGLH will in all cases determine the amount available for Cash Settlements and Securities Settlements at any given time, and BGLH will have a contractual right to require us to conduct offerings of shares of our common stock from time to time in order to facilitate Cash Settlements in the amounts and times desired by BGLH pursuant to its registration rights agreement. See Registration Rights Agreements. In certain situations where BGLH determines that it must limit the available amount of Securities Settlements relative to the available amount of Cash Settlements in order to further the goal of optimizing post-offering share price performance, BGLH may determine to effect cutbacks of the Securities Settlements to those of its investors that have elected to receive Securities Settlements. In the event such cutbacks are determined, the impacted BGLH investors will continue to hold the same BGLH units they held prior to the cutback, and those securities will remain eligible for proportionate participation in each future settlement event. In the event that such cutback interests are not able to be settled in securities at future interim settlement events, such settlement in securities could be delayed until the final settlement event occurs up to three years after the first closing of this offering. Each BGLH investor has had the option to elect whether it wants to settle the Founders Equity Share with respect to any cutback amounts at the time of such cutback (rather than at the time of the actual Securities Settlement applicable to the cutback amounts); except in circumstances where Guarantee Rights result in repurchases or top-ups of shares held by BGLH at a valuation above their fair market value (as described in Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsPut Option Agreement), the settlement of Founders Equity Share in all situations occurs within BGLHs existing equity and does not dilute any of our investors or any investors in our operating partnership, other than solely our legacy investors who own BGLH equity.
On the date that is 30 days after the initial closing of this offering, BGLH intends to distribute an aggregate of 4,465,640 shares of our common stock to certain BGLH investors (including certain of our officers and directors) who have been identified as being part of an investor relationship that directly or indirectly holds fewer than 113,000 Class A Units and Class B Units in BGLH and our operating partnership (each such investor, a small holder) in full settlement of such small holders legacy equity. Small holders will receive shares of our common stock that will be considered restricted securities under the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Accordingly, small holders will need to hold such shares of common stock for at least six months before being entitled to sell such shares under Rule 144. See Shares Available for Future SaleRule 144.
After the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering, all rights to receive the Founders Equity Share are expected to terminate, and we currently expect that BGLH will cease to hold any of our shares at that point. Prior to the formation transactions, BG Cold is entitled to receive certain advances against its future Founders Equity Share distributions, and Messrs. Forste and Marchetti are entitled to a portion of such advances; however, the right to those advances will terminate as part of the formation transactions.
For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, BGLH distributed $7.4 million and $11.8 million, respectively, with respect to its Class C units (or Founders Equity Share). All such amounts were received by BG Cold. Of those distributions, Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities received approximately $3.0 million and $4.7 million, respectively, and Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities received approximately $3.0 million and $4.7 million, respectively. BGLH did not make any distributions with respect to its Class C units in the year ended December 31, 2023 or during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
In addition, in lieu of making certain additional cash distributions to BG Cold with respect to a portion of the Class C units (or Founders Equity Share), a portion of such Class C units, valued at the time at $31.0 million,
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were reclassified into new Class B units of BGLH. These Class B units were subsequently distributed in-kind by BG Cold to its members. Of those in-kind distributions, Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities received Class B units valued at the time at approximately $12.2 million, and Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities received Class B units valued at the time at approximately $12.2 million. No such non-cash consideration or distributions were received in 2023 or 2022 or during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
In connection with this offering, we will redeem our outstanding Series A preferred stock at a price per share equal to $1,000, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends. BGLH is the record holder of 505 shares of Series A preferred stock and will accordingly receive $505,000, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends, in such redemption.
Transactions with Lineage OP, LLC
Lineage OP is currently a direct subsidiary of, and managed by, our company. Messrs. Forste and Marchetti indirectly own Class B units of Lineage OP entitling them to receive distributions from Lineage OP in accordance with its operating agreement. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, Lineage OP distributed $6.8 million and $10.4 million, respectively, and for the three months ended March 31, 2024, Lineage OP distributed $4.6 million, in each case, with respect to its Class B units. Of those distributions, Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities received (or were deemed to receive by virtue of tax withholdings made on their behalf) approximately $2.8 million, $4.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, and Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities received (or were deemed to receive by virtue of tax withholdings made on their behalf) approximately $2.8 million, $4.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively. Lineage OP did not make any distributions with respect to its Class B units in the year ended December 31, 2023.
Furthermore, Lineage OP currently makes elective pass-through-entity tax payments for certain owners of Bay Grove that hold equity in Lineage OP, including Mr. Marchetti, and receives reimbursement of these payments from such persons, including through offsets to their share of distributions by Lineage OP. These payments result in meaningful tax efficiencies for Mr. Marchetti and other owners of Bay Grove. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities directly or indirectly benefited from approximately $0.1 million. Lineage OP does not make these elective payments for other investors in Lineage OP.
In addition, prior to the formation transactions, BG Cold holds all Class C units in Lineage OP, which represent the right to receive the Founders Equity Share at Lineage OP entitling BG Cold to receive a specified percentage of distributions on, and proceeds from redemptions and repurchases of, Class A units held by other investors in Lineage OP. In order for BG Cold to receive the Founders Equity Share with respect to its Class C units in Lineage OP, a Class A unit in Lineage OP must first receive the return of, plus a specified return on, its invested capital. The Class C units are intended to reward Messrs. Forste and Marchetti for value accretion in a legacy investors Lineage OP Class A units, which value accretion ultimately occurs only if there was value accretion in Lineage OP above the valuation at which a Lineage OP Class A unit holder purchased its Class A units. The Founders Equity Share in respect of each Lineage OP Class A unit is being reclassified in connection with the formation transactions, along with the Lineage OP Class A units, into Legacy Class A OP Units with A-Piece Sub-Units and C-Piece Sub-Units, which provide for an equivalent interest in favor of BG Cold solely from Legacy Class A OP Units (and not with respect to any other OP units). See Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation Transactions. The Founders Equity Share of BG Cold in respect of Legacy Class A OP Units will continue to accrue until, and will be finally calculated and settled at the time of, each reclassification of Legacy Class A OP Units into OP units (which reclassifications in some cases will also include a repurchase of OP units, as described below), but in each case will be settled not later than the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering.
In connection with this offering and the formation transactions, Lineage OP, LLC will convert from a Delaware limited liability company to a Maryland limited partnership, change its name to Lineage OP, LP, and remain our operating partnership. As part of the formation transactions, among other things, all operating
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partnership units that are not owned by our companyall of which are currently classified as Lineage OP Class A units, Lineage OP Class B units or Lineage OP Class C unitswill be reclassified into Legacy OP Units with various subclasses, each of which will have certain terms that differ from OP units in order to continue pre-existing rights of Lineage OP, LLCs members for a period of up to three years following the initial closing of this offering. This also allows a coordinated settlement process to be conducted for our legacy equity holders as described under the heading Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation Transactions and further detailed below.
After the Lineage OP Class A units, Lineage OP Class B units and Lineage OP Class C units have been reclassified into Legacy OP Units through the formation transactions, these Legacy OP Units will all ultimately be reclassified into OP units over a period of up to three years following the initial closing of this offering, resulting in the eventual elimination of the Legacy OP Unit class altogether. During this up-to-three-year period, our operating partnership will settle all legacy investor equity held through the Legacy OP Unit class. To do this, our operating partnership will first reclassify certain Legacy OP Units into OP units at various times as directed by the LHR acting on behalf of the various Legacy OP Unit holders, in settlement of the corresponding Legacy OP Units. The Legacy OP Unit holders will have made elections as to whether they want a Cash Settlement, pursuant to which we will repurchase OP units held by such investors, or whether they instead desire a Securities Settlement such that they can continue holding the OP units until such time as they individually determine to arrange their own dispositions or pursue their own redemptions under our standard operating partnership redemption provisions. The Cash Settlement option occurs for each OP unit as a one-time event based with respect to that OP unit on the Cash Settlement event that we arrange; there is no ongoing option to cash settle a previously-received OP unit at a later date of an investors choosing through a purchase by our company (however, the holders of such OP units would be permitted to avail themselves of our standard operating partnership redemption opportunities, which could result in the receipt of cash or shares at our option). The settlement of all Legacy OP Units is currently intended to be effected through multiple installments of Cash Settlements and Securities Settlements, until all Legacy OP Units have been settled in this manner, at such times and in such amounts (over an up-to-three-year period) as the LHR, acting on behalf of each of the all Legacy OP Unit holders, may determine in its sole discretion, but the LHR could also determine in its sole discretion to effect the settlement of all Legacy OP Units through fewer installments or in a single event at any time. If any Legacy OP Units have not been settled by the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering, we expect that the LHR would effect a final Securities Settlement at that time. The LHR could also effect a final securities settlement on any earlier date in its sole discretion.
Legacy OP Unit holders will generally be permitted to change their elections regarding Cash Settlement, Securities Settlement or any combination thereof at any time with respect to Legacy OP Units that have not yet been settled, subject to certain administrative limitations established by the LHR. The LHR will in all cases determine the amount available for Cash Settlements and Securities Settlements at any given time, and BGLH, which is an affiliate of the LHR, will have a contractual right pursuant to its registration rights agreement to require us to conduct offerings of shares of our common stock from time to time in order to facilitate Cash Settlements in the amounts and times desired by BGLH, or desired by the LHR (an affiliate of BGLH), acting on behalf of the Legacy OP Unit holders, as applicable. See Registration Rights Agreements. In certain situations where the LHR determines that it must limit the available amount of Securities Settlements relative to the available amount of Cash Settlements in order to further the goal of optimizing post-offering share price performance, the LHR may effect cutbacks of the Securities Settlements to those Legacy OP Unit holders that have elected to receive Securities Settlements. In the event such cutbacks are determined, the impacted Legacy OP Unit holders will continue to hold the same Legacy OP Units they held prior to the cutback, and those securities will remain eligible for proportionate participation in each future settlement event. In the event that such cutback interests are not able to be settled in securities at future interim settlement events, such settlement in securities could be delayed until the final settlement event occurs up to three years after the first closing of this offering. Each Legacy OP Unit holder has had the option to elect whether it wants to settle the Founders Equity Share with respect to any cutback amounts at the time of such cutback (rather than at the time of the actual Securities Settlement applicable to the cutback amounts); except in circumstances where Legacy Class A-4 OP Units are repurchased or topped up at a valuation above their fair market value (as described in Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation TransactionsOperating Partnership Conversion and Reclassification of
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Units), the settlement of Founders Equity Share in all other situations occurs within the existing Legacy OP Unit equity and does not dilute any of our investors or any investors in our operating partnership, other than solely our Legacy OP Unit holders.
On the date that is 30 days after the initial closing of this offering, upon instruction from the LHR, we intend to reclassify an aggregate of 984,103 Legacy OP Units held by small holders as an equal number of OP units in full settlement of such small holders legacy equity in our operating partnership.
After the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering, all rights to receive the Founders Equity Share are expected to terminate, and we currently expect that the Legacy OP Unit class will cease to exist at that point. Prior to the formation transactions, on a quarterly basis, BG Cold has also received a quarterly advance distribution against its future Founders Equity Share distributions, and Messrs. Forste and Marchetti have received a portion of such advances; however, the right to those advances will terminate as part of the formation transactions.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Lineage OP distributed $44.9 million, $41.1 million and $27.7 million, respectively, and for the three months ended March 31, 2024, Lineage OP distributed $11.6 million, in each case, with respect to its Class C units (or Founders Equity Share). All of such amounts were received by BG Cold. Of those distributions, Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities received (or were deemed to receive by virtue of tax withholdings made on their behalf) approximately $19.4 million, $17.7 million, $11.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively, and Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities received (or were deemed to receive by virtue of tax withholdings made on their behalf) approximately $19.4 million, $17.7 million, $11.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively.
In addition, in lieu of making certain additional cash distributions to BG Cold with respect to a portion of the Class C units (or Founders Equity Share), a portion of such Class C units, valued at the time at $46.5 million, were reclassified into new Class B units of Lineage OP. These Class B units were subsequently distributed in-kind by BG Cold to its members. Of those in-kind distributions, Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities received Class B units valued at the time at approximately $19.3 million, and Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities received Class B units valued at the time at approximately $19.3 million. No such non-cash consideration or distributions were received in 2023 or 2022 or during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
For more information regarding the formation transactions, see Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation Transactions.
Transactions with Lineage Holdings
Lineage Holdings is currently a direct subsidiary of, and managed by, Lineage OP. Prior to the formation transactions, an affiliate of Bay Grove holds an equity accrual right (the equity accrual right) at Lineage Holdings that provides Bay Grove with an equity interest in Lineage Holdings that increases in amount each quarter. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the accrual amount increased in value by $44.9 million, $39.6 million and $25.3 million, respectively, and for the three months ended March 31, 2024, the accrual amount increased in value by $11.4 million and Lineage Holdings made no distributions with respect to the equity accrual right in any of those periods. Messrs. Forste and Marchetti beneficially own a portion of this equity accrual right at Lineage Holdings. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the beneficial ownership interest of Mr. Forste and his personal holding vehicles in the accrual increased in value by $19.3 million, $17.0 million and $10.9 million, respectively, and for the three months ended March 31, 2024, the beneficial ownership interest of Mr. Forste or his personal holding vehicles in the accrual increased in value by $4.9 million, and the beneficial ownership interest of Mr. Marchetti and his personal holding vehicles in the accrual increased in value by $19.3 million, $17.0 million and $10.9 million, respectively, and for the three months ended March 31, 2024, the beneficial ownership interest of Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding vehicles in the accrual increased in value by $4.9 million.
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In connection with this offering and the formation transactions:
| The equity accrual right will become a fixed amount and will no longer accrue additional future amounts in any future quarters. This fixed amount will increase by $200.0 million, less $ that will instead be allocated to Lineage OP to offset prior distribution advances made to Bay Grove, its owners and their affiliates, thus resulting in a net increase to Bay Groves fixed equity accrual amount of $ above the amounts that accrued in prior quarters; this is consideration for terminating the accrual and for terminating the operating services agreement. |
| We will amend the operating agreement of Lineage Holdings to reflect the resulting ownership of Lineage Holdings by Lineage OP and Bay Grove after giving effect to these transactions. See Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation Transactions. |
| We will amend the operating agreement of Lineage Holdings to reclassify the fixed equity accrual amount held by Bay Grove into OPEUs. The OPEUs will be exchangeable in the future (after a two-year holding period) on a one-for-one basis for OP units, subject to certain adjustments, and no additional OPEUs will be created in respect of any equity accrual right. OP units issued in exchange for such OPEUs will not be redeemable until after the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity and all Legacy OP Units. |
| Following the one-time increase in Bay Groves profits interest and corresponding reclassification into a fixed number of OPEUs described immediately above, Lineage Holdings will repurchase OPEUs from Bay Grove for cash in the amount of $ . |
| Lineage Holdings will also have entered into an expense reimbursement and indemnification agreement with Bay Grove, BGLH and the LHR. See Indemnification AgreementsBay Grove. |
Lineage Holdings has also used a portion of its funds to reimburse Bay Grove for its expenses. See Transactions with Bay GroveExpense Reimbursement.
Transactions with Bay Grove
Expense Reimbursement
Pursuant to the operating agreement of BGLH, the operating agreement of Lineage OP and the operating services agreement (described below), Bay Grove has received reimbursement of all expenses incurred in the performance of its services to us, BGLH, Lineage OP and/or Lineage Holdings. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Bay Grove was reimbursed for expenses totaling $1.0 million, $1.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively and for the three months ended March 31, 2024, Bay Grove was reimbursed for expenses totaling $0.6 million. Messrs. Forste and Marchetti beneficially own a portion of the equity of Bay Grove. Because of their beneficial ownership of Bay Grove Messrs. Forste and Marchetti indirectly benefitted from such amounts received by Bay Grove. Of these amounts, Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities benefitted by approximately $0.4 million, $0.5 million, $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities benefitted by approximately $0.4 million, $0.5 million, $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
Lineage Holdings will also have entered into an expense reimbursement and indemnification agreement with Bay Grove, BGLH and the LHR. See Indemnification AgreementsBay Grove.
Operating Services Agreement
Pursuant to the seventh amended and restated operating services agreement, dated as of August 3, 2020 (the operating services agreement), Bay Grove has provided Lineage Holdings with certain operating, consulting, strategic development and financial services, including advice and assistance concerning operational aspects of Lineage Holdings and its subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Bay Grove received compensation of $10.5 million, $10.5 million and $10.5 million, respectively, and for the three months
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ended March 31, 2024, Bay Grove received compensation of $2.6 million, in each case, pursuant to the services agreement. Messrs. Forste and Marchetti beneficially own a portion of the equity of Bay Grove. Bay Grove applies all such compensation to its operating expenses. Because of their beneficial ownership of Bay Grove they directly or indirectly benefitted from such amounts received by Bay Grove. Of these amounts, Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities directly or indirectly benefitted from approximately $4.5 million, $4.5 million, $4.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively, and Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities directly or indirectly benefitted from approximately $4.5 million, $4.5 million, $4.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
We intend to internalize such operating, consulting, strategic development and financial services that have historically been provided by Bay Grove. Accordingly, in connection with this offering and the internalization of these services, we will have terminated the operating services agreement between Lineage Holdings and Bay Grove in exchange for the consideration described in Formation Transactions.
In addition, Lineage Holdings will enter into a transition services agreement with Bay Grove to provide transition services supporting capital deployment and mergers and acquisitions activity for three years following the initial closing of this offering to help us build our full internal capability during that period while we internalize such functions. See Transition Services Agreement.
Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement
We intend to enter into an aircraft time sharing agreement (the Time Sharing Agreement) with Bay Grove under which we may lease the aircraft from Bay Grove for certain flights in accordance with applicable federal aviation regulations. For all such use under the Time Sharing Arrangement, we will pay for time sharing costs in accordance with applicable federal aviation regulations. Time sharing costs include, among other items, fuel and oil costs, crew and food and beverage costs, hangar and tie-down costs, landing fees, airport taxes, and similar assessments, and other costs incurred in planning for and operating the applicable flight. The term of the Time Sharing Agreement is one year, which term will be automatically renewed for successive one year terms at the end of each year.
Transition Services Agreement
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will enter into a transition services agreement with an affiliate of Bay Grove, pursuant to which Bay Grove will provide us with certain transition services supporting capital deployment and mergers and acquisitions activity for three years following the initial closing of this offering, unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of the agreement, to help us build our full internal capability during that period. The transition services agreement may be terminated by mutual written consent of us and Bay Grove or by us for cause (as defined in the transition services agreement). We will pay Bay Grove an annual fee equal to $8.0 million, or $24.0 million in the aggregate for the three-year period, which fee is payable in advance in equal quarterly installments. Messrs. Forste and Marchetti beneficially own a portion of the equity of Bay Grove. Bay Grove currently expects to apply all such compensation to pay operating expenses of Bay Grove and as a result Messrs. Forste and Marchetti are not expected to receive any cash payments or distributions of such amounts; however, because of their beneficial ownership of Bay Grove they are expected to indirectly benefit from such amounts received by Bay Grove. Of these amounts, Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities are expected to indirectly benefit from approximately $3.4 million per year for three years, or $10.3 million in the aggregate, and Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities are expected to indirectly benefit from approximately $3.4 million per year for three years, or $10.3 million in the aggregate, respectively.
We have also agreed to reimburse Bay Grove for all its out-of-pocket expenses incurred or accrued in connection with the performance of the services under the transition services agreement. The transition services
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agreement will automatically terminate three years following the initial closing date of this offering, but is otherwise not terminable by either party prior to expiration of the term other than for Cause, which will be triggered only in the event that either Messrs. Forste or Marchetti is convicted of certain felonies and continues to remain active in Bay Groves services to our business.
Partnership Agreement
In connection with the formation transactions, we will enter into the partnership agreement for Lineage OP, LP See Description of the Partnership Agreement of Lineage OP, LP.
Pursuant to the partnership agreement, members of our operating partnership will have rights beginning 14 months after the issuance of the OP units to require our operating partnership to redeem all or part of their OP units (excluding any Legacy OP Units) for cash equal to the then-current market value of an equal number of shares of our common stock (determined in accordance with and subject to adjustment under the partnership agreement) or, at our election, to exchange their OP units for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis subject to certain adjustments and the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter and described under Description of Our Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer. Except for the one-time special redemption and top-up rights with respect to Legacy Class A-4 OP Units described elsewhere in this prospectus, Legacy OP Units do not have any redemption rights prior to being reclassified as OP units, but once a Legacy OP Unit has been so reclassified (assuming it is not otherwise in the process of a Cash Settlement), it will have the same redemption rights as the other OP units at any time and will not be subject to the 14-month waiting period.
Over the course of the first three years following the initial closing of this offering, all of the Legacy OP Units will ultimately be reclassified into OP units. Reclassification will be on a one-for-one basis, with each Legacy OP Unit becoming a single OP unit upon its reclassification. Following any such reclassification, Legacy OP Unit holders will thereafter hold such OP units for such period of time as they determine or receive cash pursuant to a sale of their OP units to us in connection with the reclassification event (or a combination thereof). These reclassifications, and any related sales to us of the OP units, will occur at such times as directed by the LHR, acting on behalf of the Legacy OP Unit holders. The LHR will be an affiliate of our current majority stockholder, BGLH.
Registration Rights Agreements
We will enter into a registration rights agreement with BGLH, pursuant to which we will grant it and certain of its affiliates with certain demand registration rights and piggyback registration rights, including rights to demand that we undertake a public offering of shares of our common stock for our own account and use the net proceeds from such offering to purchase or redeem shares of common stock held by individuals designated by BGLH, with respect to shares of common stock held by BGLH and shares of common stock issuable upon redemption of OP units. The registration rights agreement will also provide that we will pay certain expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify the registration rights holders against certain liabilities that may arise under the Securities Act.
We will also enter into one or more registration rights agreements with holders of registrable securities (including Mr. Forste, Mr. Marchetti, Stonepeak and BentallGreenOak), pursuant to which we will grant them with certain resale registration rights with respect to shares of common stock that they may receive upon distributions from BGLH or upon exchange of OP units (including any OP units received in any reclassification of Legacy OP Units). The registration rights agreements will also provide that we will pay certain expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify the registration rights holders against certain liabilities which may arise under the Securities Act.
Stockholders Agreement
In connection with this offering, we intend to enter into a stockholders agreement with BGLH, D1 Capital, Stonepeak, BentallGreenOak, Mr. Forste and Mr. Marchetti. This agreement will require us to nominate to our
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board of directors a number of individuals designated by BGLH, Stonepeak, BentallGreenOak, Mr. Forste and Mr. Marchetti, in each case, as described in further detail below.
The stockholders agreement will require us to nominate for election as our directors at any meeting of our stockholders a number of individuals designated by BGLH (each a BGLH Director) such that, following the election of any directors and taking into account any director continuing to serve as such without the need for re-election, the number of BGLH Directors serving as directors of our company will be equal to: (1) if BGLH and its affiliates together continue to beneficially own at least 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock, OPEUs held by persons other than the operating partnership and OP units (including OP units issuable upon reclassification of Legacy OP Units) held by persons other than us (collectively, the total outstanding interests) as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is greater than 50% of the total number of directors comprising our board of directors; (2) if BGLH and its affiliates together continue to beneficially own at least 40% (but less than 50%) of the total outstanding interests as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is at least 40% of the total number of directors comprising our board of directors; (3) if BGLH and its affiliates together continue to beneficially own at least 30% (but less than 40%) of the total outstanding interests as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is at least 30% of the total number of directors comprising our board of directors; (4) if BGLH and its affiliates together continue to beneficially own at least 20% (but less than 30%) of the total outstanding interests as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is at least 20% of the total number of directors comprising our board of directors; and (5) if BGLH and its affiliates together continue to beneficially own at least 5% (but less than 20%) of the total outstanding interests as of the record date for such meeting, the lowest whole number that is at least 10% of the total number of directors comprising our board of directors. BGLH has designated Mr. Forste, Mr. Marchetti, Shellye Archambeau, Joy Falotico, Michael Turner and Lynn Wentworth to serve as BGLH Directors upon completion of this offering.
Following the date that BGLH is no longer entitled to designate at least two BGLH Directors, the stockholders agreement will require us to nominate for election as our directors at any meeting of our stockholders one individual designated by each of Mr. Forste (the Forste Director) and Mr. Marchetti (the Marchetti Director) if, as of the record date for such meeting, Mr. Forste, together with his affiliates, or Mr. Marchetti, together with his affiliates, as applicable, continue to beneficially own a number of total outstanding interests representing at least 1.76% of the total outstanding interests outstanding as of the initial closing date of this offering. Upon completion of this offering, BGLH will be entitled to designate at least two BGLH Directors; accordingly, neither Mr. Forste nor Mr. Marchetti will be able to designate directors.
The stockholders agreement will also require us to nominate for election as our directors at any meeting of our stockholders a number of individuals designated by Stonepeak (each a Stonepeak Director) as follows: (1) two Stonepeak Directors if Stonepeak and its affiliates together continue to own at least 25% of the shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date for such meeting (calculated with respect to its share of any common stock held through BGLH as if no Founders Equity Share was due in respect of any BGLH equity held by Stonepeak and its affiliates); (2) one Stonepeak Director if Stonepeak and its affiliates together continue to own (x) at least 10% (but less than 25%) of the shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date for such meeting (calculated with respect to its share of any common stock held through BGLH as if no Founders Equity Share was due in respect of any BGLH equity held by Stonepeak and its affiliates) or (y) any BGLH equity. If at any time Stonepeak has the right to designate two individuals for election as directors under the stockholders agreement and there are less than two Stonepeak Directors serving on the board of directors, the Stonepeak Director serving on the board of directors will have the power to cast two votes with respect to any matters presented to the board of directors. Stonepeak has designated Luke Taylor and James Wyper to serve as the Stonepeak Directors upon completion of this offering.
In addition, for so long as BentallGreenOak owns (x) at least 10% of the total outstanding interests as of the record date for such meeting (calculated with respect to its share of any common stock held through BGLH as if no Founders Equity Share was due in respect of any BGLH equity held by BGO and its affiliates) or (y) any BGLH equity, the stockholders agreement will require us to nominate for election as our directors at any meeting of our stockholders one individual designated by BentallGreenOak (the BentallGreenOak Director). We have agreed that
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the BentallGreenOak Director shall not be appointed to serve as (i) the chairperson of our board of directors or (ii) the chairperson of any committee of our board of directors. BentallGreenOak has designated John Carrafiell to serve as the BentallGreenOak Director upon completion of this offering.
For so long as the stockholders agreement remains in effect with respect to each of BGLH, Stonepeak, BentallGreenOak, Mr. Forste or Mr. Marchetti, such investors director may not be removed without the consent of such investor. In the case of a vacancy on our board created by the removal or resignation of a BGLH Director, Stonepeak Director, BentallGreenOak Director, Forste Director or Marchetti Director, the stockholders agreement will require us to nominate for election an individual designated by the applicable investor to fill the vacancy. In addition, the stockholders agreement will require that any action with the purpose of, or that would have the effect of, discontinuing our qualification as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity will require the consent of each of Stonepeak, D1 Capital and BentallGreenOak for so long as each such entity is entitled to receive shares of our common stock upon a distribution in kind from BGLH to owners of its equity.
The stockholders agreement will terminate with respect to each of BGLH, Stonepeak, D1 Capital, BentallGreenOak, Mr. Forste and Mr. Marchetti at the earlier to occur of (i) the applicable investor is no longer entitled to nominate a director pursuant to the stockholders agreement (or, with respect to D1 Capital, on the date when D1 Capital ceases to own (x) 10% or more of the total outstanding interests (calculated with respect to its share of any common stock held through BGLH as if no Founders Equity Share was due in respect of any BGLH equity held by D1 Capital and its affiliates) or (y) any BGLH equity) or (ii) the date on which the applicable investor requests that the agreement terminate with respect to itself.
In addition, the stockholders agreement will provide that we, on our own behalf and in our capacity as the general partner of our operating partnership, must use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) structure certain significant exit transactions (including mergers, consolidations and sales of substantially all of our assets or the assets of our operating partnership and its subsidiaries) in a manner that is tax-deferred to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste, their respective estate planning vehicles, family members and controlled affiliates, does not cause such parties to recognize gain for federal income tax purposes, and provides for substantially similar tax protections after such transactions, and (ii) cause our operating partnership or its subsidiaries to continuously maintain sufficient levels of indebtedness that are allocable for federal income tax purposes to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste and their respective personal holding entities to prevent them from recognizing gain as a result of any negative tax capital account or insufficient debt allocation, provided that such amount of debt shall not be required to exceed the amount allocable to the parties immediately following this offering, subject to certain exceptions. The stockholders agreement will further provide that, prior to entering into an agreement to consummate such an exit transaction, the parties will negotiate in good faith on a tax-deferred structure that is reasonably acceptable to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste, their respective estate planning vehicles, family members and controlled affiliates. If the parties are unable to reach agreement after 45 days of negotiation, our recommended tax deferred structure will prevail. If material terms of the proposed transaction are modified or changed, the negotiation period will be extended by 30 days. In connection with the obligation to maintain sufficient liability allocations, if we or our operating partnership believes insufficient liabilities may be allocated to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste and their respective personal holding entities, we shall, and shall cause our subsidiaries to, provide Messrs. Marchetti and Forste, their respective estate planning vehicles, family members and controlled affiliates with an opportunity to guarantee indebtedness. These rights granted to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste, their respective estate planning vehicles, family members and controlled affiliates will last with respect to each as long as such person (or his estate planning vehicles, family members and controlled affiliates) has not disposed of more than 60% of his interest in us or obtained a fair market value adjusted tax basis as a result of the death of Messrs. Marchetti or Forste, respectively.
Put Option Agreement
Rollover equity in the form of BGLH units or Lineage OP units was previously issued to various sellers of assets we acquired as part of the purchase price consideration. Some of those sellers who received rollover equity in BGLH or Lineage OP were provided with separate classes of equity of BGLH or Lineage OP that in some cases included special one-time redemption features with minimum value guarantees and/or the alternative
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option to elect cash or equity top-up rights to achieve a certain minimum equity valuation at a specific date (collectively, the Guarantee Rights). The obligations in respect of the Guarantee Rights have resided with BGLH and its subsidiaries, where BGLH units were issued (the BGLH Guarantee Rights), and with Lineage OP and its subsidiaries, where Lineage OP units were issued.
To ensure that the financial obligations associated with all Guarantee Rights proportionately impact investors at Lineage, our operating partnership and Lineage Holdings, each of those entities has agreed to provide successive special repurchase rights and cash and equity top-up rights to such legacy investors that mirror those given by BGLH to its investors (the Rollover Holder Put Option) and those given by Lineage OP to its investors, in each case in connection with the Guarantee Rights (the Lineage OP Put Option).
| Pursuant to the Rollover Holder Put Option, BGLH has the right to (i) distribute (in various installments from September 2024 through December 2025 (the Rollover Holder Put Exercise Window)) up to 2,034,876.86 shares of our common stock to its investors holding BGLH Guarantee Rights, and such investors have the individual right to cause Lineage to purchase any or all of such shares of our common stock distributed to such persons by BGLH (the Rollover Holder Put Securities) for an amount equal to the guaranteed minimum value intrinsic to the BGLH Guarantee Rights (at a guaranteed minimum price or, in some cases, if greater, the then-current fair market value of the shares of our common stock (the Rollover Holder Put Cap)), which amounts differ for different such investors, or (ii) in some cases demand a top-up, through a cash payment (the Rollover Holder Top-up Cash provision) or through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock without payment therefor (the Rollover Holder Top-up Securities provision), or any combination thereof, in the amount by which the guaranteed minimum value exceeds the then-current fair market value of the shares of our common stock (if at all) at various specified times during the Rollover Holder Put Exercise Window. |
| Pursuant to the Lineage OP Put Option, during the Rollover Holder Put Exercise Window: (i) our operating partnership has similar rights to cause us to purchase up to 319,006.21 Legacy Class A-4 OP units for an amount that ranges from $34.0 million to $36.1 million (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) if our share price is between $106.59 to $113.25, or, if our share price is $113.25 or higher, the product of such share price (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) and the number of Legacy Class A-4 OP units sold back to us; and (ii) our operating partnership has similar cash or equity top-up rights if the guaranteed minimum value of $106.59 (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) exceeds the then-current fair market value of such Legacy Class A-4 OP units. |
The effect of the Rollover Holder Put Option and the Lineage OP Put Option is to cause all Guarantee Rights ultimately to be satisfied by Lineage Holdings so that all investors in BGLH, Lineage, our operating partnership and Lineage Holdings are proportionately impacted by the Guarantee Rights based on their direct and indirect ownership interests in Lineage Holdings. This dilution is not solely borne by pre-offering investors; instead it affects all investors.
Indemnification Agreements
Directors and Officers
We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. These agreements will require us to indemnify these individuals to the maximum extent permitted under Maryland law and our charter against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified upon our receipt of certain affirmations and undertakings. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors or executive officers, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy and is therefore unenforceable.
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There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.
Bay Grove
In connection with this offering, Lineage Holdings intends to enter into an expense reimbursement and indemnification agreement with BGLH, the LHR and Bay Grove, pursuant to which Lineage Holdings will agree to (i) advance to or reimburse such entities for all of their expenses in any way related to our company, including expenses incurred in connection with the coordinated settlement process that will occur for up to three years for all legacy investors in both BGLH and our operating partnership and (ii) indemnify such entities to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against liabilities that may arise in any way related to our company, including liabilities incurred in connection with or as a result of the coordinated settlement process.
Employment Agreements
We employ Scott Lehmkuhl as Director, Information Technology. He is the brother of Greg Lehmkuhl, our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Scott Lehmkuhls compensation is based on his education, experience and the responsibilities of his position. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Mr. Scott Lehmkuhl received total compensation of approximately $269,000 and $222,000, respectively. Mr. Scott Lehmkuhls 2023 compensation includes an award of LVCP units, which entitle him to a payment equal to $25,000 at the time of full vesting if such units achieve a certain target price specified in the award agreement; however, there is no assurance that such target price will be achieved upon the vesting of such awards in connection with this offering. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Mr. Scott Lehmkuhl was employed by us for less than the full year and therefore received total compensation of less than $120,000.
We employ Jayse Bryan as Senior Manager, Project Management Office. He is the son of Greg Bryan, our Chief Integrated Solutions Officer. Mr. Jayse Bryans compensation is based on his education, experience and the responsibilities of his position. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Mr. Jayse Bryan received total compensation of approximately $154,000, $134,000 and $126,000, respectively.
Restrictive Covenants Agreements
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will enter into a restrictive covenants agreement with each of Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, pursuant to which Messrs. Forste and Marchetti will agree that for a period ending on the earlier of three years following the completion of this offering or the date on which they cease to own, directly or indirectly, any equity interest in Lineage, Inc., they will not compete with our business.
Amended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan
Before the completion of this offering, we intend to adopt the 2024 Plan, under which we will grant cash and equity-based incentive awards to eligible service providers in order to attract, motivate and retain the talent for which we compete. An aggregate of 12,500,000 shares of our common stock will be authorized for issuance under awards granted pursuant to the 2024 Plan. In connection with this offering, we intend to grant equity-based awards pursuant to the 2024 Plan to our directors, executive officers and certain of our employees. See Structure and Formation of Our CompanyBenefits to Related Parties for further details.
Historic Management Incentive Equity
Prior to this offering, certain of our current and former officers and employees hold LMEP Units through two incentive equity pooling entities, LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, which each hold corresponding historic accrued management incentive equity interests in Lineage Holdings for the benefit of these officers and employees. As part of the formation transactions, we will have purchased in exchange for
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shares of our common stock the vested awards of LMEP Units valued at less than $3.0 million per individual that are held by of certain of our officers and employees who are not named executive officers. After such purchase, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC will contribute its vested management incentive equity interests in Lineage Holdings to our operating partnership in exchange for Legacy Class B OP Units. This results in the remaining vested LMEP Units not purchased by us becoming a fixed number of Legacy Class B OP Units prior to such time as the LMEP Units would otherwise be paid pursuant to their rights under the terms of the existing awards. Following the contribution, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC will distribute the Legacy Class B OP Units to its members, including certain of our officers and employees whose LMEP Units are not purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock, in complete liquidation of each such entity. Following such distribution, officers, employees and others to whom such Legacy Class B OP Units are distributed will generally continue to hold such Legacy Class B OP Units subject to settlement over a period of up to three years as part of the same settlement process that applies to all of our legacy investor equity. All outstanding LMEP Units that remain unvested as of the date of such contribution and distribution will automatically terminate at such time and will be replaced with equity-based awards under the 2024 Plan. For additional information on these awards, see Structure and Formation of Our CompanyBenefits to Related Parties. In addition, all BGLH Restricted Units that remain unvested as of immediately prior to the completion of this offering will automatically vest in full at such time.
Executive Loans
On April 6, 2020, Messrs. Forste and Marchetti each received a loan in the amount of $6.4 million from Lineage OP. Each loan bears interest at a per annum rate equal to 0.99%. On January 22, 2024, Mr. Forste repaid $2.0 million of his loan and Mr. Marchetti repaid $2.2 million of his loan. The balance of each of these loans will be repaid prior to the completion of this offering.
On June 27, 2012, BG Cold Holdings, LLC, an entity beneficially owned directly or indirectly by Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, received a loan in the amount of $2.2 million from Lineage OP. Such loan bore interest at a per annum rate equal to 5.00%. Each of Mr. Forste and Mr. Marchetti benefitted from this loan through their direct or indirect beneficial ownership of BG Cold Holdings, LLC. This loan was repaid in full in 2022.
As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the outstanding loan liability attributable to Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities was $6.7 million, $6.6 million and $8.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, the outstanding loan liability attributable to Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities was $4.7 million. As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the outstanding loan liability attributable to Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities was $6.7 million, $6.6 million and $8.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, the outstanding loan liability attributable to Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities was $4.5 million.
On each of February 11, 2021, February 18, 2022 and February 10, 2023, Greg Lehmkuhl, our Chief Executive Officer, received loans in an aggregate amount equal to $2.7 million from Lineage Holdings. The loans bear interest at a per annum rate equal to 2.57%, 2.57% and 4.47%, respectively. In February 2022, Lineage Holdings forgave $1.5 million of indebtedness of Mr. Lehmkuhl, including $0.3 million associated with the February 11, 2021 loan. On December 15, 2023, Mr. Lehmkuhl repaid $1.6 million of indebtedness, resulting in the full repayment of the February 2021 loan and partial repayment of the February 2022 loan. On February 12, 2024, Mr. Lehmkuhl repaid the remaining balance of the February 2022 loan and the February 2023 loan in full.
On September 30, 2020, each of Sudarsan Thattai, our Chief Technology and Chief Transformation Officer, and Brian McGowan, our Chief Network Optimization Officer, received a loan in an aggregate amount equal to $2.0 million from Lineage OP. Each loan bore interest at a per annum rate of 5.00%. Each of these loans was repaid in full on December 15, 2023.
On September 30, 2020, Jason Burnett, our former executive vice president and general counsel, received a loan in an aggregate amount equal to $1.0 million from Lineage OP. This loan bore interest at a per annum rate
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of 5.00%. Mr. Burnett separated from our company in January 2022. Mr. Burnett repaid $359,987 of the loan on April 15, 2022, $377,671 on April 1, 2023 and the remaining $397,321 of principal and accrued interest on April 1, 2024.
On October 14, 2020, Matthew Hardt, our former chief financial officer, received a loan in an aggregate amount equal to $1.5 million from Lineage OP. This loan bore interest at a per annum rate of 5.00%. Mr. Hardt repaid this loan in full on December 13, 2021. Mr. Hardt separated from our company in September 2022.
Unit Redemptions
BGLH
BGLH from time to time offers opportunities to certain of its equity holders, including our executive officers, to redeem their units in BGLH for cash at prices per unit determined by BGLH. Pursuant to the operating agreement of BGLH, the cash used for such redemptions is provided by Lineage Holdings. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Lineage Holdings distributed $12.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively to fund such redemptions. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, Lineage Holdings has distributed $19.6 million to fund such redemptions.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, Greg Lehmkuhl, our Chief Executive Officer, Sudarsan Thattai, our Chief Technology and Chief Transformation Officer, and Brian McGowan, our Chief Network Optimization Officer, redeemed units in BGLH for aggregate cash payments of $4.9 million, $2.4 million and $2.3 million respectively. In addition, to date in 2024, Mr. Lehmkuhl and Sean Vanderlezen, our Chief Human Resources Officer, have redeemed units in BGLH for aggregate cash payments of $15.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2022, Matthew Hardt, our former chief financial officer, redeemed units in BGLH for aggregate cash payments of $2.2 million, and we will redeem additional units in BGLH for aggregate cash payments of $2.2 million in connection with this offering. Mr. Hardt separated from our company in September 2022.
Lineage OP
Lineage OP from time to time has offered opportunities for its investors to redeem their units in Lineage OP for cash at prices determined by Lineage OP. Pursuant to the operating agreement of Lineage OP, the cash used for such redemptions can be provided by Lineage Holdings. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Lineage Holdings distributed $70.0 million to fund such redemptions.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, Mr. Forste or his personal holding entities and Mr. Marchetti or his personal holding entities redeemed units in Lineage OP for aggregate cash payments of $30.0 million each.
Lineage Holdings
Lineage Holdings from time to time offers opportunities to certain of our executive officers to redeem their underlying Class C units in Lineage Holdings, which are held through LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, for cash at prices per unit determined by Lineage Holdings.
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2021, Greg Lehmkuhl, our Chief Executive Officer, redeemed underlying Class C units in Lineage Holdings for aggregate cash payments of $6.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Jeff Rivera, our Chief Operating Officer, redeemed underlying Class C units in Lineage Holdings for aggregate cash payments of $2.1 million. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Sudarsan Thattai, our Chief Technology and Chief Transformation Officer, redeemed underlying Class C units in Lineage Holdings for aggregate cash payments of $4.4 million. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Brian McGowan, our Chief Network Optimization Officer, redeemed underlying Class C units in Lineage Holdings for aggregate cash payments of $2.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Tim Smith, our Chief Commercial Officer, redeemed underlying Class C units in Lineage Holdings for aggregate
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cash payments of $4.5 million. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, Matt Hardt, our former chief financial officer, redeemed underlying Class C units in Lineage Holdings for aggregate cash payments of $3.6 million and $6.8 million, respectively. In connection with this offering, we will redeem additional underlying Class C units in Lineage Holdings held by Mr. Hardt for an aggregate cash payment of $1.2 million. Mr. Hardt separated from our company in September 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Jason Burnett, our former executive vice president and general counsel, redeemed underlying Class C units in Lineage Holdings for aggregate cash payments of $1.8 million, $7.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Mr. Burnett separated from our company in January 2022.
Rollover Equity Redemptions
BGLH
Certain members of BGLH have special one-time redemption rights to redeem some or all of their Class A units in BGLH for cash at a minimum value as set out in the operating agreement of BGLH. In connection with such redemptions, BG Cold, an entity indirectly controlled by Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, is entitled to receive Class C distributions (or Founders Equity Share) on any redeemed Class A units.
Each time a redemption is made at BGLH, BGLH makes a corresponding redemption of our shares; we make a corresponding redemption of Lineage OP units; and Lineage OP makes a corresponding redemption of its equity in Lineage Holdings.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, certain members have redeemed Class A units in BGLH in accordance with their special redemption rights for aggregate cash payments of $5.1 million. BGLH distributed $0.3 million with respect to its Class C units (or Founders Equity Share) in connection with these special redemptions of Class A units. All of such amounts were received by BG Cold. The corresponding amount paid or borne by our company, our operating partnership and Lineage Holdings to fund these BGLH redemptions and distributions to date in 2024 was $5.4 million. There were no similar special redemptions of Class A units in BGLH during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021.
Lineage OP
Certain members of Lineage OP have special one-time redemption rights to redeem some or all of their Class A units in Lineage OP for cash at a minimum value as set out in the operating agreement of Lineage OP. In connection with such redemptions, BG Cold, an entity indirectly controlled by Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, is entitled to receive Class C distributions (or Founders Equity Share) on any redeemed Class A units.
Each time a redemption is made at Lineage OP, Lineage OP makes a corresponding redemption of its equity in Lineage Holdings.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, certain members have redeemed units in Lineage OP in accordance with their special redemption rights for aggregate cash payments of $6.3 million. Lineage OP distributed $0.4 million with respect to its Class C units (or Founders Equity Share) in connection with these special redemptions of Class A units. All of such amounts were received by BG Cold. The corresponding amount paid or borne by Lineage Holdings to fund these Lineage OP redemptions and distributions to date in 2024 was $6.6 million. There were no similar special redemptions of Class A units in Lineage OP during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021.
Acquisition of Turvo, Inc.
On June 1, 2022, we acquired all the outstanding equity interests of Turvo, Inc. (Turvo) for total consideration of $210.0 million, comprised of $154.6 million of cash and the issuance of $55.4 million of equity in BGLH. BGLH contributed the equity interests of Turvo to us for an equal number of shares of our common stock. Prior to our acquisition of Turvo, and in connection with our pre-acquisition investments in Turvo, Mr. Forste and Mr. Thattai had invested in Turvo, and each of Mr. Forste and Mr. Thattai received directly or through his personal holding entities approximately $0.2 million in exchange for his equity interests upon our acquisition of Turvo.
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Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings LLC
As of March 31, 2024, Lineage owned 9.0% of the investment interests in Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings LLC (Emergent Cold LatAm or LatAm) as well as a right to receive an additional portion of certain profits generated by Emergent Cold LatAm, which could represent anywhere from zero to 10% of the additional profits generated on invested capital. In addition, Mr. Forste beneficially owns investment interests representing less than 1.0% of Emergent Cold LatAm and serves as chairman of the board of directors of Emergent Cold LatAm. Certain of our legacy investors, including affiliates of Stonepeak and D1 Capital, also beneficially own investment interests in Emergent Cold LatAm, and certain persons affiliated with Stonepeak and D1 Capital hold seats on the board of directors of Emergent Cold LatAm. Neither we nor Mr. Forste control Emergent Cold LatAm. We have an option to purchase Emergent Cold LatAm through June 23, 2027.
Purchases in Directed Share Program
Certain of our directors, officers and employees, friends and family members of certain of our directors and officers, individuals associated with certain of our customers, vendors, landlords and service providers and certain of our legacy investors, former owners of acquired companies and properties and other industry partners will be able to purchase shares of our common stock in the directed share program. See Underwriters. All purchases of common stock in the directed share program will be at the public offering price. Purchases by any related persons participating in the directed share program may individually exceed $120,000.
Statement of Policy Regarding Transactions with Related Persons
Upon completion of this offering, we will adopt a written statement of policy regarding transactions with related persons, which we refer to as our related person policy. Our related person policy requires that a related person (as defined as in paragraph (a) of Item 404 of Regulation S-K) must promptly disclose to us any related person transaction (defined as any transaction that is anticipated would be reportable by us under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest) and all material facts with respect thereto. We will then promptly communicate that information to our audit committee. No related person transaction will be executed without the approval or ratification of our audit committee. It is our policy that directors interested in a related person transaction will recuse themselves from any vote on a related person transaction in which they have an interest.
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STRUCTURE AND FORMATION OF OUR COMPANY
Formation Transactions
Prior to or simultaneously with the completion of this offering, we will engage in formation transactions, which are designed to facilitate this offering. Through the formation transactions, the following have occurred or will occur prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering.
Operating Partnership Conversion and Reclassification of Units
| Lineage OP, LLC will convert from a Delaware limited liability company to a Maryland limited partnership, change its name to Lineage OP, LP and adopt the Agreement of Limited Partnership pursuant to which, among other things: |
(i) | We will become Lineage OP, LPs sole general partner. |
(ii) | All operating partnership units that are owned by our companyall of which are currently classified as Lineage OP Class A unitswill be reclassified into OP units. |
(iii) | All operating partnership units that are not owned by our companyall of which are currently classified as Lineage OP Class A units, Lineage OP Class B units or Lineage OP Class C unitswill be reclassified into Legacy OP Units with various subclasses, each of which will have certain terms that differ from OP units in order to continue pre-existing rights of Lineage OP, LLCs members for a period of up to three years following the initial closing of this offering, as described below. This also allows a coordinated settlement process to be conducted for our legacy equity holders as described below. |
(A) | Legacy Class A OP Units. |
| Prior to the offering, each Lineage OP Class A unit that is not owned by our company is paired with a corresponding Lineage OP Class C unit interest that is entitled to a share of the profits in respect of that Lineage OP Class A unit. These Lineage OP Class A units are owned by various legacy investors that pre-exist this offering, and the Lineage OP Class C unit interest in respect of each Lineage OP Class A unit is owned by BG Cold in order to provide BG Cold with profit sharing on the success of each Lineage OP Class A unit. We refer to this profit sharing as the Founders Equity Share, and this profit sharing applies solely to legacy equity that pre-exists this offering. |
| Through the formation transactions, each pre-existing Lineage OP Class A unit that is not owned by our company, and the corresponding pre-existing Lineage OP Class C unit interest that is paired with such Lineage OP Class A unit, will be reclassified together into a single Legacy Class A OP Unit with two legally separate sub-units that comprise such single Legacy Class A OP Unit. The single Legacy Class A OP Unit into which they are reclassified, and its sub-unit components, are new classifications that will be created as part of the formation transactions when Lineage OP, LLC converts into the limited partnership that serves as our operating partnership. |
| The two sub-units that comprise a single Legacy Class A OP Unit are legally separate interests referred to as the A-Piece Sub-Unit and the C-Piece Sub-Unit. The A-Piece Sub-Units and the C-Piece Sub-Units each retain the economic characteristics of the former Lineage OP Class A units and Lineage OP Class C units, respectively. The A-Piece Sub-Units and C-Piece Sub-Units will continue a historic calculation applicable solely to our legacy investors that determines how the holders of the A-Piece Sub-Units and the holders of the C-Piece Sub-Units will share in the settlement of Legacy Class A OP Units when they are ultimately reclassified into OP units. This enables BG Cold to continue accruing the Founders Equity Share in order to align the economic interests of our Co-Founders with the performance of our shares and OP units when our legacy investors settle their pre-existing equity and have the option to achieve liquidity. |
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| Each Legacy Class A OP Unit will be designated to one of four sub-class demarcations: Legacy Class A-1, Legacy Class A-2, Legacy Class A-3 or Legacy Class A-4, which provide for different calculations as between the sub-unit holders within a given Legacy Class A OP Unit to determine what share of a Legacy Class A OP Unit belongs to the A-Piece Sub-Unit holder and what share belongs to the C-Piece Sub-Unit holder. |
| Except as set forth in the following sentence, each Legacy Class A OP Unit regardless of sub-class will be economically equivalent to one OP unit, meaning that one Legacy Class A OP Unit will have the same value and represent the same share of equity in our operating partnership as an OP unit. The Legacy Class A-4 OP Units may be an exception to this because they have a special one-time redemption right that the holders of such units may exercise during a 45-day window beginning on March 1, 2025 at a guaranteed minimum value that may exceed the value of an OP unit. This special redemption right allows the holders of Legacy Class A-4 OP Units to (1) redeem any or all of the Legacy Class A-4 OP Units at a guaranteed minimum price ranging between $106.59 and $113.25 per unit depending on our share price at that time (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) or, if greater, the then-current fair market value of the Legacy Class A-4 OP Units to be redeemed or (2) during the same window, receive a one-time true-up paid in cash or through the issuance of new Legacy Class A-4 OP Units or new OP units (or any combination of cash and units) in the amount by which the guaranteed minimum value of $106.59 per unit (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) exceeds the then-current fair market value of the Legacy Class A-4 OP Units (if at all). Legacy Class A-4 OP Units can also be reclassified into an equal number of OP units at any time as may be agreed by the holders of Legacy Class A-4 OP Units and the LHR, or under certain other circumstances at the discretion of the LHR acting as representative of such holders. Immediately following the formation transactions, there will be 319,006.21 outstanding Legacy Class A-4 OP Units. |
| Each Legacy Class A OP Unit will have the same voting rights and voting power as an OP unit. The LHR will be appointed by each holder of Legacy Class A OP Units to exercise the voting power for all Legacy Class A OP Units until they are reclassified into OP units. |
| Legacy Class A OP Units can be reclassified into an equal number of OP units at any time at the discretion of the LHR, acting as representative of the holders of Legacy Class A OP Units, and all such units will from time to time between the initial closing of this offering and the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering be so reclassified. Whenever Legacy Class A OP Units are reclassified into OP units, the holders of A-Piece Sub-Units and the holders of C-Piece Sub-Units will each separately receive their respective shares of the OP units into which the Legacy Class A OP Units are reclassified, according to formulas that fix their respective sharing in such reclassified OP units. The total number of OP units will nevertheless remain constant with the number of Legacy Class A OP Units that have been so reclassified, except as described above for up to 319,006.21 Legacy Class A-4 OP Units. |
(B) | Legacy Class B OP Units. |
| Prior to the offering, all Lineage OP Class B units are owned by various legacy investors that pre-exist this offering, and such units do not bear any Founders Equity Share. |
| Through the formation transactions, each pre-existing Lineage OP Class B unit will be reclassified into a Legacy Class B OP Unit. Legacy Class B OP Units will not be subject to any Founders Equity Share and will not have any separate A-Piece Sub-Units or C-Piece Sub-Units. |
| The Legacy Class B OP Units retain the economic characteristics of the former Lineage OP Class B units. |
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| Each Legacy Class B OP Unit will be economically equivalent to one OP unit, meaning that one Legacy Class B OP Unit will have the same value and represent the same share of equity in our operating partnership as an OP unit. |
| Each Legacy Class B OP Unit will have the same voting rights and voting power as an OP unit. The LHR will be appointed by each holder of Legacy Class B OP Units to exercise the voting power for all Legacy Class B OP Units until they are reclassified into OP units. |
| Legacy Class B OP Units can be reclassified into an equal number of OP units at any time at the discretion of the LHR, acting as representative of the holders of Legacy Class B OP Units, and all such units will from time to time between the initial closing of this offering and the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering be so reclassified. |
(iv) | The LHR will be appointed by each holder of Legacy OP Units as its representative (A) to administer on its behalf a coordinated settlement process for all legacy equity as described in the next paragraph (clause (v)) below and (B) to exercise the voting rights attributable to Legacy OP Units on various matters for so long as Legacy OP Units exist and have not been reclassified into OP units. |
(v) | BGLH, on its own behalf, and the LHR (an affiliate of BGLH) on behalf of the holders of Legacy OP Units, will administer a coordinated settlement process for the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity and all legacy operating partnership equity in cash, in our shares, in OP units or any combination of the foregoing, as elected by each of our legacy investors, over a period of up to three years following the first closing of our offering. By the end of this up-to-three-year period, BGLH will no longer be our controlling stockholder and the Legacy OP Units will no longer exist. At some point after this coordinated liquidity and settlement period is complete, BGLH intends to dissolve, liquidate and terminate its existence, as all legacy investors will either be direct holders in the company or our operating partnership, or they will have disposed of their shares and OP units. |
Historic Management Incentive Equity
Prior to this offering, certain of our current and former officers and employees hold LMEP Units through two incentive equity pooling entities, LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, which each hold corresponding historic accrued management incentive equity interests in Lineage Holdings for the benefit of these officers and employees. As part of the formation transactions, we will have purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock the vested awards of LMEP Units valued at less than $3.0 million per individual that are held by certain of our officers and employees who are not named executive officers. After such purchase, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC will contribute its vested management incentive equity interests in Lineage Holdings to our operating partnership in exchange for Legacy Class B OP Units. This results in the vested LMEP Units not purchased by us becoming a fixed number of Legacy Class B OP Units prior to such time as the LMEP Units would otherwise be paid pursuant to their rights under the terms of the existing awards. Following the contribution, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC will distribute the Legacy Class B OP Units to its members, including certain of our officers and employees whose LMEP Units are not purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock, in complete liquidation of each such entity. Following such distribution, officers, employees and others to whom such Legacy Class B OP Units are distributed will continue to hold such Legacy Class B OP Units subject to settlement over a period of up to three years as part of the same settlement process that applies to all of our legacy investor equity. All outstanding LMEP Units that remain unvested as of the date of such contribution and distribution will automatically terminate at such time and will be replaced with equity-based awards under the 2024 Plan. For additional information on these awards, see Benefits to Related Parties. In addition, all BGLH Restricted Units that remain unvested as of immediately prior to the completion of this offering will automatically vest in full at such time.
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Internalization of Bay Grove Services
| We are internalizing certain operating, consulting, strategic development and financial services that have historically been provided by Bay Grove. Prior to this offering, Bay Grove provides operating services to Lineage Holdings pursuant to a perpetual operating services agreement, and Bay Grove also holds a profits interest at Lineage Holdings that entitles Bay Grove to quarterly profits interest equity accruals (the equity accrual right). In connection with this internalization, we will have terminated that operating services agreement between Lineage Holdings and Bay Grove and we will have terminated all rights of Bay Grove to accrue additional future profits interests at Lineage Holdings pursuant to the equity accrual right. In exchange for these terminations, Bay Grove will receive a one-time increase in its profit share attributable to the existing profits interest it holds in Lineage Holdings equal to $200.0 million, approximately $ of which will instead be allocated to our operating partnership in settlement of prior distribution advances made to Bay Grove, its owners and their affiliates (with such amount becoming part of our operating partnerships equity holdings in Lineage Holdings, and such amount also restoring other distribution rights of Bay Grove, its owners and their affiliates through our operating partnership and BGLH in the same amount) and the remaining approximately $ of which will be reclassified into OPEUs held by Bay Grove. In connection with such one-time net increase in Bay Groves profits interest and corresponding reclassification of a portion of that amount into a fixed number of OPEUs, there will be a corresponding reduction to the interests in BGLH held by Bay Groves owners and their affiliates to effect a true-up for a portion of this increase, the effect of which is that Bay Groves net increase in equity (taking into account both its direct interests in Lineage Holdings and the reduction in interests held by Bay Groves owners and their affiliates in BGLH) is $ rather than $200.0 million. |
| Also in connection with the internalization described above, following the one-time net increase in Bay Groves profits interest and corresponding reclassification of a portion of that amount into a fixed number of OPEUs described immediately above, Lineage Holdings will repurchase OPEUs from Bay Grove for cash in the amount of $ . |
| The remaining OPEUs will be exchangeable in the future (after a two-year initial holding period) on a one-for-one basis for OP units, subject to certain adjustments, and no additional OPEUs will be created in respect of any equity accrual right after the formation transactions have been completed. OP units issued in exchange for such OPEUs will not be redeemable until after the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity and all Legacy OP Units. |
| We will amend the operating agreement of Lineage Holdings to reflect the resulting ownership of Lineage Holdings by our operating partnership and Bay Grove after giving effect to these transactions. |
| We will have entered into a transition services agreement with Bay Grove for a period of three years for certain transition services supporting capital deployment and mergers and acquisitions activity to help us build our full internal capability during that period. |
Rollover Put Option
| Certain sellers of assets we acquired who previously received rollover equity in BGLH or Lineage OP were provided with separate classes of equity of BGLH or Lineage OP that included special one-time redemption features with minimum value guarantees and in some cases the alternative option to elect cash or equity top-up rights to achieve a certain minimum equity valuation at a specific date (collectively, the Guarantee Rights). To ensure that the financial obligations associated with all Guarantee Rights proportionately impact investors at Lineage, our operating partnership, and Lineage Holdings, each of those entities has agreed to provide successive special repurchase rights and cash and equity top-up rights to such legacy investors that mirror those given by BGLH to its investors (the Rollover Holder Put Option) and those given by Lineage OP to its investors, in each case in connection with the Guarantee Rights (the Lineage OP Put Option). For more information, see Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsPut Option Agreement. |
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Contribution of Offering Net Proceeds
| We will contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our operating partnership and receive OP units (or OP units if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full), representing a % ownership interest in the operating partnership ( % if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full), with holders of Legacy OP Units and Lineage management holding % and % ownership interests in the operating partnership, respectively ( % and % if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full). |
| In connection with this offering, we will redeem our outstanding Series A preferred stock for $630,000 in cash plus any accrued but unpaid dividends. |
Consequences of this Offering and the Formation Transactions
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions (but prior to the issuance of any new shares of our common stock pursuant to the post-offering transactions outlined below):
| Purchasers of shares of our common stock in this offering will own % of the outstanding shares of our common stock. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full, purchasers of shares of our common stock in this offering will own % of the outstanding shares of our common stock. |
| BGLH will own % of the outstanding shares of our common stock. |
| Affiliates of Bay Grove will beneficially own % of the outstanding OP units (or % if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full) (in each case, including (i) OP units into which Legacy OP Units, over which the LHR, an affiliate of Bay Grove, has voting and dispositive power, will ultimately be reclassified and (ii) OP units issuable upon exchange of OPEUs owned by affiliates of Bay Grove). |
| We will contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our operating partnership in exchange for OP units (or OP units if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full), representing a % ownership interest in the operating partnership ( % if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full). |
| As of December 31, 2023, on a pro forma basis, we had approximately $ billion of indebtedness outstanding. |
Post-Offering Transactions
Coordinated Settlement Process for Legacy Pre-Offering Investors
BGLH and Legacy OP Unit Settlements. Following the initial closing of this offering: (1) BGLH intends to wind down its holding of our shares over a period of up to three years, during which it will settle all legacy investor equity held through BGLH; and (2) our operating partnership intends to settle all legacy investor equity held through the Legacy OP Unit class and ultimately eliminate the Legacy OP Unit class altogether. To do this, during this up-to-three-year period:
| BGLH. BGLH generally expects to distribute our shares in kind to its investors in settlement of their equity interests in BGLH. These investors will have made elections as to whether they want a Cash Settlement or whether they instead want a Securities Settlement. The Cash Settlement option, pursuant to which we will repurchase shares of our common stock from such investors, occurs for each share as a one-time event with respect to that share based on the Cash Settlement event that we arrange; there is no ongoing option to cash settle a previously-received share at a later date of an investors choosing through a repurchase by our company. The settlement of all |
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legacy investor equity held through BGLH is currently intended to be effected through multiple installments of Cash Settlements and Securities Settlements, until all legacy investor equity held through BGLH has been settled in this manner, at such times and in such amounts (over an up-to-three-year period) as BGLH may determine in its sole discretion, but BGLH could also determine in its sole discretion to effect the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity through fewer installments or in a single event at any time. If any legacy investor equity held through BGLH has not been settled by the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering, we expect that BGLH would effect a final Securities Settlement at that time. BGLH could also effect a final Securities Settlement on any earlier date in its sole discretion. |
| Operating Partnership. Our operating partnership will first reclassify certain Legacy OP Units into OP units at various times as directed by the LHR acting on behalf of the various Legacy OP Unit holders, in settlement of the corresponding Legacy OP Units. The Legacy OP Unit holders will have made elections as to whether they want to sell their OP units to us for cash in connection with liquidity that we arrange (also, a Cash Settlement), or whether they instead desire to continue holding the OP units (also, a Securities Settlement) until such time as they individually determine to arrange their own dispositions or pursue their own redemptions under our standard operating partnership redemption provisions. The Cash Settlement option occurs for each OP unit as a one-time event with respect that that OP unit based on the Cash Settlement event that we arrange; there is no ongoing option to cash settle a previously-received OP unit at a later date of an investors choosing through a purchase by our company (however, the holders of such OP units would be permitted to avail themselves of our standard operating partnership redemption opportunities, which could result in the receipt of cash or shares at our option). The settlement of all Legacy OP Units is currently intended to be effected through multiple installments of Cash Settlements and Securities Settlements, until all Legacy OP Units have been settled in this manner, at such times and in such amounts (over an up-to-three-year period) as the LHR, acting on behalf of each of the all Legacy OP Unit holders, may determine in its sole discretion, but the LHR could also determine in its sole discretion to effect the settlement of all Legacy OP Units through fewer installments or in a single event at any time. If any Legacy OP Units have not been settled by the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering, we expect that the LHR would effect a final Securities Settlement at that time. The LHR could also effect a final Securities Settlement on any earlier date in its sole discretion. |
Settlement Elections. BGLHs investors and Legacy OP Unit holders will generally be permitted to change their elections regarding Cash Settlement, Securities Settlement or any combination thereof at any time with respect to legacy BGLH equity and Legacy OP Units that have not yet been settled, subject to certain administrative limitations established by BGLH or the LHR, as applicable. BGLH will in all cases determine the amount available for Cash Settlements and Securities Settlements in respect of BGLH equity at any given time, and the LHR will in all cases determine the amount available for Cash Settlements and Securities Settlements in respect of the Legacy OP Units at any given time. BGLH will have a contractual right to require us to conduct offerings of shares of our common stock from time to time in order to facilitate Cash Settlements in the amounts and times desired by BGLH, or desired by the LHR (an affiliate of BGLH), acting on behalf of the Legacy OP Unit holders, as applicable. In certain situations where BGLH or the LHR, as applicable, determines that it must limit the available amount of Securities Settlements relative to the available amount of Cash Settlements in order to further the goal of optimizing post-offering share price performance, BGLH or the LHR, as applicable, may determine to effect cutbacks of the Securities Settlements to those BGLH investors and Legacy OP Unit holders that have elected to receive Securities Settlements. In the event such cutbacks are determined, the impacted BGLH investors and Legacy OP Unit holders will continue to hold the same BGLH units or Legacy OP Units they held prior to the cutback, and those securities will remain eligible for proportionate participation in each future settlement event. In the event that such cutback interests are not able to be settled in securities at future interim settlement events, such settlement in securities could be delayed until the final settlement event occurs up to three years after the first closing of this offering. Each BGLH investor and each Legacy OP Unit holder has had the option to
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elect whether it wants to settle the Founders Equity Share with respect to any cutback amounts at the time of such cutback (rather than at the time of the actual Securities Settlement applicable to the cutback amounts); except in circumstances where (a) Guarantee Rights result in repurchases or top-ups of shares held by BGLH at a valuation above their fair market value (as described in Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsPut Option Agreement) or (b) Legacy Class A-4 OP Units are repurchased or topped up at a valuation above their fair market value (as described in Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation TransactionsOperating Partnership Conversion and Reclassification of Units), the settlement of Founders Equity Share in all other situations occurs either (i) within BGLHs existing equity and does not dilute any of our investors or any investors in our operating partnership, other than solely our legacy investors who own BGLH equity or (ii) within the existing Legacy OP Unit equity and does not dilute any of our investors or any investors in our operating partnership, other than solely our Legacy OP Unit holders.
After the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering, all rights to receive the Founders Equity Share are expected to terminate, and we currently expect that (1) BGLH will cease to hold any of our shares at that point and (2) the Legacy OP Unit class will cease to exist at that point.
Settlement of Founders Equity Share. The Founders Equity Share will be settled on a unit-by-unit basis for each BGLH unit and each Legacy Class A OP Unit at the time of the applicable settlement event for that unit. BG Cold has the same options that the legacy BGLH investors and Legacy OP Unit holders have to elect among Cash Settlement, Securities Settlement or a combination of both in respect of its Founders Equity Share settlements for BGLH equity and for Legacy OP Units. In the case of Legacy OP Unit settlements, BG Cold as holder of the Founders Equity Share, or C-Piece Sub-Unit, will receive a portion of the reclassified OP units which portion is calculated pursuant to the applicable formula that pertains to the relevant Legacy Class A OP Units being reclassified. Except in circumstances where (a) Guarantee Rights result in repurchases or top-ups of shares held by BGLH at a valuation above their fair market value (as described in Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsPut Option Agreement) or (b) Legacy Class A-4 OP Units are repurchased or topped up at a valuation above their fair market value (as described in Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation TransactionsOperating Partnership Conversion and Reclassification of Units), (1) the Founders Equity Share settlements dilute only the legacy BGLH investors and the Legacy OP Unit holders, as these settlements are all made within the existing pool of shares owned by BGLH and the existing one-to-one reclassification that otherwise occurs as between a Legacy OP Unit and an OP unit, and (2) Founder Equity Share settlements do not result in any dilution to investors that have acquired shares or OP units through this offering.
Settlement of Small Holders. On the date that is 30 days following the initial closing of this offering, certain small holders in BGLH and our operating partnership will receive an aggregate of 4,465,640 shares of our common stock or an aggregate of 984,103 OP units, as applicable, in full settlement of their equity interests in BGLH or our operating partnership, as applicable. Small holders will receive shares of our common stock that will be considered restricted securities under the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Accordingly, small holders will need to hold such shares of common stock for at least six months before being entitled to sell such shares under Rule 144. See Shares Available for Future SaleRule 144.
The following chart sets forth information about our company, our operating partnership, certain related parties and the ownership interests therein on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the formation transactions. Ownership percentages in our company and our operating partnership are presented based on the assumption that the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is not exercised and the other assumptions regarding the number of shares of our common stock and OP units to be outstanding after this offering and the formation transactions described under the heading The Offering.
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(1) | OP units in our operating partnership are redeemable for cash or, at our option, exchangeable for common shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments, beginning 14 months after the original issuance of such units (other than OP units that were previously classified as Legacy OP Units, which generally have such redemption rights at any time after their reclassification into OP units and are not subject to such 14-month waiting period). |
(2) | Except for the one-time special redemption and top-up rights with respect to 319,006.21 Legacy Class A-4 OP Units as described under Formation TransactionsOperating Partnership Conversion and Reclassification of Units, each Legacy Class A OP Unit is economically equivalent to one OP unit, meaning that one Legacy Class A OP Unit will have the same value and represent the same share of our operating partnerships equity as an OP Unit. Legacy Class A OP Units can generally be reclassified into an equal number of OP units at any time at the discretion of the LHR, and they will all ultimately be so reclassified by the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering. Each Legacy Class A OP Unit will also have the same voting rights and voting power as an OP unit; however, the LHR will have voting and dispositive power over each Legacy Class A OP Unit until it is reclassified into an OP unit. After giving effect to the completion of the formation transactions, our operating partnership will have Legacy Class A OP Units outstanding. |
(3) | Each Legacy Class B OP Unit is economically equivalent to one OP unit, meaning that one Legacy Class B OP Unit will have the same value and represent the same share of our operating partnerships equity as an OP Unit. Legacy Class B OP Units can generally be reclassified into an equal number of OP units at any time at the discretion of the LHR, and they will all ultimately be so reclassified by the third anniversary of |
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the initial closing of this offering. Each Legacy Class B OP Unit will also have the same voting rights and voting power as an OP unit; however, the LHR will have voting and dispositive power over each Legacy Class B OP Unit until it is reclassified into an OP unit. After giving effect to the completion of the formation transactions, our operating partnership will have Legacy Class B OP Units outstanding. |
(4) | OPEUs will be exchangeable at the election of BG Maverick, LLC, an affiliate of Bay Grove, for OP units on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, at any time beginning two years after the initial closing date of this offering. Holders of OP units issued in exchange for such OPEUs, which will include Messrs. Forste and Marchetti or their affiliates, will not be able to redeem OP units until after the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity and all Legacy OP Units. After giving effect to the completion of the formation transactions, Lineage Holdings will have OPEUs outstanding. |
Benefits to Related Parties
Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, Bay Grove, our directors, executive officers and employees will receive material benefits, including the following:
| BG Cold will hold a continuing right to receive the Founders Equity Share from our operating partnership through its C-Piece Sub-Units in the Legacy Class A OP Units and similar amounts from BGLH, our majority stockholder, as described in Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransactions with BG Lineage Holdings, LLC and Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransactions with Lineage OP, LLC. However, BG Cold will no longer receive advance distributions against the Founders Equity Share, which were historically received prior to the formation transactions. All such rights to advances will terminate in connection with the formation transactions. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransactions with BG Lineage Holdings, LLC, Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransactions with Lineage OP, LLC and Description of the Partnership Agreement of Lineage OP, LPLegacy OP UnitsLegacy Class A OP Units. |
| Affiliates of Bay Grove will continue to hold % of the Legacy Class B OP Units of our operating partnership. See Description of the Partnership Agreement of Lineage OP, LPLegacy OP UnitsLegacy Class B OP Units. |
| The stockholders agreement will provide that we, on our own behalf and in our capacity as the general partner of our operating partnership, must use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) structure certain significant exit transactions (including mergers, consolidations and sales of substantially all of our assets or the assets of our operating partnership and its subsidiaries) in a manner that is tax-deferred to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste, their respective estate planning vehicles, family members and controlled affiliates, does not cause such parties to recognize gain for federal income tax purposes, and provides for substantially similar tax protections after such transactions, and (ii) cause our operating partnership or its subsidiaries to continuously maintain sufficient levels of indebtedness that are allocable for federal income tax purposes to Messrs. Marchetti and Forste and their respective personal holding entities to prevent them from recognizing gain as a result of any negative tax capital account or insufficient debt allocation, provided that such amount of debt shall not be required to exceed the amount allocable to the parties immediately following this offering, subject to certain exceptions. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsStockholders Agreement. |
| Bay Grove will have received a one-time increase in its profit share attributable to the existing profits interest it holds in Lineage Holdings equal to $200.0 million, approximately $ of which will instead have been allocated to our operating partnership in settlement of prior distribution advances made to Bay Grove, its owners and their affiliates (with such amount becoming part of our operating partnerships equity holdings in Lineage Holdings, and such amount also restoring other distribution rights of Bay Grove, its owners and their affiliates through our operating partnership and BGLH in the same amount) and the remaining approximately $ of which will have been reclassified into OPEUs held by Bay Grove. See Formation Transactions. |
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| Affiliates of Bay Grove will have received $ in cash from Lineage Holdings repurchase of certain OPEUs from Bay Grove pursuant to the formation transactions, and affiliates of Bay Grove will continue to hold the remaining OPEUs that have not been repurchased pursuant to the formation transactions. See Formation Transactions. |
| BGLH will receive $505,000 in cash, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends, in connection with the redemption of our Series A preferred stock. |
| We will have entered into a transition services agreement with Bay Grove, pursuant to which (1) Bay Grove will provide us with certain transition services supporting capital deployment and mergers and acquisitions activity for three years following the closing of this offering to help us build our full internal capability during that period, and (2) we will pay Bay Grove an annual fee equal to $8.0 million. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransactions with Bay GroveOperating Services Agreement and Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransition Services Agreement. |
| We will have entered into a registration rights agreement with BGLH, pursuant to which we will grant it and certain of its affiliates with certain demand registration rights and customary piggyback registration rights. We will also have entered into one or more registration rights agreements with Mr. Forste and Mr. Marchetti, pursuant to which we will grant them with certain registration rights. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsRegistration Rights Agreements. |
| We, our operating partnership and Lineage Holdings will have entered into an agreement providing successive special repurchase rights and cash and equity top-up rights to certain legacy investors that benefits BGLH by ensuring that all Guarantee Rights will ultimately be satisfied by Lineage Holdings so that all investors in BGLH, our company, our operating partnership and Lineage Holdings are proportionately impacted by the Guarantee Rights based on their direct and indirect ownership interests in Lineage Holdings. This dilution is not solely borne by pre-offering investors; instead it affects all investors. For more information, see Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsPut Option Agreement. |
| Lineage Holdings will have entered into an expense reimbursement and indemnification agreement with BGLH, the LHR and Bay Grove, pursuant to which Lineage Holdings will agree to (i) advance to or reimburse such entities for all their expenses in any way related to our company, including expenses incurred in connection with the coordinated settlement process that will occur for up to three years for all legacy investors in both BGLH and our operating partnership and (ii) indemnify such entities to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against liabilities that may arise in any way related to our company, including liabilities incurred in connection with or as a result of the coordinated settlement process. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsIndemnification AgreementsBay Grove. |
| We will have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers providing for the indemnification by us for certain liabilities and expenses incurred as a result of actions brought, or threatened to be brought, against our directors and executive officers in their capacities as such. |
| We will have entered into certain agreements with Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, pursuant to which Messrs. Forste and Marchetti will agree that for a period of three years following the completion of this offering (or, if less, such period during which they directly or indirectly own any equity in our company) they will not compete with our business. |
| We will have purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock the vested awards of LMEP Units valued at less than $3.0 million per individual that are held by certain of our current and former officers who are not named executive officers and employees. Thereafter, we will have settled the remaining vested LMEP Units for Legacy Class B OP Units. This results in the vested LMEP Units not purchased by us becoming a fixed number of Legacy Class B OP Units prior to such time as the LMEP Units would otherwise be paid pursuant to the terms of the existing awards. Following the contribution, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC will |
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distribute the Legacy Class B OP Units to its members, including certain of our officers and employees whose LMEP Units are not purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock, in complete liquidation of each such entity. Following such distribution, officers, employees and others to whom such Legacy Class B OP Units are distributed will generally continue to hold such Legacy Class B OP Units subject to settlement over a period of up to three years as part of the same settlement process that applies to all of our legacy investor equity. As discussed in greater detail below, all outstanding LMEP Units that remain unvested as of the date of such contribution and distribution will automatically terminate at such time and will be replaced with equity-based awards under the 2024 Plan. In addition, all BGLH Restricted Units that remain unvested as of immediately prior to the completion of this offering will automatically vest in full at such time. |
| We will have adopted the 2024 Plan, under which we will grant cash and equity-based incentive awards to eligible service providers in order to attract, motivate and retain the talent for which we compete. |
| In connection with the completion of this offering, we will grant certain of our executive officers and employees one-time awards in the form of an aggregate of $ in cash, restricted stock units shares of our common stock. Such awards will be fully vested at the time of grant, in the case of shares of common stock, or subject to time-based vesting, in the case of restricted stock units. |
| As discussed above regarding holders of LMEP Units with a value less than $3.0 million, we will issue to certain of our employees, other than our executive officers, an aggregate of shares of our common stock. Such awards will be fully vested at the time of issuance. |
| As discussed above, in connection with the completion of this offering, we will grant certain of our executive officers and employees one-time awards covering an aggregate of restricted stock units and LTIP units in respect of certain vested LMEP Units and/or the cancellation of unvested LMEP Units. Such awards will be subject to time-based vesting. |
| As part of our annual equity award program, we will grant certain of our executive officers and employees an aggregate of restricted stock units and/or LTIP units. Such awards will be subject to time- and/or performance-based vesting. |
| In connection with the completion of this offering, we will grant certain of our non-employee directors an aggregate of restricted stock units. Such awards will be subject to time-based vesting. |
| In connection with the completion of this offering, we will grant certain of our employees one-time awards covering an aggregate of restricted stock units in respect of certain vested LVCP Awards and/or the cancellation of unvested LVCP Awards. Such restricted stock units will be subject to time-based vesting. |
See Executive CompensationTreatment of LMEP Units and BGLH Restricted Units in Connection with this Offering and Executive CompensationEquity Awards in Connection with the IPO for further details.
| Certain LVCP Awards will vest and be settled in an aggregate of $ of cash and shares of our common stock. |
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POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES
The following is a discussion of certain of our investment, financing and other policies. These policies have been determined by our board of directors and, in general, may be amended or revised from time to time by our board of directors without a vote of our stockholders.
Investment Policies
Investments in Real Estate or Interests in Real Estate
We conduct substantially all of our investment activities through our operating partnership and its subsidiaries. Our objective is to maximize stockholder value by generating attractive risk-adjusted returns through owning, managing and growing a diversified portfolio of commercially desirable properties. For a discussion of our properties and our acquisition and other strategic objectives, see Business and Properties.
We expect to pursue our objective primarily through the ownership by our operating partnership of our existing properties and other acquired properties and assets. We seek to invest primarily in industrial real estate in the form of temperature-controlled warehouses. Our future investment and development activities are not currently limited to any geographic area or property type or to a specified percentage of our assets. While we may diversify in terms of property locations, size and market, we do not have any limit on the amount or percentage of our assets that may be invested in any one property or any one geographic area. We intend to engage in future investment activities in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of our status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. In addition, we may purchase assets for long-term investment, expand and improve the properties we presently own or other acquired properties, or sell such properties, in whole or in part, when circumstances warrant.
We may also participate with third parties in property ownership, through joint ventures or other types of co-ownership. These types of investments may permit us to own interests in larger assets without unduly reducing our diversification and, therefore, provide us with flexibility in structuring our portfolio. We will not, however, enter into a joint venture or other partnership arrangement to make an investment that would not otherwise meet our investment policies.
Equity investments in acquired properties may be subject to existing mortgage financing and other indebtedness or to new indebtedness that may be incurred in connection with acquiring or refinancing these properties. Debt service on such financing or indebtedness will have a priority over any distributions with respect to our common stock. Investments are also subject to our policy not to be treated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act.
Securities of or Interests in Persons Primarily Engaged in Real Estate Activities and Other Issuers
Subject to the percentage of ownership limitations and the income and asset tests necessary for REIT qualification, we may invest in securities of other REITs, other entities engaged in real estate activities or securities of other issuers, including for the purpose of exercising control over such entities. We do not intend that our investments in securities will require us to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and we would intend to divest such securities before any such registration would be required.
Investments in Other Securities
Other than as described above, we do not intend to invest in any additional securities such as bonds, preferred stocks or common stock.
Dispositions
In order to maximize the performance and manage the risks within our portfolio, we intend to selectively dispose of any of our properties that we determine are not suitable for long-term investment purposes based upon
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managements review of our portfolio. We will ensure that such action would be in our best interest and consistent with our intention to continue to qualify for taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Financings and Leverage Policy
We anticipate using a number of different sources to finance our acquisitions and operations, including cash flows from operations, asset sales, seller financing, issuance of debt securities, private financings (such as additional bank credit facilities, which may or may not be secured by our assets), property-level mortgage debt, common or preferred equity issuances or any combination of these sources, to the extent available to us, or other sources that may become available from time to time. Any debt that we incur may be recourse or non-recourse and may be secured or unsecured. We also may take advantage of joint venture or other partnering opportunities as such opportunities arise in order to acquire properties that would otherwise be unavailable to us. We may use the proceeds of our borrowings to acquire assets, to refinance existing debt or for general corporate purposes.
Although we are not required to maintain any particular leverage ratio, we intend, when appropriate, to employ prudent amounts of leverage and to use debt as a means of providing additional funds for the acquisition of assets, to refinance existing debt or for general corporate purposes. Our charter and bylaws do not limit the amount of debt that we may incur. Our board of directors has not adopted a policy limiting the total amount of debt that we may incur.
Our board of directors will consider a number of factors in evaluating the amount of debt that we may incur. Our board of directors may from time to time modify its views regarding the appropriate amount of debt financing in light of then-current economic conditions, relative costs of debt and equity capital, market values of our properties, general conditions in the market for debt and equity securities, fluctuations in the market price of our common stock, growth and investment opportunities and other factors. Our decision to use leverage in the future to finance our assets will be at our discretion and will not be subject to the approval of our stockholders.
Equity Capital Policies
To the extent that our board of directors determines to obtain additional capital, we may issue debt or equity securities, including senior securities, retain earnings (subject to provisions in the Code requiring distributions of income to maintain REIT qualification) or pursue a combination of these methods.
Existing stockholders will have no preemptive right to common or preferred stock or units issued in any securities offering by us, and any such offering might cause a dilution of a stockholders investment in us. Although we have no current plans to do so, we may in the future issue shares of our common stock or units in our operating partnership in connection with acquisitions of property.
We may, under certain circumstances, purchase shares of our common stock or other securities in the open market or in private transactions with our stockholders, provided that those purchases are approved by our board of directors. Our board of directors has no present intention of causing us to repurchase any shares of our common stock or other securities, and any such action would only be taken in conformity with applicable federal and state laws and the applicable requirements for qualification as a REIT.
Code of Conduct
We have adopted a code of conduct that seeks to identify and mitigate conflicts of interest between our employees, directors and officers and our company. However, we cannot assure you that these policies or provisions of law will always be successful in eliminating or minimizing the influence of such conflicts, and if they are not successful, decisions could be made that might fail to reflect fully the interests of stockholders.
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Interested Director Transactions
Pursuant to the MGCL, a contract or other transaction between us and a director or between us and any other corporation or other entity in which any of our directors is a director or has a material financial interest is not void or voidable solely because of such common directorship or interest, the presence of such director at the meeting at which the contract or transaction is authorized, approved or ratified or the counting of the directors vote in favor thereof, if:
| the fact of the common directorship or interest is disclosed or known to our board of directors or a committee of our board, and our board or such committee authorizes, approves or ratifies the contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of disinterested directors, even if the disinterested directors constitute less than a quorum; |
| the fact of the common directorship or interest is disclosed or known to our stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is authorized, approved or ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote other than the votes of shares owned of record or beneficially by the interested director or corporation, firm or other entity; or |
| the contract or transaction is fair and reasonable to us. |
Upon completion of this offering, we will adopt a policy regarding transactions between us, our operating partnership or any of our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any related persons on the other hand, which we refer to as our related person policy. Our related person policy requires that a related person (as defined as in paragraph (a) of Item 404 of Regulation S-K) must promptly disclose to us any related person transaction (defined as any transaction that is anticipated to be reportable by us under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest) and all material facts with respect thereto. We will then promptly communicate that information to our board of directors. No related person transaction will be executed without the approval or ratification of our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors. Such transaction must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors even if less than a quorum. Where appropriate in the judgment of the disinterested directors, our board of directors may obtain a fairness opinion or engage independent counsel to represent the interests of nonaffiliated securityholders, although our board of directors will have no obligation to do so.
Reporting Policies
We intend to make available to our stockholders our annual reports, including our audited consolidated financial statements. After this offering, we will become subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. Pursuant to those requirements, we will be required to file annual and periodic reports, proxy statements and other information, including audited consolidated financial statements, with the SEC.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF LINEAGE OP, LP
A summary of the material terms and provisions of the Agreement of Limited Partnership of Lineage OP, LP, which we refer to as the partnership agreement, is set forth below. This summary is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of Maryland law and the partnership agreement. For more detail, please refer to the partnership agreement itself, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. For purposes of this section, references to we, our, us, our company and the general partner refer to Lineage, Inc., in our capacity as the general partner or our operating partnership.
General
Upon the completion of this offering and the formation transactions, substantially all of our assets will be held by, and substantially all of our operations will be conducted through, our operating partnership, either directly or through its subsidiaries. The provisions of the partnership agreement described below will be in effect from and after the completion of this offering. We are the general partner of our operating partnership and following the completion of this offering and the formation transactions will directly hold a % limited partner interest in our operating partnership ( % if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full).
Our operating partnership issues common units, which we refer to as OP units. The common units, or OP units, are not listed on any exchange nor are they quoted on any national market system. Our operating partnership has also issued the Legacy OP Units and a class of preferred equity units, is authorized to issue a class of units of partnership interest designated as LTIP units, and may authorize and issue additional classes of units of partnership interest in the future.
Provisions in the partnership agreement may delay or make more difficult unsolicited acquisitions of us or changes in our control. These provisions could discourage third parties from making proposals involving an unsolicited acquisition of us or change of our control, although some stockholders might consider such proposals, if made, desirable. These provisions also make it more difficult for third parties to alter the management structure of our operating partnership without the concurrence of our board of directors. These provisions include, among others:
| redemption rights of limited partners and certain assignees of common units and other classes of partnership interests; |
| transfer restrictions on common units and other classes of partnership interests; |
| a requirement that we may not be removed as the general partner of our operating partnership without our consent; |
| our ability in some cases to amend the partnership agreement and to cause our operating partnership to issue preferred partnership interests in our operating partnership with terms that we may determine, in either case, without the approval or consent of any limited partner; and |
| the right of the limited partners to consent to certain transfers of our general partnership interest (whether by sale, disposition, statutory merger or consolidation, liquidation or otherwise). |
Purpose, Business and Management
Our operating partnership was formed for the purpose of conducting any business, enterprise or activity permitted by or under the Maryland Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, or the Act. Our operating partnership may enter into any partnership, joint venture, business trust arrangement, limited liability company or other similar arrangement, subject to any consent rights set forth in our partnership agreement.
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In general, our board of directors manages the business and affairs of our operating partnership by directing our business and affairs, in our capacity as the sole general partner of our operating partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the partnership agreement and subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of partnership interest, all management powers over the business and affairs of our operating partnership are exclusively vested in us, in our capacity as the sole general partner of our operating partnership. We may not be removed as the general partner of our operating partnership, with or without cause, without our consent, which we may give or withhold in our sole and absolute discretion.
Restrictions on General Partners Authority
The partnership agreement prohibits us, in our capacity as general partner, from taking any action that would make it impossible to carry out the ordinary business of our operating partnership or performing any act that would subject a limited partner to liability as a general partner in any jurisdiction or any other liability except as provided under the partnership agreement or under the Act. We generally may not, without the prior consent of the partners of our operating partnership (including us), amend, modify or terminate the partnership agreement, except for certain amendments described below that require the approval of each affected partner. We may not, in our capacity as the general partner of our operating partnership, without the consent of a majority in interest of the limited partners (excluding us and any limited partner 50% or more of whose equity is owned, directly or indirectly, by us):
| take any action in contravention of an express provision or limitation of the partnership agreement; |
| transfer all or any portion of our general partnership interest in our operating partnership or admit any person as a successor general partner, subject to the exceptions described in the section entitled Restrictions on Transfers by the General Partner; or |
| voluntarily withdraw as the general partner. |
Without the consent of each affected limited partner or in connection with a transfer of all of our interests in our partnership in connection with a merger, consolidation or other combination of our assets with another entity, a sale of all or substantially all of our assets not in the ordinary course of our operating partnerships business, or a reclassification, recapitalization or change in our outstanding stock permitted without the consent of the limited partners as described below in the section entitled Restrictions on Transfers by the General Partner, or a permitted termination transaction, we may not enter into any contract, mortgage, loan or other agreement that expressly prohibits or restricts us or our operating partnership from performing our or its specific obligations in connection with a redemption of units or expressly prohibits or restricts a limited partner from exercising its redemption rights in full. In addition to any approval or consent required by any other provision of the partnership agreement, we may not, without the consent of each affected partner, amend the partnership agreement or take any other action that would:
| convert a limited partner interest into a general partner interest (other than as a result of our acquisition of that interest); |
| adversely modify in any material respect the limited liability of a limited partner; |
| alter the rights of any partner to receive the distributions to which such partner is entitled, or alter the allocations specified in the partnership agreement, except to the extent permitted by the partnership agreement including in connection with the creation or issuance of any new class or series of partnership interest or to effect or facilitate a permitted termination transaction; |
| alter or modify the redemption rights of holders of common units (except as permitted under the partnership agreement to effect or facilitate a permitted termination transaction); |
| alter or modify the provisions governing the transfer of our general partnership interest in our operating partnership (except as permitted under the partnership agreement to effect or facilitate a permitted termination transaction); |
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| remove certain provisions of the partnership agreement relating to the requirements for us to qualify as a REIT or permitting us to avoid paying tax under Sections 857 or 4981 of the Code; or |
| amend the provisions of the partnership agreement requiring the consent of each affected partner before taking any of the actions described above or the related definitions specified in the partnership agreement (except as permitted under the partnership agreement to effect or facilitate a permitted termination transaction or reflect the issuance of additional partnership interests). |
Additional Limited Partners
We may cause our operating partnership to issue additional units in one or more classes or series or other partnership interests and to admit additional limited partners to our operating partnership from time to time, on such terms and conditions and for such capital contributions as we may establish in our sole and absolute discretion, without the approval or consent of any limited partner.
The partnership agreement authorizes our operating partnership to issue common units, LTIP units and preferred units. Our operating partnership may also issue additional partnership interests in one or more additional classes, or one or more series of any of such classes, with such designations, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption (including, without limitation, terms that may be senior or otherwise entitled to preference over existing units) as we may determine, in our sole and absolute discretion, without the approval of any limited partner or any other person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, we may specify, as to any such class or series of partnership interest, the allocations of items of partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each such class or series of partnership interest.
Ability to Engage in Other Businesses; Conflicts of Interest
The partnership agreement provides that we may not conduct any business other than in connection with the ownership, acquisition and disposition of partnership interests, the management of the business and affairs of our operating partnership, our operation as a reporting company with a class (or classes) of securities registered under the Exchange Act, our operations as a REIT, the offering, sale, syndication, private placement or public offering of stock, bonds, securities or other interests, financing or refinancing of any type related to our operating partnership or its assets or activities and such activities as are incidental to those activities discussed above. In general, we must contribute any assets or funds that we acquire to our operating partnership whether as capital contributions, loans or otherwise, as appropriate, in exchange for additional partnership interests. We may, however, in our sole and absolute discretion, from time to time hold or acquire assets in our own name or otherwise other than through our operating partnership so long as we take commercially reasonable measures to ensure that the economic benefits and burdens of such property are otherwise vested in our operating partnership.
Distributions
Our operating partnership will distribute such amounts, at such times, as we may in our sole and absolute discretion determine:
| first, with respect to any partnership interests that are entitled to any preference in distribution, including the preferred units, in accordance with the rights of the holders of such class(es) of partnership interest, and, within each such class, among the holders of such class pro rata in proportion to their respective percentage interests of such class or as otherwise prescribed for that class; and |
| second, with respect to any partnership interests that are not entitled to any preference in distribution, including the common units and the Legacy OP Units and, except as described below with respect to liquidating distributions and as may be provided in any incentive award plan or any applicable award |
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agreement with respect to the LTIP units, in accordance with the rights of the holders of such class(es) of partnership interest, and, within each such class, among the holders of each such class, pro rata in proportion to their respective percentage interests of such class or as otherwise prescribed for that class. |
Exculpation and Indemnification of General Partner
The partnership agreement provides that we are not liable to our operating partnership or any partner for any action or omission taken in our capacity as general partner, for the debts or liabilities of our operating partnership or for the obligations of our operating partnership under the partnership agreement, except for liability for our fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence, pursuant to any express indemnity we may give to our operating partnership or in connection with a redemption as described in the section entitled Redemption Rights of Qualifying Parties. The partnership agreement also provides that any obligation or liability in our capacity as the general partner of our operating partnership that may arise at any time under the partnership agreement or any other instrument, transaction or undertaking contemplated by the partnership agreement will be satisfied, if at all, out of our assets or the assets of our operating partnership only, and no such obligation or liability will be personally binding upon any of our directors, stockholders, officers, employees or agents.
In addition, the partnership agreement requires our operating partnership to indemnify us, our present or any former directors and officers, officers of our operating partnership, the former managing member of our operating partnership (prior to its conversion into a limited partnership), former managers of our operating partnership, each person serving as a director, manager, officer, employee or other agent of any of our former managing members or former manager, and any other person designated by us against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and other legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that relate to the operations of our operating partnership, unless (i) an act or omission of the person was material to the matter giving rise to the action and either was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the person had reasonable cause to believe the act or omission was unlawful or (iii) such person actually received an improper personal benefit in violation or breach of any provision of the partnership agreement. Our operating partnership must also pay or reimburse the reasonable expenses of any such person in advance of a final disposition of the proceeding upon its receipt of a written affirmation of the persons good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and a written undertaking by or on behalf of the person to repay any amounts paid or advanced if it is ultimately determined that the person did not meet the standard of conduct for indemnification. Our operating partnership is not required to indemnify or advance funds to any person with respect to any action initiated by the person seeking indemnification without our approval (except for any proceeding brought to enforce such persons right to indemnification under the partnership agreement) or if the person is found to be liable to our operating partnership on any portion of any claim in the action.
In addition, in exercising our authority under the partnership agreement, we may, but are not required to, take into account the tax consequences to any partner of any action taken (or not taken) by us. Subject to limited exceptions, any action or failure to act on our part that does or does not take into account any tax consequences of a partner will not be considered to violate any duty of loyalty or any other duty owed by us as the general partner.
Dissolution of Our Operating Partnership
We may elect to dissolve our operating partnership without the consent of any limited partner. However, in connection with the acquisition of properties from persons to whom our operating partnership issues common units or other partnership interests as part of the purchase price, in order to preserve such persons tax deferral, our operating partnership may contractually agree, in general, not to sell or otherwise transfer the properties for a specified period of time, or in some instances, not to sell or otherwise transfer the properties without compensating the sellers of the properties for their loss of the tax deferral.
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Redemption Rights of Qualifying Parties
Beginning 14 months after first acquiring such common units, each limited partner and some assignees of limited partners will have the right, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the partnership agreement, to require our operating partnership to redeem all or a portion of the common units held by such limited partner or assignee (other than (i) Legacy OP Units, which do not have any redemption rights prior to being reclassified as OP units (except for the one-time special redemption and top-up rights with respect to Legacy Class A-4 OP Units described elsewhere in this prospectus), but once a Legacy OP Unit has been so reclassified (assuming it is not otherwise in the process of a Cash Settlement), it will have redemption rights at any time and will not be subject to such 14-month waiting period, and (ii) OP units issued in exchange for OPEUs, which do not have any redemption, sale or repurchase rights prior to the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity and all legacy operating partnership equity, but once all legacy BGLH equity and all legacy operating partnership equity has been settled, such OP units will have redemption rights at any time and will not be subject to such 14-month waiting period) in exchange for a cash amount per common unit equal to the value of one share of our common stock, determined in accordance with and subject to adjustment under the partnership agreement. Our operating partnerships obligation to redeem common units does not arise and is not binding against our operating partnership until the eleventh business day after we receive the holders notice of redemption (or sixth business day in the case of common units into which Legacy OP Units were reclassified) or, if earlier, the day we notify the holder seeking redemption that we have declined to acquire some or all of the common units tendered for redemption.
Over the course of the first three years following the initial closing of this offering, all of the Legacy OP Units will ultimately be reclassified into OP units. Reclassification will be on a one-for-one basis, with each Legacy OP Unit becoming a single OP unit upon its reclassification. Following any such reclassification, Legacy OP Unit holders will thereafter hold such OP units for such period of time as they determine or receive cash pursuant to a sale of their OP units to us in connection with the reclassification event (or a combination thereof). These reclassifications, and any related sales to us of the OP units, will occur at such times as directed by the LHR, acting on behalf of the Legacy OP Unit holders. The LHR will be an affiliate of our current majority stockholder, BGLH. BGLH will have the right to require us to conduct offerings of shares of our common stock from time to time to fund our purchases of such OP units, but not any OP units that were not previously Legacy OP Units. Each purchase of OP units will increase our percentage ownership interest in our operating partnership and our share of its cash distributions and profits and losses.
On or before the close of business on the tenth business day after a holder of common units gives notice of redemption to us (or fifth business day in the case of common units into which Legacy OP Units were reclassified), we may, in our sole and absolute discretion but subject to the restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter and described in the section entitled Description of Our Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer, elect to acquire some or all of the common units tendered for redemption from the tendering party in exchange for shares of our common stock, based on an exchange ratio of one share of common stock for each common unit, subject to adjustment as provided in the partnership agreement. The partnership agreement does not require us to register, qualify or list any shares of common stock issued in exchange for common units with the SEC, with any state securities commissioner, department or agency, under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or with any stock exchange.
Transfers of Partnership Interests
Restrictions on Transfers by Limited Partners. Until the expiration of 14 months after the date on which a limited partner acquires a partnership interest (other than OP units that were previously classified as Legacy OP Units, which are not subject to this restriction), the limited partner generally may not directly or indirectly transfer all or any portion of such partnership interest without our consent, which we may give or withhold in our sole and absolute discretion, except for certain permitted transfers to certain affiliates, family members and charities, and certain pledges of partnership interests to lending institutions in connection with bona fide loans. After the expiration of such initial holding period (as applicable), the limited partner will have the right to transfer all or any portion of its partnership interest without our consent to any person that is an accredited
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investor, within the meaning set forth in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act, upon ten business days prior notice to us, subject to the satisfaction of conditions specified in the partnership agreement, including minimum transfer requirements and our right of first refusal. OP units that were previously classified as Legacy OP Units are subject to certain additional transfer restrictions that do not apply to other OP units.
Restrictions on Transfers by the General Partner. Except as set forth below, we, as general partner, may not voluntarily withdraw as general partner of our operating partnership and may not transfer any of our general partner interests, whether by sale, disposition, statutory merger or consolidation, liquidation or otherwise, other than solely an economic interest as a limited partner, unless:
| we receive the prior consent of a majority in interest of the limited partners holding common units (excluding us and any limited partner 50% or more of whose equity is owned, directly or indirectly, by us); |
| the transferee is admitted as a general partner pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement; |
| the transferee assumes, by operation of law or express agreement, all of the obligations of the general partner under the partnership agreement with respect to such transferred partnership interest; and |
| the transferee has executed such instruments as may be necessary to effectuate such admission and to confirm the agreement of such transferee to be bound by all the terms and provisions of the partnership agreement with respect to the partnership interest so acquired and the admission of such transferee as the general partner. |
However, we may transfer all (but not less than all) of our interest in our operating partnership to an affiliate of us without the consent of any limited partner.
Subsidiary REIT Ownership Restrictions. The partnership agreement includes restrictions on ownership and transfer of interests in our operating partnership intended to preserve the REIT qualification of Subsidiary REITs. These restrictions are substantially similar to the restrictions described in Description of Our Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer except that they are with respect to interests in our operating partnership, and there are no restrictions intended to preserve any Subsidiary REIT as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity.
Restrictions on Mergers, Sales, Transfers and Other Significant Transactions of the General Partner
We, as the general partner, may not merge, consolidate or otherwise combine our assets with another entity, or sell all or substantially all of our assets not in the ordinary course of our business, or reclassify, recapitalize or change the terms of the our outstanding common equity interests (other than in connection with a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, change in par value, increase in authorized shares, designation or issuance of new classes of equity securities or any event that does not require the approval of our stockholders), unless:
| such event has been approved by the consent of a majority in interest of the partners, including us as general partner, and all limited partners holding common units will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, for each common unit, consideration that is equivalent to the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property received by a holder of one share of our common stock; and, if such event occurs in connection with a purchase, tender or exchange offer, each holder of common units has the right to receive, or elect to receive, the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property that such holder of units would have received had it exercised its right to redemption pursuant to the partnership agreement and received shares of our common stock in exchange for its units immediately before the expiration of the purchase, tender or exchange offer and had accepted the purchase, tender or exchange offer; or |
| substantially all of the assets of our operating partnership are to be owned by a surviving entity in which the limited partners holding common units will hold a percentage interest based on the relative |
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fair market value of the net assets of our operating partnership and the other net assets of such entity, which interest will be on terms that are at least as favorable as the terms of the common units and will include a right to redeem interests in such entity for the consideration described in the preceding bullet, cash on similar terms as those with respect to the common units or, if common equity securities of the person controlling the surviving entity are publicly traded, such common equity securities. |
Legacy OP Units
As of the date of this prospectus we have Legacy OP Units outstanding in two classes: Legacy Class A OP Units and Legacy Class B OP Units. Legacy OP Units represent all of the pre-offering equity in our operating partnership that is owned by persons other than our company. Any additional Legacy OP Units can generally only be issued in connection with the special rights of Legacy Class A-4 OP Units described below or as a result of certain unit adjustments. It is currently anticipated that, by the third anniversary of the first closing of this offering, all Legacy OP Units either will have been reclassified into common units or will have been disposed of, whether through purchases by us or through redemptions.
Legacy Class A OP Units.
| Each Legacy Class A OP Unit is comprised of two sub-units that are legally separate interests, with one sub-unit being referred to as the A-Piece Sub-Unit and the other sub-unit being referred to as the C-Piece Sub-Unit. The A-Piece Sub-Units and the C-Piece Sub-units exist to continue a historic calculation applicable solely to our legacy investors that determines how the holders of the A-Piece Sub-Units and the holders of the C-Piece Sub-Units will share in the settlement of Legacy Class A OP Units when they are ultimately reclassified into common units. This enables BG Cold to continue accruing the Founders Equity Share in order to align the economic interests of our Co-Founders with the performance of our shares and common units when our legacy investors settle their pre-existing equity and have the option to achieve liquidity. |
| Each Legacy Class A OP Unit will be designated to one of four sub-class demarcations: Legacy Class A-1, Legacy Class A-2, Legacy Class A-3 or Legacy Class A-4, which provide for different calculations as between the sub-unit holders within a given Legacy Class A OP Unit to determine what share of a Legacy Class A OP Unit belongs to the A-Piece Sub-Unit holder and what share belongs to the C-Piece Sub-Unit holder. |
| Except as set forth in the following sentence, each Legacy Class A OP Unit regardless of sub-class will be economically equivalent to one common unit, meaning that one Legacy Class A OP Unit will have the same value and represent the same share of equity in our operating partnership as a common unit. The Legacy Class A-4 OP Units may be an exception to this because they have a special one-time redemption right that the holders of such units may exercise during a 45-day window beginning on March 1, 2025 at a guaranteed minimum value that may exceed the value of a common unit. This special redemption right allows the holders of Legacy Class A-4 OP Units to (1) redeem any or all of the Legacy Class A-4 OP Units at a guaranteed minimum price ranging between $106.59 and $113.25 per unit depending on our share price at that time (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) or, if greater, the then-current fair market value of the Legacy Class A-4 OP Units to be redeemed or (2) during the same window, receive a one-time true-up paid in cash or through the issuance of new Legacy Class A-4 OP Units or new common units (or any combination of cash and units) in the amount by which the guaranteed minimum value of $106.59 per unit (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) exceeds the then-current fair market value of the Legacy Class A-4 OP Units (if at all). Legacy Class A-4 OP Units can also be reclassified into an equal number of common units at any time as may be agreed by the holders of Legacy Class A-4 OP Units and the LHR, or under certain other circumstances at the discretion of the LHR acting as representative of such holders. Immediately following the formation transactions, there will be 319,006.21 outstanding Legacy Class A-4 OP Units. |
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| Each Legacy Class A OP Unit will have the same voting rights and voting power as a common unit. The LHR will be appointed by each holder of Legacy Class A OP Units to exercise the voting power for all Legacy Class A OP Units until they are reclassified into common units. |
Legacy Class B OP Units.
| The Legacy Class B OP Units do not have sub-units or sub-classes. |
| Each Legacy Class B OP Unit will be economically equivalent to one common unit, meaning that one Legacy Class B OP Unit will have the same value and represent the same share of equity in our operating partnership as a common unit. |
| Each Legacy Class B OP Unit will have the same voting rights and voting power as a common unit. The LHR will be appointed by each holder of Legacy Class B OP Units to exercise the voting power for all Legacy Class B OP Units until they are reclassified into common units. |
| Legacy Class B OP Units can be reclassified into an equal number of OP units at any time at the discretion of the LHR, acting as representative of the holders of Legacy Class B OP Units, and such units will from time to time between the initial closing of this offering and the third anniversary of the initial closing of this offering be so reclassified. |
Settlement Process; Reclassifications. All Legacy OP Units are subject to a coordinated settlement process to be conducted for our legacy equity holders by the LHR over a period of up to three years following the first closing of this offering. During this period, any or all Legacy OP Units may be reclassified at any time into an equal number of common units. Over the course of this up-to-three-year period, all of the Legacy OP Units will ultimately be reclassified into common units, resulting in the eventual elimination of the Legacy OP Unit class altogether. Reclassification will be on a one-for-one basis, with each Legacy OP Unit becoming a single common unit upon its reclassification. Following any such reclassification, Legacy OP Unit holders will thereafter hold such common units for such period of time as they determine or receive cash pursuant to a sale of their common units to us in connection with the reclassification event (or a combination thereof). These reclassifications, and any related sales to us of the common units, will occur at such times as directed by the LHR, acting on behalf of the Legacy OP Unit holders. The LHR will be an affiliate of our current majority stockholder, BGLH. See Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsTransactions with Lineage OP, LLC for additional information on how this settlement process is intended to work.
Redemption. At any time following the reclassification of Legacy OP Units into common units, the holders of such common units that have elected to receive common units pursuant to the settlement process for Legacy OP Units will have the redemption rights described above in Redemption Rights of Qualifying Parties; however the exercise of these redemption rights by the holders of such units may be subject to certain conditions that do not apply to other holders of common units. Holders of Legacy OP Units do not have redemption rights prior to their reclassification as common units (other than as described above with respect to Legacy Class A-4 OP Units).
Distributions. The Legacy OP Units, with respect to distribution and redemption rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our operating partnership, rank pari passu with the common units. However, the Legacy OP Units have separate distribution provisions for their apportioned share of any distributions. All distributions shall first be apportioned among the common units, the Legacy Class A Units and the Legacy Class B Units based on the percentage interest held by each relative to all common units, Legacy Class A Units, Legacy Class B Units and any other units of our operating partnership that are pari passu with the common units. Amounts initially apportioned to holders of the Legacy Class B Units are required to be distributed pro rata among such holders based on their relative numbers of Legacy Class B Units as a percentage of all Legacy Class B Units. Amounts initially apportioned to the Legacy Class A Units are required to be further apportioned among the various sub-classes of Legacy Class A Units pro rata in proportion to their respective sub-class ratios, then distributed in different shares among the A-Piece Sub-Units and C-Piece Sub-Units within each sub-class based on the sharing formula applicable to that sub-class.
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Transfers. Without the prior written consent of the LHR, which approval may be given or withheld by the LHR in its sole discretion, and additionally subject to the standard transfer approval requirements generally applicable to common units, no holder of Legacy OP Units may (i) transfer any or all of its Legacy OP Units or any beneficial interest therein, (ii) engage in, solicit or respond to offerings for any transfer of a partnership interest or beneficial interest therein to a third party, including another partner of our operating partnership, or (iii) hedge, short or pledge its Legacy OP Units or any interest therein. Certain indirect transfers of Legacy OP Units are permitted and certain affiliate transfers are permitted, subject to compliance with specified requirements.
Legacy Holder Representative. Each holder of Legacy OP Units will appoint the LHR as such holders representative to act on such holders behalf in respect of most matters related to Legacy OP Units. The LHR will not be compensated for providing this service but will be reimbursed for all costs and expenses it incurs, and will be indemnified for acting in such role, in each case with Lineage Holdings bearing all such costs and expenses.
LTIP Units
Our operating partnership is authorized to issue a class of units of partnership interest designated as LTIP units that are intended to constitute profits interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We may cause our operating partnership to issue LTIP units to persons who provide services to or for the benefit of our operating partnership, for such consideration or for no consideration as we may determine to be appropriate, and we may admit such persons as limited partners of our operating partnership, without the approval or consent of any limited partner. Further, we may cause our operating partnership to issue LTIP units in one or more classes or series, with such terms as we may determine, without the approval or consent of any limited partner. LTIP units may be subject to vesting, forfeiture and restrictions on transfer and receipt of distributions pursuant to the terms of any applicable equity-based plan and the terms of any award agreement relating to the issuance of the LTIP units.
Conversion Rights. Vested LTIP units are convertible at the option of each limited partner and some assignees of limited partners (in each case, that hold vested LTIP units) into common units, upon notice to us and our operating partnership, to the extent that the capital account balance of the LTIP unitholder with respect to all of its LTIP units is at least equal to our capital account balance with respect to an equal number of common units. We may cause our operating partnership to convert vested LTIP units eligible for conversion into an equal number of common units at any time, upon at least three days notice to the holder of the LTIP units.
If we or our operating partnership is party to a transaction, including a merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets or other business combination, as a result of which common units are exchanged for or converted into the right, or holders of common units are otherwise entitled, to receive cash, securities or other property (or any combination thereof), we must cause our operating partnership to convert any vested LTIP units then eligible for conversion into common units immediately before the transaction, taking into account any special allocations of income that would be made as a result of the transaction. Our operating partnership must use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each limited partner (other than a party to such a transaction or an affiliate of such a party) holding LTIP units that will be converted into common units in such a transaction to be afforded the right to receive the same kind and amount of cash, securities and other property (or any combination thereof) for such common units that each holder of common units receives in the transaction.
Transfer. Unless an applicable equity-based plan or the terms of an award agreement specify additional restrictions on transfer of LTIP units, LTIP units are transferable to the same extent as common units, as described above in the section entitled Transfers of Partnership Interests.
Voting Rights. Except for limited circumstances, limited partners holding LTIP units are entitled to vote together as a class with limited partners holding common units on all matters on which limited partners holding common units are entitled to vote or consent, and may cast one vote for each LTIP unit so held.
Adjustment of LTIP Units. If our operating partnership takes certain actions, including making a distribution of units on all outstanding common units, combining or subdividing the outstanding common units
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into a different number of common units or reclassifying the outstanding common units, we must adjust the number of outstanding LTIP units or subdivide or combine outstanding LTIP units to maintain a one-for-one conversion ratio and economic equivalence between common units and LTIP units.
Series A Preferred Units
Our operating partnership is authorized to issue preferred units. As of the date of this prospectus we have issued one class of preferred units of partnership interest designated as Series A Preferred Units.
As of the date of this prospectus, there are 630 Series A Preferred Units issued and outstanding, 100% of which are owned by us. In connection with this offering, we will redeem such units concurrent with our redemption of the Series A preferred stock so that there will be no Series A Preferred Units issued and outstanding shortly after the completion of this offering.
Ranking. The Series A Preferred Units, with respect to distribution and redemption rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our operating partnership, rank senior to the common units and Legacy OP Units and to all other partnership interests and equity securities that may be issued by our operating partnership.
Distributions. The Series A Preferred Units entitle the holders thereof to receive cumulative cash distributions at a rate per annum of 12.0% of the liquidation preference of $1,000 per unit plus all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon. We generally may not declare or pay, or set apart for payment, any distribution on any unit ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Units as to distributions, including the common units or Legacy OP Units, or redeem, repurchase or otherwise make payments on any such units, unless full, cumulative distributions on all outstanding units of Series A Preferred Units have been declared and paid or set apart for payment for all past distribution periods.
Voting. The general partner will not have any voting or consent rights in respect of its partnership interest represented by the Series A Preferred Units.
Conversion Rights. The Series A Preferred Units are not convertible into units of any other class or series of our operating partnerships units.
Liquidation Preference. Holders of outstanding units of Series A Preferred Units are entitled to a liquidation preference of $1,000 per unit plus all accrued and unpaid distributions thereon.
Redemption. Our operating partnership is required to redeem Series A Preferred Units from us in connection with any redemption by us of shares of Series A Preferred Stock. We intend to redeem all outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and corresponding units in connection with this offering.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATING AGREEMENT OF LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC
A summary of the material terms and provisions of the Eighth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, which we refer to as the operating agreement, is set forth below. This summary is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of Delaware law and the operating agreement. For more detail, please refer to the operating agreement itself, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. For purposes of this section, references to we, our, us, and our company refer to Lineage, Inc., in our capacity as the general partner of our operating partnership, and managing member refers to our operating partnership, in its capacity as managing member of Lineage Holdings.
General
Upon the completion of this offering and the formation transactions, Lineage Holdings will remain a subsidiary of our operating partnership, through which our operating partnership holds its assets and conducts its operations. The provisions of the operating agreement described below will be in effect from and after the completion of this offering. Our operating partnership is the managing member of Lineage Holdings and following the completion of this offering and the formation transactions will directly hold a % membership interest in Lineage Holdings.
Lineage Holdings issues common units as its primary class of equity. The common units are not listed on any exchange nor are they quoted on any national market system. Lineage Holdings is also authorized to issue a class of units of membership interest designated as OPEUs and may authorize and issue additional classes of units of membership interest.
Provisions in the operating agreement may delay or make more difficult unsolicited acquisitions of us or changes in our control. These provisions could discourage third parties from making proposals involving an unsolicited acquisition of us or change of our control, although some stockholders might consider such proposals, if made, desirable. These provisions also make it more difficult for third parties to alter the management structure of Lineage Holdings without the concurrence of our board of directors. These provisions include, among others:
| exchange rights of holders of OPEUs; |
| transfer restrictions on common units and other classes of membership interests; |
| a requirement that our operating partnership may not be removed as the managing member of Lineage Holdings without our consent; |
| our ability in some cases to amend the operating agreement and to cause Lineage Holdings to issue preferred membership interests in Lineage Holdings with terms that we may determine, in either case, without the approval or consent of any member; and |
| the right of the members to consent to certain transfers of our operating partnerships managing member interest (whether by sale, disposition, statutory merger or consolidation, liquidation or otherwise). |
Purpose, Business and Management
Lineage Holdings was formed for the purpose of conducting any business, enterprise or activity permitted by or under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, or the Delaware LLCA. Lineage Holdings may enter into any partnership, joint venture, business trust arrangement, limited liability company or other similar arrangement, subject to any consent rights set forth in the operating agreement.
In general, our board of directors manages the business and affairs of Lineage Holdings by directing our business and affairs, in our capacity as the sole general partner of our operating partnership, and in turn in our
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operating partnerships capacity as the sole managing member of Lineage Holdings. The operating agreement provides that our operating partnership is not liable to Lineage Holdings or any member for any action or omission taken in its capacity as managing member, for the debts or liabilities of Lineage Holdings or for the obligations of Lineage Holdings under the operating agreement, except for liability for our operating partnerships fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence, pursuant to any express indemnity our operating partnership may give to Lineage Holdings. In addition, the operating agreement requires Lineage Holdings to indemnify us, our directors and officers, officers of our operating partnership, officers of Lineage Holdings and any other person designated by our operating partnership against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and other legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that relate to the operations of our operating partnership, unless (i) an act or omission of the person was material to the matter giving rise to the action and either was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the person had reasonable cause to believe the act or omission was unlawful or (iii) such person actually received an improper personal benefit in violation or breach of any provision of the operating agreement.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in the operating agreement and subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of membership interest, all management powers over the business and affairs of our Lineage Holdings are exclusively vested in our operating partnership, in its capacity as managing member of Lineage Holdings. Our operating partnership may not be removed as the managing member of Lineage Holdings, with or without cause, without our consent, which we may give or withhold in our sole and absolute discretion.
Additional Members
We may cause Lineage Holdings to issue additional units in one or more classes or series or other membership interests and to admit additional members to Lineage Holdings from time to time, on such terms and conditions and for such capital contributions as we may establish in our sole and absolute discretion, without the approval or consent of any member.
The operating agreement authorizes Lineage Holdings to issue common units, OPEUs and preferred units, and Lineage Holdings may issue additional membership interests in one or more additional classes, or one or more series of any of such classes, with such designations, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption (including, without limitation, terms that may be senior or otherwise entitled to preference over existing units) as we may determine, in our sole and absolute discretion, without the approval of any member or any other person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, we may specify, as to any such class or series of membership interest, the allocations of items of company income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each such class or series of membership interest.
Ability to Engage in Other Businesses; Conflicts of Interest
The operating agreement provides that our operating partnership may not conduct any business other than in connection with the ownership, acquisition and disposition of membership interests, the management of the business and affairs of Lineage Holdings, our operation as a reporting company with a class (or classes) of securities registered under the Exchange Act, the offering, sale, syndication, private placement or public offering of stock, bonds, securities or other interests, financing or refinancing of any type related to Lineage Holdings or its assets or activities and such activities as are incidental to those activities discussed above. In general, our operating partnership must contribute any assets or funds that it acquires to Lineage Holdings whether as capital contributions, loans or otherwise, as appropriate, in exchange for additional membership interests. We or our operating partnership may, however, in our sole and absolute discretion, from time to time hold or acquire assets in our or our operating partnerships own name or otherwise other than through Lineage Holdings so long as we take commercially reasonable measures to ensure that the economic benefits and burdens of such property are otherwise vested in Lineage Holdings.
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Distributions
Lineage Holdings will distribute such amounts, at such times, as we may in our sole and absolute discretion determine:
| first, with respect to any membership interests that are entitled to any preference in distribution, in accordance with the rights of the holders of such class(es) of membership interests, and, within each such class, among the holders of such class pro rata in proportion to their respective percentage interests of such class or as otherwise prescribed for that class; and |
| second, with respect to any membership interests that are not entitled to any preference in distribution, including the common units and the OPEUs, pro rata in proportion to their respective percentage interests based on the total number of common units and OPEUs outstanding (measured for this purpose on a one-for-one basis). |
Exculpation and Indemnification of Managing Member
The operating agreement provides that our operating partnership is not liable to Lineage Holdings or any member for any action or omission taken in its capacity as managing member, for the debts or liabilities of Lineage Holdings or for the obligations of Lineage Holdings under the operating agreement, except for liability for our operating partnerships fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence, or pursuant to any express indemnity we may give to Lineage Holdings. The operating agreement also provides that any obligation or liability in our operating partnerships capacity as the managing member of Lineage Holdings that may arise at any time under the operating agreement or any other instrument, transaction or undertaking contemplated by the operating agreement will be satisfied, if at all, out of our operating partnerships assets or the assets of Lineage Holdings only, and no such obligation or liability will be personally binding upon any of our directors, stockholders, officers, employees or agents.
In addition, the operating agreement requires Lineage Holdings to indemnify our operating partnership, our operating partnerships present or any former directors and officers, officers of Lineage Holdings, any former managing member of Lineage Holdings, each person serving as a director, manager, officer, employee or other agent of any of our former managing members or former manager, and any other person designated by us against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and other legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that relate to the operations of Lineage Holdings, unless (i) an act or omission of the person was material to the matter giving rise to the action and either was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, the person had reasonable cause to believe the act or omission was unlawful or (iii) such person actually received an improper personal benefit in violation or breach of any provision of the operating agreement. Lineage Holdings must also pay or reimburse the reasonable expenses of any such person in advance of a final disposition of the proceeding upon its receipt of a written affirmation of the persons good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and a written undertaking by or on behalf of the person to repay any amounts paid or advanced if it is ultimately determined that the person did not meet the standard of conduct for indemnification. Lineage Holdings is not required to indemnify or advance funds to any person with respect to any action initiated by the person seeking indemnification without our approval (except for any proceeding brought to enforce such persons right to indemnification under the operating agreement) or if the person is found to be liable to Lineage Holdings on any portion of any claim in the action.
In addition, in exercising our authority under the operating agreement, we may, but are not required to, take into account the tax consequences to any member of any action taken (or not taken) by us. Subject to limited exceptions, any action or failure to act on our part that does or does not take into account any tax consequences of a member will not be considered to violate any duty of loyalty or any other duty owed by us as the managing member.
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Dissolution of Lineage Holdings
We may elect to dissolve Lineage Holdings without the consent of any member. However, in connection with the acquisition of properties from persons to whom Lineage Holdings issues common units or other membership interests as part of the purchase price, in order to preserve such persons tax deferral, our operating partnership may contractually agree, in general, not to sell or otherwise transfer the properties for a specified period of time, or in some instances, not to sell or otherwise transfer the properties without compensating the sellers of the properties for their loss of the tax deferral.
Exchange Rights of Holders of OPEUs
Beginning two years after the initial closing date of this offering, each holder of OPEUs will have the right, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the operating agreement, to require our operating partnership to exchange all or a portion of the OPEUs held by such holder for OP units, based on an exchange ratio of one OP unit for each OPEU, subject to adjustment as provided in the operating agreement. Holders of OP units issued in exchange for such OPEUs will not be able to redeem OP units until after the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity and all Legacy OP Units. The operating agreement does not require us to register, qualify or list any OP units issued in exchange for OPEUs with the SEC, with any state securities commissioner, department or agency, under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or with any stock exchange.
Transfers of Membership Interests
Restrictions on Transfers by Members. A member will have the right to transfer all or any portion of its membership interest without our consent to any person that is an accredited investor, within the meaning set forth in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act, upon ten business days prior notice to our operating partnership, subject to the satisfaction of conditions specified in the operating agreement, including minimum transfer requirements and our operating partnerships right of first refusal. These requirements do not apply to certain permitted transfers to certain affiliates, family members and charities, and certain pledges of partnership interests to lending institutions in connection with bona fide loans.
Restrictions on Transfers by the Managing Member. Our operating partnership, as managing member, may not transfer any of its managing member interest, whether by sale, disposition, statutory merger or consolidation, liquidation or otherwise unless:
| our operating partnership transfers its member interests in a merger, consolidation or other combination of its assets with another entity, a sale of all or substantially all of its assets or a reclassification, recapitalization or change in any outstanding units of its equity securities described below in Restrictions on Mergers, Sales, Transfers and Other Significant Transactions of the Managing Member or our operating partnership receives the prior consent of a majority in interest of the members holding common membership interests (excluding our operating partnership and any member 50% or more of whose equity is owned, directly or indirectly, by our operating partnership); |
| the transferee is admitted as managing member pursuant to the terms of the operating agreement; |
| the transferee assumes, by operation of law or express agreement, all of the obligations of the managing member under the operating agreement with respect to such transferred membership interest; and |
| the transferee has executed such instruments as may be necessary to effectuate such admission and to confirm the agreement of such transferee to be bound by all the terms and provisions of the operating agreement with respect to the membership interest so acquired and the admission of such transferee as the managing member. |
Our operating partnership may also transfer all (but not less than all) of its interests in Lineage Holdings to an affiliate of our operating partnership without the consent of any member, subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of membership interests.
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Our operating partnership may not voluntarily withdraw as the managing member of Lineage Holdings without the consent of a majority in interest of the members (excluding our operating partnership and any member 50% or more of whose equity is owned, directly or indirectly, by our operating partnership) other than upon the transfer of our operating partnerships entire interest in Lineage Holdings and the admission of its successor as the managing member of Lineage Holdings.
Subsidiary REIT Ownership Restrictions. The operating agreement includes restrictions on ownership and transfer of interests in Lineage Holdings intended to preserve the REIT qualification of Subsidiary REITs. These restrictions are substantially similar to the restrictions described in Description of Our Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer except that they are with respect to interests in Lineage Holdings, and there are no restrictions intended to preserve any Subsidiary REIT as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity.
Restrictions on Mergers, Sales, Transfers and Other Significant Transactions of the Managing Member
Our operating partnership, as managing member, may not merge, consolidate or otherwise combine its assets with another entity, or sell all or substantially all of its assets not in the ordinary course of our business, or reclassify, recapitalize or change the terms of its outstanding common equity interests (other than in connection with a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, change in par value, increase in authorized shares, designation or issuance of new classes of equity securities or any event that does not require the approval of our stockholders), unless:
| such event has been approved by the consent of a majority in interest of the members, including our operating partnership as managing member, and all members holding common units will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, for each common unit, consideration that is equivalent to the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property received by a holder of one share of our common stock; and, if such event occurs in connection with a purchase, tender or exchange offer, each holder of units has the right to receive, or elect to receive, the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property that such holder of units would have received had such units been exchanged for OP units and received OP units in exchange for its units immediately before the expiration of the purchase, tender or exchange offer and had accepted the purchase, tender or exchange offer; or |
| substantially all of the assets of Lineage Holdings are to be owned by a surviving entity in which the members holding common units will hold a percentage interest based on the relative fair market value of the net assets of Lineage Holdings and the other net assets of such entity, which interest will be on terms that are at least as favorable as the terms of the common units and will include a right to redeem interests in such entity for the consideration described in the preceding bullet, cash on similar terms as those with respect to the common units or, if common equity securities of the person controlling the surviving entity are publicly traded, such common equity securities. |
Series A Preferred Units
Lineage Holdings is authorized to issue preferred units. As of the date of this prospectus we have issued one class of preferred units of partnership interest designated as Series A Preferred Units.
As of the date of this prospectus, there are 630 Series A Preferred Units issued and outstanding, 100% of which are owned by our operating partnership. In connection with this offering, we will redeem such units concurrent with our redemption of the Series A preferred stock so that there will be no Series A Preferred Units issued and outstanding shortly after the completion of this offering.
Ranking. The Series A Preferred Units, with respect to distribution and redemption rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Lineage Holdings, rank senior to the common units and OPEUs and to all other limited liability company interests and equity securities that may be issued by Lineage Holdings.
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Distributions. The Series A Preferred Units entitle the holders thereof to receive cumulative cash distributions at a rate per annum of 12.0% of the liquidation preference of $1,000 per unit plus all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon. We generally may not declare or pay, or set apart for payment, any distribution on any unit ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Units as to distributions, including the common units or OPEUs, or redeem, repurchase or otherwise make payments on any such units, unless full, cumulative distributions on all outstanding units of Series A Preferred Units have been declared and paid or set apart for payment for all past distribution periods.
Voting. The managing member will not have any voting or consent rights in respect of its partnership interest represented by the Series A Preferred Units.
Conversion Rights. The Series A Preferred Units are not convertible into units of any other class or series of Lineage Holdings units.
Liquidation Preference. Holders of outstanding units of Series A Preferred Units are entitled to a liquidation preference of $1,000 per unit plus all accrued and unpaid distributions thereon.
Redemption. Lineage Holdings is required to redeem Series A Preferred Units from us in connection with any redemption by us of shares of Series A Preferred Stock. We intend to redeem all outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and corresponding units in connection with this offering.
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The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock, including shares of our common stock into which OP units are exchangeable, immediately following the completion of this offering and the formation transactions, and after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock to be made in connection with this offering and the formation transactions, for (1) each person who is expected to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our outstanding common stock, (2) each of our directors, director nominees and named executive officers and (3) all of our directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group. Each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the shares of our common stock shown as beneficially owned by such person, except as otherwise set forth in the notes to the table. In addition, the following table does not reflect any shares of common stock that may be purchased in this offering or pursuant to our directed share program described under UnderwritersDirected Share Program.
The SEC has defined beneficial ownership of a security to mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of voting power and/or investment power over such security. A stockholder is also deemed to be, as of any date, the beneficial owner of all securities that such stockholder has the right to acquire within 60 days after that date through (1) the exercise or vesting of any right to acquire shares of common stock or (2) the exchange of OP units (including those OP units issuable upon conversion of OPEUs and OP units resulting from the reclassification of Legacy OP Units) for shares of our common stock upon redemption of outstanding OP units. Accordingly, RSUs and LTIPs issued in connection with the offering are not included in the table given their vesting conditions. OPEUs have been included even though the right to redeem the OPEUs are subject to a two year holding period following this offering in order to give a complete picture of potential OP units outstanding.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each named person is c/o Lineage, Inc., 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan 48377. No shares beneficially owned by any executive officer, director or director nominee have been pledged as security.
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(1) |
Percentage of Common Stock(1) |
Number of Shares and OP Units Beneficially Owned(2) |
Percentage of Common Stock and OP Units(2) |
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Greater than 5% Stockholders |
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BG Lineage Holdings, LLC(3) |
% | |||||||||||||||
Director, Director Nominees and Named Executive Officers |
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Adam Forste(4) |
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Kevin Marchetti(5) |
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Greg Lehmkuhl |
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Rob Crisci |
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Jeffrey Rivera |
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Sudarsan Thattai |
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Sean Vanderelzen |
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Shellye Archambeau |
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John Carrafiell |
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Joy Falotico |
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Luke Taylor |
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Michael Turner |
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Lynn Wentworth |
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James Wyper |
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All Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers as a Group (19 persons) |
% |
* | Represents less than 1.0%. |
(1) | Assumes shares of our common stock are outstanding immediately following this offering (including shares of common stock to be awarded in connection with this offering). See The Offering for additional information on the number of shares of our common stock and OP units to be |
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outstanding after this offering and the formation transactions. Does not include rights to acquire shares of our common stock, such as OP units, Legacy OP Units, RSUs, LTIPs, or OPEUs. For our directors and executive officers (other than Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, who have voting and dispositive control over the shares of common stock held by BGLH), does not include any shares of our common stock that are held by BGLH and may be distributed from time to time by BGLH to such directors and executive officers as members of BGLH, to the extent applicable. |
(2) | Assumes shares of our common stock (including shares of common stock to be awarded in connection with this offering) and OP units (excluding OP units held by us and including (i) Legacy OP Units and (ii) OPEUs) are outstanding immediately following this offering. Further assumes that (i) OPEUs have been exchanged for OP units, and Legacy OP Units have been reclassified into OP units, on a one-for-one basis and, in each case, such OP units have been exchanged for common stock on a one-for-one basis and (ii) the OP units have been exchanged for common stock on a one-for-one basis. OPEUs will be exchangeable at Bay Groves election for OP units on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, at any time beginning two years after the initial closing date of this offering. Holders of OP units have the right beginning 14 months after the issuance of the OP units to require our operating partnership to redeem all or part of their OP units (excluding any Legacy OP Units) for cash equal to the then-current market value of an equal number of shares of our common stock or, at our election, to exchange their OP units for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments and the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our common stock set forth in our charter. Legacy OP Units do not have any redemption rights prior to being reclassified as OP units, but once a Legacy OP Unit has been so reclassified (assuming it is not otherwise in the process of a Cash Settlement), it will have the same redemption rights as the other OP units at any time and will not be subject to the 14-month waiting period. Over the course of the first three years following the initial closing of this offering, all of the Legacy OP Units will ultimately be reclassified into OP units. For our directors and executive officers (other than Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, who through BGLH have voting and dispositive control over the Legacy OP Units), does not include any Legacy OP Units, as all Legacy OP Units are subject to the voting and dispositive control of BGLH, through the LHR. See footnote 3. |
(3) | Includes shares of our common stock held directly by BGLH, and deemed beneficially owned by BG Cold, Adam Forste and Kevin Marchetti. BGLH is managed indirectly, and BG Cold is managed directly, by Bay Grove. Bay Grove is managed by a management committee comprised of Adam Forste and Kevin Marchetti, our Co-Executive Chairmen, who share voting and investment power over these shares. Also includes shares of our common stock that may be issuable upon reclassification of Legacy OP Units, representing all the outstanding Legacy OP Units. BGLH, through the LHR, has the power to vote and dispose of all Legacy OP Units. Bay Grove, BG Gold and Messrs. Forste and Marchetti each disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. |
(4) | Represents shares of common stock held directly by BGLH, Legacy OP Units (representing all outstanding Legacy OP Units), and OPEUs (representing all outstanding OPEUs) held directly by BG Maverick, LLC. BGLH, through the LHR, has voting and dispositive power over the outstanding Legacy OP Units. Each of BGLH and BG Maverick, LLC is directly or indirectly managed by Bay Grove, which is managed by a management committee comprised of Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, who have shared voting and investment control over these securities, and may be deemed to beneficially own the securities beneficially owned by each of these entities. Mr. Forste disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities beneficially owned by each of these entities, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. See note 3 above. |
(5) | Represents shares of common stock held directly by BGLH, Legacy OP Units (representing all outstanding Legacy OP Units), and OPEUs (representing all outstanding OPEUs) held directly by BG Maverick, LLC. BGLH, through the LHR, has voting and dispositive power over the outstanding Legacy OP Units. Each of BGLH and BG Maverick, LLC is directly or indirectly managed by Bay Grove, which is managed by a management committee comprised of Messrs. Forste and Marchetti, who have shared voting and investment control over these securities, and may be deemed to beneficially own the securities beneficially owned by each of these entities. Mr. Marchetti disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities beneficially owned by each of these entities, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. See note 3 above. |
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
The following summary of the terms of our stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our charter and bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and to the Maryland General Corporation Law, or MGCL. See Where You Can Find More Information.
General
Our charter authorizes us to issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (common stock), and up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (preferred stock). Our charter authorizes our board of directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire board and without any action on the part of our stockholders, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock that we are authorized to issue or the number of authorized shares of any class or series of stock. Immediately after completion of this offering, shares of common stock and 630 shares of our Series A preferred stock will be issued and outstanding. We intend to redeem all shares of our Series A preferred stock in connection with this offering, so that there will be no shares of our preferred stock issued and outstanding shortly after the completion of this offering. Under Maryland law, a stockholder generally is not liable for a corporations debts or obligations solely as a result of the stockholders status as a stockholder.
Common Stock
All of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will, upon issuance, be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights, if any, of holders of any other class or series of stock and to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares of stock, holders of our common stock:
| have the right to receive ratably any distributions from funds legally available therefor, when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us; and |
| are entitled to share ratably in the assets of our company legally available for distribution to the holders of our common stock in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs. |
There are generally no redemption, sinking fund, conversion, preemptive or appraisal rights with respect to our common stock.
Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and except as may otherwise be specified in our charter, each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters on which the stockholders are entitled to vote, including the election of directors. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Consequently, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors. In uncontested elections, directors are elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast for and against each director nominee. In contested elections (i.e., where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected), directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. This means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can effectively elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter, consolidate, convert, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a statutory share exchange or dissolve unless the action is advised by its board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. As
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permitted by Maryland law, our charter provides that any of these actions may be approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Maryland law also permits a Maryland corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of its stockholders to an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation. Because our operating assets may be held by our operating partnership and wholly owned subsidiaries of our operating partnership, these subsidiaries may be able to merge or transfer all or substantially all of their assets without the approval of our stockholders.
Series A Preferred Stock
In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Accordingly, we previously issued 630 shares of Series A preferred stock to approximately 126 investors. The Series A preferred stock entitles the holders thereof to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate per annum of 12.0% of the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon. We generally may not declare or pay, or set apart for payment, any dividend or other distribution on any shares of our stock ranking junior to the Series A preferred stock as to dividends, including our common stock, or redeem, repurchase or otherwise make payments on any such shares, unless full, cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock have been declared and paid or set apart for payment for all past dividend periods. The holders of the Series A preferred stock generally have no voting rights except in limited circumstances, including the authorization or issuance of equity securities senior to the Series A preferred stock, certain amendments to the charter related to the rights and preferences or number of shares of Series A preferred stock and any reclassification of the Series A preferred stock. The Series A preferred stock is not convertible into shares of any other class or series of our stock. The Series A preferred stock is senior to all other classes and series of shares of our stock as to dividend and redemption rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution and winding up. Holders of outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock are entitled to a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon. Upon written notice to each record holder of our Series A preferred stock as to the effective date of redemption, we may redeem the shares of our outstanding Series A preferred stock at our option, in whole or in part, at any time for cash at a redemption price equal to $1,000 per share, for a total of $630,000 for the 630 shares outstanding, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to and including the date fixed for redemption. Shares of the Series A preferred stock that are redeemed shall no longer be deemed outstanding shares and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate. We intend to redeem all 630 outstanding shares of our Series A preferred stock in connection with this offering, so that there will be no shares of our preferred stock issued and outstanding shortly after the completion of this offering.
Power to Issue Additional Shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock
Our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, classify any unissued shares of our preferred stock and reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock or shares of our preferred stock into other classes or series of stock. Prior to the issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any new class or series, our board of directors must set, subject to the provisions of our charter relating to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series of stock. In addition, our charter authorizes our board of directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire board and without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock, or the number of shares of any class or series of stock, that we are authorized to issue. These actions can be taken without stockholder approval, unless stockholder approval is required by applicable law, the terms of any other class or series of our stock or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our board of directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for our stockholders or otherwise be in their best interests.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to
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be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made). To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy other requirements as well. See Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Our Company.
Our charter contains certain restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock. Subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or 9.8% (in value) of all classes and series of our outstanding stock. We refer to these restrictions, collectively, as the ownership limits.
The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of our outstanding common stock or 9.8% of all classes and series of our outstanding stock, or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns our stock could, nevertheless, cause the acquiror or another individual or entity to own our stock in excess of the ownership limits.
Our board of directors may, upon receipt of certain representations and undertakings to the extent required by our board of directors and in its sole and absolute discretion, prospectively or retroactively, exempt a person from the ownership limits or establish a different limit on ownership for a person if (a) our board of directors determines the persons ownership in excess of the ownership limits will not cause five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) to beneficially own more than 49% in value of our outstanding stock (taking into account the then-current ownership limits and any then-existing exemptions from the ownership limits) and (b) our board of directors determines such person does not and will not own, actually or constructively, an interest in a tenant of ours (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by us) that would cause us to own, actually or constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant (or our board of directors determines that revenue derived from such tenant will not affect our ability to qualify as a REIT). As a condition of granting a waiver of the ownership limits or creating an excepted holder limit, our board of directors may, but is not required to, require an opinion of counsel or IRS ruling satisfactory to our board of directors as it may deem necessary or advisable to determine or ensure our status as a REIT.
Our board of directors may, at any time, increase or decrease an ownership limit for one or more persons unless, after giving effect to any increased or decreased ownership limit, five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) would beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 49% in value of the aggregate outstanding shares of our stock, cause us to be closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or cause us to otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT. A decreased ownership limit will not apply to any person whose ownership of our stock at the time the ownership limit is decreased exceeds the decreased ownership limit until the persons ownership of our stock equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of our stock (or increased beneficial ownership or constructive ownership of shares of our stock) by such a person after the decrease in the ownership limit will violate the decreased ownership limit.
In addition to the ownership limits, our charter prohibits:
| any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that could result in our being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the stockholders interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT; |
| any person from transferring shares of our stock if the transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons; and |
| any person from directly or indirectly acquiring shares of our stock to the extent that such acquisition would result in our failing to qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity during the |
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Foreign Ownership Limitation Period; provided, however, that the receipt of shares of our stock by members of BGLH as a result of an in-kind distribution by BGLH shall not be treated as an acquisition of shares for purposes of this charter limitation. |
Any person who acquires, attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of our stock in a manner that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transfer and ownership, or any person who would have owned shares of our stock transferred to a charitable trust as described below, must give written notice immediately to us or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, give us at least 15 days prior written notice, and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on our status as a REIT.
Any attempted transfer of shares of our stock that, if effective, would result in our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons will be null and void and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in the shares. Any attempted transfer of our stock that, if effective, would result in a violation of the ownership limits, our being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the stockholders interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), our otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT or any direct or indirect acquisition of shares of our stock that, if effective, would result in our failing to qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity during the Foreign Ownership Limitation Period, will in each case cause the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be transferred automatically to one or more trusts for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day before the date of the attempted transfer or other event that resulted in the transfer to the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above does not occur or is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent a violation of the applicable restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, then the attempted transfer which, if effective, would have resulted in a violation of the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock will be null and void, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in the shares.
Shares of our stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of our stock held in the trust and will have no rights to dividends or other distributions and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of our stock held in the trust. The proposed transferee will have no claim, cause of action, or any other recourse whatsoever against the purported transferor of such shares of our stock. The trustee of the trust will exercise all voting rights and receive all dividends and other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid before we discover that the shares have been transferred to a trust as described above must be repaid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand by us. Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by a proposed transferee before our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee (acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary). However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.
Within 20 days of receiving notice from us of a transfer of shares to the trust, the trustee must sell the shares to a person, designated by the trustee, that could own the shares without violating the ownership limits or the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock contained in our charter. After the sale of the shares, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares transferred to the trust will terminate and the trustee must distribute to the proposed transferee an amount equal to the lesser of:
| the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares (or, if the proposed transferee did not give value in connection with the event that resulted in the transfer to the trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other such transaction), the market price of the shares on the day of the event that resulted in the transfer of such shares to the trust); and |
| the price per share received by the trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses) from the sale or other disposition of the shares. |
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The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the proposed transferee by the amount of any dividends or other distributions that we paid to the proposed transferee and that is owed by the proposed transferee to the trustee as described above. The trustee must distribute any remaining funds held by the trust with respect to the shares to the charitable beneficiary. If the shares are sold by the proposed transferee before we discover that they have been transferred to the trust, the shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and the proposed transferee must pay to the trustee, upon demand, if any, the amount that the proposed transferee received in excess of the amount that the proposed transferee would have received had the shares been sold by the trustee.
Shares of our stock held in the trust will be deemed to be offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of:
| the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, if the event that resulted in the shares being transferred to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at market price, the market price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust); and |
| the market price on the date we, or our designee, accept the offer. |
We will reduce the amount so payable by the amount of any dividends or other distributions that we paid to the proposed transferee and that is owed by the proposed transferee to the trustee as described above, and we will pay such amount to the trustee for distribution to the charitable beneficiary of the trust. We have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has otherwise sold the shares of our stock held in the trust. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee.
Every owner of at least five percent (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of any class or series of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give us written notice stating the persons name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the person beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner also must provide us with any additional information that we request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the persons beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT or as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits. In addition, any person or entity that is a beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner must, on request, disclose to us in writing such information as we may request in order to determine our status as a REIT or as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity or to comply, or determine our compliance, with the requirements of any governmental or taxing authority and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits.
Any certificates representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
These restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT or that compliance with any or all of these restrictions is no longer required in order for us to qualify as a REIT.
These restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of us that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our shares of our common stock will be Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS
The following summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and of our charter and bylaws does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to Maryland law, including the MGCL, and our charter and bylaws. Copies of our charter and bylaws are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See Where You Can Find More Information.
Our Board of Directors
Our charter and bylaws provide that the number of our directors may be established only by our board of directors but may not be fewer than the minimum number required under the MGCL, which is one, nor, unless our bylaws are amended, more than fifteen. Our charter and bylaws provide that, at such time as we become eligible to elect to be subject to Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL and subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on our board of directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any individual elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.
Pursuant to our charter and bylaws, each member of our board of directors is elected by our stockholders to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Holders of our common stock have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. In uncontested elections, directors are elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast for and against each director nominee. In contested elections (i.e., where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected), directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. This means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can effectively elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.
Removal of Directors
Our charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of preferred stock, a director may be removed only for cause, and then only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. For this purpose, cause means, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to us through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty. These provisions, when coupled with the exclusive power of our board of directors to fill vacancies on our board of directors, generally precludes stockholders from removing incumbent directors except for cause and filling the vacancies created by such removal with their own nominees.
Business Combinations
Under the MGCL, certain business combinations (including a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the corporations outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time during the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding stock of the corporation) or an affiliate of such an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must generally be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
| 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and |
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| two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation, other than shares of stock held by the interested stockholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, |
unless, among other conditions, the corporations common stockholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. A corporations board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board of directors.
Pursuant to the MGCL, our board of directors has by resolution exempted business combinations between us and any other person, provided that the business combination is first approved by our board of directors (including a majority of our directors who are not affiliates or associates of such person). Consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to a business combination approved by our board of directors, including a majority of our directors who are not affiliates or associates of the person party to the business combination. As a result, any such persons may be able to enter into business combinations with us that may not be in the best interests of our stockholders, without compliance with the supermajority vote requirements and the other provisions of the statute. We cannot assure you that our board of directors will not amend or repeal this resolution in the future.
Control Share Acquisitions
The MGCL provides that holders of control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights with respect to such shares except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares of stock owned by the acquiror, an officer of the corporation or an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation are excluded from shares of stock entitled to vote on the matter.
Control shares are voting shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock owned by the acquiror, or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
| one-tenth or more but less than one-third; |
| one-third or more but less than a majority; or |
| a majority or more of all voting power. |
Control shares do not include shares of stock that the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval or shares acquired directly from the corporation. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses and making an acquiring person statement as described in the MGCL), may compel the board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares of stock. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously
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been approved). Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or, if a meeting of stockholders is held at which the voting rights of such shares of stock are considered and not approved, as of the date of such meeting. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares of stock as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply to (i) shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (ii) acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.
Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. This provision may be amended or eliminated at any time in the future by our board of directors.
Subtitle 8
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions of the MGCL that provide, respectively, for:
| a classified board; |
| a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director; |
| a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the board of directors; |
| a requirement that a vacancy on the board of directors be filled only by a vote of the remaining directors in office and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies; and |
| a majority requirement for the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders. |
Our charter provides that, at such time as we become eligible to make a Subtitle 8 election, we elect to be subject to the provisions of Subtitle 8 relating to the filling of vacancies on our board of directors. Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we will also (i) vest in our board the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships and (ii) require, unless called by our Chairman (or any co-chair of our board of directors if more than one), Chief Executive Officer, President or our board of directors, the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting to call a special meeting. We have not elected to be subject to any of the other provision of Subtitle 8, including the provisions that would permit us to classify our board of directors without stockholder approval. Moreover, our charter provides that, without the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by our stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, we may not elect to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 that permits our board of directors to classify itself.
Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws
If the applicable exemption in our bylaws is repealed and the applicable resolution of our board of directors is repealed, the control share acquisition provisions and the business combination provisions of the MGCL, respectively, as well as the provisions in our charter and bylaws, as applicable, on removal of directors and the filling of director vacancies under Subtitle 8 and the restrictions on ownership and transfer of shares of stock, together with the advance notice and stockholder-requested special meeting provisions of our bylaws, alone or in combination, could serve to delay, deter or prevent a transaction or a change in our control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interests.
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Amendments to Our Charter and Bylaws
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter unless declared advisable by a majority of the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter unless a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, is set forth in the charter. As permitted by Maryland law, our charter provides that, except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under the MGCL or by specific provision in our charter, amendments to our charter must be declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Our board of directors has the power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws. In addition, the stockholders may alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and adopt new bylaws with the approval by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Meetings of Stockholders
Pursuant to our bylaws, an annual meeting of our stockholders for the purpose of the election of directors and the transaction of any business will be held on a date and at the time and place set by our board of directors. In addition, our Chairman (or any co-chair of our board of directors if more than one), Chief Executive Officer, President or our board of directors may call a special meeting of our stockholders. A special meeting of our stockholders to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of our stockholders must also be called by our secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting and containing the information required by our bylaws.
Corporate Opportunities
Pursuant to our charter, if any director of ours who is also an officer, employee or agent of BentallGreenOaks, D1 Capital, Oxford Property Group, OMERS Administration Corporation or Stonepeak, or any of their respective affiliates, acquires knowledge of a potential business opportunity, we renounce any potential interest or expectation in, or right to be offered to participate in, such business opportunity unless it is a retained opportunity (as defined in our charter). A retained opportunity includes any business opportunity of which a director nominated by BentallGreenOaks or Stonepeak or who is an officer, employee or agent of D1 Capital or Oxford becomes aware as a direct result of his or her capacity as a director of our company and (a) which our company is financially able to undertake, (b) which our company is not prohibited by contract or applicable law from pursuing or undertaking, (c) which, from its nature, is in the line of our business, (d) which is of practical advantage to us and (e) in which our company has an interest or a reasonable expectancy.
Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
Our bylaws provide that nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors and proposals of other business to be considered by stockholders at any annual meeting of our stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (iii) by a stockholder present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting who was a stockholder of record at the record date set by the board of directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in our bylaws and at the time of the meeting (and any postponement or adjustment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on such other business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in our bylaws. Stockholders generally must provide notice to our secretary not before the 150th day or after 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120th day before the first anniversary of the date of our proxy statement for the preceding years annual meeting, provided, that for notice of any nomination or other business to be properly brought before the first annual meeting of our stockholders convened after the closing of this offering of our common
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stock or if the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding years annual meeting, to be timely, a stockholders notice must be delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.
Only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before a special meeting of our stockholders. Nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors at a special meeting of stockholders may be made only (i) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (ii) provided that the meeting has been called in accordance with our bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record at the record date set by the board of directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, at the time of giving of the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting (and any postponement or adjustment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws. Stockholders generally must provide notice to our secretary not before the 120th day before such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90th day before the special meeting or the tenth day after public announcement of the date of the special meeting.
No Stockholder Rights Plan
We do not have a stockholder rights plan, and we will not adopt a stockholder rights plan in the future without (a) the approval of our stockholders or (b) seeking ratification from our stockholders within 12 months of the adoption of the plan if the board of directors determines, in the exercise of its duties under applicable law, that it is in our best interests to adopt a rights plan without the delay of seeking prior stockholder approval.
Exclusive Forum
Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, any state court of competent jurisdiction in Maryland, or, if such state courts do not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court located within the State of Maryland will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (b) any Internal Corporate Claim, as such term is defined in the MGCL, including, without limitation, (i) any action asserting a claim based on an alleged breach of any duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or to our stockholders or (ii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or our charter or bylaws, or (c) any other action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. These choice of forum provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Furthermore, our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any claim arising under the Securities Act. Although our bylaws will contain the choice of forum provisions described above, it is possible that a court could rule that such provisions are inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provisions are unenforceable. For example, under the Securities Act, federal courts have concurrent jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act, and investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, the exclusive forum provisions described above do not apply to any actions brought under the Exchange Act.
Although we believe these provisions will benefit us by limiting costly and time-consuming litigation in multiple forums and by providing increased consistency in the application of applicable law, these exclusive forum provisions may limit the ability of our stockholders to bring a claim in a judicial forum that such stockholders find favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees.
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Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and that is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains a provision that eliminates the liability of our directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
The MGCL requires us (unless our charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits us to indemnify our present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:
| the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; |
| the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or |
| in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. |
Under the MGCL, we may not indemnify a director or officer in a suit by us or in our right in which the director or officer was adjudged liable to us or in a suit in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by us or in our right, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.
In addition, the MGCL permits us to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon our receipt of:
| a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by us; and |
| a written undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by us if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct. |
Our charter requires us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:
| any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or |
| any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. |
Our charter also permits us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.
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In addition, our directors and officers may be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement of our operating partnership. See Description of the Partnership Agreement of Lineage OP, LP.
Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Indemnification Agreements
We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers as described in ManagementIndemnification.
REIT Qualification
Our charter provides that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our stockholders, if the board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
General
Upon the completion of this offering, we expect to have outstanding shares of our common stock ( shares if the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full). In addition, a total of shares of our common stock are issuable upon exchange of OP units (including those OP units issuable upon conversion of OPEUs and OP units resulting from the reclassification of Legacy OP Units) that we expect to be outstanding upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions described under the heading The Offering.
Of these shares, the shares of our common stock sold in this offering ( shares of our common stock if the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) and an aggregate of shares of common stock that will be issued to our executives and employees under the 2024 Plan in connection with the completion of this offering will be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock set forth in our charter. Approximately % of the aggregate shares of common stock that will be outstanding immediately upon completion of this offering will be subject to lock-up agreements.
There is currently no public market for our common stock. Trading of our common stock on Nasdaq is expected to commence following the pricing of this offering. No assurance can be given as to (1) the likelihood that an active market for common stock will develop, (2) the liquidity of any such market, (3) the ability of the stockholders to sell their shares or (4) the prices that stockholders may obtain for any of their shares. No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales of shares, or the availability of shares for future sale, will have on the market price prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares of our common stock issued upon the exchange of OP units), or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock. See Risk FactorsRisks Related to this Offering and Ownership of Shares of Our Common Stock.
For a description of certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of shares of our common stock held by certain of our stockholders, see Description of Our Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer.
Rule 144
After giving effect to this offering, we expect that shares of our outstanding common stock will be restricted securities under the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may not be sold in the absence of registration under the Securities Act unless an exemption from registration is available, including the exemption provided by Rule 144.
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned shares considered to be restricted securities under Rule 144 for at least six months would be entitled to sell those shares, subject only to the availability of current public information about us. A non-affiliated person who has beneficially owned shares considered to be restricted securities under Rule 144 for at least one year would be entitled to sell those shares without regard to the provisions of Rule 144.
An affiliate of ours who has beneficially owned shares of our common stock for at least six months would be entitled to sell, within any three-month period, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:
| 1% of the shares of our common stock then outstanding, which we expect will equal approximately shares immediately after this offering ( shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares); or |
| the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on Nasdaq during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC; |
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provided, in each case, that we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale and have filed all required reports during that time period. Such sales by affiliates must also comply with the manner of sale, current public information and notice provisions of Rule 144.
Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.
Rule 701
Generally, an employee, officer, director or qualified consultant of ours who purchased shares of our common stock before the effective date of the registration statement relating to this prospectus, or who holds options as of that date, pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract may rely on the resale provisions of Rule 701 under the Securities Act. Under Rule 701, these persons who are not our affiliates may generally sell those securities, commencing 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement, without having to comply with the current public information and minimum holding period requirements of Rule 144. These persons who are our affiliates may generally sell those securities under Rule 701, commencing 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement, without having to comply with Rule 144s minimum holding period restriction.
Lock-up Agreements
In addition to the limits placed on the sale of our common stock by operation of Rule 144, Rule 701 and other provisions of the Securities Act, we, our directors, director nominees and executive officers and entities controlled by our Co-Founders holding substantially all of the shares of our common stock and OP units outstanding immediately prior to this offering have agreed not to sell or otherwise transfer or encumber, or enter into any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into shares of our common stock (including OP units) owned by them at the completion of this offering and the formation transactions or thereafter acquired by them for a period of days after the date of this prospectus, subject to specified exceptions, without the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters in this offering. See Underwriters.
The representatives of the underwriters in this offering have advised us that they have no present intent or arrangement to release any shares subject to a lock-up and will consider the release of any shares subject to a lock-up on a case-by-case basis. Upon a request to release any shares subject to a lock-up, the representatives on behalf of the underwriters in this offering will consider the particular circumstances surrounding the request, including, but not limited to, the length of time before the lock-up expires, the number of shares requested to be released, the reasons for the request, the possible impact on the market for our common stock and whether the holder of our shares requesting the release is an officer, director or other affiliate of ours.
Registration Rights Agreements
We will enter into a registration rights agreement with BGLH, pursuant to which we will grant it and certain of its affiliates with certain demand registration rights and customary piggyback registration rights with respect to shares of common stock held by BGLH and shares of common issuable upon redemption of OP units. The registration rights agreements will also provide that we will pay certain expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify the registration rights holders against certain liabilities that may arise under the Securities Act.
We will also enter into one or more registration rights agreements with holders of registrable securities (including Mr. Forste and Mr. Marchetti), pursuant to which we will grant them with certain resale registration rights with respect to shares of common stock that they may receive upon distributions from BGLH or upon exchange of OP units. The registration rights agreements will also provide that we will pay certain expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify the registration rights holders against certain liabilities which may arise under the Securities Act.
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FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of material U.S. federal income tax considerations regarding our election to be taxed as a REIT and this offering of our common stock. For purposes of this discussion, references to we, our and us mean only Lineage, Inc. and do not include any of its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. The information in this summary is based on:
| the Code; |
| current, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations; |
| the legislative history of the Code; |
| administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS; and |
| court decisions; |
in each case, as of the date of this prospectus. In addition, the administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS include its practices and policies as expressed in private letter rulings that are not binding on the IRS except with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received those rulings. The sections of the Code and the corresponding Treasury Regulations that relate to qualification and taxation as a REIT are highly technical and complex. The following discussion sets forth certain material aspects of the sections of the Code that govern the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof. Potential tax reforms may result in significant changes to the rules governing U.S. federal income taxation. New legislation, Treasury Regulations, administrative interpretations and practices and/or court decisions may significantly and adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of such qualification, or the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our common stock, including those described in this discussion. Moreover, the law relating to the tax treatment of other entities, or an investment in other entities, could change, making an investment in such other entities more attractive relative to an investment in a REIT. Any such changes could apply retroactively to transactions preceding the date of the change. Except as discussed herein, we have not requested, and do not plan to request, any rulings from the IRS that we qualify as a REIT, and the statements in this prospectus are not binding on the IRS or any court. Thus, we can provide no assurance that the tax considerations contained in this discussion will not be challenged by the IRS or will be sustained by a court if challenged by the IRS. This summary does not discuss any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences, or any tax consequences arising under any U.S. federal tax laws other than U.S. federal income tax laws, associated with the purchase, ownership or disposition of our common stock, or our election to be taxed as a REIT.
You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to you of:
| the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock, including the U.S. federal, state, local, non-U.S. and other tax consequences; |
| our election to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and |
| potential changes in applicable tax laws. |
Taxation of Our Company
General. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2020. We believe that we have been organized and have operated in a manner that has allowed us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code commencing with such taxable year, and we intend to continue to be organized and operate in this manner. However, qualification and taxation as a
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REIT depend upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, including through actual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we have been organized and have operated, or will continue to be organized and operate, in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. See Failure to Qualify for potential tax consequences if we fail to qualify as a REIT.
Latham & Watkins LLP has acted as our tax counsel in connection with this offering of our common stock and our election to be taxed as a REIT. Latham & Watkins LLP will render an opinion to us, as of the date of this prospectus, to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2020, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and our proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. It must be emphasized that this opinion will be based on various assumptions and representations as to factual matters, including representations made by us in a factual certificate provided by one or more of our officers. In addition, this opinion will be based upon our factual representations set forth in this prospectus. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, which are discussed below, including through actual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the results of which have not been and will not be reviewed by Latham & Watkins LLP. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results of operations for any particular taxable year have satisfied or will satisfy those requirements. Further, the anticipated U.S. federal income tax treatment described herein may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by legislative, administrative or judicial action at any time. Latham & Watkins LLP has no obligation to update its opinion subsequent to the date of such opinion.
Provided we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be required to pay U.S. federal corporate income taxes on our REIT taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the double taxation that ordinarily results from investment in a C corporation. A C corporation is a corporation that generally is required to pay tax at the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. We will, however, be required to pay U.S. federal income tax as follows:
| First, we will be required to pay regular U.S. federal corporate income tax on any undistributed REIT taxable income, including undistributed capital gain. |
| Second, if we have (1) net income from the sale or other disposition of foreclosure property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or (2) other nonqualifying income from foreclosure property, we will be required to pay regular U.S. federal corporate income tax on this income. To the extent that income from foreclosure property is otherwise qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, this tax is not applicable. Subject to certain other requirements, foreclosure property generally is defined as property we acquired through foreclosure or after a default on a loan secured by the property or a lease of the property. |
| Third, we will be required to pay a 100% tax on any net income from prohibited transactions. Prohibited transactions are, in general, sales or other taxable dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. |
| Fourth, if we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as described below, but have otherwise maintained our qualification as a REIT because certain other requirements are met, we will be required to pay a tax equal to (1) the greater of (A) the amount by which we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test and (B) the amount by which we fail to satisfy the 95% gross income test, multiplied by (2) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. |
| Fifth, if we fail to satisfy any of the asset tests (other than a de minimis failure of the 5% or 10% asset tests), as described below, due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, and we nonetheless |
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maintain our REIT qualification because of specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets that caused us to fail such test. |
| Sixth, if we fail to satisfy any provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a violation of the gross income tests or certain violations of the asset tests, as described below) and the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, we may retain our REIT qualification but we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. |
| Seventh, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax to the extent we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for the year, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income for the year, and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods. |
| Eighth, if we acquire any asset from a corporation that is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which our tax basis in the asset is less than the fair market value of the asset, in each case determined as of the date on which we acquired the asset, and we subsequently recognize gain on the disposition of the asset during the five-year period beginning on the date on which we acquired the asset, then we generally will be required to pay regular U.S. federal corporate income tax on this gain to the extent of the excess of (1) the fair market value of the asset over (2) our adjusted tax basis in the asset, in each case determined as of the date on which we acquired the asset (the so-called sting tax). The results described in the foregoing portion of this paragraph with respect to the recognition of gain assume that the C corporation will refrain from making an election to receive different treatment under applicable Treasury Regulations on its tax return for the year in which we acquire the asset from the C corporation. Treasury Regulations also apply the rules described above to property transferred to us by a partnership, such as BGLH, that directly or indirectly has partners that are C corporations. Under these rules, any gain that would have been allocated directly or indirectly by the transferor partnership to a C corporation partner, if the property had been sold at fair market value on the date of the contribution of the property to us, would be subject to the sting tax. Under applicable Treasury Regulations, any gain from the sale of property we acquired in an exchange under Section 1031 (a like-kind exchange) or Section 1033 (an involuntary conversion) of the Code generally is excluded from the application of this sting tax. |
| Ninth, our subsidiaries that are C corporations and are not qualified REIT subsidiaries, including our TRS entities described below, generally will be required to pay regular U.S. federal corporate income tax on their earnings. |
| Tenth, we will be required to pay a 100% tax on any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions, excess interest or redetermined TRS service income, as described below under Penalty Tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of services furnished to any of our tenants by a TRS of ours. Redetermined deductions and excess interest generally represent amounts that are deducted by a TRS of ours for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arms length negotiations. Redetermined TRS service income generally represents income of a TRS that is understated as a result of services provided to us or on our behalf. |
| Eleventh, we may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net capital gain. In that case, a stockholder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in its income, would be deemed to have paid the tax that we paid on such gain, and would be allowed a credit for its proportionate share of the tax deemed to have been paid, and an adjustment would be made to increase the tax basis of the stockholder in our common stock. |
| Twelfth, if we fail to comply with the requirement to send annual letters to our stockholders holding at least a certain percentage of our stock, as determined under applicable Treasury Regulations, requesting information regarding the actual ownership of our stock, and the failure is not due to |
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reasonable cause or is due to willful neglect, we will be subject to a $25,000 penalty, or if the failure is intentional, a $50,000 penalty. |
We and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes other than U.S. federal income tax, including payroll taxes and state and local income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations.
We may own properties in other countries, which may impose taxes on our operations within their jurisdictions. We seek to structure our activities to minimize our non-U.S. tax liability. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to eliminate our non-U.S. tax liability or reduce it to a specified level. Furthermore, as a REIT, both we and our stockholders will derive little or no benefit from foreign tax credits arising from those non-U.S. taxes.
Requirements for Qualification as a REIT. The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
(1) | that is managed by one or more trustees or directors; |
(2) | that issues transferable shares or transferable certificates to evidence its beneficial ownership; |
(3) | that would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for Sections 856 through 860 of the Code; |
(4) | that is not a financial institution or an insurance company within the meaning of certain provisions of the Code; |
(5) | that is beneficially owned by 100 or more persons; |
(6) | not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of which is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals, including certain specified entities, during the last half of each taxable year; and |
(7) | that meets other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions. |
The Code provides that conditions (1) to (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Conditions (5) and (6) do not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. For purposes of condition (6), the term individual includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefit plan, a private foundation or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes, but generally does not include a qualified pension plan or profit sharing trust.
We believe that we have been organized and have operated in a manner that has allowed us, and will continue to allow us, to satisfy conditions (1) through (7), inclusive, during the relevant time periods. In addition, our charter provides for restrictions regarding ownership and transfer of our shares that are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. A description of the share ownership and transfer restrictions relating to our common stock is contained in the discussion in this prospectus under the heading Description of Our Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer. These restrictions, however, do not ensure that we have previously satisfied, and may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to continue to satisfy, the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, then except as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury Regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement. See Failure to Qualify.
In addition, we may not maintain our status as a REIT unless our taxable year is the calendar year. We have and will continue to have a calendar taxable year.
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Ownership of Interests in Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies and Qualified REIT Subsidiaries. In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership (for purposes of this discussion, references to partnership include a limited liability company treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and references to partner include a member in such a limited liability company), Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership based on its interest in partnership capital, subject to special rules relating to the 10% asset test described below. Also, the REIT will be deemed to be entitled to its proportionate share of the income of that entity. The assets and gross income of the partnership retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Code, including satisfying the gross income tests and the asset tests. Thus, our pro rata share of the assets and items of income of our operating partnership, including our operating partnerships share of these items of any partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes in which it owns an interest, is treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the requirements described in this discussion, including the gross income and asset tests described below. A brief summary of the rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of partnerships is set forth below in Tax Aspects of Our Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies.
We have control of our operating partnership and the subsidiary partnerships and intend to operate them in a manner consistent with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT. If we become a limited partner or non-managing member in any partnership and such entity takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In such a case, we could fail to qualify as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below.
We may from time to time own and operate certain properties through wholly-owned subsidiaries that we intend to be treated as qualified REIT subsidiaries under the Code. A corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will qualify as our qualified REIT subsidiary if we own 100% of the corporations outstanding stock and do not elect with the subsidiary to treat it as a TRS, as described below. A qualified REIT subsidiary is not treated as a separate corporation, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the parent REIT for all purposes under the Code, including all REIT qualification tests. Thus, in applying the U.S. federal income tax requirements described in this discussion, any qualified REIT subsidiaries we own are ignored, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of such corporations are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit. A qualified REIT subsidiary is not subject to U.S. federal income tax, and our ownership of the stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary will not violate the restrictions on ownership of securities, as described below under Asset Tests.
Ownership of Interests in TRS Entities. We and our operating partnership own interests in companies that have elected, together with us, to be treated as our TRS entities, and we may acquire securities in additional TRS entities in the future. A TRS is a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) other than a REIT in which a REIT directly or indirectly holds stock, and that has made a joint election with such REIT to be treated as a TRS. If a TRS owns more than 35% of the total voting power or value of the outstanding securities of another corporation, such other corporation will also be treated as a TRS. Other than some activities relating to lodging and health care facilities, a TRS may generally engage in any business, including the provision of customary or non-customary services to tenants of its parent REIT. A TRS is subject to U.S. federal income tax as a regular C corporation. A REIT is not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or as receiving any income that the TRS earns. Rather, the stock issued by the TRS is an asset in the hands of the REIT, and the REIT generally recognizes as income the dividends, if any, that it receives from the TRS. A REITs ownership of securities of a TRS is not subject to the 5% or 10% asset test described below. See
Asset Tests. Taxpayers are subject to a limitation on their ability to deduct net business interest generally
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equal to 30% of adjusted taxable income, subject to certain exceptions. See Annual Distribution Requirements. While not certain, this provision may limit the ability of our TRS entities to deduct interest, which could increase their taxable income.
Ownership of Interests in Subsidiary REITs. We may own and may acquire direct or indirect interests in one or more Subsidiary REITs. A Subsidiary REIT is subject to the various REIT qualification requirements and other limitations described herein that are applicable to us. If a Subsidiary REIT were to fail to qualify as a REIT, then (i) that Subsidiary REIT would become subject to U.S. federal income tax and (ii) the Subsidiary REITs failure to qualify could have an adverse effect on our ability to comply with the REIT income and asset tests, and thus could impair our ability to qualify as a REIT unless we could avail ourselves of certain relief provisions.
Income Tests. We must satisfy two gross income requirements annually to maintain our qualification as a REIT. First, in each taxable year we must derive directly or indirectly at least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, certain hedging transactions and certain foreign currency gains) from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including rents from real property, dividends from other REITs and, in certain circumstances, interest, or certain types of temporary investments. Second, in each taxable year we must derive at least 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, certain hedging transactions and certain foreign currency gains) from the real property investments described above or dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, or from any combination of the foregoing. For these purposes, the term interest generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term interest solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.
Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as rents from real property for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the following conditions are met:
| The amount of rent is not based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount we receive or accrue generally will not be excluded from the term rents from real property solely because it is based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales or if it is based on the net income of a tenant which derives substantially all of its income with respect to such property from subleasing of substantially all of such property, to the extent that the rents paid by the subtenant would qualify as rents from real property if we earned such amounts directly; |
| Neither we nor an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our capital stock actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the interests in the assets or net profits of a non-corporate tenant, or, if the tenant is a corporation, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of stock of the tenant. Rents we receive from such a tenant that is a TRS of ours, however, will not be excluded from the definition of rents from real property as a result of this condition if at least 90% of the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to third parties, and the rents paid by the TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by our other tenants for comparable space. Whether rents paid by a TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the TRS is entered into, extended, or modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if a lease with a controlled taxable REIT subsidiary is modified and such modification results in an increase in the rents payable by such TRS, any such increase will not qualify as rents from real property. For purposes of this rule, a controlled taxable REIT subsidiary is a TRS in which the parent REIT owns stock possessing more than 50% of the voting power or more than 50% of the total value of the outstanding stock of such TRS; |
| Rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. If this condition is not met, then the portion of the |
rent attributable to personal property will not qualify as rents from real property. To the extent that |
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rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, exceeds 15% of the total rent received under the lease, we may transfer a portion of such personal property to a TRS; and |
| We generally may not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis exception and except as provided below. We may, however, perform services that are usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. Examples of these services include the provision of light, heat, or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of common areas. In addition, we may employ an independent contractor from whom we derive no revenue to provide customary services to our tenants, or a TRS (which may be wholly or partially owned by us) to provide both customary and non-customary services to our tenants, without causing the rent we receive from those tenants to fail to qualify as rents from real property. |
Substantially all of the rental income that we receive and anticipate receiving in the future is derived from providing space to customers in our operating partnerships temperature-controlled storage facilities and certain customary services such as freezing and handling (which, in some cases, may be provided through an independent contractor or a TRS). Any management, trucking, and logistics operations and non-customary services will be carried out by subsidiaries that have elected or will elect to be treated as TRS entities. We have received a private letter ruling from the IRS substantially to the effect that, if certain conditions are met, (1) amounts we receive for providing space in temperature-controlled warehouses will constitute rents from real property for purposes of the gross income tests and (2) the provision of certain services, including transportation and other supply-chain services to customers, by a TRS will not cause otherwise qualifying amounts received by us from customers for providing space in temperature-controlled warehouses to be nonqualified for purposes of the gross income tests. Our ability to rely on this ruling will depend on the continuing accuracy of the facts and representations made to the IRS in connection with such ruling.
We generally do not intend, and, as the general partner of our operating partnership, we do not intend to permit our operating partnership, to take actions we believe will cause us to fail to satisfy the rental conditions described above or that would prevent us from being able to rely on the private letter ruling received from the IRS. However, we may intentionally fail to satisfy some of these conditions to the extent we determine, based on the advice of our tax counsel, that the failure will not jeopardize our tax status as a REIT. In addition, with respect to the limitation on the rental of personal property, we generally have not obtained appraisals of the real property and personal property leased to tenants. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with our determinations of value.
From time to time, we may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures and forward contracts. Income from a hedging transaction, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, that is clearly identified as a hedging transaction as specified in the Code will not constitute gross income under, and thus will be exempt from, the 75% and 95% gross income tests. The term hedging transaction, as used above, generally means (A) any transaction we enter into in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of (1) interest rate changes or fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made by us to acquire or carry real estate assets, or (2) currency fluctuations with respect to an item of qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income test or any property which generates such income and (B) new transactions entered into to hedge the income or loss from prior hedging transactions, where the property or indebtedness which was the subject of the prior hedging transaction was extinguished or disposed of. To the extent that we do not properly identify such transactions as hedges or we hedge with other types of financial instruments, the income from those transactions is not likely to be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT.
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We have investments in several entities located outside the United States and from time to time may invest in additional entities or properties located outside the United States, through a TRS or otherwise. These acquisitions could cause us to incur foreign currency gains or losses. Any foreign currency gains, to the extent attributable to specified items of qualifying income or gain, or specified qualifying assets, however, generally will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, and therefore will be excluded from these tests.
To the extent our TRS entities pay dividends or interest, our allocable share of such dividend or interest income will qualify under the 95%, but not the 75%, gross income test (except that our allocable share of such interest would also qualify under the 75% gross income test to the extent the interest is paid on a loan that is adequately secured by real property). Under rules applicable to our non-U.S. TRS entities, we may be required to include certain earnings from such non-U.S. TRS entities in our gross income (whether or not such earnings are distributed to us) for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, and our allocable share of such earnings will qualify under the 95%, but not the 75%, gross income test.
We will monitor the amount of the dividend and other income from our TRS entities and will take actions intended to keep this income, and any other nonqualifying income, within the limitations of the gross income tests. Although we expect these actions will be sufficient to prevent a violation of the gross income tests, we cannot guarantee that such actions will in all cases prevent such a violation.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code. We generally may make use of the relief provisions if:
| following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury Regulations to be issued; and |
| our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. |
It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. For example, if we fail to satisfy the gross income tests because nonqualifying income that we intentionally accrue or receive exceeds the limits on nonqualifying income, the IRS could conclude that our failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause. If these relief provisions do not apply to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. See Failure to Qualify below. As discussed above in General, even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, a tax would be imposed with respect to our nonqualifying income. We may not always be able to comply with the gross income tests for REIT qualification despite periodic monitoring of our income.
Prohibited Transaction Income. Any gain that we realize on the sale of property (other than any foreclosure property) held as inventory or otherwise held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, including our share of any such gain realized by our operating partnership, either directly or through its subsidiary partnerships, will be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax, unless certain safe harbor exceptions apply. This prohibited transaction income may also adversely affect our ability to satisfy the gross income tests for qualification as a REIT. Under existing law, whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction. As the general partner of our operating partnership, we intend to cause our operating partnership to hold its properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring, developing and owning its properties and to make occasional sales of the properties as are consistent with our investment objectives. We do not intend, and do not intend to permit our operating partnership or its subsidiary partnerships, to enter into any sales that are prohibited transactions. However, the IRS may successfully contend that some or all of the sales made by our
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operating partnership or its subsidiary partnerships are prohibited transactions. We would be required to pay the 100% penalty tax on our allocable share of the gains resulting from any such sales. The 100% penalty tax will not apply to gains from the sale of assets that are held through a TRS, but such income will be subject to regular U.S. federal corporate income tax.
Penalty Tax. Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions, excess interest or redetermined TRS service income we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished to any of our tenants by a TRS of ours, redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a TRS of ours for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arms length negotiations, and redetermined TRS service income is income of a TRS that is understated as a result of services provided to us or on our behalf. Rents we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code.
We do not believe we have been, and do not expect to be, subject to this penalty tax, although any rental or service arrangements we enter into from time to time may not satisfy the safe-harbor provisions referenced above. These determinations are inherently factual, and the IRS has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to clearly reflect their respective incomes. If the IRS successfully made such an assertion, we would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on any overstated rents paid to us, or any excess deductions or understated income of our TRS entities.
Asset Tests. At the close of each calendar quarter of our taxable year, we must also satisfy certain tests relating to the nature and diversification of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by real estate assets, cash, cash items and U.S. government securities. For purposes of this test, the term real estate assets generally means real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property or on both real property and, to a limited extent, personal property), shares (or transferable certificates of beneficial interest) in other REITs, any stock or debt instrument attributable to the investment of the proceeds of a stock offering or a public offering of debt with a term of at least five years (but only for the one-year period beginning on the date the REIT receives such proceeds), debt instruments of publicly offered REITs, and personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property for which the rent attributable to personal property is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease.
Second, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities (including securities of TRS entities), other than those securities includable in the 75% asset test.
Third, of the investments included in the 25% asset class, and except for certain investments in other REITs, our qualified REIT subsidiaries and TRS entities, the value of any one issuers securities may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets, and we may not own more than 10% of the total vote or value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. Certain types of securities we may own are disregarded as securities solely for purposes of the 10% value test, including, but not limited to, securities satisfying the straight debt safe harbor, securities issued by a partnership that itself would satisfy the 75% income test if it were a REIT, any loan to an individual or an estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any security issued by a REIT. In addition, solely for purposes of the 10% value test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code. From time to time we may own securities (including debt securities) of issuers that do not qualify as a REIT, a qualified REIT subsidiary or a TRS. We intend that our ownership of any such securities will be structured in a manner that allows us to comply with the asset tests described above.
Fourth, not more than 20% of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more TRS entities. We indirectly own interests in one or more companies that have elected, together with us, to be treated as our TRS entities, and we may acquire securities in additional TRS entities in the future. So long as
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each of these companies qualifies as a TRS of ours, we will not be subject to the 5% asset test, the 10% voting power limitation or the 10% value limitation with respect to our ownership of the securities of such companies. We hold a portion of our business that could adversely impact our status as a REIT, if conducted directly by the REIT, through one or more TRS entities. We believe that the aggregate value of our TRS entities has not exceeded, and in the future will not exceed, 20% of the aggregate value of our gross assets. We generally do not obtain independent appraisals to support these conclusions. In addition, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with our determinations of value.
Fifth, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments of publicly offered REITs to the extent those debt instruments would not be real estate assets but for the inclusion of debt instruments of publicly offered REITs in the meaning of real estate assets, as described above (e.g., a debt instrument issued by a publicly offered REIT that is not secured by a mortgage on real property).
The asset tests must be satisfied at the close of each calendar quarter of our taxable year in which we (directly or through any partnership or qualified REIT subsidiary) acquire securities in the applicable issuer, and also at the close of each calendar quarter in which we increase our ownership of securities of such issuer (including as a result of an increase in our interest in any partnership that owns such securities). For example, our indirect ownership of securities of each issuer will increase as a result of our capital contributions to our operating partnership or as limited partners exercise any redemption/exchange rights. Also, after initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our status as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If we fail to satisfy an asset test because we acquire securities or other property during a quarter (including as a result of an increase in our interest in any partnership), we may cure this failure by disposing of sufficient nonqualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We believe that we have maintained, and we intend to maintain, adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests. If we fail to cure any noncompliance with the asset tests within the 30-day cure period, we would cease to qualify as a REIT unless we are eligible for certain relief provisions discussed below.
Certain relief provisions may be available to us if we discover a failure to satisfy the asset tests described above after the 30-day cure period. Under these provisions, we will be deemed to have met the 5% and 10% asset tests if the value of our nonqualifying assets (i) does not exceed the lesser of (a) 1% of the total value of our assets at the end of the applicable quarter or (b) $10,000,000, and (ii) we dispose of the nonqualifying assets or otherwise satisfy such tests within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued. For violations of any of the asset tests due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and that are, in the case of the 5% and 10% asset tests, in excess of the de minimis exception described above, we may avoid disqualification as a REIT after the 30-day cure period by taking steps including (i) the disposition of sufficient nonqualifying assets, or the taking of other actions, which allow us to meet the asset tests within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued, (ii) paying a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 or (b) the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets, and (iii) disclosing certain information to the IRS.
Although we believe we have satisfied the asset tests described above and plan to take steps to ensure that we satisfy such tests for any quarter with respect to which retesting is to occur, there can be no assurance that we will always be successful, or will not require a reduction in our operating partnerships overall interest in an issuer (including in a TRS). If we fail to cure any noncompliance with the asset tests in a timely manner, and the relief provisions described above are not available, we would cease to qualify as a REIT.
Annual Distribution Requirements. To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders each year in an amount at least equal to the sum of:
| 90% of our REIT taxable income; and |
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| 90% of our after-tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property; minus |
| the excess of the sum of certain items of non-cash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income. |
For these purposes, our REIT taxable income is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain. In addition, for purposes of this test, non-cash income generally means income attributable to leveled stepped rents, original issue discount, cancellation of indebtedness, or a like-kind exchange that is later determined to be taxable.
In addition, our REIT taxable income will be reduced by any taxes we are required to pay on any gain we recognize from the disposition of any asset we acquired from a corporation that is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which our tax basis in the asset is less than the fair market value of the asset, in each case determined as of the date on which we acquired the asset, within the five-year period following our acquisition of such asset, as described above under General.
Except as provided below, a taxpayers deduction for net business interest expense will generally be limited to 30% of its taxable income, as adjusted for certain items of income, gain, deduction or loss. Any business interest deduction that is disallowed due to this limitation may be carried forward to future taxable years, subject to special rules applicable to partnerships. If we or any of our subsidiary partnerships (including our operating partnership) are subject to this interest expense limitation, our REIT taxable income for a taxable year may be increased. Taxpayers that conduct certain real estate businesses may elect not to have this interest expense limitation apply to them, provided that they use an alternative depreciation system to depreciate certain property. We believe that we or any of our subsidiary partnerships that are subject to this interest expense limitation will be eligible to make this election. If such election is made, although we or such subsidiary partnership, as applicable, would not be subject to the interest expense limitation described above, depreciation deductions may be reduced and, as a result, our REIT taxable income for a taxable year may be increased.
We generally must pay, or be treated as paying, the distributions described above in the taxable year to which they relate. At our election, a distribution will be treated as paid in a taxable year if it is declared before we timely file our tax return for such year and paid on or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration, provided such payment is made during the 12-month period following the close of such year. These distributions are treated as received by our stockholders in the year in which they are paid. This is so even though these distributions relate to the prior year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.
In order to be taken into account for purposes of our distribution requirement, except as provided below, the amount distributed must not be preferentiali.e., every stockholder of the class of stock to which a distribution is made must be treated the same as every other stockholder of that class, and no class of stock may be treated other than according to its dividend rights as a class. This preferential dividend limitation will not apply to distributions made by us, provided we qualify as a publicly offered REIT. We believe that, upon completion of this offering of our common stock, we will become, and expect we will continue to be, a publicly offered REIT. However, Subsidiary REITs we may own from time to time may not be publicly offered REITs. To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain, or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be required to pay regular U.S. federal corporate income tax on the undistributed amount. We believe that we have made, and we intend to continue to make, timely distributions sufficient to satisfy these annual distribution requirements and to minimize our corporate tax obligations. In this regard, the partnership agreement of our operating partnership authorizes us, as the general partner of our operating partnership, to take such steps as may be necessary to cause our operating partnership to distribute to its partners an amount sufficient to permit us to meet these distribution requirements and to minimize our corporate tax obligation.
We expect that our REIT taxable income will be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we generally will
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have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt or for other reasons. If these timing differences occur, we may borrow funds to pay dividends or pay dividends in the form of taxable stock distributions in order to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash.
Under some circumstances, we may be able to rectify an inadvertent failure to meet the 90% distribution requirement for a year by paying deficiency dividends to our stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In that case, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described below. However, we will be required to pay interest to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction claimed for deficiency dividends. While the payment of a deficiency dividend will apply to a prior year for purposes of our REIT distribution requirements, it will be treated as an additional distribution to our stockholders in the year such dividend is paid. In addition, if a dividend we have paid is treated as a preferential dividend, in lieu of treating the dividend as not counting toward satisfying the 90% distribution requirement, the IRS may provide a remedy to cure such failure if the IRS determines that such failure is (or is of a type that is) inadvertent or due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.
Furthermore, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax to the extent we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of 85% of our ordinary income for such year, 95% of our capital gain net income for the year and any undistributed taxable income from prior periods. Any ordinary income and net capital gain on which U.S. federal corporate income tax is imposed for any year is treated as an amount distributed during that year for purposes of calculating this excise tax.
For purposes of the 90% distribution requirement and excise tax described above, dividends declared during the last three months of the calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date during such period and paid during January of the following year, will be treated as paid by us and received by our stockholders on December 31 of the year in which they are declared.
Like-Kind Exchanges. We may dispose of real property that is not held primarily for sale in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require us to pay U.S. federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, or deficiency dividends, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.
Tax Liabilities and Attributes Inherited in Connection with Acquisitions. From time to time, we or our operating partnership may acquire other corporations or entities and, in connection with such acquisitions, we may succeed to the historical tax attributes and liabilities of such entities. For example, if we acquire a C corporation and subsequently dispose of its assets within five years of the acquisition, we could be required to pay the built-in gain tax described above under General. In addition, in order to qualify as a REIT, at the end of any taxable year, we must not have any earnings and profits accumulated in a non-REIT year. As a result, if we acquire a C corporation, we must distribute the corporations earnings and profits accumulated prior to the acquisition before the end of the taxable year in which we acquire the corporation. We also could be required to pay the acquired entitys unpaid taxes even though such liabilities arose prior to the time we acquired the entity.
Moreover, we or one of our subsidiaries may from time to time acquire other REITs through a merger or acquisition. If any such REIT failed to qualify as a REIT for any of its taxable years, such REIT would be liable for (and we or our subsidiary, as applicable, as the surviving corporation in the merger or acquisition, would be obligated to pay) regular U.S. federal corporate income tax on its taxable income for such taxable years. In addition, if such REIT was a C corporation at the time of the merger or acquisition, the tax consequences
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described in the preceding paragraph generally would apply. If such REIT failed to qualify as a REIT for any of its taxable years, but qualified as a REIT at the time of such merger or acquisition, and we acquired such REITs assets in a transaction in which our tax basis in the assets of such REIT is determined, in whole or in part, by reference to such REITs tax basis in such assets, we generally would be subject to tax on the built-in gain on each asset of such REIT as described above if we were to dispose of the asset in a taxable transaction during the five-year period following such REITs requalification as a REIT, subject to certain exceptions. Moreover, even if such REIT qualified as a REIT at all relevant times, we would similarly be liable for other unpaid taxes (if any) of such REIT (such as the 100% tax on gains from any sales treated as prohibited transactions as described above under Prohibited Transaction Income).
Furthermore, after our acquisition of another corporation or entity, the asset and income tests will apply to all of our assets, including the assets we acquire from such corporation or entity, and to all of our income, including the income derived from the assets we acquire from such corporation or entity. As a result, the nature of the assets that we acquire from such corporation or entity and the income we derive from those assets may have an effect on our tax status as a REIT.
Failure to Qualify. If we discover a violation of a provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT, certain specified cure provisions may be available to us. Except with respect to violations of the gross income tests and asset tests (for which the cure provisions are described above), and provided the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, these cure provisions generally impose a $50,000 penalty for each violation in lieu of a loss of REIT status. If we fail to satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions do not apply, we will be required to pay regular U.S. federal corporate income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT will not be deductible by us. As a result, we anticipate that our failure to qualify as a REIT would reduce the cash available for distribution by us to our stockholders. In addition, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, we will not be required to distribute any amounts to our stockholders and all distributions to stockholders will be taxable as regular corporate dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. In such event, corporate stockholders may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. In addition, non-corporate stockholders, including individuals, may be eligible for the preferential tax rates on qualified dividend income. Non-corporate stockholders, including individuals, generally may deduct up to 20% of dividends from a REIT, other than capital gain dividends and dividends treated as qualified dividend income, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2026 for purposes of determining their U.S. federal income tax (but not for purposes of the 3.8% Medicare tax), subject to certain holding period requirements and other limitations. If we fail to qualify as a REIT, such stockholders may not claim this deduction with respect to dividends paid by us. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be ineligible to elect to be treated as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year for which we lose our qualification. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Tax Aspects of Our Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies
General. All of our investments are held indirectly through our operating partnership. In addition, our operating partnership holds certain of its investments indirectly through subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies that we believe are and will continue to be treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, entities that are treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes are pass-through entities which are not required to pay U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners of such partnerships are allocated their shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership, and are potentially required to pay tax on this income, without regard to whether they receive a distribution from the partnership. We will include in our income our share of these partnership items for purposes of the various gross income tests, the computation of our REIT taxable income, and the REIT distribution requirements. Moreover, for purposes of the asset tests, we will include our pro rata share of assets held by our operating partnership, including its share of the assets of its subsidiary partnerships, based on our capital interests in each such entity. See Taxation of Our CompanyOwnership of Interests in Partnerships,
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Limited Liability Companies and Qualified REIT Subsidiaries. A disregarded entity is not treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a disregarded entity are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of its parent that is not a disregarded entity (e.g., our operating partnership) for all purposes under the Code, including all REIT qualification tests.
Entity Classification. Our interests in our operating partnership and the subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies involve special tax considerations, including the possibility that the IRS might challenge the status of these entities as partnerships or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, an entity that would otherwise be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes may nonetheless be taxable as a corporation if it is a publicly traded partnership and certain other requirements are met. A partnership would be treated as a publicly traded partnership if its interests are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or a substantial equivalent thereof, within the meaning of applicable Treasury Regulations. We do not anticipate that our operating partnership or any subsidiary partnership will be treated as a publicly traded partnership that is taxable as a corporation. However, if any such entity were treated as a corporation, it would be required to pay an entity-level tax on its income. In this situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change and could prevent us from satisfying the REIT asset tests and possibly the REIT income tests. See Taxation of Our CompanyAsset Tests and Income Tests. This, in turn, could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See Taxation of Our CompanyFailure to Qualify for a discussion of the effect of our failure to meet these tests. In addition, a change in the tax status of our operating partnership or a subsidiary treated as a partnership or disregarded entity to a corporation might be treated as a taxable event. If so, we might incur a tax liability without any related cash payment. We believe our operating partnership and each of the subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies are and will continue to be treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Allocations of Items of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction. A partnership agreement (or, in the case of a limited liability company treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the limited liability company agreement) generally will determine the allocation of income and loss among partners. These allocations, however, will be disregarded for tax purposes if they do not comply with the provisions of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. Generally, Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder require that partnership allocations respect the economic arrangement of the partners. If an allocation of partnership income or loss does not comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners interests in the partnership. This reallocation will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. The allocations of taxable income and loss of our operating partnership and any subsidiaries that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
Tax Allocations With Respect to the Properties. Under Section 704(c) of the Code, items of income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated in a manner so that the contributing partner is charged with the unrealized gain or benefits from the unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss generally is equal to the difference between the fair market value or book value and the adjusted tax basis of the contributed property at the time of contribution (this difference is referred to as a book-tax difference), as adjusted from time to time. These allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.
Our operating partnership may, from time to time, acquire interests in property in exchange for interests in our operating partnership. In that case, the tax basis of these property interests generally will carry over to our
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operating partnership, notwithstanding their different book (i.e., fair market) value. The partnership agreement requires that income and loss allocations with respect to these properties be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code. Treasury Regulations issued under Section 704(c) of the Code provide partnerships with a choice of several methods of accounting for book-tax differences. Depending on the method we choose in connection with any particular contribution, the carryover basis of each of the contributed interests in the properties in the hands of our operating partnership (1) could cause us to be allocated lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes than would be allocated to us if any of the contributed properties were to have a tax basis equal to its respective fair market value at the time of the contribution and (2) could cause us to be allocated taxable gain in the event of a sale of such contributed interests or properties in excess of the economic or book income allocated to us as a result of such sale, with a corresponding benefit to the other partners in our operating partnership. An allocation described above might cause us to recognize taxable income in excess of cash proceeds in the event of a sale or other disposition of property, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See Taxation of Our CompanyRequirements for Qualification as a REIT and Annual Distribution Requirements.
Any property acquired by our operating partnership in a taxable transaction will initially have a tax basis equal to its fair market value, and Section 704(c) of the Code generally will not apply.
Partnership Audit Rules. Under current tax law, subject to certain exceptions, any audit adjustment to items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a partnership (and any partners distributive share thereof) is determined, and taxes, interest, or penalties attributable thereto are assessed and collected, at the partnership level. It is possible that these rules could result in partnerships in which we directly or indirectly invest, including our operating partnership, being required to pay additional taxes, interest and penalties as a result of an audit adjustment, and we, as a direct or indirect partner of these partnerships, could be required to bear the economic burden of those taxes, interest, and penalties even though we, as a REIT, may not otherwise have been required to pay additional corporate-level taxes as a result of the related audit adjustment. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to these rules and their potential impact on their investment in our common stock.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Holders of Our Common Stock
The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of purchasing, owning and disposing of our common stock. This discussion is limited to holders who hold our common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a holders particular circumstances, including the alternative minimum tax. In addition, except where specifically noted, it does not address consequences relevant to holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:
| U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; |
| U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
| persons holding our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment; |
| banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions; |
| REITs or regulated investment companies; |
| brokers, dealers or traders in securities; |
| controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; |
| S corporations, partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and investors therein); |
| tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations; |
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| persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to our common stock being taken into account in an applicable financial statement; |
| persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code; |
| tax-qualified retirement plans; and |
| persons who hold or receive our common stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation. |
THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED AS TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS (INCLUDING ESTATE AND GIFT TAX LAWS), UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
For purposes of this discussion, a U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our common stock that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as:
| an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; |
| an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or |
| a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more United States persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) or (2) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
For purposes of this discussion, a non-U.S. holder is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is neither a U.S. holder nor an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships holding our common stock and the partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them.
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock
Distributions Generally. Distributions out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as dividends and, other than with respect to capital gain dividends and certain amounts which have previously been subject to corporate level tax, as discussed below, will be taxable to our taxable U.S. holders as ordinary income when actually or constructively received. See Tax Rates below. As long as we qualify as a REIT, these distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. holders that are corporations or, except to the extent described in Tax Rates below, the preferential rates on qualified dividend income applicable to non-corporate U.S. holders, including individuals. For purposes of determining whether distributions to holders of our capital stock are out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to our outstanding preferred stock, if any, and then to our outstanding common stock.
To the extent that we make distributions on our common stock in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits allocable to such stock, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital
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to a U.S. holder to the extent of the U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in such shares of stock. This treatment will reduce the U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in such shares of stock by such amount, but not below zero. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and in excess of a U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in its shares will be taxable as capital gain. Such gain will be taxable as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year. Dividends we declare in October, November, or December of any year and which are payable to a holder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by us and received by the holder on December 31 of that year, provided we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year. U.S. holders may not include in their own income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
U.S. holders that receive taxable stock distributions, including distributions partially payable in our common stock and partially payable in cash, would be required to include the full amount of the distribution (i.e., the cash and the stock portion) as a dividend (subject to limited exceptions) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as described above. The amount of any distribution payable in our common stock generally is equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of the common stock. Depending on the circumstances of a U.S. holder, the tax on the distribution may exceed the amount of the distribution received in cash, in which case such U.S. holder would have to pay the tax using cash from other sources. If a U.S. holder sells the common stock it received in connection with a taxable stock distribution in order to pay this tax and the proceeds of such sale are less than the amount required to be included in income with respect to the stock portion of the distribution, such U.S. holder could have a capital loss with respect to the stock sale that could not be used to offset such income. A U.S. holder that receives common stock pursuant to such distribution generally has a tax basis in such common stock equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of such common stock as described above, and has a holding period in such common stock that begins on the day immediately following the payment date for the distribution.
Capital Gain Dividends. Dividends that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxable to our taxable U.S. holders as a gain from the sale or disposition of a capital asset held for more than one year, to the extent that such gain does not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, and may not exceed our dividends paid for the taxable year, including dividends paid the following year that are treated as paid in the current year. U.S. holders that are corporations may, however, be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income. If we properly designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend, then, except as otherwise required by law, we presently intend to allocate a portion of the total capital gain dividends paid or made available to holders of all classes of our capital stock for the year to the holders of each class of our capital stock in proportion to the amount that our total dividends, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, paid or made available to the holders of each such class of our capital stock for the year bears to the total dividends, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, paid or made available to holders of all classes of our capital stock for the year. In addition, except as otherwise required by law, we will make a similar allocation with respect to any undistributed long-term capital gains which are to be included in our stockholders long-term capital gains, based on the allocation of the capital gain amount which would have resulted if those undistributed long-term capital gains had been distributed as capital gain dividends by us to our stockholders.
Retention of Net Capital Gains. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain dividend, all or a portion of our net capital gains. If we make this election, we would pay tax on our retained net capital gains. In addition, to the extent we so elect, our earnings and profits (determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) would be adjusted accordingly, and a U.S. holder generally would:
| include its pro rata share of our undistributed capital gain in computing its long-term capital gains in its U.S. federal income tax return for its taxable year in which the last day of our taxable year falls, subject to certain limitations as to the amount that is includable; |
| be deemed to have paid its share of the capital gains tax imposed on us on the designated amounts included in the U.S. holders income as long-term capital gain; |
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| receive a credit or refund for the amount of tax deemed paid by it; |
| increase the adjusted tax basis of its common stock by the difference between the amount of includable gains and the tax deemed to have been paid by it; and |
| in the case of a U.S. holder that is a corporation, appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital gains in accordance with Treasury Regulations to be promulgated by the IRS. |
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange of our common stock by a U.S. holder will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. holders generally will not be able to apply any passive losses against this income or gain. A U.S. holder generally may elect to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of our common stock and income designated as qualified dividend income, as described in Tax Rates below, as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation, but in such case, the holder will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amount. Other distributions made by us, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.
Dispositions of Our Common Stock. If a U.S. holder sells or disposes of shares of our common stock, it will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and the holders adjusted tax basis in the shares. This gain or loss, except as provided below, will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder has held such common stock for more than one year. However, if a U.S. holder recognizes a loss upon the sale or other disposition of common stock that it has held for six months or less, after applying certain holding period rules, the loss recognized will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent the U.S. holder received distributions from us which were required to be treated as long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Tax Rates. The maximum tax rate for non-corporate taxpayers for (1) long-term capital gains, including certain capital gain dividends, generally is 20% (although depending on the characteristics of the assets which produced these gains and on designations which we may make, certain capital gain dividends may be taxed at a 25% rate) and (2) qualified dividend income generally is 20%. In general, dividends payable by REITs are not eligible for the reduced tax rate on qualified dividend income, except to the extent that certain holding period requirements have been met and the REITs dividends are attributable to dividends received from taxable corporations (such as its TRS entities) or to income that was subject to tax at the corporate/REIT level (for example, if the REIT distributed taxable income that it retained and paid tax on in the prior taxable year). Capital gain dividends will only be eligible for the rates described above to the extent that they are properly designated by the REIT as capital gain dividends. U.S. holders that are corporations may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. In addition, non-corporate U.S. holders, including individuals, generally may deduct up to 20% of dividends from a REIT, other than capital gain dividends and dividends treated as qualified dividend income, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2026 for purposes of determining their U.S. federal income tax (but not for purposes of the 3.8% Medicare tax), subject to certain holding period requirements and other limitations.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Holders of Our Common Stock
Dividend income from us and gain arising upon a sale of shares of our common stock generally should not be unrelated business taxable income, or UBTI, to a tax-exempt holder, except as described below. This income or gain will be UBTI, however, to the extent a tax-exempt holder holds its shares as debt-financed property within the meaning of the Code. Generally, debt-financed property is property the acquisition or holding of which was financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt holder.
For tax-exempt holders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations or supplemental unemployment benefit trusts exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9) or
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(c)(17) of the Code, respectively, income from an investment in our shares will constitute UBTI unless the organization is able to properly claim a deduction for amounts set aside or placed in reserve for specific purposes so as to offset the income generated by its investment in our shares. These prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning these set aside and reserve requirements.
Notwithstanding the above, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a pension-held REIT may be treated as UBTI as to certain trusts that hold more than 10%, by value, of the interests in the REIT. A REIT will not be a pension-held REIT if it is able to satisfy the not closely held requirement without relying on the look-through exception with respect to certain trusts or if such REIT is not predominantly held by qualified trusts. As a result of restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock contained in our charter, we do not expect to be classified as a pension-held REIT, and as a result, the tax treatment described above should be inapplicable to our holders. However, because our common stock will be publicly traded upon completion of this offering of our common stock (and, we anticipate, will continue to be publicly traded), we cannot guarantee that this will always be the case.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock
The following discussion addresses the rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock by non-U.S. holders. These rules are complex, and no attempt is made herein to provide more than a brief summary of such rules. Accordingly, the discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation and does not address other federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-U.S. holder in light of its particular circumstances. We urge non-U.S. holders to consult their tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax laws and any applicable tax treaty on the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock, including any reporting requirements.
Distributions Generally. Distributions (including any taxable stock distributions) that are neither attributable to gains from sales or exchanges by us of United States real property interests, or USRPIs, nor designated by us as capital gain dividends (except as described below) will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions ordinarily will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless the distributions are treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable). Under certain treaties, however, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from a REIT. Certain certification and disclosure requirements must be satisfied for a non-U.S. holder to be exempt from withholding under the effectively connected income exemption. Dividends that are treated as effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business generally will not be subject to withholding but will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at the regular rates, in the same manner as dividends paid to U.S. holders are subject to U.S. federal income tax. Any such dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (applicable after deducting U.S. federal income taxes paid on such effectively connected income) or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
Except as otherwise provided below, we expect to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% on any distributions made to a non-U.S. holder unless:
(1) | a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. holder furnishes an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) evidencing eligibility for that reduced treaty rate; or |
(2) | the non-U.S. holder furnishes an IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable documentation) claiming that the distribution is income effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders trade or business. |
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Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a non-U.S. holder to the extent that such distributions do not exceed the adjusted tax basis of the holders common stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted tax basis of such stock. To the extent that such distributions exceed the non-U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in such common stock, they generally will give rise to gain from the sale or exchange of such stock, the tax treatment of which is described below. However, such excess distributions may be treated as dividend income for certain non-U.S. holders that are qualified shareholders (as defined below). For withholding purposes, we expect to treat all distributions as made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. However, amounts withheld may be refundable if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, provided that certain conditions are met.
Capital Gain Dividends and Distributions Attributable to a Sale or Exchange of United States Real Property Interests. Distributions to a non-U.S. holder that we properly designate as capital gain dividends, other than those arising from the disposition of a USRPI, generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, unless:
(1) | the investment in our common stock is treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax of up to 30%, as discussed above; or |
(2) | the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% on the non-U.S. holders capital gains (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of such non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. |
Pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, which is referred to as FIRPTA, distributions to a non-U.S. holder that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of USRPIs, whether or not designated as capital gain dividends, will cause the non-U.S. holder to be treated as recognizing such gain as income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. Non-U.S. holders generally would be taxed at the regular rates applicable to U.S. holders, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. We also will be required to withhold and to remit to the IRS 21% of any distribution to non-U.S. holders attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of USRPIs. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. The amount withheld is creditable against the non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability. However, any distribution with respect to any class of stock that is regularly traded, as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market located in the United States is not subject to FIRPTA, and therefore, not subject to the 21% U.S. withholding tax described above, if the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 10% of such class of stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. Instead, such distributions generally will be treated as ordinary dividend distributions and subject to withholding in the manner described above with respect to ordinary dividends. In addition, distributions to certain non-U.S. publicly traded shareholders that meet certain record-keeping and other requirements (qualified shareholders) are exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified shareholders that are not also qualified shareholders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our capital stock. Furthermore, distributions to certain qualified foreign pension funds or entities all of the interests of which are held by such qualified foreign pension funds are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.
Retention of Net Capital Gains. Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts we designate as retained net capital gains in respect of our common stock should be treated with respect to non-U.S.
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holders as actual distributions of capital gain dividends. Under this approach, the non-U.S. holders may be able to offset as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability their proportionate share of the tax paid by us on such retained net capital gains and to receive from the IRS a refund to the extent their proportionate share of such tax paid by us exceeds their actual U.S. federal income tax liability. If we were to designate any portion of our net capital gain as retained net capital gain, non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the taxation of such retained net capital gain.
Sale of Our Common Stock. Gain realized by a non-U.S. holder upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless such stock constitutes a USRPI. In general, stock of a domestic corporation that constitutes a United States real property holding corporation, or USRPHC, will constitute a USRPI. We believe that we are a USRPHC. Our common stock will not, however, constitute a USRPI so long as we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity. A domestically controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT in which at all times during a five-year testing period less than 50% in value of its stock is held directly or indirectly by non-United States persons, subject to certain ownership rules. For purposes of determining whether a REIT is a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, ownership by non-United States persons generally will be determined by looking through certain pass-through entities and U.S. corporations, including non-public REITs and certain non-public foreign-controlled domestic C corporations, and treating a public qualified investment entity as a non-United States person unless such entity is a domestically controlled qualified investment entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing ownership rules, a person who at all applicable times holds less than 5% of a class of a REITs stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States is treated as a United States person unless the REIT has actual knowledge that such person is not a United States person or is a foreign-controlled person. We believe, but cannot guarantee, that we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity. Although we believe based on representations from our investors that we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, and our charter includes restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock for the three-year period following our initial public offering that are intended to preserve our status as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, such restrictions may not prevent all transfers or other events that could result in our failing to qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, and there can be no assurance that we are, or will continue to be, a domestically controlled qualified investment entity.
Even if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity at the time a non-U.S. holder sells our common stock, gain realized from the sale or other taxable disposition by a non-U.S. holder of such common stock would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI if:
(1) | our common stock is regularly traded, as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market such as Nasdaq; and |
(2) | such non-U.S. holder owned, actually and constructively, 10% or less of our common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition or the non-U.S. holders holding period. |
In addition, dispositions of our common stock by qualified shareholders are exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified shareholders that are not also qualified shareholders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our capital stock. Furthermore, dispositions of our common stock by certain qualified foreign pension funds or entities all of the interests of which are held by such qualified foreign pension funds are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock not otherwise subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a non-U.S. holder if either (a) the investment in our common stock is treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable), in which case the non-U.S.
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holder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such gain, as adjusted for certain items, or (b) the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to a 30% tax on the non-U.S. holders capital gains (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our common stock, a non-U.S. holder may be treated as having gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of a USRPI if the non-U.S. holder (1) disposes of such stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (2) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, or is deemed to acquire, other shares of that stock during the 61-day period beginning with the first day of the 30-day period described in clause (1), unless our common stock is regularly traded and the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 10% of our common stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution described in clause (1).
If gain on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. holder (subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals). In addition, if the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, and if shares of our common stock were not regularly traded on an established securities market, the purchaser of such common stock generally would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 15% of the purchase price.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
U.S. Holders. A U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding when such holder receives payments on our common stock or proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition of such stock. Certain U.S. holders are exempt from backup withholding, including corporations and certain tax-exempt organizations. A U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding if such holder is not otherwise exempt and:
| the holder fails to furnish the holders taxpayer identification number, which for an individual is ordinarily his or her social security number; |
| the holder furnishes an incorrect taxpayer identification number; |
| the applicable withholding agent is notified by the IRS that the holder previously failed to properly report payments of interest or dividends; or |
| the holder fails to certify under penalties of perjury that the holder has furnished a correct taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified the holder that the holder is subject to backup withholding. |
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption.
Non-U.S. Holders. Payments of dividends on our common stock generally will not be subject to backup withholding, provided the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know the
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holder is a United States person and the holder either certifies its non-U.S. status, such as by furnishing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. However, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with any distributions on our common stock paid to the non-U.S. holder, regardless of whether such distributions constitute a dividend or whether any tax was actually withheld. In addition, proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of such stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related brokers generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting if the applicable withholding agent receives the certification described above and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of such stock conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.
Copies of information returns that are filed with the IRS may also be made available under the provisions of an applicable treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Medicare Contribution Tax on Unearned Income
Certain U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or trusts are required to pay an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends on stock and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, subject to certain limitations. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of these rules on their ownership and disposition of our common stock.
Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts
Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on our common stock or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock, in each case paid to a foreign financial institution or a non-financial foreign entity (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any substantial United States owners (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain specified United States persons or United States owned foreign entities (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.
Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our common stock. While withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of stock on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are
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issued. Because we may not know the extent to which a distribution is a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the time it is made, for purposes of these withholding rules we may treat the entire distribution as a dividend.
Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our common stock.
Other Tax Consequences
State, local and non-U.S. income tax laws may differ substantially from the corresponding U.S. federal income tax laws, and this discussion does not purport to describe any aspect of the tax laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction, or any U.S. federal tax other than income tax. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the effect of state, local and non-U.S. tax laws with respect to our tax treatment as a REIT and on an investment in our common stock.
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The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or ERISA, and the Code impose certain restrictions on (a) employee benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), (b) plans described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code, including individual retirement accounts and annuities, (c) any entities whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of a plans investment in such entities (each an ERISA Plan) and persons who have certain specified relationships to such ERISA Plans (Parties-in-Interest under ERISA and Disqualified Persons under the Code). Moreover, based on the reasoning of the United States Supreme Court in John Hancock Life Ins. Co. v. Harris Trust and Sav. Bank, 510 U.S. 86 (1993), an insurance companys general account may be deemed to include assets of the ERISA Plans investing in the general account (e.g., through the purchase of an annuity contract), and the insurance company might be treated as a Party-in-Interest with respect to a Plan by virtue of such investment. In addition, federal, state, local, church and non-U.S. plans may be subject to provisions under federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of the Code or ERISA, or collectively, Similar Laws. ERISA also imposes certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of ERISA Plans subject to ERISA, and ERISA and the Code prohibit certain transactions between ERISA Plans and Parties-in-Interest or Disqualified Persons, respectively, with respect to such ERISA Plans, absent an exemption. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of an ERISA Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of an ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan.
In considering an investment in our common stock by an ERISA Plan or when using the assets of an ERISA plan, a fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Laws relating to a fiduciarys duties to the plan including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit ERISA Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with Parties-In-Interest or Disqualified Persons unless an exemption is available and its conditions are met. A Party-in-Interest or Disqualified Person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes under the Code and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and may result in the loss of tax-exempt status of an Individual Retirement Account involved in the transaction. In addition, the fiduciary of an ERISA Plan that engages in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to personal liabilities under ERISA.
The United States Department of Labor, or the DOL, has issued a regulation (29 C.F.R. § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) defining what constitutes the assets of an ERISA Plan in the context of its investments (the Plan Assets Regulation). The Plan Assets Regulation provide that, as a general rule, the underlying assets and properties of corporations, partnerships, trusts and certain other entities in which an ERISA Plan purchases an equity interest will be deemed for purposes of ERISA to be assets of the investing ERISA Plan unless an exception applies. The Plan Assets Regulation define an equity interest as any interest in an entity other than an instrument that is treated as indebtedness under applicable local law and which has no substantial equity features. Our common stock included in this offering should be treated as equity interests for purposes of the Plan Assets Regulation.
The Plan Assets Regulation provide exceptions to the look-through rule for equity interests in some types of entities, including any entity which qualifies as either a real estate operating company or a venture capital operating company. Under the Plan Assets Regulation, a real estate operating company is defined generally, as an entity: (i) which on testing dates has at least 50% of its assets, other than short-term investments pending long-term commitment or distribution to investors, valued at cost; (ii) invested in real estate which is managed or
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developed and with respect to which the entity has the right to substantially participate directly in the management or development activities; and (iii) which, in the ordinary course of its business, is engaged directly in real estate management or development activities.
Under the Plan Assets Regulation, a venture capital operating company is defined, generally, as an entity that on testing dates has at least 50% of its assets, other than short-term investments pending long-term commitment or distribution to investors, valued at cost, invested in one or more operating companies with respect to which the entity has management rights, and that, in the ordinary course of its business, actually exercises its management rights with respect to one or more of the operating companies in which it invests.
Another exception under the Plan Assets Regulation applies to publicly offered securities, which are defined as securities that are: (i) freely transferable; (ii) part of a class of securities that is widely held; and (iii) either part of a class of securities that is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, or sold to an ERISA Plan as part of an offering of securities to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and the class of securities of which this security is a part is registered under the Exchange Act within 120 days, or longer if allowed by the SEC, after the end of the fiscal year of the issuer during which this offering of these securities to the public occurred.
Whether a security is considered freely transferable depends on the facts and circumstances of each case. Under the Plan Assets Regulation, if the security is part of an offering in which the minimum investment is $10,000 or less, then any restriction on or prohibition against any transfer or assignment of the security for the purposes of preventing a termination or reclassification of the entity for federal or state tax purposes or which would violate any state or federal statute, regulation, court order, judicial decree, or rule of law will not ordinarily prevent the security from being considered freely transferable. Additionally, limitations or restrictions on the transfer or assignment of a security that are created or imposed by persons other than the issuer of the security or persons acting for or on behalf of the issuer will ordinarily not prevent the security from being considered freely transferable.
A class of securities is considered widely held if it is a class of securities that is owned by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and of one another. A security will not fail to be widely held because the number of independent investors falls below 100 subsequent to the initial public offering as a result of events beyond the issuers control.
We expect that our common stock will meet the criteria of the publicly offered securities exception to the look-through rule. First, our common stock should be considered to be freely transferable, as the minimum investment will be less than $10,000 and the only restrictions upon transfer of our common stock are those generally permitted under the Plan Assets Regulation, those required under federal tax laws to maintain our status as a REIT, resale restrictions under applicable federal securities laws with respect to securities not purchased pursuant to a registered public offering and those owned by officers, directors and other affiliates, and voluntary restrictions to which a selling shareholder has agreed regarding volume limitations.
Second, we expect (although we cannot confirm) that our common stock will be held by 100 or more investors and that at least 100 or more of these investors will be independent of us and of one another.
Third, our common stock included in this offering will be part of an offering of securities to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and our common stock will be registered under the Exchange Act.
If, however, none of the exceptions under the Plan Assets Regulation were applicable to us and we were deemed to hold plan assets subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, such plan assets would include an undivided interest in the assets held by us. In such event, such assets and the persons providing services with respect to such assets would be subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of Title I of ERISA and the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code.
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In addition, if our assets were treated as plan assets: (i) the prudence and other fiduciary responsibility standards of ERISA would apply to certain investments made by us, and (ii) certain of our activities could be deemed to constitute a transaction prohibited under Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (e.g., the extension of credit between an ERISA Plan and a Party in Interest or Disqualified Person). Such transactions may, however, be subject to a statutory or administrative exemptions, such as Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption, or PTCE 84-14, as amended, which exempts certain transactions effected on behalf of an ERISA Plan by a qualified professional asset manager.
Whether or not our underlying assets are deemed to include plan assets as described above, the acquisition and/or holding of our common stock by an ERISA Plan with respect to which we or an underwriter is considered a Party-In-Interest or a Disqualified Person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption. In this regard, the DOL has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or PTCEs, that may apply to the acquisition and holding of our common stock. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 84-14 respecting transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers, PTCE 90-1 respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE 91-38 respecting bank collective investment funds, PTCE 95-60 respecting life insurance company general accounts and PTCE 96-23 respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide an exemption from certain of the prohibited transaction provision of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, provided that neither the issuer of the securities nor any of its affiliates (directly or indirectly) has or exercises any discretionary authority or control or render any investment advice with respect to the assets of any ERISA Plan involved in the transaction and provided further that the ERISA Plan pays no more than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.
Neither we, nor any underwriter, nor any of our respective affiliates, agents or employees (the Transaction Parties) will act as a fiduciary to any ERISA Plan with respect to the ERISA Plans decision to invest in common stock, and none of the Transaction Parties is undertaking to provide impartial investment advice or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity in connection with any ERISA Plans acquisition of common stock. Each fiduciary or other person with investment responsibilities over the assets of an ERISA Plan considering an investment in common stock must carefully consider the above factors before making an investment.
In addition, the person making the decision to acquire common stock on behalf of an ERISA Plan (the Plan Fiduciary) from a Transaction Party will be deemed to have represented and warranted that (1) none of the Transaction Parties has provided or will provide advice with respect to the acquisition of common stock by the ERISA Plan.
Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, each plan fiduciary should consult with its counsel with respect to the potential applicability of ERISA and the Code to such investment or similar rules that may apply to plans subject to Similar Law. Each plan fiduciary should also determine on its own whether any exceptions or exemptions are necessary and applicable and whether all conditions of any such exceptions or exemptions have been satisfied.
Moreover, each ERISA Plan fiduciary should determine whether, under the general fiduciary standards of investment prudence and diversification, acquiring common stock is appropriate for the ERISA Plan, taking into account the overall investment policy of the ERISA Plan and the composition of the ERISA Plans investment portfolio.
The foregoing discussion is general in nature, is not intended to be all-inclusive, and is based on laws in effect on the date of this prospectus. Such discussion should not be construed as legal advice.
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Under the terms and subject to the conditions in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters named below, for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, severally, the number of shares indicated below:
Name |
Number of Shares |
|||
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC |
||||
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC |
||||
BofA Securities, Inc. |
||||
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC |
||||
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
||||
RBC Capital Markets, LLC |
||||
Rabo Securities USA, Inc. |
||||
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. |
||||
UBS Securities LLC |
||||
Capital One Securities, Inc. |
||||
Truist Securities, Inc. |
||||
Evercore Group L.L.C. |
||||
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated |
||||
KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. |
||||
Mizuho Securities USA LLC |
||||
PNC Capital Markets LLC |
||||
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. |
||||
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. |
||||
Piper Sandler & Co. |
||||
Regions Securities LLC |
||||
Blaylock Van, LLC |
||||
Cabrera Capital Markets LLC |
||||
C.L. King & Associates, Inc. |
||||
Drexel Hamilton, LLC |
||||
Guzman & Company |
||||
Loop Capital Markets LLC |
||||
Roberts & Ryan Investments, Inc. |
||||
R. Seelaus & Co., LLC |
||||
Total: |
||||
|
|
The underwriters and the representatives are collectively referred to as the underwriters and the representatives, respectively. The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock subject to their acceptance of the shares from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus if any such shares are taken. However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay for the shares covered by the underwriters over-allotment option described below.
The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of common stock directly to the public at the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $ per share under the public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares of common stock, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives.
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We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to additional shares of common stock at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase about the same percentage of the additional shares of common stock as the number listed next to the underwriters name in the preceding table bears to the total number of shares of common stock listed next to the names of all underwriters in the preceding table.
The following table shows the per share and total public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions, and proceeds before expenses to us. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters option to purchase up to an additional shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.
Total | ||||||||||||
Per Share |
No Exercise |
Full Exercise |
||||||||||
Public offering price |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by us |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
$ | $ | $ |
The estimated offering expenses payable by us, exclusive of the underwriting discounts and commissions, are approximately $ . We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for expenses relating to clearance of this offering with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority up to $ .
The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed 5% of the total number of shares of common stock offered by them.
We intend to apply to list our common stock on Nasdaq under the trading symbol LINE.
We and all of our directors and officers, holders of all of our outstanding stock and BentallGreenOak, D1 Capital, Oxford and Stonepeak (each a lock-up signatory) have agreed that, without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters, we and they will not, and will not publicly disclose an intention to, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus (the restricted period):
| offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock; |
| enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock; or |
| file any registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the offering of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock |
whether any such transaction described above in the first two bullets is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. In addition, each lock-up signatory agrees that, without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters, such party will not, during the restricted period, make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock.
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The restrictions applicable to us described in the immediately preceding paragraph do not apply to:
| the sale of the shares offered hereby to the underwriters; |
| common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock (including OP Units, Legacy Units or OPEUs) issued in the formation transactions; |
| the issuance by us of shares of common stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof or as a result of the formation transactions; |
| any common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock (including OP Units) issued or granted pursuant to any employee benefit plan, qualified stock option plan or other employee compensation plan of the company or our operating partnership; |
| facilitating the establishment of a trading plan on behalf of our stockholders, officers or directors pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of common stock, provided that (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of common stock during the restricted period and (ii) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required of or voluntarily made by us regarding the establishment of such plan, such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of common stock may be made under such plan during the restricted period; |
| any shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock (including OP Units and restricted stock units), in the aggregate not to exceed % of the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding immediately following the completion of this offering of shares (assuming full conversion, exchange or exercise of all outstanding securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock (including OP Units, OPEUs and restricted stock units)), issued in connection with property acquisitions, mergers or acquisitions, joint ventures, commercial relationships or other strategic transactions, provided, however, that the recipient of such shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock shall be required to execute a lock-up agreement for the duration of the restricted period; or |
| the filing of a registration statement or amendment thereto relating to any employee benefit plan, qualified stock option plan or other employee compensation plan of the company and/or our operating partnership. |
In addition, the restrictions applicable to lock-up signatories described above do not apply to:
| shares acquired by any lock-up signatory in this offering (other than any shares purchased through the directed share program described below) or in open market transactions after the completion of the offering of the shares; provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is required or voluntarily made during the restricted period in connection with subsequent sales of the common stock acquired in such open market transactions; |
| (A) bona fide gifts or charitable contributions; (B) transfers to an immediate family member of a lock-up signatory or any trust or other entity for the direct or indirect benefit of a lock-up signatory or his or her immediate family; (C) transfers to a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity that controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, a lock-up signatory or members of the lock-up signatorys immediate family; or (D) transfers by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession upon the death of a lock-up signatory or for bona fide estate planning purposes; provided, in each case that the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the relevant lock-up agreement for the balance of the restricted period, and provided further that, in the case of any transfer described in (B) and (C) above, no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is required or voluntarily made, and that, in the case of any transfer described in (A) above, any filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act reporting such transfer shall indicate in the footnotes thereto that such transfer is not for value, that the shares subject to such transfer remain subject to the lock-up and that filing relates to the circumstances described in (A) above; |
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| distributions to limited partners, members or stockholders of the lock-up signatories; provided that the transferee (other than any transferee that is a small holder) agrees in writing to be bound by the relevant lock-up agreement; provided further that any such transfer does not involve a disposition for value and any required filing reporting any such transfer with the SEC pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall clearly indicate that such transfer is not for value and that the filing relates to such distribution, and briefly note that such shares remain subject to the applicable lock-up for the balance of the restricted period (except for any transfer to a small holder, in which case the filing will indicate that the shares of common stock are subject to the restrictions of Rule 144); and provided further that no other public filing (other than those that might be required during the restricted period pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act) shall be required or voluntarily made in connection with such transfer; |
| transfers by operation of law, such as pursuant to an order of a court or regulatory agency, or pursuant to a domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement; |
| transfers to us or our subsidiaries pursuant to any redemption or conversion right relating to OP Units, Legacy Class A OP Units, Legacy Class B OP Units or OPEUs; |
| transfers to us or our subsidiaries pursuant to (A) the exercise on a net issuance basis by the undersigned of any award granted pursuant to our employee benefit plans, or (B) share withholdings to cover applicable taxes in connection with the vesting or settlement of any award granted pursuant to the our employee benefit plans; provided that any filing Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act resulting from such transfer shall indicate that it has been net share settled; |
| transfers to a bona fide third party pursuant to a merger, consolidation, tender offer or other similar transaction pursuant to an offer made to all holders of our common stock and involving a change of control of us and approved by our board of directors; |
| for certain lock-up signatories, pledges, hypothecation or other grants of a security interest in common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock to one or more lending institutions as collateral or security for any loan, advance or extension of credit (provided that at the time of making the loan, advance or extension of credit, such loan, advance or extension of credit does not exceed 33% of the total value of the total collateral so pledged, hypothecated or granted), and any transfer upon foreclosure upon such common stock or securities; provided that the lock-up signatory shall provide the representatives prior written notice informing them of any public filing, report or announcement with respect to such pledge, hypothecation or other grant of a security interest; or |
| facilitating the establishment of a trading plan on behalf of a stockholder, officer or director of our company pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of common stock, provided that (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of common stock during the restricted period and (ii) to the extent a public announcement or disclosure, or filing under the Exchange Act, regarding the establishment of such plan is required or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the lock-up signatory or by us, such announcement, disclosure or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of common stock may be made under such plan during the restricted period. |
The representatives, in their sole discretion, may release the common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time.
In order to facilitate the offering of the common stock, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common stock. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares available for purchase by the underwriters under the over-allotment option. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of shares compared to the price available under the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also sell shares in excess of the over-allotment
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option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. As an additional means of facilitating this offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of common stock in the open market to stabilize the price of the common stock. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of the common stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the common stock. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
KKR Capital Markets LLC, a registered broker-dealer, is acting as our Lead financial advisor and our independent financial advisor as defined under FINRA Rule 5110(j)(9) in connection with this offering. BDT & MSD Partners, Seven Lakes Partners, and Eastdil Secured Advisors, LLC are also acting as our independent financial advisors in connection with this offering, for which they will receive a customary fee.
We and the underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares of common stock to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
Affiliates of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Rabo Securities USA, Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., Capital One Securities, Inc., Truist Securities, Inc., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and Regions Securities LLC are lenders under our Revolving Credit Facility and our Term Loan, affiliates of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are lenders under our Delayed Draw Term Loan and affiliates of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are lenders under our CMBS loans. Accordingly, such underwriters and/or their respective affiliates will receive their pro rata portion of the net proceeds from this offering used to repay amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, our Term Loan, our Delayed Draw Term Loan and/or our CMBS loans. In their capacity as lenders, these underwriters and/or their respective affiliates will receive certain financing fees in connection with these loans in addition to the underwriting discount that may result from this offering. Accordingly, more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering are intended be used to repay amounts owed to these underwriters and/or their respective affiliates. Additionally, certain of the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates are acting as agents and/or arrangers under the Revolving Credit Facility our Delayed Draw Term Loan and/or our Term Loan and will receive customary fees.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments.
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Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated will pay a referral fee to an affiliate of The Huntington National Bank, one of the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility, in connection with this offering.
Pricing of Offering
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price was determined by negotiations between us and the representatives. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price were our future prospects and those of our industry in general, our sales, earnings and certain other financial and operating information in recent periods, and the price-earnings ratios, price-sales ratios, market prices of securities, and certain financial and operating information of companies engaged in activities similar to ours.
Directed Share Program
At our request, the underwriters have reserved percent of the shares of common stock to be issued by us and offered by this prospectus for sale, at the initial public offering price, to (i) certain of our directors, officers and employees, (ii) friends and family members of certain of our directors and officers, (iii) individuals associated with certain of our customers, vendors, landlords and service providers and (iv) certain of our legacy investors, former owners of acquired companies and properties and other industry partners. If purchased by our directors or officers, these shares will be subject to a 180-day lock-up restriction. The number of shares of common stock available for sale to the general public will be reduced to the extent these individuals purchase such reserved shares. Any reserved shares that are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same basis as the other shares offered by this prospectus. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC will administer our directed share program. We agreed to indemnify Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC in connection with the directed share program, including for the failure of any participant to pay for its shares. Other than the underwriting discount described on the front cover of this prospectus, the underwriters will not be entitled to any commission with respect to shares of stock sold pursuant to the directed share program.
Selling Restrictions
European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a Relevant State), no shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:
(a) | to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation; |
(b) | to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or |
(c) | in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation, |
provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or any representative to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an offer to the public in relation to the shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression Prospectus Regulation means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended).
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United Kingdom
No shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that offers of shares may be made to the public in the United Kingdom at any time under the following exemptions under the UK Prospectus Regulation:
(a) | to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation; |
(b) | to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or |
(c) | in any other circumstances falling within Section 86 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), |
provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or any representative to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an offer to the public in relation to the shares in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression UK Prospectus Regulation means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
Australia
No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the Corporations Act), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.
Any offer in Australia of the shares may only be made to persons (the Exempt Investors) who are sophisticated investors (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), professional investors (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.
This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.
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Brazil
THE OFFER AND SALE OF THE SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED WITH THE BRAZILIAN SECURITIES COMMISSION (COMISSÃO DE VALORES MOBILIÁRIOS, OR CVM) AND, THEREFORE, WILL NOT BE CARRIED OUT BY ANY MEANS THAT WOULD CONSTITUTE A PUBLIC OFFERING IN BRAZIL UNDER CVM RESOLUTION NO 160, DATED 13 JULY 2022, AS AMENDED (CVM RESOLUTION 160) OR UNAUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTION UNDER BRAZILIAN LAWS AND REGULATIONS. THE SHARES MAY ONLY BE OFFERED TO BRAZILIAN PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS (AS DEFINED BY APPLICABLE CVM REGULATION), WHO MAY ONLY ACQUIRE THE SHARES THROUGH A NON-BRAZILIAN ACCOUNT, WITH SETTLEMENT OUTSIDE BRAZIL IN NON-BRAZILIAN CURRENCY. THE TRADING OF THESE ON REGULATED SECURITIES MARKETS IN BRAZIL IS PROHIBITED.
Canada
The shares may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions, and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption form, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this offering memorandum (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchasers province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchasers province or territory of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
Hong Kong
The shares may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance) or which do not constitute an invitation to the public within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (Securities and Futures Ordinance), or (ii) to professional investors as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a prospectus as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional investors in Hong Kong as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made thereunder.
Kuwait
Unless all necessary approvals from the Kuwait Capital Markets Authority pursuant to Law No. 7/2010, its Executive Regulations and the various Resolutions and Announcements issued pursuant thereto or in connection
363
therewith have been given in relation to the marketing of and sale of the shares of the shares, these may not be offered for sale, nor sold in the State of Kuwait (Kuwait). Neither this prospectus nor any of the information contained herein is intended to lead to the conclusion of any contract of whatsoever nature within Kuwait. With regard to the contents of this document, we recommend that you consult a licensee as per the law and specialized in giving advice about the purchase of shares and other securities before making the subscription decision.
Saudi Arabia
This prospectus may not be distributed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except to such persons as are permitted under the Offers of Securities Regulations as issued by the board of the Saudi Arabian Capital Market Authority (CMA) pursuant to resolution number 2-11-2004 dated 4 October 2004 as amended by resolution number 1-28-2008, as amended. The CMA does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this document and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of this prospectus. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on the accuracy of the information relating to the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorized financial adviser.
Singapore
The shares which are the subject of this prospectus do not represent units in a collective investment scheme which is authorized or recognized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under Section 286 or 287 of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289 of Singapore) (SFA) and this prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the MAS under the SFA. This prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares will not be circulated or distributed, nor will the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore, other than institutional investors as defined in Section 4A of the SFA or relevant regulations thereunder.
Switzerland
The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of, and has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, us, or the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (CISA). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.
Qatar
In the State of Qatar, the offer contained herein is made on an exclusive basis to the specifically intended recipient thereof, upon that persons request and initiative, for personal use only and shall in no way be construed as a general offer for the sale of securities to the public or an attempt to do business as a bank, an investment company or otherwise in the State of Qatar. This prospectus and the underlying shares have not been approved or
364
licensed by the Qatar Central Bank or the Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority or any other regulator in the State of Qatar. The information contained in this prospectus shall only be shared with any third parties in Qatar on a need to know basis for the purpose of evaluating the contained offer. Any distribution of this prospectus by the recipient to third parties in Qatar beyond the terms hereof is not permitted and shall be at the liability of such recipient.
United Arab Emirates
The shares have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the Dubai International Financial Centre) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority (the DFSA).
Dubai International Financial Centre
This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus, you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
365
Certain legal matters, including certain tax matters, will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, Los Angeles, California. Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts, will act as counsel to the underwriters. Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, will pass upon the validity of the shares of our common stock sold in this offering and certain other matters under Maryland law.
366
The consolidated financial statements of Lineage, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, have been included herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Certain statistical and economic market data included in this prospectus, including information relating to the economic conditions in the cold storage market contained in Prospectus Summary, Industry Overview and Business and Properties is derived from market information prepared for us by CBRE, a nationally recognized real estate services firm, and is included in this prospectus in reliance on CBREs authority as an expert in such matters.
367
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We maintain a web site at www.onelineage.com. Information contained on our web site is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our web site to be part of this prospectus.
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-11, of which this prospectus constitutes a part, with the SEC under the Securities Act with respect to this offering of our common stock. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, which also includes numerous exhibits and schedules. For further information with respect to our company and the shares of common stock offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and where such document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the contents of the full document. Our SEC filings, including our registration statement, are available to you, free of charge, on the SECs web site, www.sec.gov.
As a result of this offering, we will become subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we will file periodic reports and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the SECs public reference facilities and through the SECs web site referred to above.
368
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page | ||||
Historical Financial Statements of Lineage, Inc. (audited): |
||||
F-2 | ||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 |
F-4 | |||
F-5 | ||||
F-6 | ||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 |
F-9 | |||
F-12 | ||||
F-79 | ||||
Historical Financial Statements of Lineage, Inc. (unaudited): |
||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (Unaudited) |
F-85 | |||
F-86 | ||||
F-87 | ||||
F-89 | ||||
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
F-91 | |||
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Lineage, Inc.: |
||||
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2024 |
F-128 | |||
F-129 | ||||
F-130 | ||||
Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |
F-131 |
|
||||
KPMG LLP Suite 1900 150 West Jefferson Detroit, MI 48226 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Lineage, Inc.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lineage, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement schedule IIIReal Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership and a member firm of KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. |
F-2
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Indicators that real estate assets may not be recoverable
As discussed in Notes 5 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company had $8,544.4 million of buildings, building improvements and refrigeration equipment, $1,446.3 million of land and land improvements, $723.7 million of net operating lease right-of-use assets, and $1,243.3 million of net finance lease right-of-use assets (collectively, the real estate assets) as of December 31, 2023. The Company evaluates its real estate assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable, or when the assets are held for sale. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the Company assesses whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from the use of the asset and the residual value from the ultimate disposal of the asset exceeds the carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated recoverable amounts, the Company reduces the carrying value to fair value and records an impairment loss in earnings.
We identified the evaluation of indicators that the carrying value of real estate assets may not be recoverable as a critical audit matter. In particular, judgments regarding the future operating cash flows of the real estate assets and the assessment of changes in market conditions on the determination of when impairment indicators exist required a high degree of auditor judgment.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the Companys assessment by:
| inquiring of Company officials and inspecting documents such as meeting minutes of the Board of Directors to identify indicators that real estate assets may not be recoverable |
| observing the property conditions of certain cold storage warehouses and inquiring of general managers regarding events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that the real estate assets may be impaired |
| comparing a selection of the Companys historical estimated cash flows by property to actual results to assess the Companys ability to accurately forecast |
| observing market conditions and property operating metrics for real estate assets. |
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Companys auditor since 2020.
Detroit, Michigan
March 8, 2024
F-3
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(dollars in millions, except per share and share amounts)
December 31, | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 68.2 | $ | 170.6 | ||||
Restricted cash |
2.6 | 31.4 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
912.9 | 935.7 | ||||||
Inventories |
170.6 | 156.8 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
101.5 | 104.5 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current assets |
1,255.8 | 1,399.0 | ||||||
Non-current assets: |
||||||||
Property, plant, and equipment, net |
10,570.5 | 10,103.9 | ||||||
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net |
1,243.3 | 1,285.6 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net |
723.7 | 677.0 | ||||||
Equity method investments |
112.5 | 83.9 | ||||||
Goodwill |
3,393.9 | 3,304.9 | ||||||
Other intangible assets, net |
1,280.0 | 1,331.4 | ||||||
Other assets |
291.3 | 371.7 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets |
$ | 18,871.0 | $ | 18,557.4 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests, and Equity |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 1,136.6 | $ | 1,082.8 | ||||
Accrued distributions |
109.9 | 10.7 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
94.4 | 91.8 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt, net |
24.3 | 36.4 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current liabilities |
1,365.2 | 1,221.7 | ||||||
Non-current liabilities: |
||||||||
Long-term finance lease obligations |
1,304.5 | 1,323.5 | ||||||
Long-term operating lease obligations |
692.1 | 632.3 | ||||||
Deferred income tax liability |
370.1 | 413.5 | ||||||
Long-term debt, net |
8,958.2 | 8,697.4 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities |
159.6 | 163.3 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities |
12,849.7 | 12,451.7 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18) |
||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
348.9 | 297.8 | ||||||
Stockholders equity: |
||||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share 500,000,000 authorized shares; 162,017,515 and 160,400,437 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively |
1.6 | 1.6 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capitalcommon stock |
5,960.7 | 5,915.0 | ||||||
Series A preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share100,000,000 authorized shares; 630 issued and outstanding shares, with an aggregate liquidation preference of $0.6 at December 31, 2023 and 2022 |
0.6 | 0.6 | ||||||
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) |
(878.6 | ) | (712.8 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
(33.8 | ) | (37.4 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total stockholders equity |
5,050.5 | 5,167.0 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interests |
621.9 | 640.9 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total equity |
5,672.4 | 5,807.9 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity |
$ | 18,871.0 | $ | 18,557.4 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 5,341.5 | $ | 4,928.3 | $ | 3,702.0 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cost of operations |
3,589.8 | 3,473.2 | 2,571.4 | |||||||||
General and administrative expense |
501.8 | 398.9 | 289.3 | |||||||||
Depreciation expense |
551.9 | 479.5 | 416.1 | |||||||||
Amortization expense |
207.8 | 197.7 | 187.6 | |||||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
60.0 | 66.2 | 123.6 | |||||||||
Restructuring and impairment expense |
31.8 | 15.5 | 26.3 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total operating expense |
4,943.1 | 4,631.0 | 3,614.3 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Income from operations |
398.4 | 297.3 | 87.7 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||
Equity income (loss), net of tax |
(2.6 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||||
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net |
3.9 | (23.8 | ) | (34.0 | ) | |||||||
Interest expense, net |
(490.4 | ) | (347.0 | ) | (259.6 | ) | ||||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt |
| 1.4 | (4.1 | ) | ||||||||
Other nonoperating income (expense), net |
(19.4 | ) | 2.3 | 4.5 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total other income (expense), net |
(508.5 | ) | (367.3 | ) | (293.5 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income (loss) before income taxes |
(110.1 | ) | (70.0 | ) | (205.8 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(13.9 | ) | 6.0 | (29.3 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income (loss) |
(96.2 | ) | (76.0 | ) | (176.5 | ) | ||||||
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(18.8 | ) | (13.3 | ) | (23.2 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
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|
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Net income (loss) attributable to Lineage, Inc. |
(77.4 | ) | (62.7 | ) | (153.3 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: |
||||||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency hedges and interest rate hedges |
(86.9 | ) | 171.6 | 38.8 | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
88.5 | (221.5 | ) | (114.6 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
(94.6 | ) | (125.9 | ) | (252.3 | ) | ||||||
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(20.9 | ) | (16.9 | ) | (32.9 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Lineage, Inc. |
$ | (73.7 | ) | $ | (109.0 | ) | $ | (219.4 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Basic earnings (loss) per share |
$ | (0.73 | ) | $ | (0.51 | ) | $ | (1.33 | ) | |||
|
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|
|
|
|
|||||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
$ | (0.73 | ) | $ | (0.51 | ) | $ | (1.33 | ) | |||
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|
|
|
|
|||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions): |
||||||||||||
Basic |
161.9 | 152.0 | 131.0 | |||||||||
Diluted |
161.9 | 152.0 | 131.0 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
(dollars in millions, except number of shares and par value amounts)
Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
Number of shares |
Par value |
Additional paid-in capital |
Series A preferred stock |
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
Noncontrolling interests |
Total equity |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2020 |
$ | 10.4 | 117,405,081 | $ | 1.2 | $ | 3,042.0 | $ | 0.1 | $ | (368.3 | ) | $ | 74.9 | $ | 437.2 | $ | 3,187.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issuances, net of equity raise costs |
| 30,217,112 | 0.3 | 2,122.3 | | | | | 2,122.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |
| | | 169.1 | | | | 114.2 | 283.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends ($0.82 per common share) and other distributions |
| | | | | (128.5 | ) | | (96.4 | ) | (224.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common & Series A Preferred stock issued in acquisitions |
| 680,562 | | 54.5 | 0.5 | | | | 55.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Partnership units issued in acquisitions |
22.2 | | | 63.5 | | | | 13.1 | 76.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 80,116 | | 5.1 | | | | 9.5 | 14.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(0.6 | ) | | | | | | (66.1 | ) | (9.1 | ) | (75.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expiration of redemption option |
(2.0 | ) | | | | | | | 2.0 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interests acquired in business combinations |
308.3 | | | | | | | 6.2 | 6.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of Operating Partnership units |
| | | (151.5 | ) | | | | (124.4 | ) | (275.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of units issued as stock compensation |
| | | (37.1 | ) | | | | (2.5 | ) | (39.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
23.9 | | | (23.9 | ) | | | | | (23.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(1.1 | ) | | | | | (153.3 | ) | | (22.1 | ) | (175.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests |
| | | (249.0 | ) | | | 0.7 | 248.3 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
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Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
$ | 361.1 | 148,382,871 | $ | 1.5 | $ | 4,995.0 | $ | 0.6 | $ | (650.1 | ) | $ | 9.5 | $ | 576.0 | $ | 4,932.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
(dollars in millions, except number of shares and par value amounts)
Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
Number of shares |
Par value | Additional paid-in capital |
Series A preferred stock |
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
Noncontrolling interests |
Total equity |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
$ | 361.1 | 148,382,871 | $ | 1.5 | $ | 4,995.0 | $ | 0.6 | $ | (650.1 | ) | $ | 9.5 | $ | 576.0 | $ | 4,932.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issuances, net of equity raise costs |
| 11,089,938 | 0.1 | 935.3 | | | | | 935.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |
| | | 11.0 | | | | 6.4 | 17.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions |
| | | | | | | (42.5 | ) | (42.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued in acquisitions |
| 771,878 | | 69.5 | | | | | 69.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Partnership units issued in acquisitions |
7.2 | | | 19.1 | | | | 0.3 | 19.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 93,425 | | 8.9 | | | | 7.9 | 16.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(0.2 | ) | | | | | | (46.3 | ) | (3.4 | ) | (49.7 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of REIT subsidiary preferred shares |
| | | | | | | 0.1 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred dividend/redemption |
| | | | (0.1 | ) | | | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued in exchange for redeemable noncontrolling interests |
| 111,611 | | 10.0 | | | | | 10.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
(10.1 | ) | | | (0.1 | ) | | | | | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Partial redemption of convertible redeemable noncontrolling interests |
(77.1 | ) | | | 21.4 | | | | | 21.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of common stock |
| (49,286 | ) | | (4.4 | ) | | | | | (4.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of units issued as stock compensation |
| | | (23.4 | ) | | | | (1.3 | ) | (24.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment |
(18.2 | ) | | | 18.2 | | | | | 18.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
34.3 | | | (34.3 | ) | | | | | (34.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
0.8 | | | | 0.1 | (62.7 | ) | | (14.2 | ) | (76.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests |
| | | (111.2 | ) | | | (0.6 | ) | 111.8 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
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Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
$ | 297.8 | 160,400,437 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 5,915.0 | $ | 0.6 | $ | (712.8 | ) | $ | (37.4 | ) | $ | 640.9 | $ | 5,807.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
(dollars in millions, except number of shares and par value amounts)
Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
Number of shares |
Par value |
Additional paid-in capital |
Series A preferred stock |
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
Noncontrolling interests |
Total equity |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
$ | 297.8 | 160,400,437 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 5,915.0 | $ | 0.6 | $ | (712.8 | ) | $ | (37.4 | ) | $ | 640.9 | $ | 5,807.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issuances, net of equity raise costs |
| 1,581,167 | | 142.3 | | | | | 142.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |
| | | 3.1 | | | | 2.0 | 5.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends ($0.55 per common share) and other distributions |
| | | | | (88.4 | ) | | (57.3 | ) | (145.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Partnership units issued in acquisitions |
| | | 4.3 | | | | 2.1 | 6.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 167,148 | | 14.5 | | | | 10.8 | 25.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(0.1 | ) | | | | | | 3.7 | (2.0 | ) | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of REIT subsidiary preferred shares |
| | | | | | | 0.1 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred dividend/redemption |
| | | | (0.1 | ) | | | | (0.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sale of noncontrolling interests |
| | | | | | | (3.7 | ) | (3.7 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interests acquired in business combinations |
6.9 | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of common stock |
| (131,237 | ) | | (12.4 | ) | | | | | (12.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of units issued as stock compensation |
| | | (12.1 | ) | | | | (0.5 | ) | (12.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of noncontrolling interest |
| | | (0.9 | ) | | | | (0.5 | ) | (1.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment |
7.8 | | | (7.8 | ) | | | | | (7.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
36.9 | | | (36.9 | ) | | | | | (36.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(0.4 | ) | | | | 0.1 | (77.4 | ) | | (18.5 | ) | (95.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests |
| | | (48.4 | ) | | | (0.1 | ) | 48.5 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Balance as of December 31, 2023 |
$ | 348.9 | 162,017,515 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 5,960.7 | $ | 0.6 | $ | (878.6 | ) | $ | (33.8 | ) | $ | 621.9 | $ | 5,672.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-8
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (96.2 | ) | $ | (76.0 | ) | $ | (176.5 | ) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Provision for credit losses |
6.2 | 4.6 | 4.7 | |||||||||
Impairment of long-lived and intangible assets |
8.7 | 0.6 | 7.1 | |||||||||
Loss on sale of a subsidiary |
20.9 | | | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
759.7 | 677.2 | 603.7 | |||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs and above/below market debt |
20.6 | 17.0 | 24.0 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
25.3 | 16.8 | 14.6 | |||||||||
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, net |
(3.9 | ) | 23.8 | 34.0 | ||||||||
Deferred income tax |
(58.1 | ) | (41.6 | ) | (69.0 | ) | ||||||
Other operating activities |
10.1 | 3.9 | 7.6 | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (excluding effects of acquisitions): |
||||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
42.7 | (155.5 | ) | (102.6 | ) | |||||||
Prepaid expenses, other assets, and other long-term liabilities |
(11.5 | ) | (53.6 | ) | (42.8 | ) | ||||||
Inventories |
7.8 | (13.0 | ) | (13.6 | ) | |||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and deferred revenue |
50.9 | 84.1 | 38.5 | |||||||||
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities |
11.9 | 12.6 | 0.2 | |||||||||
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|
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|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
795.1 | 500.9 | 329.9 | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||||||
Business combinations, net of cash acquired |
(269.6 | ) | (1,589.8 | ) | (2,459.5 | ) | ||||||
Real estate purchases |
(13.1 | ) | (49.8 | ) | (217.6 | ) | ||||||
Deposits on pending acquisitions |
0.2 | 92.9 | (96.8 | ) | ||||||||
Purchase of property, plant, and equipment |
(765.8 | ) | (812.9 | ) | (689.1 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of assets |
18.8 | 4.0 | 9.4 | |||||||||
Proceeds from the sale of Emergent Cold Peru S.A.C. |
| | 45.4 | |||||||||
Other investing activity |
(35.9 | ) | (13.2 | ) | (5.3 | ) | ||||||
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|
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|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(1,065.4 | ) | (2,368.8 | ) | (3,413.5 | ) | ||||||
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|
|
|
|||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||||||
Capital contributions, net of equity raise costs |
141.8 | 942.0 | 2,122.6 | |||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |
3.0 | 2.2 | 236.9 | |||||||||
Distributions to stockholders |
| (122.1 | ) | (148.4 | ) | |||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests |
(46.5 | ) | (57.6 | ) | (51.0 | ) | ||||||
Redemption of noncontrolling interests |
(1.4 | ) | | (275.9 | ) | |||||||
Partial redemption of convertible redeemable noncontrolling interests |
| (55.7 | ) | | ||||||||
Deferred financing fees |
(0.2 | ) | (8.8 | ) | (15.7 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from long-term debt |
| 946.2 | 1,705.6 | |||||||||
Repayments of long-term debt and finance leases |
(95.5 | ) | (103.0 | ) | (743.1 | ) | ||||||
Payment of deferred and contingent consideration liabilities |
(35.6 | ) | (8.2 | ) | (0.7 | ) | ||||||
Borrowings on revolving line of credit |
1,430.7 | 2,465.1 | 2,572.0 | |||||||||
Repayments on revolving line of credit |
(1,216.4 | ) | (2,152.0 | ) | (2,335.0 | ) | ||||||
Redemption of units issued as stock compensation |
(12.4 | ) | (8.4 | ) | (39.6 | ) | ||||||
Redemption of common stock |
(12.4 | ) | | | ||||||||
Other financing activity |
(18.9 | ) | 0.5 | (0.3 | ) | |||||||
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|
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|
|||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
136.2 | 1,840.2 | 3,027.4 | |||||||||
Impact of foreign exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
2.9 | (10.4 | ) | (7.0 | ) | |||||||
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|
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|
|||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
(131.2 | ) | (38.1 | ) | (63.2 | ) | ||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of the period |
202.0 | 240.1 | 303.3 | |||||||||
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Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the period |
$ | 70.8 | $ | 202.0 | $ | 240.1 | ||||||
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F-9
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
||||||||||||
Cash paid for taxes |
$ | 30.8 | $ | 74.2 | $ | 39.4 | ||||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 594.1 | $ | 353.7 | $ | 224.6 | ||||||
Noncash activities: |
||||||||||||
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 104.4 | $ | 100.3 | $ | 33.7 | ||||||
Accrued distributions to stockholders |
$ | 88.4 | $ | | $ | 122.1 | ||||||
Accrued distributions to noncontrolling interests |
$ | 21.4 | $ | 10.7 | $ | 25.6 | ||||||
Noncash distribution to noncontrolling interest |
$ | | $ | | $ | 47.5 | ||||||
Debt assumed on acquisitions |
$ | 2.8 | $ | 35.3 | $ | 23.6 | ||||||
Notes receivable assumed on acquisitions |
$ | | $ | | $ | (0.8 | ) | |||||
Equity issued in acquisitions |
$ | 6.4 | $ | 96.2 | $ | 452.4 | ||||||
Net deferred and contingent consideration on acquisitions |
$ | 11.4 | $ | 30.4 | $ | 2.2 | ||||||
Equity issued in exchange for redeemable noncontrolling interests |
$ | | $ | 10.0 | $ | | ||||||
Redemptions of stock-based compensation not yet paid in cash |
$ | | $ | 7.2 | $ | | ||||||
Noncash capital contribution |
$ | (0.5 | ) | $ | (6.6 | ) | $ | | ||||
Noncash capital contribution from noncontrolling interests |
$ | (2.1 | ) | $ | | $ | (47.5 | ) |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-10
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except per share or per unit amounts)
Table of Contents for Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-11
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(1) | Significant accounting policies and practices |
(a) | Nature of operations |
Lineage, Inc. (formerly Lineage Growth Properties, Inc.) was organized in 2017 under Maryland law by an affiliate of Bay Grove Capital, LLC (Bay Grove Capital) and operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for United States (U.S.) federal income tax purposes. All outstanding common shares of Lineage, Inc. are held by BG Lineage Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (formerly BG LLH, LLC) (BGLH). Lineage, Inc. is the managing member of Lineage OP, LLC (formerly BG LLH Intermediate, LLC) (Lineage OP or the Operating Partnership) and owns a controlling financial interest in Lineage OP. Lineage OP holds all direct interests in Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC (LLH) other than the respective interests held by LLH MGMT Profits, LLC (LLH MGMT), LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC (LLH MGMT II), and BG Maverick, LLC (BG Maverick) as described below.
Lineage, Inc. together with its subsidiaries (individually or collectively as the context requires, the Company) is a global temperature-controlled warehouse REIT with a modern and strategically located network of temperature-controlled warehouses. The Company offers a broad range of essential warehousing services and integrated solutions for a variety of customers with complex requirements in the food supply chain. The Companys primary business is temperature-controlled warehousing, and the Company owns and operates the majority of its facilities. The Company provides customers with storage space, as well as handling and other warehousing services. The Company may rent to a customer an entire warehouse, a set amount of reserved space in a warehouse for a set term, or non-exclusive space in a warehouse pursuant to a storage agreement. In addition, the Company operates several critical and value-add temperature-controlled business lines within its integrated solutions business, including, among others, transportation and refrigerated rail car leasing. LLH is the Companys principal operating subsidiary. Bay Grove Management Company, LLC (Bay Grove Management), an affiliate of Bay Grove Capital, provides LLH operating support pursuant to an operating services agreement.
(b) | Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation |
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lineage, Inc. consolidated with the accounts of all subsidiaries and affiliates in which the Company holds a controlling financial interest as of the financial statement date. Normally, a controlling financial interest reflects ownership of a majority of the voting interests. The Company consolidates a voting interest entity (VOE) in which it has a controlling financial interest and a variable interest entity (VIE) if it possesses both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affects its economic performance, and (a) is obligated to absorb the losses that could be significant to the VIE or (b) holds the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any VIEs. During 2023, the Company invested less than $1.0 million in two special-purpose entities which constitute VIEs in which the Company is the primary beneficiary.
(c) | Use of estimates in preparation of financial statements |
The preparation of the Companys consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
F-12
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the financial statement date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. The Company bases its estimates on various factors and information which may include, but are not limited to, history and prior experience, expected future results, new related events, and economic conditions which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from the estimates used in preparing the Companys consolidated financial statements.
(d) | Cash and cash equivalents |
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
The Company maintains its cash balances in financial institutions, which at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk related to cash and cash equivalents.
(e) | Restricted cash |
The Company has classified certain cash balances as restricted cash pursuant to workers compensation insurance policies and debt agreements. In June 2023, the Company converted the security for its main workers compensation insurance policy to a letter of credit structure. In exchange for issuing a letter of credit, the Company is no longer required to maintain a restricted cash balance under the policy, and $29.4 million of cash became unencumbered.
(f) | Accounts receivable and Notes receivable |
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and are stated net of estimated allowances for uncollectible balances. Notes receivable primarily consists of amounts that are due and payable related to various business transactions. The current portion of the notes receivable is recorded in Accounts receivable, net and the non-current portion is recorded in Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The current portion of notes receivable was $6.3 million and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The non-current portion of notes receivable was $20.4 million and $30.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Allowances for uncollectible balances are reserved based on expected credit losses. Management exercises judgement in establishing these allowances and considers the balance outstanding and payment history. The Company writes off receivables against the allowances after all reasonable collection efforts are exhausted. The Companys allowance for accounts receivable was $7.1 million and $8.8 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(g) | Derivatives |
The Company enters into derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps and caps to manage interest rate exposures. The Companys derivative instruments include instruments that qualify and instruments that do not qualify for cash flow hedge accounting treatment. To qualify for hedge accounting, the hedging relationship, both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, must be expected to be highly effective at offsetting the variability in hedged cash flows attributable to the hedged risk (e.g., a variable interest rate index).
F-13
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Certain of the Companys foreign operations expose the Company to fluctuations of exchange rates. These fluctuations may impact the value of the Companys cash receipts and payments in terms of the Companys functional currency. The Company enters into foreign currency derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates between the functional currencies of the Companys subsidiaries and the currencies of the underlying cash flows.
All derivatives are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value and are generally reported gross, regardless of netting arrangements. For derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting, on the date the derivative contract is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as a hedge of the variability of cash flows attributable to a designated hedged risk (e.g., interest rate or foreign exchange risk).
For derivatives designated as qualifying cash flow hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative and corresponding tax impact is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings and within the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. Gains and losses on hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized over the life of the hedge on a systematic and rational basis and are recorded in the same income statement line item as the hedged item.
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Companys exposure to interest rate movements and other identified risks but do not meet the hedge accounting requirements or the Company has not elected to apply hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in earnings and presented within Interest expense, net and Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net.
The fair value of the interest rate swaps and caps and foreign currency forward contracts are estimated at an amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the agreement at the balance sheet date, taking into consideration current interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and creditworthiness of the counterparty.
(h) | Inventories |
Inventories consist of manufactured goods and goods acquired for resale, which are stated at the lower of cost (determined on a first in, first out basis) or net realizable value.
(i) | Property, plant, and equipment, net |
The Company records additions to property, plant, and equipment used in operations at cost, which includes asset additions, improvements, and betterments. With respect to constructed assets, all materials, direct labor, and contract services are capitalized.
Normal repairs and maintenance and other costs that do not improve the property, extend the useful life or otherwise do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed as incurred.
The Company capitalizes certain costs related to the development of internal-use software projects. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post-implementation activities are expensed as incurred and certain costs related to the application development stage are capitalized.
The Company depreciates property, plant, and equipment to estimated salvage value primarily using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives.
F-14
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The Company evaluates property, plant, and equipment for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable or when the assets are held for sale. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the Company assesses whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from the use of the asset and the residual value from the ultimate disposal of the asset exceed the carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated recoverable amounts, the Company reduces the carrying value to fair value and records an impairment loss in earnings.
(j) | Goodwill and other intangible assets |
Goodwill is recorded to the extent that the purchase price of an acquisition exceeds the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired and is tested for impairment on an annual basis. Interim testing is performed more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that a reporting units fair value is below its carrying value.
The Company evaluates the carrying value of goodwill each year as of October 1 by performing a qualitative assessment of various factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, or based on managements judgment, the Company determines it is more likely than not the fair value is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative assessment is performed. The quantitative assessment includes estimation of the fair value of each reporting unit, using a combination of discounted cash flow method and the market approach based on market multiples. The estimated fair value is then compared to the reporting units carrying amount. If the carrying amount is greater than the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess of carrying value over fair value.
Intangible assets with definite lives and indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Indefinite lived intangible assets are tested at least annually. The Company amortizes intangible assets with definite lives in a pattern that reflects the expected consumption of related economic benefits or on a straight-line basis over the estimated economic lives.
(k) | Business combinations |
The Company accounts for its business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires allocation of the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of purchase price consideration over the values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.
When determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, management makes significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to real estate and intangible assets. Significant estimates used in valuing land and buildings and improvements acquired in a business combination include, but are not limited to, the selection of comparable real estate sales, estimates of indirect costs and entrepreneurial profit, which are added to the replacement cost of the acquired assets in order to estimate their fair market value. Significant estimates used in valuing intangible assets acquired in a business combination include, but are not limited to, revenue growth rates, obsolescence, customer attrition rates, operating costs and margins, capital expenditures, tax rates, long-term growth rates and discount rates. During the measurement period, not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with a
F-15
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
corresponding offset to goodwill if new information is obtained related to facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. After the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Refer to Note 4, Business combinations, asset acquisitions, and divestitures for further detail.
(l) | Asset acquisitions |
Asset acquisitions involve the acquisition of an asset, or a group of assets, and may also involve the assumption of liabilities associated with an acquisition that does not meet the GAAP definition of a business. Asset acquisitions are accounted for by the Company using a cost accumulation model. Under the cost accumulation model, the cost of the acquisition, including certain transaction costs, is allocated to the assets acquired on the basis of relative fair values. If the Company previously leased the purchased asset, the difference between the right-of-use (ROU) asset and ROU liability at the purchase date adjusts the final amount capitalized.
(m) | Investments in partially owned entities |
The Company accounts for its investments in partially owned entities where the Company does not have a controlling interest but has significant influence using the equity method of accounting, under which the net income of the entity is recognized in income and presented in Equity method investments within the consolidated balance sheets. Allocations of profits and losses are made per the terms of the organizational documents.
The Company has interests in partially owned entities where the Company does not have a controlling interest or significant influence. These investments do not have readily determinable fair values, and the Company has elected the measurement alternative to measure these investments at cost less impairment, adjusted by observable price changes, with any fair value changes recognized in earnings. Refer to Note 12, Fair value measurements, for additional information. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying amount of these investments was $29.8 million and $25.8 million, respectively, and is presented in Other assets within the consolidated balance sheets.
(n) | Leases |
The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception. For all leases where initial term is greater than 12 months and the Company is the lessee, the Company recognizes as of the lease commencement date a liability and a corresponding ROU asset on the consolidated balance sheets. Leases with terms of 12 months or less (short-term leases) are not recognized in the consolidated balance sheets and the lease payments are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the remaining future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which generally relate to taxes and common area maintenance. For all classes of assets, the Company accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component for both lessee and lessor leases. As most of the Companys leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based upon information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of future minimum lease payments. The corresponding lease ROU assets are recognized at an amount equal to the future minimum lease payments, as adjusted for prepayments, incentives, and initial direct costs. For leases acquired in a business combination, the lease ROU assets are also adjusted for any off-market (favorable or unfavorable) terms.
F-16
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The lease term used to calculate the lease liability includes options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Variable lease payments are recognized in the period in which those payments are incurred.
For both operating and finance leases, the lease liability is amortized using the effective interest method. In each period, the liability is increased to reflect the interest that is accrued on the related liability, offset by a decrease in the liability resulting from the periodic lease payments. For finance leases, the ROU asset is amortized and recorded within Amortization expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). For operating leases, the ROU asset is amortized and recorded within Cost of operations or General and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), depending on the nature of the ROU asset.
For all leases where the Company is the lessor, the Company evaluates the contract for classification as a sales-type, direct financing, or operating lease. The Company does not have any material sales-type leases. The Company has lessor arrangements with lease and non-lease components. Where the lease is determined to be the predominant component, the Company combines non-lease components that share the same pattern of transfer as the lease component (e.g., common area maintenance, utilities, storage services) and the combined component is accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 842, Leases. Certain contracts may also include non-lease components that are more variable in nature and do not share the same pattern of transfer as the lease component (e.g., handling and other accessorial service), and these non-lease components are accounted for under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. For operating leases, the Company assesses the probability of payment collection at commencement of the lease contract and subsequently recognizes lease income over the lease term on a straight-line basis. Changes in variable payments based on an index or rate are recorded in earnings in the period in which they become effective.
Property, plant, and equipment underlying lessor leases is included in Property, plant, and equipment, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The gross value and net value of these assets was $1,842.7 million and $1,635.9 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. The gross value and net value of these assets was $1,629.3 million and $1,489.3 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2022. Depreciation expense for such assets was $57.1 million, $50.8 million and $39.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
(o) | Deferred financing costs |
Deferred financing costs consist of loan fees and other financing costs related to the Companys outstanding indebtedness and credit facility commitments and are amortized to interest expense over the terms of the related debt or commitment on a straight-line basis, which approximates effective interest amortization. If a loan is refinanced or paid before its maturity, any unamortized deferred financing costs will generally be expensed unless specific rules are met that would allow for the carryover of such costs to the refinanced debt.
Deferred financing costs related to the Companys outstanding debt are included in the Companys consolidated balance sheets as a contra-liability within Long-term debt, net and deferred financing costs related to the Companys revolving credit facility are recorded within Other assets (see Note 10, Debt).
(p) | Income tax status |
The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT under Section 856(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. As a REIT, the Company is generally not
F-17
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
subject to federal income tax if the Company distributes at least 100% of its REIT taxable income as a dividend to its stockholders each year. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and is unable to obtain relief under certain statutory provisions, it will be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate rates and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for the four subsequent taxable years. Even as a REIT, the Company may also be subject to certain state and local income taxes, franchise taxes, or federal income and excise taxes on undistributed taxable income or on recognized built-in gains. The Company is subject to income taxes for certain U.S. subsidiaries which have elected to be taxed as taxable REIT subsidiaries (TRSs). Additionally, the Company has non-U.S. subsidiaries that are subject to income taxes in the foreign jurisdictions in which they operate. As such, a provision for income taxes relating to the TRSs and the non-U.S. subsidiaries has been made in the consolidated financial statements, as described below.
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
The Company evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Companys consolidated financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are more likely than not to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. A liability is accrued for tax positions taken on a tax return that are not deemed to meet the more likely than not threshold in the year the tax position is taken. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. The Company has elected an accounting policy to classify interest and penalties, if any, as income tax expense.
Common stock distributions paid by the Company to BGLH are characterized for U.S. federal income tax purposes as ordinary income, qualified dividend, capital gains, non-taxable returns of capital, or a combination thereof. Common stock distributions that exceed the Companys current and accumulated earnings and profits (calculated for tax purposes) constitute a return of capital rather than a dividend and generally reduce the basis that BGLH has in the common stock. During each year, the Company notifies BGLH of the taxability of the common stock distributions paid during the preceding year. The payment of common stock distributions is dependent upon the Companys financial condition, operating results, and REIT distribution requirements. The composition of the Companys distributions per common share for each tax year presented is as follows, where tax year 2023 distributions are based on an estimate:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Ordinary income |
92 | % | 57 | % | | % | ||||||
Qualified dividend |
8 | % | 5 | % | 100 | % | ||||||
Capital gain distribution |
| % | 21 | % | | % | ||||||
Return of capital |
| % | 17 | % | | % | ||||||
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100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||
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F-18
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(q) | Segment reporting |
The Companys business is organized into two reportable segments, which are the same as the Companys operating segments: Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions. These segments are strategic business groups containing differing service offerings, which are managed separately. The accounting polices used in the preparation of the Companys reportable segments financial information are the same as those described in this Note.
| Global Warehousing This segment utilizes the Companys industrial real estate properties to provide temperature-controlled warehousing services to its customers. Revenues in this segment are generated from storage services and related activities, such as handling, case-picking, order assembly, load consolidation, quality control, re-packaging, and other such value-add services. Cost of operations in this segment primarily consists of labor, power, other facilities costs, and other servicing costs. |
| Global Integrated Solutions This segment complements Global Warehousing with specialized cold-chain services. Revenues in this segment are generated primarily from transportation fees, and additionally include redistribution services, multi-vendor less-than-full-truckload consolidation, transportation brokerage, drayage services to and from ports, freight forwarding, rail transportation services, sales of prepared food, and e-commerce fulfillment services. Cost of operations in this segment primarily consists of third-party carrier charges, labor, fuel, and rail and vehicle maintenance. |
The Companys chief operating decision maker uses revenues and segment net operating income (NOI) to evaluate segment performance. NOI is calculated as a segments revenues less its cost of operations. NOI is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
(r) | Revenue recognition |
The Company has warehousing operations, which includes storage, ancillary services required to prepare and move customers pallets into, out of, and around the facilities, managed services, and other contract revenues. The Company receives variable consideration for the services rendered, comprised of per-unit pricing or time and materials pricing. Separate performance obligations arise for storage services, handling, case-picking, order assembly and load consolidation, quality control, re-packaging, government-approved storage and inspection, and other ancillary services. The Companys performance obligations for these are satisfied over time as customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the services. Some customer contracts contain a promise to provide a minimum commitment of warehousing services during a defined period. When the minimum volume commitment is substantive, the minimum commitment amount is deemed fixed consideration to be included in the transaction price. Any variable consideration related to storage renewals or incremental handling charges above stated minimums are allocated to the period in which services are performed. The Company charges its customers inbound and outbound product handling fees, which are billed upfront upon receipt of product from customers. Deferred revenue represent billings for storage services invoiced in advance, and the outbound portion of product handling fees related to customer product inventory on hand as of period end, as the Company has not yet fulfilled the promise to provide such storage and outbound product handling services.
The Company provides managed services, included in Global Warehousing, for which the contract compensation arrangement includes reimbursement of operating costs plus a fixed management fee. The Company also charges customers a revenue share fee, which is a form of variable consideration as
F-19
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
a percentage of gross revenue generated from warehouse management. This revenue share is included in the transaction price, and the Companys practice is to record the revenue share expected to be earned over the service period using historical data. The Company charges the customer for the fixed management fee and the revenue share on a monthly basis and accepts payment according to approved payment terms. The general warehouse managed services are the only performance obligation in these contracts, and the Company provides the services over the term of the contract. This single performance obligation represents a series of distinct services performed during the contract period, as the services provided are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the Companys customers. Managed services revenues are recognized over time as the services are performed. Such fees and related cost reimbursements are presented on a gross basis, as the Company is the principal in the arrangement.
The Companys revenue also includes warehouse lease revenue earned under operating lease agreements with customers, which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the leases. Variable lease payments are recognized in the period in which those payments are incurred.
The Company provides integrated solutions that include transportation services, which includes full-load transportation, load-to-load consolidation, freight forwarding, and other accessorial services. The Company receives consideration for the services rendered, comprised of per-route pricing by load, pallet, or case. A performance obligation is created when a customer submits a purchase order for the transport of goods and is satisfied upon completion of the delivery. Transportation revenue is recognized proportionally over time as a shipment moves from origin to destination, and related reimbursable costs are recognized as incurred. Payments for billed services are remitted according to approved payment terms. In addition, this revenue includes lease revenue for the Companys insulated and refrigerated rail cars which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease agreement.
The Company has redistribution operations, where it redistributes certain food products under contracts with fixed mark-up fees. The Company receives consideration for the services rendered, comprised of per-pound pricing for the product procured and redistributed and a variable freight rate that represents costs passed on to the customer for amounts incurred to arrange for or transport the product. These operations for redistribution of products are each considered performance obligations to provide such services. A performance obligation is created when a customer submits a purchase order for the purchase of goods. Revenue is recognized at a point in time, when the performance obligation is satisfied, upon delivery of product. Payments for billed services are remitted according to approved payment terms. The customers ability to control the pricing, where products can be distributed to, and where products can be purchased from do not suggest that the Company is serving as a principal in the arrangement. The Companys policy is to report revenue from redistribution operations net of the related cost of sales, as the Company is acting as an agent on behalf of its customers.
The Company generates revenues from the sale of frozen foods, where it procures and sells prepared and frozen food product to certain customers. A performance obligation is created when a customer submits a purchase order for the purchase of goods. Revenue is recognized at a point in time, when the performance obligation is satisfied, upon delivery of product.
The Company provides e-commerce fulfillment services, which is encompassing of storage, packaging, and transportation and delivery to end consumers. A performance obligation is created when a customer submits a purchase order for distribution of their goods to the end consumer. The Company generally does not have ownership of the product being distributed, as such, it is not part of the Companys inventory balance. E-commerce revenue is recognized at a point in time, when the performance obligation is satisfied, typically upon shipping of product.
F-20
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Sales and other consumption taxes the Company collects from customers and remits to government agencies are excluded from revenue.
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, no individual customer accounted for over 10.0% of total revenue.
The difference in timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections results in accounts receivable, unbilled receivables, and deferred revenue balances. Generally, the customer is billed no less frequently than on a monthly basis. However, the Company may bill and receive advances or deposits from customers, particularly on storage and handling services, before revenue is recognized, resulting in deferred revenue. These assets and liabilities are reported on the consolidated balance sheets at the end of each reporting period in Accounts receivable, net and Deferred revenue.
Refer to Note 3, Revenue for additional information.
(s) | Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense includes costs associated with business transactions, whether consummated or not, such as advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, other professional or consulting fees, integration costs, and costs related to public company readiness efforts. These costs are expensed as incurred. It also includes employee-related expenses associated with acquisitions, such as acquisition-related severance and consulting agreements and the Lineage Equity-Tracking Plan discussed in Note 16, Stock-based compensation.
(t) | Restructuring and impairment expense |
Restructuring and impairment expense includes certain contractual and negotiated severance and separation costs from exited former executives, costs relating to reductions in headcount to achieve operational efficiencies, and costs associated with exiting non-strategic operations. The Company records such costs when there is a substantive plan for employee severance or employees are otherwise entitled to benefits (e.g. in case of one-time terminations) and related costs are probable and estimable. It also includes gains (losses) on dispositions of property, plant, and equipment and impairments of long-lived assets.
(u) | Foreign currency |
The accounts of the Companys foreign subsidiaries are measured using functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar (USD). Revenues and expenses of these subsidiaries are translated into USD at the average exchange rate for the period and assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate as of the end of the reporting period. Gains or losses from translating the financial statements of these subsidiaries are included in stockholders equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
(v) | Accrued distributions |
In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, Lineage, Inc. must meet certain distribution requirements through a dividend declared to its stockholders. Although not formally declared, when Lineage, Inc. pays its required dividend to its stockholders, Lineage OP also pays a corresponding pro-rata distribution to all its investors. The Company has elected an accounting policy to accrue a distribution payable to the investors in Lineage OP other than Lineage, Inc. (Non-Company LPs) at the same time that Lineage, Inc. declares and accrues a dividend to its stockholders. Lineage OP is also
F-21
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
required by its operating agreement to pay a quarterly distribution to BG Cold, LLC (BG Cold, formerly known as BG Cold Promote, LLC).
Refer to Note 17, Related-party balances for additional information.
(w) | Commitments and contingencies |
Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. Refer to Note 18, Commitments and contingencies for additional information.
(x) | Recently issued accounting pronouncements adopted |
Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2022-04, LiabilitiesSupplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations. The amendments in this ASU require that a buyer in a supplier finance program disclose certain key information related to its supplier finance programs, including the key terms of the program, such as payment terms, assets pledged as security, and outstanding balances as of the end of each reporting period. The Companys obligations under supplier finance programs, as defined by the standard, are currently not material for disclosure.
(y) | Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted |
In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. The amendments in this ASU clarify that a contractual restriction on sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments also clarify that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction. The ASU also requires additional disclosures surrounding equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. The Company does not expect this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments in this ASU require that an entity disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, disclose an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of the amounts composition, and provide all annual disclosures about a reportable segments profit or loss and assets currently required by ASC 280, Segment Reporting, in interim periods. Additionally, the amendments clarify that if the CODM uses multiple measures of a segments profit or loss in assessing segment performance and making resource allocation decisions, an entity may disclose these measures. The amendments also require that an entity disclose the title and position of the CODM with an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and making resource allocation decisions and requires that an entity with a single reportable segment provide all disclosures required by ASC 280. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is still evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
F-22
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU amends existing income tax disclosure guidance, primarily requiring more detailed disclosure for income taxes paid and the effective tax rate reconciliation. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is still evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
(2) | Capital structure and noncontrolling interests |
Lineage, Inc. capital structure
(a) | Common Stock |
Lineage, Inc. is authorized to issue up to 500.0 million common shares. As of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, there were 162.0 million, 160.4 million, and 148.4 million common shares issued and outstanding, respectively. BGLH holds all common shares of Lineage, Inc.
During 2023 and 2022, Lineage, Inc. repurchased shares of its common stock as authorized by its Board of Directors. Any repurchased shares are constructively retired and returned to an unissued status. The following table provides the number of shares repurchased, average price paid per share, and total amount paid for share repurchases for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Total number of shares repurchased |
131,237 | 49,286 | ||||||
Average price paid per share |
$ | 94.24 | $ | 90.00 | ||||
Total consideration paid for share repurchases |
$ | 12.4 | $ | 4.4 |
(b) | Series A Preferred Stock |
Lineage, Inc. is authorized to issue up to 100.0 million shares of Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock of Lineage, Inc. (Series A Preferred Stock). Shares of Series A Preferred Stock have a $1,000 liquidation preference and a cumulative 12.0% per annum dividend preference. The Series A Preferred Stockholders have limited voting rights with respect to matters pertaining to the Series A Preferred Stock and no voting rights on matters submitted to the common stockholders of Lineage, Inc. for a vote. Additionally, the Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed at Lineage, Inc.s option for consideration equal to $1,000 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to and including the date fixed for redemption and are not convertible or exchangeable for any other property or securities of Lineage, Inc. As of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, there were 630 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. Of these, 505 shares were held by BGLH.
Operating Partnership capital structure
The Operating Partnership has three classes of equity: Class A, Class B, and Class C units. A summary of these ownership interests as of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 is as follows:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Class A units owned by Lineage, Inc. |
162,017,515 | 160,400,437 | 148,382,871 | |||||||||
Class A & B units owned by Non-Company LPs |
18,829,959 | 18,718,816 | 18,506,807 | |||||||||
Redeemable Class A units owned by Non-Company LPs |
1,260,182 | 1,260,182 | 941,176 | |||||||||
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Total |
182,107,656 | 180,379,435 | 167,830,854 | |||||||||
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|
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F-23
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Class C units are excluded from the above summary because their only claim on the underlying assets of the Operating Partnership is the distribution described below.
Noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership relates to the interest in the Operating Partnership owned by Non-Company LPs.
(c) | Noncontrolling Interest in Operating PartnershipClass A, Class B, and Class C |
As of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 Non-Company LPs owned 10.3%, 10.4%, and 11.0% of the outstanding Class A and Class B units of the Operating Partnership, respectively, other than the redeemable Operating Partnership units described below. Class A and Class B units are both voting capital interests in the Operating Partnership and are similar to each other in all material respects except that Class A units held by Non-Company LPs bear a Founders Equity Share (as described below) payable to Class C unit holders, whereas Class B units do not.
BG Cold, an affiliate of Bay Grove Management, holds all outstanding Class C units of the Operating Partnership. Class C units provide BG Cold the right to receive a percentage distribution (Founders Equity Share) upon certain distributions made to Non-Company LPs who hold Class A units of the Operating Partnership. Class C units also receive a distribution upon certain repurchases and redemptions of Class A units of the Operating Partnership held by Non-Company LPs. The calculation of the Founders Equity Share borne by Class A units in the Operating Partnership held by Non-Company LPs varies depending on the sub-class of Class A units but generally amounts to a percentage of all value appreciation over certain thresholds. On a quarterly basis, BG Cold also receives an advance distribution (Advance Distribution) against its future Founders Equity Share based on a formulaic amount of all capital contributed to the Operating Partnership after August 3, 2020. This Advance Distribution is an advance on the Class C Founders Equity Share to be paid upon the sale, redemption, or liquidation of, or other distributions to, Class A units and would offset subsequent Class C unit Founders Equity Share distributions paid in conjunction with a hypothetical sale, redemption, liquidation, or other distribution.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, BG Cold received a total of $45.7 million, $40.8 million, and $31.1 million in total Advance Distributions, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2021, BG Cold also received distributions totaling $46.5 million related to redemptions of Class A units of the Operating Partnership. This amount was immediately reinvested back into Class B units of the Operating Partnership by BG Colds shareholders, and the reinvestment is included within Contributions from noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity. There were no redemptions of Class A units of the Operating Partnership during the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022.
The Company accounts for Class A, Class B, and Class C units held by Non-Company LPs and BG Cold based on their relative ownership percentage of the Operating Partnership. Each time the ownership percentage of the Operating Partnership held by Non-Company LPs and BG Cold changes, the Company records an adjustment to Noncontrolling interests with a corresponding adjustment in Additional paid-in capital to appropriately reflect the new ownership percentage and to reflect the Non-Company LPs and BG Colds share of all capital contributed to the Operating Partnership. All activity related to Class A, Class B, and Class C units is included within Noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity.
F-24
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(d) | Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Operating Partnership Units |
Certain Class A units held by Non-Company LPs are redeemable at the greater of a fixed redemption amount or fair value if certain liquidation events do not occur. Under ASC 810, Consolidation, the noncontrolling interest is adjusted each reporting period for income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest based on the relative ownership percentage of these Non-Company LPs. Each reporting period, the Company accretes the changes in the redemption value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest over the period of issuance to the earliest redemption date and records an adjustment if the accreted redemption value is greater than the ASC 810 carrying value. These adjustments, if any, are affected by charges against equity. In accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities From Equity, the Company elected to apply the Equity Classification Entire Adjustment Method, which treats the entire adjustment for the redeemable noncontrolling interests to an amount other than the ASC 810 carrying value as an adjustment to equity using retained earnings (or additional paid-in capital in absence of retained earnings). The Companys adjustments are recorded to Additional paid-in capitalcommon stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity because the Company is in an accumulated deficit position. These adjustments to equity are not a component of net income, however, they are accounted for in the Companys calculations of earnings (loss) per share (EPS) as disclosed in Note 20, Earnings (loss) per share.
In connection with the acquisition of MTC Logistics Holdings, LLC and certain real property (together with its subsidiaries, MTC Logistics) described in Note 4, Business combinations, asset acquisitions, and divestitures, the Company entered into an Equity Purchase Agreement with the sellers of MTC Logistics. Under the terms of the agreement, the sellers acquired certain Class A units of the Operating Partnership and the sellers have a one-time right as of March 1, 2025 to put all, or a portion of, the units for cash. These units are accounted for as Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity due to the put right held by the sellers. Upon the exercise of the put right, the price to be paid for the redeemable noncontrolling interests is the current fair market value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest, subject to a minimum price (floor) equivalent to $34.2 million if the put right is exercised for all the units. In lieu of redemption, the sellers may elect to receive any combination of cash and/or additional Operating Partnership units that equal the excess of $34.2 million over the fair market value of the units as of the election date. Any redemption would also require a distribution of any accrued but unpaid Founders Equity Share through the date of redemption, and the required accretion adjustments related to these units include the impact of the Founders Equity Share. The accrued but unpaid Founders Equity Share related to these units was $0.3 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
In connection with the acquisition of Cherry Hill Joliet, LLC, 279 Marquette Drive, LLC, Joliet Cold Storage, LLC, and Bolingbrook Cold Storage, LLC (collectively, JCS) described in Note 4, Business combinations, asset acquisitions, and divestitures, the Company entered into an Equity Purchase Agreement with the sellers of JCS. Under the terms of the agreement, the sellers acquired certain Class A units of the Operating Partnership, and the sellers have a one-time right as of February 1, 2024 to put all, or a portion of, the units for cash. Refer to Note 22, Subsequent events, for further information regarding the sellers one-time right. These units are accounted for as Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity due to the put right held by the sellers. Upon the exercise of the put right, the price to be paid for the redeemable noncontrolling interests is the current fair market value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest, subject to a minimum price (floor) equivalent to
F-25
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
$97.0 million if the put right is exercised for all the units. Any redemption would also require a distribution of any accrued but unpaid Founders Equity Share through the date of redemption, and the required accretion adjustments related to these units include the impact of the Founders Equity Share. The accrued but unpaid Founders Equity Share related to these units was $2.1 million, $2.1 million, and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
In connection with the 2019 acquisition of Iowa Cold Storage (Iowa Cold), the sellers of Iowa Cold were issued units of BGLH totaling $5.6 million. In 2020, these BGLH units were transferred to an equivalent number of Class A units in the Operating Partnership. The sellers had a one-time right as of June 30, 2021 to put a variable amount of these units for $2.0 million in cash. These units were accounted for as Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the consolidated balance sheets due to the put right held by the sellers. As of December 31, 2020, the Company recognized $2.0 million in redeemable noncontrolling interest related to these units to reflect their redemption-date fair value. The put option expired on June 30, 2021 and the shares were not redeemed, resulting in a reclassification of the redeemable noncontrolling interest to noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership.
All redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership are included in Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity.
LLH Capital Structure
The Operating Partnership owns all outstanding equity interests of LLH except for those held by LLH MGMT, LLH MGMT II, and BG Maverick, as described below. Certain subsidiaries of LLH have also issued equity interests to third parties. All of these equity interests are accounted for as Noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity.
(e) | Noncontrolling Interest in Other Consolidated Subsidiaries |
Noncontrolling interests in Other Consolidated Subsidiaries include entities other than the Operating Partnership in which the Company has a controlling interest but which are not wholly owned by the Company. Third parties own the following interests in the below Other Consolidated Subsidiaries at December 31:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Cool Port Oakland Holdings, LLC |
13.3% | 13.3% | 13.6% | |||||||||
Erweda BV |
% | 25.0% | 25.0% | |||||||||
Lineage Jiuheng Logistics (HK) Group Company Ltd., formerly known as PFS YIDA Logistics (HK) Group Co. Ltd. |
40.0% | 40.0% | 40.0% | |||||||||
Kloosterboer BLG Coldstore GmbH |
49.0% | 49.0% | 49.0% | |||||||||
Turvo India Pvt. Ltd. |
1.0% | 1.0% | % |
Erweda BV was divested in 2023, as described in Note 4, Business combinations, asset acquisitions, and divestitures.
In addition to the third party interests detailed above, Noncontrolling interests in Other Consolidated Subsidiaries also include Series A Preferred shares issued by each of the Companys REIT subsidiaries to third-party investors. Each REIT subsidiary has issued Series A Preferred shares, which are non-voting shares that have a $1,000 liquidation preference and a cumulative 12% per annum dividend preference. The REIT subsidiary Series A Preferred shares may be redeemed at the Companys option
F-26
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
for consideration equal to $1,000 plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to and including the date fixed for redemption and are not convertible or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Company.
On January 7, 2022, Kenyon Zero Storage, Inc. (Kenyon) issued 125 preferred shares in order to become a REIT subsidiary. On June 1, 2022, when Kenyon was merged out of existence, the Company redeemed the then outstanding 125 Kenyon preferred shares for $1,000 per share plus all unpaid dividends and a redemption premium of $100 per unit.
On January 12, 2023, Lineage Logistics CC Holdings, LLC issued 123 preferred shares in order to become a REIT subsidiary. The Companys REIT subsidiaries had an aggregate amount of 373, 250, and 250 Series A preferred shares held by third parties outstanding as of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively.
All noncontrolling interests in the Other Consolidated Subsidiaries are included within Noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity.
(f) | Management Profits Interests Class C units |
The Company grants interests in LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II to certain members of management. LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II hold all outstanding Class C units in LLH (Management Profits Interests Class C units). Management Profits Interests Class C units entitle LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II, and, by extension, certain members of management, to a formulaic amount of the profits of LLH, generally based on the growth of the Companys share price over a certain threshold, subject to certain adjustments.
The Company accounts for Management Profits Interests Class C units held by LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II based on the total value of all Management Profits Interests Class C units in a hypothetical liquidation of the Company. Under this method, the amounts of income and loss attributed to Management Profits Interests Class C units reflect the changes in the amounts LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II would hypothetically receive at each balance sheet date. This method assumes that the proceeds available for distribution would be equivalent to the equity of the Company, as determined under GAAP. All activity related to Management Profits Interests Class C units is included within Noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity.
On certain occasions, the Company offers a repurchase opportunity for certain Management Profits Interests Class C units by offering cash settlement to repurchase units at their current fair market value. Certain Management Profits Interests Class C units were redeemed in exchange for a cash total of $12.6 million, $24.7 million, and $39.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. In the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity, the carrying value of the redeemed units is recorded as a reduction of Noncontrolling interests while the excess of the redemption payments over the carrying value of the redeemed units is recorded as a reduction of Additional paid-in capitalcommon stock.
(g) | Convertible Redeemable Noncontrolling InterestsPreference Shares |
On October 1, 2021 (Closing Date), the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests in Kloosterboer Group B.V. and its subsidiaries (Kloosterboer). Pursuant to the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement and the Investment Agreement executed on the Closing Date, the seller (the
F-27
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Co-Investor) elected to reinvest 200 million in the Companys newly formed Dutch subsidiary in the form of 2,952,738 non-voting preferred equity instruments with a per share nominal value of 0.007 (the Preference Shares) issued on the Closing Date. The Preference Shares accrue a fixed, cumulative, preferential dividend at the rate of 14% per annum until the second anniversary of the Closing Date, and 10% per annum thereafter, compounded annually. Once per year, the Co-Investor has a regular redemption right. Further, the Co-Investor has special redemption rights upon the occurrence of certain events.
The Investment Agreement also provides the holder of the Preference Shares conversion rights upon the occurrence of certain events. The conversion rights are structured to track the economic performance of select Class A units of the Operating Partnership if the Company does not complete an initial public offering and to track the economic performance of common stock of Lineage, Inc. if the Company does complete an initial public offering. To the extent that the Co-Investor has not exercised its right to conversion, all outstanding Preference Shares, including all unpaid, accrued preferential dividends, shall be mandatorily redeemed for cash by the Company upon the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date. The accrued preferential dividend shall only be paid upon a regular redemption of the Preference Shares and shall not be payable if the Co-Investor exercises its conversion or special redemption right.
The Company has applied the guidance under ASC 480-10-S99-3A on the classification and subsequent measurement of Preference Shares. The Preference Shares represent a redeemable noncontrolling interest in the Company and are presented within Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity. The Preference Shares qualify for classification in temporary equity (outside of Stockholders equity) because the redemption feature is not solely within the control of the Company. As the Preference Shares are currently redeemable, the Company measures redeemable noncontrolling interests at the greater of (i) the initial carrying amount and dividends or (ii) the maximum redemption value, including accrued dividends payable under the redemption feature as of the balance sheet date. Required redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments are recorded as an increase or decrease to Redeemable noncontrolling interests, with an offsetting adjustment to Additional paid-in capitalcommon stock.
In October 2022, the Co-Investor exercised the regular redemption right and the Company redeemed 738,185 Preference Shares for a total of $55.7 million, including $7.2 million of preferential dividends accrued through the redemption date. Commensurate with the percentage of the then-outstanding Preference Shares redeemed, the Company derecognized $77.1 million (or 25%) of the redeemable noncontrolling interest carrying value upon redemption. The difference between the consideration paid to acquire the redeemed Preference Shares and the carrying amount of those Preference Shares is recorded to Additional paid-in capitalcommon stock in a manner similar to the Companys treatment of dividends paid on preferred stock.
During years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded net redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments of $7.8 million and $18.2 million, respectively, representing the effect of foreign currency on the carrying amount and accrued dividends payable. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were 2,214,553 Preference Shares outstanding. As of December 31, 2021, there were 2,952,738 Preference Shares outstanding. As of December 31, 2023, the ending redeemable noncontrolling interest balance of $220.8 million represents the maximum redemption value of the Preference Shares. As of December 31, 2022, the ending redeemable noncontrolling interest balance of $213.0 million represents the initial carrying value adjusted for redemptions and foreign exchange, as that amount was greater than the maximum redemption value as of the balance sheet date.
F-28
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(h) | Redeemable Noncontrolling InterestsOperating Subsidiaries |
In April 2020, the Company acquired a controlling 50.78% ownership in Flexible Automation Innovative Solutions NV (FAIS). After five years from the purchase date, and up to fifteen years after the purchase date, the noncontrolling shareholders had the right to sell to the Company its shares at a fixed price in accordance with the purchase agreement.
In October 2022, the Company purchased the remaining noncontrolling shareholders interest in FAIS in a transaction that was separate from the put right described above. As consideration for the acquisition of the noncontrolling shareholders interest, the Company issued a promissory note to the sellers, which the sellers assigned to BGLH in exchange for the issuance of BGLH equity interests in the amount of $10.0 million. The fair value of the equity issued by BGLH was the price at which equity was issued to third-party investors in arms length transactions in connection with other BGLH capital raising activities. The promissory note acquired by BGLH was contributed to the Company on the acquisition date. FAIS is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
In August 2023, the Company acquired a 75.0% ownership in Ha Noi Steel Pipe Joint Stock Company (SK Logistics). On September 30, 2025 or September 30, 2026, the noncontrolling shareholders have the right to sell the remaining 25.0% of SK Logistics to the Company at a formulaic price based on certain financial metrics of SK Logistics in the preceding calendar year. This right expires, if not exercised, on September 30, 2026.
The noncontrolling shareholders interests in FAIS represented, and the noncontrolling shareholders interests in SK Logistics continue to represent, redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Company and are presented within Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity. Similar to the redeemable Operating Partnership Units described above, the Company accretes the changes in the redemption value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests over the period of issuance to the earliest redemption date and, if necessary, records an adjustment to the redeemable noncontrolling interest. The Companys adjustments are recorded to Additional paid-in capitalcommon stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity.
(i) | Class D Interests in LLH |
BG Maverick holds all outstanding Class D units in LLH. Class D units in LLH are non-voting profits interests. In respect of these interests, BG Maverick is entitled to receive a formulaic annual amount of income and profits that is payable only in a liquidity event. The Company has concluded that the Class D units in LLH held by BG Maverick do not have the substantive risks and rewards of equity ownership of LLH, and therefore do not represent a substantive class of equity in LLH and are not recorded within Noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity. As the payment of the distribution in respect of Class D units in LLH is contingent upon the occurrence of a liquidity event that is not considered probable to occur, the Company has not recorded a liability for the amounts to be paid, in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies.
F-29
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Below is a summary of all activity for the Companys redeemable noncontrolling interests during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, which are discussed in further detail above.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Operating Partnership Units |
Convertible Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Preference Shares |
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Operating Subsidiaries |
Total Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
|||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2020 |
$ | 2.0 | $ | | $ | 8.4 | $ | 10.4 | ||||||||
Operating Partnership units issued in acquisitions |
22.2 | | | 22.2 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(0.6 | ) | | | (0.6 | ) | ||||||||||
Expiration of redemption option |
(2.0 | ) | | | (2.0 | ) | ||||||||||
Noncontrolling interests acquired in business combinations |
| 308.3 | | 308.3 | ||||||||||||
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
23.9 | | | 23.9 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(1.3 | ) | | 0.2 | (1.1 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
$ | 44.2 | $ | 308.3 | $ | 8.6 | $ | 361.1 | ||||||||
Operating Partnership units issued in acquisitions |
7.2 | | | 7.2 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(0.2 | ) | | | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||||
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
| | (10.1 | ) | (10.1 | ) | ||||||||||
Partial redemption of convertible redeemable noncontrolling interests |
| (77.1 | ) | | (77.1 | ) | ||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment |
| (18.2 | ) | | (18.2 | ) | ||||||||||
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
34.3 | | | 34.3 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(0.7 | ) | | 1.5 | 0.8 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
$ | 84.8 | $ | 213.0 | $ | | $ | 297.8 | ||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(0.1 | ) | | | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||||
Noncontrolling interests acquired in business combinations |
| | 6.9 | 6.9 | ||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment |
| 7.8 | | 7.8 | ||||||||||||
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
36.1 | | 0.8 | 36.9 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(0.4 | ) | | | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2023 |
$ | 120.4 | $ | 220.8 | $ | 7.7 | $ | 348.9 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-30
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Below is a summary of all activity for the Companys noncontrolling interests during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, which are discussed in further detail above.
Operating Partnership Units Class A, B, & C |
Noncontrolling Interests in Other Consolidated Subsidiaries |
Management Profits Interests Class C Units |
Total Noncontrolling interests |
|||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2020 |
$ | 418.4 | $ | 13.9 | $ | 4.9 | $ | 437.2 | ||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |
114.2 | | | 114.2 | ||||||||||||
Dividends and other distributions |
(96.4 | ) | | | (96.4 | ) | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| | 9.5 | 9.5 | ||||||||||||
Operating Partnership units issued in acquisitions |
13.1 | | | 13.1 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(9.1 | ) | | | (9.1 | ) | ||||||||||
Expiration of redemption option |
2.0 | | | 2.0 | ||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interests acquired in business combinations |
| 6.2 | | 6.2 | ||||||||||||
Redemption of Operating Partnership units |
(124.4 | ) | | | (124.4 | ) | ||||||||||
Redemption of units issued as stock compensation |
| | (2.5 | ) | (2.5 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(22.9 | ) | 0.9 | (0.1 | ) | (22.1 | ) | |||||||||
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests |
248.3 | | | 248.3 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
$ | 543.2 | $ | 21.0 | $ | 11.8 | $ | 576.0 | ||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |
6.1 | 0.3 | | 6.4 | ||||||||||||
Distributions |
(40.9 | ) | (1.6 | ) | | (42.5 | ) | |||||||||
Operating Partnership units issued in acquisitions |
0.3 | | | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| | 7.9 | 7.9 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(3.4 | ) | | | (3.4 | ) | ||||||||||
Issuance of REIT subsidiary preferred shares |
| 0.1 | | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Preferred dividend/redemption |
| (0.2 | ) | | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||||
Redemption of units issued as stock compensation |
| | (1.3 | ) | (1.3 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(9.0 | ) | 0.9 | (6.1 | ) | (14.2 | ) | |||||||||
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests |
111.8 | | | 111.8 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
$ | 608.1 | $ | 20.5 | $ | 12.3 | $ | 640.9 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-31
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Operating Partnership UnitsClass A, B, & C |
Noncontrolling Interests in Other Consolidated Subsidiaries |
Management Profit Interests Class C Units |
Total Noncontrolling interests |
|||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
$ | 608.1 | $ | 20.5 | $ | 12.3 | $ | 640.9 | ||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |
2.0 | | | 2.0 | ||||||||||||
Dividends and other distributions |
(56.3 | ) | (1.0 | ) | | (57.3 | ) | |||||||||
Operating Partnership units issued in acquisitions |
2.1 | | | 2.1 | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| | 10.8 | 10.8 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(2.0 | ) | | | (2.0 | ) | ||||||||||
Issuance of REIT subsidiary preferred shares |
| 0.1 | | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Sale of noncontrolling interests |
| (3.7 | ) | | (3.7 | ) | ||||||||||
Redemption of units issued as stock compensation |
| | (0.5 | ) | (0.5 | ) | ||||||||||
Redemption of noncontrolling interest |
(0.5 | ) | | | (0.5 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(4.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (14.0 | ) | (18.5 | ) | ||||||||
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests |
48.5 | | | 48.5 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2023 |
$ | 597.7 | $ | 15.6 | $ | 8.6 | $ | 621.9 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) | Revenue |
The following table disaggregates the Companys net revenues by major stream and reportable segment:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Warehousing operations |
$ | 3,470.8 | $ | 3,075.7 | $ | 2,388.6 | ||||||
Warehouse lease revenues |
259.4 | 243.7 | 173.6 | |||||||||
Managed services |
97.3 | 78.6 | 54.3 | |||||||||
Other |
29.4 | 34.6 | 39.3 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Global Warehousing |
3,856.9 | 3,432.6 | 2,655.8 | |||||||||
Transportation |
859.4 | 935.1 | 581.6 | |||||||||
Food sales |
228.7 | 207.0 | 189.5 | |||||||||
Redistribution revenues |
192.8 | 172.5 | 146.4 | |||||||||
E-commerce and other |
130.2 | 110.8 | 64.7 | |||||||||
Railcar lease revenues |
73.5 | 70.3 | 64.0 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Global Integrated Solutions |
1,484.6 | 1,495.7 | 1,046.2 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total net revenues |
$ | 5,341.5 | $ | 4,928.3 | $ | 3,702.0 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company has no material warranties or obligations for allowances, refunds, or other similar obligations. As a practical expedient, the Company does not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component, as the period between the transfer of service to the customer and the receipt of customer payment is less than a year.
F-32
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
At December 31, 2023, the Company had $844.0 million of remaining unsatisfied performance obligations from contracts with customers subject to a non-cancellable term and within contracts that have an original expected duration exceeding one year. These obligations also do not include variable consideration beyond the non-cancellable term, which, due to the inability to quantify by estimate, is fully constrained. The Company expects to recognize 23% of these remaining performance obligations as revenue in 2024 and the remaining 77% to be recognized over a weighted average period of 8.1 years through 2038.
Accounts receivable balances related to contracts with customers were $804.5 million and $805.3 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Deferred revenue balances related to contracts with customers were $93.3 million and $89.5 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Substantially all revenue that was included in deferred revenue at the beginning of 2023 and 2022 has been recognized as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and represents revenue from the satisfaction of monthly storage and handling services.
The Company receives lease revenues as the lessor for certain buildings and warehouses or identified space within a warehouse. Lease revenues are generally fixed over the duration of the contract, and often lease contracts contain clauses permitting extension or termination. Lease incentives and options for purchase of the leased asset by the lessee are generally not offered.
Future minimum rental revenues under operating leases, including railcar leases and subleases, with original terms in excess of one year to be received from customers for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
Year ending December 31: |
||||
2024 |
$ | 232.3 | ||
2025 |
210.3 | |||
2026 |
172.1 | |||
2027 |
146.4 | |||
2028 |
123.8 | |||
2029 and thereafter |
753.8 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 1,638.7 | ||
|
|
(4) | Business combinations, asset acquisitions, and divestitures |
2023 Business Combinations
The following acquisitions took place during the year ended December 31, 2023. The initial accounting for the 2023 business combinations has been completed on a preliminary basis. The primary areas of acquisition accounting that are not yet finalized relate to review and valuation of all acquired income tax assets and liabilities and continuing efforts to validate the working capital acquired from Burris Logistics. The Companys estimates and assumptions are subject to change during the measurement period, not to exceed one year from the acquisition date, and actual values may materially differ from the preliminary estimates. The Companys consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023 include the results of operations for these businesses since the date of acquisition.
F-33
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The following table summarizes the total consideration and the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for business combinations made by the Company during 2023.
Burris | NOVA Coldstore Corp. |
Other | ||||||||||
Fair value of consideration transferred |
||||||||||||
Cash paid |
$ | 147.9 | $ | 79.4 | $ | 39.0 | ||||||
Deferred cash consideration |
| | 14.4 | |||||||||
Contingent consideration |
| | 1.9 | |||||||||
Issuance of equity |
| 6.4 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
$ | 147.9 | $ | 85.8 | $ | 55.3 | ||||||
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
| 1.2 | 1.1 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable, net and prepaid expenses and other current assets |
13.7 | 1.4 | 3.6 | |||||||||
Inventories |
21.8 | | | |||||||||
Property, plant, and equipment |
108.2 | 39.9 | 22.8 | |||||||||
Customer relationships (included in other intangible assets) |
10.1 | 21.2 | 18.1 | |||||||||
Tradename (included in other intangible assets) |
0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | |||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, deferred income tax assets, and other assets |
4.9 | 0.6 | 1.2 | |||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and deferred revenue |
(11.1 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.6 | ) | ||||||
Operating lease obligations and deferred income tax liabilities |
(4.1 | ) | | (6.9 | ) | |||||||
Long-term debt |
| | (2.8 | ) | ||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest |
| | (6.9 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total identified net assets |
$ | 143.8 | $ | 64.2 | $ | 29.7 | ||||||
Goodwill |
$ | 4.1 | $ | 21.6 | $ | 25.6 |
(a) | Burris |
On October 2, 2023, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity of certain subsidiaries from Burris Logistics, as well as certain facilities and related assets (collectively, Burris) through an asset purchase agreement. The Burris assets include eight facilities in Lakeland, Florida; Jacksonville, Florida; McDonough, Georgia; Edmond, Oklahoma; New Castle, Delaware; Waukesha, Wisconsin; and Federalsburg, Maryland. These facilities provide a mix of temperature-controlled warehousing services and e-commerce fulfillment.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits of strengthening the Companys warehousing network in the Eastern and Midwestern United States and expansion of its existing e-commerce fulfillment business. The goodwill associated with this acquisition is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Companys Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions segments.
(b) | NOVA Coldstore Corp. |
On October 2, 2023, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of Mountain Dog Operating, LLC, Big Dog Operating, LLC, and NOVA Coldstore Corp. (collectively, NOVA
F-34
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Coldstore). NOVA Coldstore is a provider of temperature-controlled warehousing services through its two facilities in Massachusetts.
In connection with the transaction described above, Lineage OP issued equity interests to the sellers in the amount of $6.4 million as consideration for certain of the equity interests in NOVA Coldstore. The fair value of the equity issued by Lineage OP was the price at which equity was issued to third-party investors in arms length transactions in connection with other Lineage OP capital raising activities.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits of strengthening the Companys warehousing network in the North Eastern United States. The goodwill associated with this acquisition is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was attributable to the Companys Global Warehousing segment.
(c) | Other Business Combinations |
During 2023, the Company completed other business combinations which were not material to the consolidated financial statements. The purpose of these acquisitions was to expand the Companys growth and strengthening of the Companys warehousing and end-to-end logistics solution offerings in the respective regions. The goodwill associated with these acquisitions is primarily attributable to the synergies and strategic benefits provided by the expansion of the Companys offerings in those regions. The goodwill from these acquisitions is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Companys Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions segments.
Pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the effects of 2023 acquisitions, individually and in the aggregate, were not material to the Companys consolidated results of operations.
2023 Divestitures
In the third quarter of 2023, as part of the Companys continued focus on increasing profitability, the Company completed the sale of its 75% interest in Erweda BV and its subsidiaries. The cash consideration transferred was immaterial. Erweda BV was included in the Global Integrated Solutions segment and remains a supplier for the Companys food sales business. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized a net loss on sale of Erweda BV of $20.9 million, included in Other nonoperating income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and derecognized noncontrolling interests in the amount of $3.7 million.
2023 Real Estate Acquisitions
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company acquired one property in Chistchurch, New Zealand, qualifying as an asset acquisition under ASC 805, Business Combinations, for total cash consideration of $13.1 million.
2022 Business Combinations
The following acquisitions took place during the year ended December 31, 2022. All accounting for these acquisitions is final. The consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity, and cash flows include the results of operations for these acquired businesses since the date of acquisition for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
F-35
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The following table summarizes the total consideration and the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for business combinations made by the Company during 2022.
MTC Logistics |
Mandai Link |
Turvo | VersaCold | Transportes Fuentes Group |
Other | |||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of consideration transferred |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash consideration |
$ | 157.7 | $ | 89.2 | $ | 154.6 | $ | 1,077.2 | $ | 75.9 | $ | 155.2 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of equity |
25.7 | | 55.4 | | 14.0 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Contingent consideration |
| | | 22.4 | | 8.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Settlement of preexisting relationships |
| | | | | (0.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 183.4 | $ | 89.2 | $ | 210.0 | $ | 1,099.6 | $ | 89.9 | $ | 164.0 | ||||||||||||
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Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 0.2 | $ | 4.6 | $ | 3.7 | $ | 31.7 | $ | 30.5 | $ | 5.0 | ||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets |
5.1 | 7.0 | 4.6 | 29.1 | 54.9 | 20.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
Property, plant, and equipment |
140.2 | 51.1 | 0.3 | 726.8 | 68.8 | 122.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
In-place leases (included in other intangible assets) |
| 2.7 | | 6.0 | | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Customer relationships (included in other intangible assets) |
16.6 | 6.9 | 2.1 | 96.6 | 17.9 | 10.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Tradename (included in other intangible assets) |
0.2 | 0.1 | 2.4 | 0.9 | | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Technology (included in other intangible assets) |
| | 31.5 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Finance and operating lease right-of-use assets, deferred income tax assets, and other assets |
0.1 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 95.2 | 23.5 | 22.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and deferred revenue |
(4.7 | ) | (6.7 | ) | (3.3 | ) | (21.7 | ) | (50.1 | ) | (16.2 | ) | ||||||||||||
Finance and operating lease obligations |
(0.1 | ) | (3.1 | ) | (1.7 | ) | (68.6 | ) | (22.6 | ) | (22.1 | ) | ||||||||||||
Deferred income tax liabilities |
(7.4 | ) | (8.0 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (69.6 | ) | (21.1 | ) | (17.9 | ) | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt and other long-term liabilities |
| | (0.1 | ) | (3.7 | ) | (41.4 | ) | | |||||||||||||||
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Total identified net assets |
$ | 150.2 | $ | 58.2 | $ | 40.3 | $ | 822.7 | $ | 60.4 | $ | 125.9 | ||||||||||||
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Goodwill |
$ | 33.2 | $ | 31.0 | $ | 169.7 | $ | 276.9 | $ | 29.5 | $ | 38.1 |
(a) | MTC Logistics |
On March 1, 2022, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of MTC Logistics, as previously defined, through an asset purchase agreement. MTC Logistics is a provider of warehousing services including cold storage, blast freezing, import/export transportation, and drayage through its four facilities in Maryland, Delaware and Alabama.
In connection with the transaction described above, Lineage OP issued equity interests to the sellers in the amount of $25.7 million as consideration for certain of the equity interests in MTC Logistics. The fair value of the equity issued by Lineage OP was the price at which equity was issued to third-party investors in arms length transactions in connection with other Lineage OP capital raising activities.
F-36
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits provided by MTC Logistics strong presence in key ports along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts. Of the total $33.2 million of goodwill associated with this acquisition, $5.8 million is amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Companys Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions segments.
(b) | Mandai Link |
On April 29, 2022, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of Mandai Link Logistics Pt. Ltd., through the acquisition of the equity interests of its parent corporation Pin Corporation Pte. Ltd., and its affiliate LinkRich (S) Pte. Ltd. (collectively, Mandai Link). Mandai Link is a provider of refrigerated food distribution services, including logistic and cold storage warehousing in Singapore.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the Companys market entry into Singapore where Mandai Link is a market leader, strengthening the Companys presence in South East Asia and providing a platform for growth across the region. The goodwill is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Companys Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions segments.
(c) | Turvo |
On June 1, 2022, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of Turvo, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, Turvo). Turvo is a software developer that specializes in providing a real-time, collaborative logistics platform that connects shippers, logistics providers, carriers, and other parties across the supply chain through cloud-based software and mobile applications.
In connection with the transaction described above, BGLH issued equity interests to the sellers in the amount of $55.4 million as consideration for certain of the equity interests in Turvo. The fair value of the equity issued by BGLH was the price at which equity was issued to third-party investors in arms length transactions in connection with other BGLH capital raising activities. The equity interests were contributed to the Company on the acquisition date.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the strategic opportunities to both enhance the integration of Turvos software into Lineages transportation management service offerings provided to existing customers and expand into new and adjacent markets under the Turvo brand name, as well as its assembled workforce. The goodwill is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was recorded within the Companys Global Integrated Solutions segment.
(d) | VersaCold |
On August 2, 2022, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of VersaCold GP Inc., 1309266 BC ULC and VersaCold Acquireco, L.P. and its subsidiaries, including the operating entity VersaCold Logistics Services (collectively VersaCold). VersaCold is a leading cold chain solution provider in Canada that operates 24 temperature-controlled facilities across nine provinces. Its strategically-positioned network includes properties in Canadas most populous metropolitan markets, including Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Montreal.
F-37
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
VersaCold also runs an inbound and outbound transportation business out of nine terminals across Canada, providing customers an integrated, coast-to-coast logistics solution.
Included in cash consideration transferred is a $46 million liability assumed by the Company to be paid to the Canadian Revenue Agency on behalf of the sellers, which is included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The acquisition includes a contingent consideration arrangement that requires additional cash consideration payment of up to $75.0 million CAD based on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of VersaCold during the calendar year ended December 31, 2022. The fair value of the contingent consideration recognized on the acquisition date of $22.4 million USD was estimated by applying a Monte Carlo simulation approach. That measure is based on significant Level 3 inputs not observable in the market. Key assumptions include (1) discount rate, (2) credit spread, and (3) forecasted EBITDA.
Based on the actual EBITDA results of VersaCold during the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded $0.3 million in expense to Acquisition, transaction, and other expense within the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) resulting from the remeasurement of the contingent consideration. As of December 31, 2022, the final VersaCold contingent consideration liability was $21.4 million recorded within Accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The final payout was made on May 24, 2023.
Upon acquisition, the Company recognized gross deferred tax liabilities in the amount of $69.6 million and gross deferred tax assets in the amount of $17.5 million, primarily resulting from outside basis difference in the partnership interests acquired. Based on the judgment of management, the Company has concluded that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized and, accordingly, have recorded a full valuation allowance as of the date of acquisition.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits of expansion into key markets across Canada, more efficient cross-border transportation solutions, and an assembled workforce of more than 2,600 employees. The goodwill is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Companys Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions segments.
(e) | Transportes Fuentes Group |
On September 1, 2022, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of Transportes Agustín Fuentes e Hijos, S.L.U. (together with its subsidiary, Transportes Fuentes Group). Headquartered in Murcia, Spain, Transportes Fuentes Group operates a fleet of over 500 vehicles and trailers, six logistics centers, a cold storage warehouse in Spain, and value-added services supporting those facilities. Transportes Fuentes Group provides international food transport services covering Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. It is also a founding member of Reefer Terminal, a strategic partnership to create an intermodal transportation platform combining road and rail cold storage transport services.
In connection with the transaction described above, the Company issued a promissory note to the seller, which the seller assigned to BGLH in exchange for the issuance of BGLH equity interests to the seller in the amount of $14.0 million. The fair value of the equity issued by BGLH was the
F-38
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
price at which equity was issued to third-party investors in arms length transactions in connection with other BGLH capital raising activities. The promissory note acquired by BGLH was contributed to the Company on the acquisition date.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the strategic opportunities to expand its operations within Spain and enhance the Companys end-to-end supply chain services for customers across Europe. The goodwill is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Companys Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions segments.
At acquisition, the Company established a liability of $6.6 million for uncertain tax positions of Transportes Fuentes Group, of which $6.1 million is presented within Other long-term liabilities and $0.5 million is presented within Accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. The sellers of Transportes Fuentes Group have contractually agreed to indemnify the Company for the outcome of the uncertain tax positions. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a corresponding indemnification asset of $6.6 million to reflect Lineages rights to reimbursement if it has to fulfill the tax-related liabilities. The indemnification asset is presented within Accounts receivable, net within the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. During 2023, the Company released the uncertain tax positions liability and the related indemnification asset due to the change in its assessment that the position is not more-likely-than-not to be sustained, which was based on recent tax rulings issued by the applicable local authorities.
(f) | Other Business Combinations |
During 2022, the Company completed other business combinations which were not material to the consolidated financial statements. The purpose of these acquisitions was to expand the Companys growth and strengthening of the Companys end-to-end logistics solution offerings in the respective regions. The goodwill associated with these acquisitions is primarily attributable to the synergies and strategic benefits provided by the expansion of the Companys offerings in those regions. The goodwill from these acquisitions is not amortizable for income tax purposes.
Pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the effects of 2022 acquisitions, individually and in the aggregate, were not material to the Companys consolidated results of operations.
2022 Real Estate Acquisitions
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company acquired one property in Logan Township, New Jersey, qualifying as an asset acquisition under ASC 805, Business Combinations, for total cash consideration of $49.8 million.
2021 Business Combinations
The following acquisitions took place during the year ended December 31, 2021. All accounting for these acquisitions is final. The consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity, and cash flows include the results of operations for these acquired businesses since the date of acquisition for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
F-39
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The following table summarizes the total consideration and the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for business combinations made by the Company during 2021:
JCS | UTI | Hanson | Kenyon | Kloosterboer | Claus Sørensen |
Midwest | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of consideration transferred |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash consideration |
$ | 188.6 | $ | 136.7 | $ | 186.8 | $ | 208.5 | $ | 1,160.9 | $ | 265.7 | $ | 120.0 | $ | 297.1 | ||||||||||||||||
Issuance of equity |
64.0 | | | 10.7 | | | 13.4 | 49.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contingent consideration |
| | | | | | | 2.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Settlement of preexisting relationships |
(0.1 | ) | | | | | | | 4.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible redeemable noncontrolling interestPreference Shares |
| | | | 308.3 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 252.5 | $ | 136.7 | $ | 186.8 | $ | 219.2 | $ | 1,469.2 | $ | 265.7 | $ | 133.4 | $ | 353.0 | ||||||||||||||||
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Total identified net assets acquired |
$ | 161.0 | $ | 65.0 | $ | 162.9 | $ | 198.3 | $ | 760.5 | $ | 184.0 | $ | 112.7 | $ | 248.5 | ||||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
$ | 91.5 | $ | 71.7 | $ | 23.9 | $ | 20.9 | $ | 708.7 | $ | 81.7 | $ | 20.7 | $ | 104.5 |
(a) | Joliet Cold Storage and Bolingbrook Cold Storage |
On February 1, 2021, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of JCS, as previously defined, which provides handling and storage of dry and cold products through its two warehouses in Illinois.
In connection with the transaction described above, Lineage OP issued equity interests to the sellers in the amount of $64.0 million as consideration for certain of the equity interests of JCS. The fair value of the equity issued by Lineage OP was the price at which equity was issued to third-party investors in arms length transactions in connection with other Lineage OP capital raising activities.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits of the acquisition, including the expanded presence in Illinois and future growth opportunities associated with the recent expansion at one of the facilities. The goodwill is amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was recorded within the Companys Global Warehousing segment.
(b) | UTI Holding B.V. |
On May 31, 2021, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of UTI Holding B.V. (together with its subsidiaries, UTI), which operates in the Netherlands and Poland. UTI provides global freight forwarding services, specializing in the exporting and importing of full container load cargo, handling both temperature-controlled and other containerized goods.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the strengthening of the Companys end-to-end supply chain service offerings by advancing the operational synergies for the movement of goods through the Companys global warehouse network. The goodwill is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was recorded within the Companys Global Integrated Solutions segment.
F-40
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(c) | Hanson Cold Storage |
On August 2, 2021, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of Hanson Cold Storage, LLC, Hanson Cold Storage of Indiana, LLC, Hanson Xpress, LLC and Hanson Transportation Management Services, LLC (collectively, Hanson). Hanson provides temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics through its seven facilities across Michigan and Indiana.
The acquisition includes a contingent consideration arrangement that requires additional cash consideration of up to $15.0 million to be paid by the Company to the sellers based on EBITDA of Hanson through September 2021. The minimum threshold was not met during the earnout period. The Company determined no value related to the contingent consideration at the acquisition date.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the synergies resulting from Hansons integrated business segments in warehousing, transportation, and frozen food consolidation. The goodwill is amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Companys Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions segments.
(d) | Kenyon Zero Storage |
On September 1, 2021, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of Kenyon, which provides temperature-controlled storage through its twelve facilities located on its three campuses in the state of Washington.
In connection with the transaction described above, BGLH issued equity interests to the sellers in the amount of $10.7 million as consideration for certain of the equity interests of Kenyon. The fair value of the equity issued by BGLH was the price at which equity was issued to third-party investors in arms length transactions in connection with other BGLH capital raising activities. The equity interests were contributed to the Company on the acquisition date.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily due to the expanded presence in the Washington market and the strategic benefits associated with railcar accessibility at the facilities. The goodwill is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was recorded within the Companys Global Warehousing segment.
(e) | Kloosterboer |
On October 1, 2021, the Company acquired all outstanding equity interests of Kloosterboer. Refer to Note 2, Capital structure and noncontrolling interests for further detail. Based in the Netherlands, Kloosterboer provides integrated temperature-controlled storage, logistics, and value-added services. Kloosterboer operates 15 cold storage warehouses and distribution facilities across the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Canada.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits resulting from operational synergies expected from the strengthening of the Companys existing end-to-end supply chain service offerings in Europe, the addition of the Companys first cold storage facilities in France and Germany, and a workforce of over 900 employees. The goodwill is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Companys Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions segments.
Lineage Dutch Bidco 5 B.V., the Companys newly formed Dutch subsidiary and Kloosterboers parent, issued Preference Shares, as previously defined, in the amount of 200.0 million
F-41
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(equivalent to $231.8 million) in connection with the transaction. The Preference Shares represent a redeemable noncontrolling interest in the Company.
As the Preference Shares include both redemption and equity conversion rights, the final fair value recognized of $308.3 million was estimated by applying the income approach complemented with a Black-Scholes Model related to the Preference Shares conversion option. The subject fair value is based on significant Level 3 inputs not observable in the market. The fixed redemption right, inclusive of cumulative preferential dividends compounded annually for five years, was valued by applying a simplified income approach discounted using a market-based discount rate, which was determined based on the Companys cost of borrowing as of the acquisitions date, including a credit risk adjustment for comparable unsecured debt instruments in the market. The equity conversion option was valued by applying a Black-Scholes model, with key assumptions including (1) the Companys expected initial public offering date, (2) expected conversion exercise price, (3) expected volatility, (4) risk-free rate, and (5) expected dividend yield. Refer to Note 2, Capital structure and noncontrolling interests for further details on the post-acquisition date accounting of the Preference Shares as a redeemable noncontrolling interest in the Company.
(f) | Claus Sorenson |
On November 1, 2021, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of LL Cold ApS (formerly Claus Sørensen A/S) (Claus Sørensen). Claus Sørensen is a leading Danish temperature-controlled logistical partner with a nationwide infrastructure. Claus Sørensen operates nine cold storage facilities strategically located across eight cities near key food production hubs and fishing ports in Denmark. Claus Sørensen provides cold storage, blast freezing, order picking, bonded and organic warehousing, quality control, and repacking services.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits resulting from operational synergies expected from the strengthening of the Companys existing presence in the Nordic region and the workforce of the acquired business. The goodwill is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was recorded within the Companys Global Warehousing segment.
(g) | Midwest Refrigeration Services |
On December 1, 2021, the Company, through an asset purchase agreement, acquired four warehouses from Alliance Development Corp., Midwest Refrigerated Milwaukee, Inc., Midwest Refrigerated Madison, LLC (collectively, Midwest) in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
In connection with the transaction described above, Lineage OP issued equity interests to the sellers in the amount of $13.4 million as consideration for certain of the asset interests of Midwest. The fair value of the equity issued by Lineage OP was the price at which equity was issued to third-party investors in arms length transactions in connection with other Lineage OP capital raising activities.
The goodwill from this acquisition arises from several strategic benefits, including further expansion into automation. The goodwill is amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill was recorded within the Companys Global Warehousing segment.
F-42
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(h) | Other Business Combinations |
During 2021, the Company completed other business combinations which were not material to the consolidated financial statements. The purpose of these acquisitions was to expand the Companys growth in the respective regions and enter the rapidly growing e-commerce industry. The goodwill associated with these acquisitions is primarily attributable to the workforce of the acquired businesses and synergies and strategic benefits provided by the expansion of the Companys offerings in those regions. $5.8 million of goodwill from these acquisitions is amortizable for income tax purposes.
In connection with these other business combinations, BGLH and Lineage OP issued equity interests to the sellers in the amount of $44.4 million and $5.0 million, respectively, as consideration for certain equity interests. The fair value of the equity issued was the price at which equity was issued to third-party investors in arms length transactions in connection with other BGLH or Lineage OP capital raising activities. The equity interests were contributed to the Company on the corresponding acquisition date.
2021 Real Estate Acquisitions
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company acquired eight properties qualifying as asset acquisitions under ASC 805 for total cash consideration of $217.6 million and equity consideration of $16.3 million.
Updates Relating to Prior Period Acquisitions
(a) | Flexible Automation Innovative Solutions NV |
On April 15, 2020, the Company acquired 50.78% of the outstanding equity interests of FAIS, as previously defined. FAIS is based in Belgium and specializes in automation commissioning, a key step in the building automation process. The fair value of the consideration transferred for FAIS was $8.0 million, which consisted of $4.7 million of cash and $3.3 million of deferred cash consideration. The deferred cash consideration was payable in five equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the closing date.
After five years from the purchase date, and up to fifteen years after the purchase date, the noncontrolling shareholders have the ability to sell to the Company its shares at a fixed price in accordance with the purchase agreement. In October 2022, the Company acquired the remaining 49.22% noncontrolling shareholders interest of FAIS that was not previously acquired in 2020 in exchange for total consideration of $10.0 million. In conjunction with the purchase of the noncontrolling shareholders interest, the Company also paid $1.9 million to settle the remaining balance of deferred cash consideration outstanding. See Note 2, Capital structure and noncontrolling interests for further details.
(b) | Southern Cold Storage |
On July 31, 2020, the Company, through an asset purchase agreement, acquired substantially all of the assets of Southern Cold Storage Company, L.L.C., Southern College Storage Company of Alabama, L.L.C., B.R. Distribution Co., Inc., A Freight Solution, LLC, B.R. Distribution Co. and certain real property from Southern Cold Storage Realty, LLC, Mc B.R. Management Company, Inc. and Wooddale Holdings, LLC (collectively, SCS) for $31.2 million of cash consideration and $3.0 million of contingently issuable equity. SCS provides transportation, handling, and dry
F-43
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
and cold storage of products through its two facilities located in Alabama and Louisiana. The purchase agreement contains contingent consideration in the form of equity interests in Lineage OP, which shall be issued if the customer at the Alabama facility does not exercise its purchase option in the agreement in 2022 or 2027. The customer did not exercise the first option in 2022. The fair value of the contingent consideration liability is $2.3 million and $4.3 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(c) | Lundsoe Kol & Frys A/S |
On October 26, 2020, the Company acquired all the outstanding equity interests of Lundsoe Kol & Frys A/S (Lundsoe) for $20.5 million of cash consideration and $3.8 million of contingent consideration. Lundsoe provides handling, storage, logistics, and value-added services for temperature-sensitive commodities at its five facilities in Denmark. The contingent consideration arrangement requires additional earnout consideration of up to $4.3 million to be paid to the sellers if certain EBITDA targets are met through 2022. Based on actual EBITDA results during the earnout period ending on December 31, 2022, the minimum earnout target was not achieved, and no further consideration is owed to the sellers under the terms of the asset purchase agreement.
Contingent consideration of $4.0 million was recorded in Other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021. Expenses (gains) recorded within Acquisition, transaction, and other expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) resulting from the remeasurement of the contingent consideration were ($3.8) million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(d) | Iowa Cold Storage, LLC |
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company transferred total consideration of $13.1 million to settle a contingent consideration arrangement for the 2019 acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Iowa Cold. The consideration transferred included $11.5 million in cash and, at the election of the sellers, $1.6 million of equity interests issued by Lineage OP.
Contingent consideration related to Iowa Cold was $13.1 million as of December 31, 2021, included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Expenses recorded to Acquisition, transaction, and other expense within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) resulting from the remeasurement of the contingent consideration were $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
(e) | H&S Coldstores |
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company transferred cash consideration of $7.6 million to settle a contingent consideration arrangement for the 2022 acquisition of H&S Coldstores Holding B.V (H&S Coldstores). Amounts related to H&S Coldstores contingent consideration on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 were recorded to Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
F-44
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(5) Property, plant, and equipment
Property, plant, and equipment, net consists of the following:
December 31, 2023 |
December 31, 2022 |
Estimated Useful Life (Years) | ||||||||
Buildings, building improvements, and refrigeration equipment |
$ | 8,544.4 | $ | 7,866.2 | 1 40 | |||||
Land and land improvements |
1,446.3 | 1,363.4 | 15 Indefinite | |||||||
Machinery and equipment |
1,316.3 | 1,135.5 | 5 20 | |||||||
Railcars |
534.5 | 508.0 | 7 50 | |||||||
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment |
563.1 | 328.9 | 1 7 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Gross property, plant, and equipment |
12,404.6 | 11,202.0 | ||||||||
Less accumulated depreciation |
(2,266.2 | ) | (1,751.2 | ) | ||||||
Construction in progress |
432.1 | 653.1 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Property, plant, and equipment, net |
$ | 10,570.5 | $ | 10,103.9 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 the Company recorded impairment charges related to property, plant, and equipment of $1.7 million, $0.6 million, and $7.1 million, respectively, which are included in Restructuring and impairment expense in the Companys consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
During each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 the Company capitalized interest related to construction projects of $13.1 million, $8.6 million, and $6.6 million, respectively.
(6) Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for each reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
Global Warehousing |
Global Integrated Solutions |
Total | ||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 |
$ | 2,394.0 | $ | 433.8 | $ | 2,827.8 | ||||||
Goodwill acquired1 |
372.0 | 206.4 | 578.4 | |||||||||
Foreign currency translation |
(88.3 | ) | (13.0 | ) | (101.3 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 |
2,677.7 | 627.2 | 3,304.9 | |||||||||
Goodwill acquired1 |
33.8 | 17.5 | 51.3 | |||||||||
Less: Divestiture1 |
| (6.3 | ) | (6.3 | ) | |||||||
Foreign currency translation |
38.0 | 6.0 | 44.0 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance, December 31, 2023 |
$ | 2,749.5 | $ | 644.4 | $ | 3,393.9 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the first quarter of 2023, the Company identified a change in its reporting structure, which resulted in a change in its reporting units. The Company reassigned carrying values of goodwill to the new reporting units using the relative fair value allocation approach as of March 31, 2023. The Company tested goodwill for impairment before and after the change, noting no impairment identified. The
1 | See Note 4, Business combinations, asset acquisitions, and divestitures for details. |
F-45
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
reporting units fair values were estimated using a combination of the income approach and the market approach. The goodwill allocation and the tests for impairment of goodwill required the Company to make several estimates, including projected future cash flows, capital requirements, and discount rates, to determine the fair value of the goodwill reporting units. The quantitative analysis showed that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its respective carrying value as of March 31, 2023.
The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2022, consisting of a qualitative assessment, which considered factors such as market conditions, valuations of recent business combinations of the Company, and internal forecasts. The Company determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units were less than their respective carrying values. As such, no goodwill impairment has been recorded as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
The following are the Companys total other intangible assets as of:
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | Useful Life (Years) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Carrying Amount |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net Carrying Amount |
Gross Carrying Amount |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net Carrying Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer relationships |
$ | 1,506.7 | $ | (343.3 | ) | $ | 1,163.4 | $ | 1,434.9 | $ | (243.7 | ) | $ | 1,191.2 | 2 28 | |||||||||||||
In-place leases |
98.1 | (20.5 | ) | 77.6 | 108.9 | (22.3 | ) | 86.6 | 2 31 | |||||||||||||||||||
Technology |
31.5 | (5.0 | ) | 26.5 | 31.5 | (1.8 | ) | 29.7 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
Trade names |
24.2 | (20.7 | ) | 3.5 | 22.7 | (18.3 | ) | 4.4 | 1 15 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other |
19.9 | (10.9 | ) | 9.0 | 19.8 | (7.9 | ) | 11.9 | 4 17 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Amortizing other intangible assets |
1,680.4 | (400.4 | ) | 1,280.0 | 1,617.8 | (294.0 | ) | 1,323.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Trade names indefinite |
| | | 7.6 | | 7.6 | Indefinite | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Other intangible assets |
$ | 1,680.4 | $ | (400.4 | ) | $ | 1,280.0 | $ | 1,625.4 | $ | (294.0 | ) | $ | 1,331.4 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company derecognized fully-amortized intangible assets and the associated accumulated amortization totaling $13.2 million and $25.0 million, respectively.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $7.0 million on its indefinite-lived trade name, included in Restructuring and impairment expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), as the Company no longer plans to utilize this trade name indefinitely. The trade name has been reclassified to definite-lived as of December 31, 2023. To perform the quantitative impairment test, the Company estimated the fair value of the asset using the income approach based on discounted future cash flows.
Intangible assets acquired during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 have weighted-average amortization periods as follows:
December 31, 2023 |
December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
All acquired intangible assets |
16 Years | 12 Years | ||||||
By asset class: |
||||||||
Customer relationships |
16 Years | 13 Years | ||||||
In-place leases |
N/A | 10 Years | ||||||
Trade names |
1 Year | 10 Years | ||||||
Technology |
N/A | 10 Years |
F-46
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Estimated future amortization to be incurred from other intangible assets for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows:
Year ending December 31: |
||||
2024 |
$ | 113.3 | ||
2025 |
110.4 | |||
2026 |
107.3 | |||
2027 |
104.7 | |||
2028 |
104.3 | |||
2029 and thereafter |
740.0 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 1,280.0 | ||
|
|
(7) | Equity method investments |
The Companys beneficial ownership in investments accounted for under the equity method is shown below as of December 31:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Carolina Cold Storage, LP (U.S.) |
50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||||||
Exploitatie Bodegraven v.o.f. (Netherlands) |
| % | 50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||||||
Vastgoed Bodegraven v.o.f. (Netherlands) |
| % | 50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||||||
Sinotrans PFS Cold Chain Logistics Co., Ltd. (China) |
50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||||||
Kloosterboer Equity Method Investments: |
||||||||||||
Windpark Kloosterboer B.V. (Netherlands) |
50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||||||
Windpark Kloosterboer II Beheer B.V. (Netherlands) |
50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||||||
Flushing Shipping Agencies B.V. (Netherlands) |
50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||||||
Bayside Port Corporation (Canada) |
36.0 | % | 36.0 | % | 36.0 | % | ||||||
Shanghai United Cold Chain Logistics Co., Ltd. (China) |
30.0 | % | 30.0 | % | 30.0 | % | ||||||
Reefer Terminal A.I.E. (Spain) |
30.0 | % | 30.0 | % | | % | ||||||
Ndustrial.io. (U.S.) |
27.8 | % | 27.8 | % | 27.8 | % | ||||||
Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings, LLC (Cayman Islands) |
9.0 | % | 9.0 | % | 10.0 | % |
The Company has an investment with a beneficial ownership interest of less than 20% that is accounted for under the equity method, as the Companys beneficial ownership interest in this entity is similar to a partnership interest.
Changes in the Companys investments accounted for under the equity method during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
(a) | Carolina Cold Storage, LP |
On December 1, 2021, the Company purchased a Smithfield, Virginia facility owned by Carolina Cold Storage, LP (CCSLP) as well as all assets associated with the facility for a purchase price of $11.2 million, including the extinguishment of a preexisting receivable. The Company also assumed certain liabilities from CCSLP in the transaction. CCSLP recognized a gain on disposal of $5.0 million related to this transaction. Lineages portion of this gain was reduced from the recognized cost basis of the assets acquired.
F-47
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(b) | Exploitatie Bodegraven v.o.f. and Vastgoed Bodegraven v.o.f. |
On April 1, 2021, a third-party executed a purchase option with respect to a facility owned and operated by Exploitatie Bodegraven v.o.f. and Vastgoed Bodegraven v.o.f. (collectively, Bodegraven) for $10.1 million. A portion of this payment was used to repay the outstanding debt of this facility.
On March 15, 2023, the Company dissolved its interest in Bodegraven, terminating the Companys partnership.
(c) | Ndustrial.io |
In April 2021, the Company participated in Ndustrial.ios capital raise and contributed $0.3 million out of a total of $6.0 million. As a result of the capital raise, the Companys equity interest in Ndustrial.io was diluted from 40.1% to 27.8% and the Company recognized a gain on dilution of its investment of $1.3 million in Other nonoperating income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2021.
(d) | Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings, LLC |
The Company acquired a 10.0% interest in Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings, LLC (LatAm) in July 2021. Due to additional LatAm capital raising activities that have occurred since, the Companys ownership percentage was 9.0% as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. LatAm is organized in the Cayman Islands. The Company has committed to invest up to a total of $108.0 million in LatAm. The Company has contributed a total of $70.4 million, of which the Company invested $31.4 million and $12.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company has an option to purchase the remaining equity interests in LatAm during a period beginning on the third anniversary and expiring on the sixth anniversary of its initial investment date.
On August 2, 2021, the Company sold its interests in Emergent Cold US 2 LLC, Emergent LatAm Holdco Ltd, Emergent Cold Peru S.A.C., Emergent UK 3 Ltd., Emergent MX Holdco Ltd., and Emergent MX Holdco 2 Ltd. (collectively, the Latin American Subsidiaries) to LatAm. The operations of the Latin American Subsidiaries principally consisted of the operation of a cold storage facility in Peru. The sale of the Latin American Subsidiaries is not considered to be a strategic shift that has had or will have a major effect on the Companys operations and therefore, it did not meet the criteria of discontinued operations.
The net assets of the Latin American Subsidiaries totaled $47.9 million and were derecognized as of the date of the sale. LatAm paid the Company a total of $45.4 million, and the resulting pre-tax loss on the sale of the Latin American Subsidiaries of $2.5 million is recognized as a component of Other nonoperating income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2021.
F-48
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(8) | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consists of the following:
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses |
$ | 71.8 | $ | 83.2 | ||||
Other current assets |
29.7 | 21.3 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 101.5 | $ | 104.5 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(9) | Income taxes |
Components of earnings before income taxes
The following table summarizes the components of earnings before income taxes for the years ended December 31:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Domestic |
$ | 13.3 | $ | (1.8 | ) | $ | (160.8 | ) | ||||
Foreign |
(123.4 | ) | (68.2 | ) | (45.0 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income (loss) before income taxes |
$ | (110.1 | ) | $ | (70.0 | ) | $ | (205.8 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary of current and deferred income taxes
Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31 is summarized as follows:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Current tax expense (benefit): |
||||||||||||
U.S. Federal |
$ | 18.3 | $ | 16.7 | $ | 16.2 | ||||||
U.S. State |
8.2 | 3.3 | 13.6 | |||||||||
Foreign |
17.7 | 27.6 | 9.9 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Subtotal |
44.2 | 47.6 | 39.7 | |||||||||
Deferred tax expense (benefit): |
||||||||||||
U.S. Federal |
(15.4 | ) | (17.7 | ) | (22.2 | ) | ||||||
U.S. State |
(7.7 | ) | (4.4 | ) | (15.3 | ) | ||||||
Foreign |
(35.0 | ) | (19.5 | ) | (31.5 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Subtotal |
(58.1 | ) | (41.6 | ) | (69.0 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
$ | (13.9 | ) | $ | 6.0 | $ | (29.3 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-49
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Income tax expense (benefit) attributable to net income (loss) before income taxes differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21% to Net income (loss) before income taxes. The reconciliation between these amounts is as follows:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) before income taxes |
$ | (110.1 | ) | $ | (70.0 | ) | $ | (205.8 | ) | |||
Income tax expense (benefit): |
||||||||||||
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate |
(23.1 | ) | (14.7 | ) | (43.2 | ) | ||||||
Foreign income taxed at rates other than 21% |
(8.0 | ) | (5.4 | ) | (3.9 | ) | ||||||
Uncertain tax provisions |
(7.8 | ) | | 5.6 | ||||||||
Valuation allowance movement |
(0.3 | ) | 13.4 | 5.7 | ||||||||
Nondeductible expenses |
6.1 | 4.1 | 3.4 | |||||||||
Withholding tax |
0.8 | 1.8 | 0.5 | |||||||||
State and local tax |
(0.3 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (4.9 | ) | ||||||
Tax adjustments related to REIT |
9.9 | 0.3 | 19.1 | |||||||||
Other |
8.8 | 6.7 | (11.6 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
$ | (13.9 | ) | $ | 6.0 | $ | (29.3 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||
Goodwill |
$ | 73.0 | $ | 83.3 | ||||
Lease liabilities |
219.6 | 178.7 | ||||||
Accruals |
29.2 | 33.0 | ||||||
Net operating losses, credits, and other tax attribute carryforwards |
119.5 | 89.1 | ||||||
Other |
20.1 | 18.0 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Subtotal |
461.4 | 402.1 | ||||||
Valuation allowance |
(57.0 | ) | (57.1 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
404.4 | 345.0 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: |
||||||||
Property, plant, and equipment |
(318.1 | ) | (289.8 | ) | ||||
Other intangible assets |
(182.5 | ) | (219.0 | ) | ||||
Lease assets |
(190.1 | ) | (167.5 | ) | ||||
Investments in flow-through entities |
(54.6 | ) | (52.8 | ) | ||||
Other |
(18.8 | ) | (25.2 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
(764.1 | ) | (754.3 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total net deferred tax assets and liabilities |
$ | (359.7 | ) | $ | (409.3 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
The net deferred tax liability above is presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows:
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Net deferred tax assets included within other assets |
$ | 10.4 | $ | 4.2 | ||||
Net deferred tax liabilities included within deferred income tax liability |
(370.1 | ) | (413.5 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total net deferred tax assets and liabilities |
$ | (359.7 | ) | $ | (409.3 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
F-50
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
As of December 31, 2023, there were operating loss carryforwards of $354.0 million related to U.S., state, and foreign net operating losses, of which $251.1 million do not expire and the remaining expire, if not utilized, from 2024 to 2044. There were also total tax credits of $3.5 million, of which $2.6 million expire, if not utilized, from 2024 to 2034, and the remaining $0.9 million expire, if not utilized, from 2024 to 2042.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more-likely-than-not that some portion of or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carryback and carryforward periods), projected future taxable income, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowances on December 31, 2023 and 2022. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.
The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $57.0 million and $57.1 million, respectively. The change in valuation allowance was primarily related to certain U.S., Canada, and Australia deferred tax assets that, in the judgment of management, are not more-likely-than-not to be realized.
Uncertain tax positions
The beginning and ending balances of the Companys uncertain tax positions are reconciled below for the years ended December 31:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Total uncertain tax positions at January 1 |
$ | 17.6 | $ | 11.1 | $ | 4.4 | ||||||
Increases related to positions taken in the current year |
| | 6.5 | |||||||||
Increases related to positions taken in prior years |
0.7 | | | |||||||||
Current year acquisitions |
| 6.7 | 0.4 | |||||||||
Current year releases |
(10.1 | ) | | | ||||||||
Foreign exchange (gain) loss |
0.3 | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total uncertain tax positions at December 31 |
$ | 8.5 | $ | 17.6 | $ | 11.1 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Companys policy regarding interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions is to record interest and penalties as an element of income tax expense. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had liabilities of $1.6 million of potential interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions.
The uncertain tax positions of $8.5 million as of December 31, 2023, if subsequently recognized, will affect the Companys effective tax rate favorably at the time when such a benefit is recognized.
The Company believes the amount of gross uncertain tax positions that will be settled during the next twelve months cannot be reasonably estimated but will not be significant.
F-51
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Other income tax updates
The 2015 through 2023 tax years generally remain subject to examination by U.S. federal, state, and foreign tax authorities.
The Company has analyzed its global cash requirements as of December 31, 2023 and has recorded a $0.6 million deferred tax liability related to foreign income and withholding tax that will be incurred with respect to the undistributed foreign earnings which are not permanently reinvested.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has issued Pillar Two Model Rules introducing a new global minimum tax of 15% intended to be effective on January 1, 2024. While the U.S. has not yet adopted the Pillar Two rules, various other governments around the world are enacting legislation. The Company has consolidated revenue of more than 750 million per annum and therefore is in scope of the Pillar Two rules, which entail tax compliance obligations and can potentially lead to additional taxes where the effective tax rate in a jurisdiction is below 15%. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of proposed and enacted legislative changes as new guidance becomes available.
(10) | Debt |
Debt consists of the following at December 31:
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Adjustable Rate Multi-Property Loan (CMBS 4), variable rate, due May 2024 |
$ | 2,344.2 | $ | 2,350.0 | ||||
Credit Agreement Term Loan A, variable rate, due December 2025 |
1,875.0 | 1,875.0 | ||||||
2021 Private Placement Guaranteed Senior Notes, fixed rates, due August 2026-2031 |
1,443.4 | 1,411.3 | ||||||
Adjustable Rate Multi-Property Loan (CMBS 5), variable rate, due November 2024 |
1,297.5 | 1,297.5 | ||||||
Credit Agreement Revolving Credit Facility, variable rate, due December 2024 |
1,205.3 | 973.1 | ||||||
2022 Private Placement Guaranteed Senior Notes, fixed rates, due August 2027-2032 |
264.9 | 256.2 | ||||||
MetLife Real Estate Lending, LLC iStar, fixed rate 4.51%, due October 2028 |
228.0 | 228.0 | ||||||
MetLife Real Estate Lending, LLC Richland, fixed rate 4.00%/4.10%, due January 2026 |
164.9 | 167.0 | ||||||
MetLife Real Estate Lending, LLC Cool Port Oakland, variable rate, due March 2024 |
76.7 | 79.2 | ||||||
Transportes Fuentes Group Term Loans, various rates, due January 2024 July 2028 |
28.2 | 40.2 | ||||||
Other debt, various rates and maturities |
80.5 | 97.9 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total debt |
9,008.6 | 8,775.4 | ||||||
Less current portion long-term debt |
(24.3 | ) | (36.4 | ) | ||||
Less deferred financing costs |
(23.3 | ) | (37.5 | ) | ||||
Less below-market debt |
(5.9 | ) | (8.0 | ) | ||||
Plus above-market debt |
3.1 | 3.9 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total long-term debt, net |
$ | 8,958.2 | $ | 8,697.4 | ||||
|
|
|
|
F-52
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(a) | Adjustable rate multi-property loan (CMBS 4) |
On May 9, 2019, the Company entered into an adjustable rate multi-property loan agreement (CMBS 4) with Column Financial, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., and Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. in the aggregate amount of $2,350.0 million.
The borrowing bears interest at one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread of 1.61% and requires monthly interest-only payments, with a balloon repayment of the outstanding loans due upon maturity. The borrowing had an original maturity date of May 9, 2021, which may be extended through three one-year extension options that can be exercised if certain covenants are met. On May 6, 2021, the Company exercised the first extension option for CMBS 4, extending the maturity date to May 9, 2022. On March 14, 2022, the Company exercised the second extension option, extending the maturity date to May 9, 2023. Effective July 9, 2023, the CMBS 4 interest rate transitioned from LIBOR plus a spread of 1.61% to Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a spread of 1.66%. On February 22, 2023, the Company exercised its final extension option, extending the maturity date to May 9, 2024.
(b) | Delayed-draw term loan facility |
On February 15, 2024, the Company entered into an unsecured delayed-draw term loan facility (DDTL), of up to $2,400.0 million. The involved parties, in addition to the Company, included a syndicate of banks, financial institutions, and other entities, with notable lending participants being JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMorgan) also acting as the administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Securities LLC also acting as a syndication agent. Under this facility, the full commitment is available for borrowing in a single drawing during the period commencing on the closing date and ending on May 10, 2024. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the DDTL to fully pay off the CMBS 4 facility at its scheduled maturity. In addition, the Company has the right to increase the size of the DDTL, up to $500.0 million, which would increase the total aggregate commitment amount to $2,900.0 million.
The DDTL matures one year from closing, on February 14, 2025. The DDTL may be extended through a twelve-month extension option that can be exercised if certain conditions are met and an extension fee of 0.25% is paid.
The agreement permits prepayments of principal, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium or penalty. There are also additional instances outlined that would trigger a mandatory principal prepayments under specified events. The Company is required to prepay 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds from any issuance or offering of common or preferred equity securities through a Qualified IPO or a generally offered equity raise, any portion of net cash proceeds in excess of $100.0 million for any debt issuances (on a cumulative basis, excluding borrowings or repayments under the Companys existing Credit Agreement), and any portion of net cash proceeds in excess of $100.0 million on any sale, transfer, or other disposition of any owned or ground-leased real or personal property or equity interests (on a cumulative basis).
On or before December 31, 2024, the Company must repay outstanding DDTL balances in an amount equal to at least 20% of the aggregate principal amount borrowed on the initial funding date.
Term loan borrowings under the DDTL facility will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR plus 0.10% (or Adjusted Term SOFR), plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.60% to 2.20% based on the Companys total leverage ratio. Based on the Companys existing total leverage
F-53
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
ratio, the interest rate expected to be in effect for the Companys prospective DDTL borrowing is Adjusted Term SOFR plus 1.60%. Interest is payable in arrears on a quarterly basis. In addition, the DDTL facility is subject to a commitment fee of 0.20% on the average daily unused amount of the facility commitment.
(c) | Credit AgreementRevolving Credit Facility and Term Loan A |
On December 22, 2020, the Company entered into a $2,300.0 million revolving credit and term loan agreement (collectively, the Credit Agreement) consisting of a $1,300.0 million multi-currency revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) and a USD-denominated $1,000.0 million term loan (the Term Loan A) with various lenders. The Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan A mature on December 22, 2024 and December 22, 2025, respectively. The Revolving Credit Facility may be extended through two six-month extension options that can be exercised if certain conditions are met.
Effective March 10, 2021, the Company amended the Credit Agreement, increasing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility to $1,800.0 million. The amendment also changed the terms by which the Credit Agreement borrowings are eligible to become unsecured, which primarily includes meeting various financial covenants, receiving an investment grade rating, and issuing pari-passu debt.
Effective August 16, 2021, the Company amended the Credit Agreement, increasing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility to $2,125.0 million and the Term Loan A commitment to $1,175.0 million. The amendment also changed the interest rate for GBP-denominated balances to the Sterling Overnight Index Average (SONIA). In conjunction with the Term Loan A upsizing, the Company recognized a loss of $0.2 million on extinguishment of debt.
On August 20, 2021, the Credit Agreement became unsecured in connection with the issuance of the 2021 Private Placement Guaranteed Senior Notes.
Effective June 28, 2022, the Company amended and restated the Credit Agreement, increasing the availability under the Revolving Credit Facility by $500.0 million to a total capacity of $2,625.0 million and increasing the Term Loan A commitment by $700.0 million to a total of $1,875.0 million. The $700.0 million borrowed on the Term Loan A was utilized to pay down amounts outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility. In addition, the amendment changed the interest reference rate for USD-denominated balances from LIBOR to SOFR. The Company incurred fees and expenses of $7.2 million in connection with the upsizing, all of which was capitalized as deferred financing costs during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest based on the Companys elected borrowing type and borrowing currency. The contractual interest rate is equal to the applicable variable reference rate plus the margin rate. The applicable margin rate is based on the Companys Total Leverage Ratio and the loan borrowing type. The applicable margin for Term Benchmark and Risk-Free Reference (RFR) loans ranges from 1.60% to 2.20% and Alternate Base Rate (ABR) loans range from 0.60% to 1.20%. Interest payments on the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan A are due quarterly and monthly, respectively.
F-54
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The following table provides the details of the Companys Credit Agreement:
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual Interest Rate (1) |
Borrowing Currency |
Carrying Amount (USD) |
Contractual Interest Rate (1) |
Borrowing Currency |
Carrying Amount (USD) |
|||||||||||||||||
Term Loan A |
||||||||||||||||||||||
USD |
SOFR+1.60% | 1,875.0 | $ | 1,875.0 | SOFR+1.60% | 1,875.0 | $ | 1,875.0 | ||||||||||||||
Revolving Credit Facility |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
CAD |
CDOR+1.60% | 448.0 | 338.1 | CDOR+1.60% | 611.0 | 451.1 | ||||||||||||||||
USD |
SOFR+1.60% | 315.0 | 315.0 | SOFR+1.60% | | | ||||||||||||||||
AUD |
BBSW+1.60% | 349.0 | 237.7 | BBSW+1.60% | 340.0 | 230.9 | ||||||||||||||||
EUR |
EURIBOR+1.60% | 175.0 | 193.2 | EURIBOR+1.60% | 180.0 | 192.2 | ||||||||||||||||
DKK |
CIBOR+1.60% | 498.0 | 73.7 | CIBOR+1.60% | 507.0 | 72.8 | ||||||||||||||||
NZD |
BKBM+1.60% | 62.0 | 39.2 | BKBM+1.60% | 20.0 | 12.7 | ||||||||||||||||
NOK |
NIBOR+1.60% | 86.0 | 8.4 | NIBOR+1.60% | 133.0 | 13.4 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Revolving Credit Facility |
$ | 1,205.3 | $ | 973.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
1 | SOFR = Secured Overnight Financing Rate, CDOR = Canadian Dollar Offered Rate, BBSW = Bank Bill Swap Rate, EURIBOR = Euro Interbank Offered Rate, CIBOR = Copenhagen Interbank Offered Rate, BKBM = Bank Bill Reference Rate, NIBOR = Norwegian Interbank Offered Rate |
The contractual interest rate for the Credit Agreement is subject to a sustainability adjustment which can reduce the contractual rate with the Companys achievement of certain metrics related to its sustainability initiatives. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the contractual interest rate was reduced by 0.01% due to the sustainability adjustment. The commitment fee on the Revolving Credit Facility for any calendar quarter is (a) 0.15% per annum if the daily unused amount of the Revolving Commitment of the applicable Tranche is less than 50% and (b) 0.25% per annum if the daily unused amount of the Revolving Commitment of the applicable Tranche is greater than or equal to 50%. For outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2023, the commitment fee was 0.15% for the Dollar Tranche, 0.25% for Alternative Currency Tranche One, and 0.25% Alternative Currency Tranche Two. For outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2022, the commitment fee was 0.25% for the Dollar Tranche, 0.15% for the Alternative Currency Tranche One, and 0.25% for the Alternative Currency Tranche Two.
There were $66.5 million and $38.2 million letters of credit issued on the Companys Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company has the ability to issue up to $75 million as letters of credit, which can be increased to $100 million with consent from the issuing lenders. On August 31, 2023, the Company received consent from the issuing lenders, increasing the maximum letters of credit commitment to $100 million.
Effective February 15, 2024, the Company amended the Credit Agreement, increasing the Companys borrowing capacity under the existing Revolving Credit Facility to $3,500.0 million. The amendment also resulted in a non-cash pay down of $875.0 million, on the Term Loan A using funds available on the Revolving Credit Facility. After the amendment, the remaining outstanding balance on the Term Loan A is $1,000.0 million. Additionally, the amendment gives the Company the right to increase the size of the existing Term Loan A, add one or more incremental term loans, and/or increase commitments under the the Revolving Credit Facility, up to $500.0 million, which would increase the total aggregate commitment amount of the existing Credit Agreement to $5,000.0 million. Furthermore, the amendment extended the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan A maturity dates
F-55
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
to February 15, 2028 and February 15, 2029, respectively. Under the terms of Credit Agreement, the Revolving Credit Facility may be extended through two six-month extension options that can be exercised if certain conditions are met.
(d) | 2021 Private Placement Guaranteed Senior Notes |
On August 20, 2021, the Company entered into a private placement financing consisting of a series of fixed-rate guaranteed, unsecured senior notes (2021 Senior Notes) equivalent to $1,500.0 million. Interest on the notes is due semi-annually in August and February, with the first interest payment due on February 20, 2022. The table below summarizes the terms of the 2021 Senior Notes:
Amount |
Denomination | Interest rate |
Maturity date |
|||||||||
$300.0 | USD | 2.22 | % | 8/20/2026 | ||||||||
128.0 | EUR | 0.89 | % | 8/20/2026 | ||||||||
£145.0 | GBP | 1.98 | % | 8/20/2026 | ||||||||
$375.0 | USD | 2.52 | % | 8/20/2028 | ||||||||
£130.0 | GBP | 2.13 | % | 8/20/2028 | ||||||||
251.0 | EUR | 1.26 | % | 8/20/2031 |
The Company incurred fees and expenses of $8.4 million in connection with the issuance, all of which were capitalized as deferred financing costs during the year ended December 31, 2021.
(e) | Adjustable rate multi-property loan (CMBS 5) |
On October 21, 2020, the Company entered into an adjustable rate multi-property loan agreement (CMBS 5) between Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in the aggregate amount of $1,320.0 million.
The borrowing bears interest at one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 1.86% and requires monthly interest-only payments, with a balloon repayment of the outstanding loans due upon maturity. The borrowing has an original maturity date of November 9, 2023, which may be extended to November 9, 2025, through two one-year extension options that can be exercised if certain covenants are met. Effective July 9, 2023, the CMBS 5 interest rate transitioned from LIBOR plus a spread of 1.86% to SOFR plus a spread of 1.97%. On August 15, 2023, the Company exercised its first extension option, extending the current maturity date to November 9, 2024.
(f) | 2022 Private Placement Guaranteed Senior Notes |
On August 15, 2022, the Company entered into a private placement financing consisting of a series of fixed-rate guaranteed, unsecured senior notes (2022 Senior Notes) equivalent to $246.2 million. Interest on the notes is due semi-annually in February and August, with the first interest payment due on February 20, 2023. The table below summarizes the terms of the 2022 Senior Notes:
Amount |
Denomination | Interest rate |
Maturity date | |||||||||
80.0 | EUR | 3.33 | % | 8/20/2027 | ||||||||
110.0 | EUR | 3.54 | % | 8/20/2029 | ||||||||
50.0 | EUR | 3.74 | % | 8/20/2032 |
F-56
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The proceeds were primarily used to pay down the Senior Revolving Credit Facility balance outstanding. The Company incurred fees and expenses of $1.3 million in connection with the issuance, all of which were capitalized as deferred financing costs during the year ended December 31, 2022.
(g) | MetLife Real Estate Lending, LLCiStar |
On June 27, 2019, the Company assumed a secured promissory note with MetLife Real Estate Lending LLC in the amount of $228.0 million. The secured promissory note bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.51%. The Company is required to make interest-only payments on a monthly basis, with a balloon repayment of the outstanding principal amount of the secured promissory note due on October 10, 2028.
(h) | MetLife Real Estate Lending, LLC Richland |
On September 26, 2019, the Company assumed a loan with MetLife Real Estate Lending LLC in the amount of $110.0 million. The borrowing bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.00%. The Company was required to make monthly interest-only payments until January 1, 2021, when the Company was required to begin making monthly principal and interest payments. A balloon payment for the remaining outstanding principal is due on January 1, 2026.
On November 25, 2019, the Second Amendment to the loan agreement was entered into, for an additional borrowing of $61.0 million. The Second Amendment portion of the borrowing bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.10%. The Company is required to make interest-only payments through the maturity date of January 1, 2026, at which time a balloon payment of the outstanding principal balance is due.
(i) | MetLife Real Estate Lending LLCCool Port Oakland |
On March 25, 2019, the Company entered into a loan agreement with MetLife Real Estate Lending LLC in the amount of $81.3 million.
The borrowing has a variable interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 1.65%. The loan requires monthly interest-only payments through March 2021, at which time the Company was required to begin making monthly principal payments. A balloon repayment of the outstanding principal amount was due on March 25, 2024.
On February 12, 2021, the Company amended the MetLife Real Estate Lending, LLCCool Port Oakland loan, extending interest-only payments through March 2022, at which time the Company began making monthly principal payments.
On May 19, 2023, the MetLife Real Estate Lending, LLCCool Port Oakland loan was amended to change the interest reference rate from one-month LIBOR plus a spread of 1.65% to one-month term SOFR plus a spread of 1.76%.
On February 6, 2024, the Company entered into a new $81.0 million loan agreement with MetLife Real Estate Lending LLC, designed as a refinancing arrangement, with a maturity date of March 5, 2029. This agreement enables the company to settle the outstanding balloon payment of $76.5 million associated with the previous loan due to mature in March 2024. After the repayment, debt issuance fees, and other closing costs, the Company received net cash proceeds of $3.5 million. The loan bears interest at SOFR plus a spread of 1.77% per annum. In addition, the agreement mandates monthly interest-only payments with a balloon repayment of the outstanding principal amount due upon maturity.
F-57
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(j) | Transportes Fuentes Group Debt Assumed |
On September 1, 2022, as part of the Transportes Fuentes Group acquisition, the Company assumed euro denominated unsecured term loans with a total outstanding principal balance of 42.7 million (equivalent to $42.8 million on the acquisition date). The loans are with four different bank lenders and primarily bear interest at fixed rates ranging between 0.52% and 1.35%. The loans require monthly principal and interest payments through the remaining maturity dates between January 2024 and July 2028. As part of purchase accounting, the assumed debt instruments were determined to be below-market and a fair value adjustment of $7.5 million was recorded as of the acquisition date.
(k) | Other debt |
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company held other debt instruments totaling $80.5 million and $97.9 million, respectively. Other debt consists primarily of term loan borrowings with various lenders, with various maturities between 2024 and 2044. The borrowings bear interest at fixed rates between 4.30% and 5.84%. The Company is required to make monthly principal and interest payments, with certain loans requiring a balloon repayment of the outstanding principal amount on the loan at maturity.
(l) | Deferred financing costs and gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt |
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized amortization of deferred financing costs recorded to Interest expense, net, of $19.0 million, $17.8 million, and $16.7 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amount of unamortized deferred financing costs in Long-term debt, net on the consolidated balance sheets was $23.3 million and $37.5 million, respectively. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amount of unamortized deferred financing costs in Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets was $9.1 million and $13.7 million, respectively.
During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 as the result of the payment of the outstanding principal balances on long-term debt, the Company recorded $1.4 million and ($4.1) million to Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, respectively.
(m) | Collateral |
The Credit Agreement was secured by equity pledges of the borrowers and guarantors until August 20, 2021, when the facility became unsecured. CMBS 4 and CMBS 5 are secured by certain assets in which the lender has been granted a security interest pursuant to the loan agreements. Unless otherwise noted, all other debt instruments are secured by various other assets specific to the underlying agreements.
F-58
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(n) | Future maturities |
Future payments on long-term debt, if contractual extensions are executed, for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
Year ending December 31: |
||||
2024 |
$ | 24.3 | ||
2025 |
6,777.0 | |||
2026 |
792.7 | |||
2027 |
91.7 | |||
2028 |
770.5 | |||
2029 and thereafter |
552.4 | |||
|
|
|||
Total debt |
$ | 9,008.6 | ||
|
|
(11) | Derivative instruments and hedging activities |
(a) | Risk management objective of using derivatives |
The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, foreign currency, liquidity, and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities and with the use of derivative financial instruments.
(b) | Cash flow hedges of interest rate and foreign currency risk |
The Companys objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to manage its exposure to interest rate movements and to mitigate the potential volatility to interest expense. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and caps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Interest rate caps involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for a premium. The Companys designated interest rate swaps and caps hedge variable-rate interest payments using a first payments approach. The first payments approach allows an entity to hedge interest payments on a designated principal amount, rather than a specific, named debt issuance. Refer to Note 10, Debt for additional information.
In addition, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future cash amounts due to changes in foreign currency rates.
F-59
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(c) | Designated hedges |
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate and foreign currency derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
Number of Instruments |
Notional | |||||||||||||||
Interest rate derivatives: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swap |
2 | USD | 1,000.0 | |||||||||||||
Interest rate cap |
5 | USD | 2,000.0 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total |
7 | USD | 3,000.0 | |||||||||||||
|
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|
Buy Notional | Sell Notional | |||||||||||||||
Foreign currency derivatives: |
||||||||||||||||
Buy EUR/Sell GBP forward |
EUR | 31.8 | GBP | 27.7 | ||||||||||||
Buy USD/Sell GBP forward |
USD | 4.9 | GBP | 3.9 |
The table below presents the effect of the Companys derivatives that are designated as hedging instruments on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships |
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives |
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings |
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Included in effectiveness testing: |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 33.6 | $ | 225.6 | $ | 25.2 | Interest expense, net | $ | 119.4 | $ | 37.2 | $ | (3.9 | ) | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts |
(1.0 | ) | 1.7 | (1.8 | ) | Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net | (0.3 | ) | 0.6 | (1.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Excluded from effectiveness testing and recognized in earnings based on an amortization approach: |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
(5.4 | ) | (8.9 | ) | 13.0 | Interest expense, net | (1.1 | ) | (1.1 | ) | (1.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
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|
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|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 27.2 | $ | 218.4 | $ | 36.4 | $ | 118.0 | $ | 36.7 | $ | (6.3 | ) | |||||||||||||
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The estimated net amount of existing gains (losses) that are reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2023 that is expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months is $82.3 million.
(d) | Non-designated hedges |
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had the following outstanding derivatives that were not designated as hedging instruments:
Number of Instruments | Notional | |||||||||||
Interest Rate Derivatives |
||||||||||||
Interest rate cap |
8 | USD | 3,664.2 |
F-60
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The table below presents the effect of the Companys derivative financial instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging |
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in |
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives |
||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
Interest expense, net | $ | (2.4 | ) | $ | 1.8 | $ | (3.2 | ) | |||||
Foreign exchange contracts |
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net |
(0.3 | ) | 4.3 | (17.2 | ) | ||||||||
|
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|
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|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | (2.7 | ) | $ | 6.1 | $ | (20.4 | ) | ||||||
|
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|
|
The table below presents the fair value of the Companys derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31:
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |
|
|||||||||||||||
Balance sheet location |
|
Other assets |
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
Other liabilities |
| ||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 134.9 | $ | 225.7 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts |
| 0.9 | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||||||||
|
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|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | 134.9 | $ | 226.6 | $ | (0.2 | ) | $ | (0.3 | ) | ||||||
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|||||||||
Derivatives NOT designated as hedging instruments |
|
|||||||||||||||
Balance sheet location |
|
Other assets |
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
Other liabilities |
| ||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 2.6 | $ | 2.7 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts |
0.3 | 1.3 | (0.3 | ) | (1.3 | ) | ||||||||||
|
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|||||||||
Total |
$ | 2.9 | $ | 4.0 | $ | (0.3 | ) | $ | (1.3 | ) | ||||||
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The notional value of the Companys non-designated foreign currency derivatives is immaterial. Refer to Note 12, Fair value measurements for further information on the valuation of the Companys derivatives.
(12) | Fair value measurements |
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying amount of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, were representative of their fair values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
The hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value is as follows:
Level 1 Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in active markets.
Level 2 Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs), such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities exchanged in active or inactive markets, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in inactive markets, other inputs that may be considered in fair
F-61
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
value determinations of these assets or liabilities, such as interest rates and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Pricing evaluations generally reflect discounted expected future cash flows, which incorporate yield curves for instruments with similar characteristics, such as credit ratings, estimated durations, and yields for other instruments of the issuer or entities in the same industry sector.
Level 3 Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets and liabilities. Management is required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs because there is little, if any, market activity in the assets or liabilities and it may be unable to corroborate the related observable inputs. Unobservable inputs require management to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in valuing assets or liabilities.
The following table presents the fair value hierarchy levels of the Companys assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
Fair Value Hierarchy |
December 31, 2023 |
December 31, 2022 |
||||||||||
Measured at fair value on a recurring basis: |
||||||||||||
Interest rate derivative financial instruments assets |
Level 2 | $ | 137.5 | $ | 228.4 | |||||||
Foreign exchange forward contracts assets |
Level 2 | $ | 0.3 | $ | 2.2 | |||||||
Foreign exchange forward contracts liabilities |
Level 2 | $ | 0.5 | $ | 1.6 | |||||||
Acquisition related contingent consideration |
Level 3 | $ | 4.8 | $ | 6.1 | |||||||
Measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis: |
||||||||||||
Long-lived assets written down: |
||||||||||||
Other investments (included in Other assets) |
Level 3 | $ | 12.1 | $ | 11.5 | |||||||
Disclosed at fair value: |
||||||||||||
Long-term debt2 |
Level 3 | $ | 8,767.5 | $ | 8,493.2 |
As of December 31, 2022, the Companys Level 3 liabilities exclude $30.4 million of acquisition related contingent consideration for which the liability is determined based on actual financial results, as stipulated by the related purchase agreements. The final payout of the liabilities is subject only to a customary review period between the Company and the sellers. Refer to Note 4, Business combinations, asset acquisitions, and divestitures for further details on the Companys acquisition related contingent consideration.
The Company is required to measure certain assets and liabilities at estimated fair value from time to time. These fair value measurements typically result from the application of specific accounting pronouncements under GAAP and are considered non-recurring fair value measurements.
In accordance with GAAP, the Company has elected to remeasure investments without readily determinable fair values only when an observable transaction occurs for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company recorded non-recurring fair value adjustments related to certain other investments without readily determinable fair values totaling ($0.1) million, $0.7 million, and $4.8 million, respectively, which are included within Other nonoperating income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
2 | The carrying value of long-term debt is disclosed in Note 10, Debt. |
F-62
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The Companys long-term debt is reported at the aggregate principal amount less unamortized deferred financing costs and any above or below market adjustments (as required in purchase accounting) on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. For instruments with no prepayment option, the fair value is estimated utilizing a discounted cash flow model where the contractual cash flows (i.e., coupon and principal repayments) were discounted at a risk-adjusted yield reflective of both the time value of money and the credit risk inherent in each instrument. For instruments that include a prior-to-maturity prepayment option, the fair value is estimated using a Black-Derman-Toy lattice model. The inputs used to estimate the fair value of the Companys debt instruments are comprised of Level 2 inputs, including risk-free interest rates, credit ratings, and financial metrics for comparable publicly listed companies, and Level 3 inputs, such as risk-adjusted credit spreads based on adjusted yields implied at issuance, and yield volatility (used for instruments with a prepayment option).
(13) | Leases |
The Company leases real estate, most significantly warehouses for use in operations, as well as equipment for use within owned and leased warehouses. The Company also leases vehicles, trailers and other equipment. The Company has not pledged any assets as collateral related to the Companys existing leases as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Right-of-use asset balances as of December 31 are as follows:
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Finance lease right-of-use assets |
$ | 1,608.2 | $ | 1,559.8 | ||||
Less: accumulated amortization |
(364.9 | ) | (274.2 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net |
$ | 1,243.3 | $ | 1,285.6 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
$ | 891.6 | $ | 818.5 | ||||
Less: accumulated amortization |
(167.9 | ) | (141.5 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net |
$ | 723.7 | $ | 677.0 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Lease liabilities are presented in the following line items in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31:
2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
Finance Leases |
Operating Leases |
Finance Leases |
Operating Leases |
|||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 75.9 | $ | 60.3 | $ | 65.5 | $ | 60.5 | ||||||||
Long-term finance lease obligations |
1,304.5 | | 1,323.5 | | ||||||||||||
Long-term operating lease obligations |
| 692.1 | | 632.3 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total lease obligations |
$ | 1,380.4 | $ | 752.4 | $ | 1,389.0 | $ | 692.8 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-63
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Maturities of lease liabilities for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
Year Ending December 31: | Finance Leases |
Operating Leases |
||||||
2024 |
$ | 156.3 | $ | 98.7 | ||||
2025 |
153.2 | 94.9 | ||||||
2026 |
151.0 | 92.5 | ||||||
2027 |
145.6 | 91.2 | ||||||
2028 |
136.2 | 82.5 | ||||||
2029 and thereafter |
1,691.0 | 781.9 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total lease payments |
2,433.3 | 1,241.7 | ||||||
Less imputed interest |
(1,052.9 | ) | (489.3 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 1,380.4 | $ | 752.4 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Supplemental consolidated balance sheets information related to leases as of December 31 is as follows:
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years): |
||||||||
Finance |
16.5 | 17.4 | ||||||
Operating |
15.9 | 17.2 | ||||||
Weighted average discount rate: |
||||||||
Finance |
6.8 | % | 6.8 | % | ||||
Operating |
6.5 | % | 6.5 | % |
The components of lease expense are as follows for the years ended:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Finance lease cost: |
||||||||||||
Amortization of ROU assets |
$ | 93.2 | $ | 88.2 | $ | 91.2 | ||||||
Interest on lease liabilities |
91.3 | 94.3 | 99.7 | |||||||||
Operating lease cost |
114.9 | 102.6 | 92.8 | |||||||||
Variable & short-term lease cost |
28.2 | 23.1 | 8.5 | |||||||||
Sublease income |
(8.8 | ) | (17.6 | ) | (13.4 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total lease cost |
$ | 318.8 | $ | 290.6 | $ | 278.8 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows for the years ended:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liability |
||||||||||||
Operating cash flows from finance leases |
$ | 89.9 | $ | 93.7 | $ | 97.6 | ||||||
Finance cash flows from finance leases |
55.3 | 49.5 | 45.8 | |||||||||
Operating cash flows from operating leases |
92.4 | 93.7 | 85.2 | |||||||||
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations (excluding the effect of acquisitions) |
||||||||||||
Finance leases |
$ | 37.4 | $ | 9.5 | $ | 55.1 | ||||||
Operating leases |
89.1 | 6.8 | 8.1 |
F-64
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(14) | Failed sale-leaseback financing obligations |
In connection with the Kloosterboer acquisition, the Company assumed two failed sale-leaseback financing obligations. The Companys outstanding obligations for failed sale-leasebacks of real estate-related long-lived assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, are as follows:
Maturity | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
Arras |
December 2035 | $ | 23.1 | $ | 24.0 | |||||||
Harnes 2 |
June 2037 | 54.2 | 44.3 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total sale-leaseback financing obligations |
$ | 77.3 | $ | 68.3 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
Arras
In August 2020, Kloosterboer executed an agreement with a bank consortium to finance its construction of a new cold storage facility on a parcel of land previously owned by Kloosterboer in Arras, France (Arras). As part of this arrangement, the bank consortium purchased the land parcel from Kloosterboer and concurrently provided funding to construct the cold storage facility. The agreement stipulates that the bank consortium has legal ownership and title to the land parcel and the facility. The agreement also provides the Company with an option to purchase the leased assets for 1.00 at the end of the lease term, which makes the transaction a failed sale because the purchase price is nominal. The associated assets are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets within Property, plant, and equipment, net with a corresponding failed sale-leaseback financing obligation included within Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities. Upon the acquisition of Kloosterboer, the Company recognized a liability related to Arras. The construction of Arras was substantially complete when Lineage acquired Kloosterboer and was completed in 2021.
The initial term of the Arras financing agreement is 15 years after the original execution of the agreement. Payments are made quarterly and are based on the total funding provided by the bank consortium to finance the construction work. The agreements termination date is December 31, 2035 and has an implicit interest rate of 0.15%. The earliest date that the purchase option can be exercised is 7 years after the completion of the Arras facility. Early exercise of the purchase option requires the Company to pay off the remaining balance of the sale-leaseback financing obligation at the time of exercise. The long-lived assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their remaining economic useful life.
As of December 31, 2023, the future minimum payments for the Arras sale-leaseback financing obligation are as follows:
Year ending December 31: | ||||
2024 |
$ | 1.8 | ||
2025 |
1.8 | |||
2026 |
1.8 | |||
2027 |
1.9 | |||
2028 |
1.9 | |||
2029 and thereafter |
13.9 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 23.1 | ||
|
|
F-65
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Harnes 2
Kloosterboer was party to a separate sale-leaseback transaction related to a facility in Harnes, France. As part of this arrangement, a bank consortium agreed to purchase land from a third-party and finance improvements to an existing facility at the location. This agreement was determined to be a finance lease because it provided Kloosterboer with the ability to purchase the land and facility for a nominal price of 1.00 at the end of the lease term. Subsequently, Kloosterboer and the bank consortium amended the agreement and the bank consortium agreed to finance the construction of a second facility at the location, which would then be leased to Kloosterboer after construction completion (Harnes 2). This facility was added to the purchase option from the original lease. As Kloosterboer was already deemed to be reasonably certain to exercise the 1.00 purchase option on the land, the lease for Harnes 2 was considered a failed sale. The associated assets are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets within Property, plant, and equipment, net with a corresponding failed sale-leaseback financing obligation included within Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities. Upon the acquisition of Kloosterboer, no asset or liability was recognized for the Harnes 2 financing obligation because the construction had not begun. The construction of the Harnes 2 facility was completed in 2023.
The initial term of the Harnes 2 financing agreement is 15 years after the original execution of the agreement. Payments are made quarterly and are based on the total funding provided by the bank consortium to finance the construction work. The agreements termination date is June 2037 and has an implicit interest rate of 0.19%. The earliest date that the purchase option can be exercised is 7 years after the completion of the improvements contemplated in the original finance lease. Early exercise of the purchase option requires the Company to pay off the remaining balance of the sale-leaseback financing obligation at the time of exercise. The long-lived assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their remaining economic useful life.
As of December 31, 2023, the future minimum payments for the Harnes 2 sale-leaseback financing obligation are as follows:
Year ending December 31: | ||||
2024 |
$ | 3.5 | ||
2025 |
3.6 | |||
2026 |
3.6 | |||
2027 |
3.7 | |||
2028 |
3.8 | |||
2029 and thereafter |
36.0 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 54.2 | ||
|
|
(15) | Employee benefit plans |
(a) | Multi-employer pension plans |
The Company participates in various multi-employer pension plans, which provide defined benefits to the Companys covered U.S. union employees. A unique characteristic of a multi-employer plan compared to a single employer plan is that all plan assets are available to pay benefits of any plan participant. Separate asset accounts are not maintained for participating employers. This means that assets contributed by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. The Companys funding policy is to contribute monthly the amount specified by the plans
F-66
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
trustees. The Company contributed $1.3 million and $1.6 million to these plans during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. There have been no significant changes that affect comparability of 2023 and 2022 contributions.
The Companys contributions to these plans represent less than 5.0% of the total contributions made to the plans from all participating employers.
(b) | Salary-savings profit-sharing plans |
Under the Companys Salary-Savings Profit-Sharing Plan (the Savings Plan), Savings Plan participants may contribute a percentage of their annual gross wages to the Savings Plan, and the Company contributes matching amounts based on participant contributions. Total Company cash contributions to the Savings Plan were $37.0 million and $33.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(c) | Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan |
On November 1, 2022, the Company adopted a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the NQDC Plan). Under the provisions of the NQDC Plan, certain senior management employees are eligible to defer payout of a portion of their annual base salary, annual bonus (if one is paid) and/or future cash payouts of Value Creation Plan units (refer to Note 16, Stock-based compensation). The NQDC Plan was effective for compensation beginning on January 1, 2023.
The Company invests the compensation deferred by NQDC Plan participants into mutual fund investments and records a corresponding liability. The mutual fund investments are included within Other assets and the corresponding liability is included in Other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2023, the balance of the mutual fund investments and the corresponding liability was $1.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded deferred compensation expense related to the NQDC Plan of $1.2 million. Changes in the fair value of the mutual fund investments and the corresponding change in the associated liability are included within Other nonoperating income (expense), net and General and administrative expense, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). These changes did not result in any material net impact to the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023.
(16) | Stock-based compensation |
(a) | BGLH Restricted Class B Units |
Certain members of management and certain non-employee directors were granted interests in BGLH in the form of restricted Class B Units (BGLH Restricted Units). The Company fair values these BGLH Restricted Units as of the grant date based on the price of substantially similar units issued to third-party investors in arms length transactions in connection with other BGLH capital raising activities. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term. The Company accounts for these units as equity-based awards.
Stock-based compensation expense related to BGLH Restricted Units for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $14.5 million, $8.9 million, and $5.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, there was $8.3 million of unrecognized noncash compensation cost related to unvested BGLH Restricted Units that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.8 years.
F-67
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The following represents a summary of these units:
Units | Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollar per unit) |
|||||||
Unvested as of December 31, 2020 |
73,914 | $ | 46.00 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Awards granted in 2021 |
82,794 | 68.00 | ||||||
Awards vested in 2021 |
(66,881 | ) | 50.84 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Unvested as of December 31, 2021 |
89,827 | $ | 62.68 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Awards granted in 2022 |
113,564 | 80.79 | ||||||
Awards vested in 2022 |
(93,426 | ) | 64.94 | |||||
Awards forfeited in 2022 |
(3,727 | ) | 80.50 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Unvested as of December 31, 2022 |
106,238 | $ | 79.07 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Awards granted in 2023 |
212,110 | 90.05 | ||||||
Awards vested in 2023 |
(167,148 | ) | 83.76 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Unvested as of December 31, 2023 |
151,200 | $ | 89.29 | |||||
|
|
|
|
(b) | Management Profits Interests Class C units |
LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II interests were issued to members of management in the form of Management Profits Interests Class C units. These management interests generally vest over a three to five year time period, with the number of units vested based partially on meeting certain financial targets of the Company or individual performance metrics. Up to 105,630,252 and 105,505,553 Management Profits Interests Class C units were authorized to be issued as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Company fair values these interests as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes model which was adjusted for the restriction period through a possible liquidity event. The key inputs in the valuation include a volatility factor (which ranged from 39% to 62%) and a risk free rate (which ranged from 0.23% to 4.68%), with vesting terms of 1.5 years to 2.5 years as time to maturity in the model. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term. The Company accounts for these units as equity-based awards. Stock-based compensation related to Management Profits Interests Class C units for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $10.8 million, $7.9 million, and $9.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, there was $11.0 million of unrecognized noncash compensation cost related to unvested Management Profits Interests Class C units to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.
F-68
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
The following represents a summary of these units:
Units | Weighted average grant date fair value per unit |
|||||||
Unvested as of December 31, 2020 |
9,291,749 | $ | 1.09 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Awards granted in 2021 |
2,866,909 | 3.36 | ||||||
Awards vested in 2021 |
(5,725,993 | ) | 1.74 | |||||
Awards forfeited in 2021 |
(717,007 | ) | 1.76 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Unvested as of December 31, 2021 |
5,715,658 | $ | 1.49 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Awards granted in 2022 |
4,159,807 | 3.55 | ||||||
Awards vested in 2022 |
(2,336,898 | ) | 2.93 | |||||
Awards forfeited in 2022 |
(910,054 | ) | 2.75 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Unvested as of December 31, 2022 |
6,628,513 | $ | 2.10 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Awards granted in 2023 |
3,164,021 | 3.58 | ||||||
Awards vested in 2023 |
(2,823,268 | ) | 3.26 | |||||
Awards forfeited in 2023 |
(274,143 | ) | 2.13 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Unvested as of December 31, 2023 |
6,695,123 | $ | 2.31 | |||||
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were 21,091,532 and 17,909,147 outstanding Management Profits Interests Class C units that were fully vested, respectively. Fully vested Management Profits Interests Class C units may be redeemed in exchange for cash in connection with a tender redemption offer by Bay Grove Capital. LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II also have the right to redeem the fully vested Management Profits Interests Class C units if the holder of the units terminates their employment with the Company for any reason.
During 2021, as part of a severance agreement, 1,275,450 units were immediately vested and $8.8 million was expensed to Restructuring and impairment expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). These units were redeemed and will be paid over a six-year period. As these units became immediately vested and are to be settled in cash, the Company has accounted for these units as a liability, presented in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
(c) | LLH Value Creation Plan units |
Certain employees have been granted notional units under the LLH Value Creation Plan (the 2015 LVCP) in the form of appreciation rights that vest over a period of four years and upon the occurrence of a liquidity event. This plan covered awards from 2015 to 2020. A new LLH Value Creation Plan was established in 2021 (the 2021 LVCP) that generally provides for the grant of similar appreciation rights that may also vest without the occurrence of a liquidity event if the Company achieves the target value as specified in the award agreements.
Upon full vesting, the awards under both the 2015 LVCP and 2021 LVCP entitle the recipient to a payment equal to the excess of the price of the Companys shares at the time of full vesting, over the benchmark amount specified by the award agreement. In accordance with GAAP, until the full vesting conditions are probable of occurring, no expense is recognized for the awards. The Company believes the vesting requirement for all awards under both the 2015 LVCP and 2021 LVCP are not probable. As
F-69
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the cumulative unrecognized stock compensation expense related to the units issued pursuant to the 2015 LVCP and 2021 LVCP was $37.0 million, $36.0 million, and $26.9 million, respectively.
(d) | Lineage Equity-Tracking Plan |
In connection with the Turvo acquisition described in Note 4, Business combinations, asset acquisitions, and divestitures, the Company granted cash-based incentive awards to certain Turvo employees. The awards vest over a period of two to three years. At the discretion of the Company, the value of forfeited awards may be reallocated to other employees who remain with the Company.
Upon vesting, the awards entitle the recipient to a payment equal to the original value of the award adjusted by a percentage equal to the growth in the value of Lineage since the acquisition date. If Lineages value drops below the value on the acquisition date, the payment will not drop beneath a floor value equal to the original value of the awards. The Company accounts for these units as liability-based awards.
Stock-based compensation related to these awards for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $4.9 million and $2.9 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, there was $0.9 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested awards.
(17) | Related-party balances |
The Company pays Bay Grove Management an operating services fee and reimburses certain expenses pursuant to an operating services agreement between Bay Grove Management and the Company. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company recorded $10.7 million, $11.0 million, and $10.5 million of expenses in General and administrative expense for these operating services, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, $2.6 million in operating services fees were owed to Bay Grove Management and included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company accrued distributions payable in the amount of $109.9 million and $10.7 million, respectively. The distributions were subsequently paid in cash during January 2024 and January 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, distributions payable consisted of $88.5 million payable by Lineage, Inc. to BGLH, $10.0 million payable by the Operating Partnership to Non-Company LPs, and $11.4 million payable by the Operating Partnership to BG Cold in connection with Founders Equity Share. As of December 31, 2022, distributions payable consisted entirely of Founders Equity Share due to BG Cold. See Note 2, Capital structure and noncontrolling interests, for further information.
The Company owns an investment stake in certain suppliers that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, creating related-party relationships. The Company paid $9.2 million, $5.3 million, and $4.3 million to these suppliers for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities includes $1.8 million and $0.5 million owed to these suppliers as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had receivables due from employees of $1.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively, which were subsequently paid off in February 2024. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had additional related-party receivables, primarily with minority interest partners and equity method investees, of $6.3 million and $6.1 million, respectively. Related-party
F-70
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
receivables are included in Accounts receivable, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had additional related-party payables, primarily with minority interest partners, of $2.4 million and $5.7 million, respectively. Related-party payables are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The Operating Partnership has issued notes to certain individual BGLH investors and Non-Company LPs in order to fund certain investor transactions. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, these notes totaled $15.9 million and $25.0 million, respectively. These notes receivable are included in Accounts receivable, net and Other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company donated $5.0 million, $3.5 million, and $3.0 million to the Lineage Foundation for Good (the Foundation), respectively, which are recorded in General and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Foundation was organized as a non-profit entity during 2021, and the Company has influence over the Foundation through board representation.
(18) | Commitments and contingencies |
(a) | Self-insured risks |
The Company is self-insured for workers compensation costs, with the Companys workers compensation plan having an individual claim stop-loss deductible of $1.0 million. Self-insurance liabilities are determined by third-party actuaries. The Company has established restricted cash accounts with banks or directly with the insurers or letters of credit that are collateral for its self-insured workers compensation obligations. The combined amount included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities relating to workers compensation liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $40.0 million and $36.3 million, respectively. The liability as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, represents the gross amount excluding amounts receivable from the insurers. The combined amount included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other assets related to the receivables from insurers as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $10.9 million and $11.9 million, respectively.
The Company is also self-insured for a portion of employee medical costs. The Company has a medical plan with a retained deductible. Medical self-insurance liabilities are determined by third-party actuaries. The total included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities relating to medical liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $14.7 million and $11.6 million, respectively.
(b) | Legal and regulatory proceedings |
The Company, from time to time and in the normal course of business, is party to various claims, lawsuits, arbitrations, and regulatory actions (collectively, Claims). In particular, as the result of numerous ongoing construction activities, the Company may be a party to construction and/or contractor related liens and claims, including mechanics and materialmens liens. The Company is also party to various Claims relating to commercial disagreements with customers or suppliers. Additionally, given the Companys substantial workforce, and, in particular, its warehouse related workforce, the Company is party to various labor and employment related Claims, including, without limitation, Claims related to workers compensation, wage and hour, discrimination, and related matters. Finally, given the Companys business of warehousing refrigerated food products and its utilization of anhydrous ammonia for its refrigeration systems (a known hazardous material), the
F-71
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Company is subject to the jurisdiction of various U.S. regulatory agencies, including, without limitation, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Justice, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and various other agencies in the locations in which the Company operates. Management of the Company believes the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.
(c) | Environmental matters |
The Company is subject to a wide range of environmental laws and regulations in each of the locations in which the Company operates. Compliance with these requirements can involve significant capital and operating costs. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in civil or criminal fines or sanctions, claims for environmental damages, remediation obligations, the revocation of environmental permits, or restrictions on the Companys operations.
The Company records accruals for environmental matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on current law and existing technologies. The Company adjusts these accruals periodically as assessment and remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information become available. The Company has recorded nominal environmental liabilities in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company believes it is in compliance with applicable environmental regulations in all material respects. Under various U.S. federal, state, and local environmental laws, a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the entire cost of investigating, removing, and/or remediating hazardous or toxic substances on such property. Such laws often impose liability, whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the contamination. Even if more than one person may have been responsible for the contamination, each person covered by the environmental laws may be held responsible for the entire clean-up cost. There are no material unrecorded liabilities as of the periods ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Most of the Companys warehouses utilize anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant. Anhydrous ammonia is classified as a hazardous chemical regulated by the EPA and various other agencies in the locations in which the Company operates, and an accident or significant release of anhydrous ammonia from a warehouse could result in injuries, loss of life, and property damage.
(d) | Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) |
The Companys warehouses located in the U.S. are subject to regulation under OSHA, which requires employers to provide employees with an environment free from hazards, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, and unsanitary conditions. The cost of complying with OSHA and similar laws enacted by states and other jurisdictions in which the Company operates can be substantial, and any failure to comply with these regulations could expose the Company to substantial penalties and/or liabilities to employees who may be injured at the Companys warehouses. The Company records accruals for OSHA matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The Company believes that it is in compliance with all OSHA regulations in all material respects and that no material unrecorded liabilities exist as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
F-72
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(e) | Statesville, North Carolina |
On January 10, 2020, contractors and subcontractors were working on the blast cells at the Companys freezer warehouse in Statesville, North Carolina when an incident occurred triggering the release of anhydrous ammonia at the facility, resulting in the death of a subcontractor and injury to another subcontractor, as well as damage to customers goods. Litigation is ongoing with respect to this incident, and while the Company believes it has a strong defense to any potential claims, the Company could be subject to losses in unknown amounts. The Company believes the ultimate outcome of this matter will not have a material adverse impact on its consolidated financial statements. No material costs have been incurred in relation to this matter.
(f) | Construction Commitments |
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had plans to purchase or construct assets, primarily related to new warehouses and expansions, which require an estimated $348.3 million to complete.
(19) | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
The Company reports activity in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) for foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on interest rate and foreign currency hedges. Activity within AOCI is as follows for the years ended December 31:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments: |
||||||||||||
Balance at beginning of period |
$ | (227.7 | ) | $ | (26.9 | ) | $ | 75.1 | ||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
88.5 | (221.5 | ) | (114.6 | ) | |||||||
Amounts allocated to Noncontrolling interests and Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
(9.5 | ) | 27.7 | 14.6 | ||||||||
Reallocation due to change in Noncontrolling interest ownership percentage |
(0.4 | ) | (7.0 | ) | (2.0 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance at end of period |
$ | (149.1 | ) | $ | (227.7 | ) | $ | (26.9 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Derivatives: |
||||||||||||
Balance at beginning of period |
$ | 190.3 | $ | 36.4 | $ | (0.2 | ) | |||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency hedges |
27.2 | 218.4 | 36.4 | |||||||||
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income (loss) |
(118.0 | ) | (36.7 | ) | 6.3 | |||||||
Tax effect |
3.9 | (10.1 | ) | (3.9 | ) | |||||||
Amounts allocated to Noncontrolling interests and Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
11.6 | (24.1 | ) | (4.9 | ) | |||||||
Reallocation due to change in Noncontrolling interest ownership percentage |
0.3 | 6.4 | 2.7 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance at end of period |
$ | 115.3 | $ | 190.3 | $ | 36.4 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | (33.8 | ) | $ | (37.4 | ) | $ | 9.5 | ||||
|
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|
|
|
|
F-73
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(20) | Earnings (loss) per share |
Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Lineage, Inc. by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Lineage, Inc. by the weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the reporting period. A reconciliation of the basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, is as follows:
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Earnings (loss) per sharebasic and diluted: |
||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Lineage, Inc. |
$ | (77.4 | ) | $ | (62.7 | ) | $ | (153.3 | ) | |||
Less: Lineage, Inc. Series A preferred share dividend |
0.1 | 0.1 | | |||||||||
Less: Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
33.0 | 30.6 | 20.7 | |||||||||
Less: Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment |
6.9 | (16.1 | ) | | ||||||||
Less: REIT subsidiaries Series A preferred dividend attributable to Lineage, Inc. |
| 0.1 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholdersbasic and diluted |
$ | (117.4 | ) | $ | (77.4 | ) | $ | (174.0 | ) | |||
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions)basic and diluted |
161.9 | 152.0 | 131.0 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholdersbasic and diluted |
$ | (0.73 | ) | $ | (0.51 | ) | $ | (1.33 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Companys potential dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, as they are antidilutive and the effect would be to increase the net earnings (or decrease the net loss) per share. Therefore, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate both basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is the same. The Companys potential dilutive common share equivalents that are excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings (loss) per share are as follows:
| As described in Note 2, Capital structure and noncontrolling interests, as of March 1, 2025 the sellers of MTC Logistics may elect to receive any combination of cash or Operating Partnership units that equal the excess of $34.2M over the fair market value of the units issued to the sellers in the MTC Logistics acquisition. The Operating Partnership Units that could be issued in connection with this hypothetical election represent potential common share equivalents. |
| As described in Note 2, Capital structure and noncontrolling interests, the holder of the Preference Shares issued by a subsidiary of LLH in connection with the Kloosterboer acquisition has conversion rights to convert the Preference Shares to Operating Partnership units or common stock of Lineage, Inc., depending on whether or not certain events have occurred. The Operating Partnership units or common stock of Lineage, Inc. that could be issued in connection with a hypothetical conversion represent potential common share equivalents. |
F-74
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
| As described in Note 4, Business combinations, asset acquisitions, and divestitures, the 2020 SCS acquisition contained contingent consideration in the form of Operating Partnership units. The Operating Partnership is obligated to issue tranches of Operating Partnership units to the sellers of SCS if a customer at the Alabama facility acquired in the SCS acquisition does not exercise their purchase option on the facility in 2022 or 2027. The customer did not exercise the first option in 2022, and the first tranche of Operating Partnership units were issued in 2023. The Operating Partnership units that could be issued in connection with this contingent consideration liability represent potential common share equivalents. |
| As described in Note 16, Stock-based compensation, certain members of management and certain non-employees have been granted BGLH Restricted Units. BGLH Restricted Units that are unvested as of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 represent potential common share equivalents because upon vesting, Lineage, Inc. will have outstanding common shares issued to BGLH. |
| As described in Note 16, Stock-based compensation, certain members of management have been granted Management Profits Interests Class C units in LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II. These Class C Units in LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II that are unvested as of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 represent potential common share equivalents because upon vesting, they will be able to share in the profits of the Company, as defined in the LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II operating agreements. |
(21) | Segment information |
(a) | Reportable Segments Information |
The Companys business is organized into two reportable segments, Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions, as described in Note 1, Significant accounting policies and practices.
The following table presents segment revenues and NOI, with a reconciliation to Net income (loss) before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. All inter-segment transactions are not significant and have been eliminated in consolidation. Asset information by reportable segment is not presented, as the Company does not produce such information internally and the CODM does not use such information to manage the business. Capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment presented below by segment are inclusive of purchases recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Global Warehousing revenues |
$ | 3,856.9 | $ | 3,432.6 | $ | 2,655.8 | ||||||
Global Integrated Solutions revenues |
1,484.6 | 1,495.7 | 1,046.2 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total revenues |
5,341.5 | 4,928.3 | 3,702.0 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Global Warehousing cost of operations |
2,349.1 | 2,211.1 | 1,684.3 | |||||||||
Global Integrated Solutions cost of operations |
1,240.7 | 1,262.1 | 887.1 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total cost of operations |
3,589.8 | 3,473.2 | 2,571.4 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Global Warehousing NOI |
1,507.8 | 1,221.5 | 971.5 | |||||||||
Global Integrated Solutions NOI |
243.9 | 233.6 | 159.1 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total NOI |
1,751.7 | 1,455.1 | 1,130.6 | |||||||||
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|
F-75
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Reconciling items: |
||||||||||||
General and administrative expense |
(501.8 | ) | (398.9 | ) | (289.3 | ) | ||||||
Depreciation expense |
(551.9 | ) | (479.5 | ) | (416.1 | ) | ||||||
Amortization expense |
(207.8 | ) | (197.7 | ) | (187.6 | ) | ||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
(60.0 | ) | (66.2 | ) | (123.6 | ) | ||||||
Restructuring and impairment expense |
(31.8 | ) | (15.5 | ) | (26.3 | ) | ||||||
Equity income (loss), net of tax |
(2.6 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||||
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net |
3.9 | (23.8 | ) | (34.0 | ) | |||||||
Interest expense, net |
(490.4 | ) | (347.0 | ) | (259.6 | ) | ||||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt |
| 1.4 | (4.1 | ) | ||||||||
Other nonoperating income (expense), net |
(19.4 | ) | 2.3 | 4.5 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income (loss) before income taxes |
$ | (110.1 | ) | $ | (70.0 | ) | $ | (205.8 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment: |
||||||||||||
Global Warehousing capital expenditures |
$ | 535.7 | $ | 618.0 | $ | 511.5 | ||||||
Global Integrated Solutions capital expenditures |
77.9 | 141.6 | 30.4 | |||||||||
Corporate capital expenditures |
121.1 | 109.6 | 91.2 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment |
$ | 734.7 | $ | 869.2 | $ | 633.1 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) | Geographic Information |
The following table provides geographic information for the Companys total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 and long-lived assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Revenues from external customers are attributed to each country or region based on the location of the facilities in which the revenues originated. The Companys Goodwill and Other intangible assets, net are excluded from the definition of long-lived assets.
Total Revenues | Long-Lived Assets | |||||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
North America: |
||||||||||||||||||||
United States |
$ | 3,424.0 | $ | 3,306.5 | $ | 2,643.3 | $ | 9,013.7 | $ | 8,608.8 | ||||||||||
Canada |
277.1 | 132.8 | 25.8 | 863.4 | 848.2 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total North America |
3,701.1 | 3,439.3 | 2,669.1 | 9,877.1 | 9,457.0 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Europe |
1,202.8 | 1,097.5 | 703.2 | 2,199.8 | 2,016.4 | |||||||||||||||
Asia-Pacific |
433.6 | 387.2 | 323.6 | 864.2 | 1,048.7 | |||||||||||||||
Other foreign |
4.0 | 4.3 | 6.1 | 0.2 | | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total |
$ | 5,341.5 | $ | 4,928.3 | $ | 3,702.0 | $ | 12,941.3 | $ | 12,522.1 | ||||||||||
|
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|
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|
F-76
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
(22) | Subsequent events |
The Company evaluated subsequent events through March 8, 2024, the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued. The following are subsequent events or transactions that required recognition or disclosure:
As described in Note 2, Capital structure and noncontrolling interests, the sellers of JCS were issued Class A units of the Operating Partnership that contained a one-time right as of February 1, 2024 to put all, or a portion, of the units for cash. The sellers were issued a total of 941,176 such Class A units. One of the sellers elected to exercise this right for 61,593 of their Class A units. For the remaining outstanding units, there is no longer a redemption right and the associated noncontrolling interests are no longer redeemable.
On February 1, 2024 the Company purchased Entrepot Du Nord Inc. for $59.5 million in cash consideration. The purpose of this acquisition is to continue to expand the Companys warehousing network in Canada.
In February 2024, the Company entered into an unsecured delayed-draw term loan facility, amended the Credit Agreement, and entered into a new loan agreement with MetLife Real Estate Lending LLC. Refer to Note 10, Debt for details.
(23) | Immaterial correction of previously issued consolidated financial statements |
The Company has identified errors in its audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The Company has evaluated these errors and concluded that they were not material to prior periods, individually, or in the aggregate. However, the Company has corrected the relevant prior period consolidated financial statements included herein for these errors for comparative purposes. The Company has also corrected impacted amounts within the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements (see Note 9, Income taxes, Note 4, Business combinations, asset acquisitions, and divestitures, Note 6, Goodwill and other intangible assets, net, and Note 19, Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)).
Description of Misstatements
a. | Property tax accrual The Company identified that some of its property tax accruals were not appropriately reversed or relieved upon payment of the related liability. As a result, the Companys liabilities and expenses were overstated as of December 31, 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The correction of these errors resulted in an $8.5 million and an $8.4 million decrease to Cost of operations in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and an $18.0 million cumulative decrease to Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in 2022. Additionally, the correction of errors pertaining to periods prior to 2021 resulted in an increase of $1.1 million to Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) at December 31, 2020, as reflected in the consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity. |
b. | Deferred tax liability acquiredThe Company identified errors in recording deferred tax liabilities acquired as part of business combinations in 2021 and 2020. The correction of these errors resulted in a $14.4 million decrease to Goodwill and Deferred income tax liability in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. |
c. | Income tax provisionThe Company determined that certain of its estimates recorded in the 2022 and 2021 current and deferred tax provisions were not correct and were identified as such when |
F-77
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in millions, except number of shares, per share, or per unit amounts)
reconciling the provision to return. In order to correct this error, the Company recorded a $4.2 million and a $2.2 million decrease to Income tax expense (benefit) in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and a $9.6 million cumulative increase to Deferred income tax liability and a $21.2 million cumulative decrease to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in 2022. There was also a related $21.2 million increase to Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency hedges and interest rate hedges in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2022. Additionally, the correction of errors pertaining to periods prior to 2021 resulted in an increase of $5.2 million to Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) at December 31, 2020, as reflected in the consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity. |
The above corrections resulted in a $0.08 increase to both Basic earnings (loss) per share and Diluted earnings (loss) per share in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for both of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
F-78
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2023
(dollars in millions, except quantity of buildings)
Schedule IIISchedule of Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation (Schedule III) reflects the cost and associated accumulated depreciation for the real estate facilities that are owned. The gross cost included in Schedule III includes the cost for buildings, building improvements, refrigeration equipment, land, and land improvements. Schedule III does not reflect leased facilities in the companys real estate portfolio.
Initial costs to Company | Gross amount at which carried as of December 31, 20231, 3, 6 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property Description |
Number of buildings |
Encumbrances | Land | Buildings and improvements |
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition1, 2 |
Land | Buildings and improvements |
Total | Accumulated depreciation1, 4, 6 |
Date of construction5 |
Date acquired |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UNITED STATES |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alabama |
3 | $ | (40.9 | ) | $ | 9.7 | $ | 71.4 | $ | 13.7 | $ | 10.2 | $ | 84.6 | $ | 94.8 | $ | (15.4 | ) | Various | 2014-2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Arizona |
1 | (20.1 | ) | 2.5 | 17.8 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 18.3 | 20.9 | (8.8 | ) | 1987 | 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
California - Colton |
1 | (105.9 | ) | 43.7 | 49.8 | 25.8 | 68.5 | 50.8 | 119.3 | (15.9 | ) | 2014 | 2014-2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
California - Mira Loma |
1 | (108.8 | ) | 23.7 | 89.6 | 10.2 | 23.9 | 99.6 | 123.5 | (31.2 | ) | Various | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
California - Oakland |
1 | (76.7 | ) | | 79.3 | 9.8 | | 89.1 | 89.1 | (12.7 | ) | 2018 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
California - Riverside |
3 | (81.2 | ) | 9.0 | 51.0 | 6.0 | 9.1 | 56.9 | 66.0 | (21.2 | ) | Various | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
California - Santa Maria |
2 | (41.3 | ) | 7.3 | 39.9 | 15.9 | 7.7 | 55.4 | 63.1 | (14.9 | ) | Various | 2011-2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
California - Vernon |
7 | (181.1 | ) | 61.9 | 124.7 | 57.4 | 63.6 | 180.4 | 244.0 | (31.2 | ) | Various | 2017-2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
California - All other |
3 | (94.9 | ) | 11.5 | 66.2 | 7.7 | 11.6 | 73.8 | 85.4 | (24.4 | ) | Various | 2012-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Colorado - Denver |
1 | (85.0 | ) | 3.8 | 44.2 | 24.8 | 8.9 | 63.9 | 72.8 | (20.2 | ) | Various | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Colorado - Windsor |
1 | | 2.7 | 96.3 | | 2.7 | 96.3 | 99.0 | (1.0 | ) | Various | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Colorado - All other |
1 | (12.0 | ) | 2.0 | 8.8 | 5.1 | 2.0 | 13.9 | 15.9 | (4.2 | ) | Various | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Delaware |
2 | | 3.9 | 20.8 | 0.6 | 3.9 | 21.4 | 25.3 | (2.0 | ) | Various | 2022-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida - Jacksonville |
2 | (30.4 | ) | 3.7 | 77.4 | 1.9 | 3.7 | 79.3 | 83.0 | (9.2 | ) | Various | 2019-2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida - All other |
4 | | 12.3 | 17.8 | 1.6 | 12.3 | 19.4 | 31.7 | (1.1 | ) | Various | 2021-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia - Albany |
9 | (50.6 | ) | 1.8 | 43.4 | 25.5 | 2.1 | 68.6 | 70.7 | (26.4 | ) | Various | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia - Atlanta |
2 | (114.8 | ) | 12.0 | 134.2 | 9.6 | 12.0 | 143.8 | 155.8 | (36.6 | ) | Various | 2014-2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia - Port Wentworth |
1 | | 12.9 | 63.4 | | 12.9 | 63.4 | 76.3 | (1.3 | ) | 2023 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia - Savannah |
2 | (38.0 | ) | 9.2 | 108.9 | 26.6 | 11.6 | 133.1 | 144.7 | (12.1 | ) | Various | 2020-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia - All other |
3 | (34.1 | ) | 14.9 | 73.1 | 8.6 | 15.7 | 80.9 | 96.6 | (9.2 | ) | Various | 2012-2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Idaho |
2 | (64.8 | ) | 3.4 | 48.0 | 2.1 | 3.9 | 49.6 | 53.5 | (7.5 | ) | Various | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Illinois - Chicago |
8 | (389.9 | ) | 41.4 | 417.6 | 22.5 | 44.9 | 436.6 | 481.5 | (89.2 | ) | Various | 2013-2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Illinois - Joliet |
1 | | 9.2 | 86.8 | 4.8 | 9.9 | 90.9 | 100.8 | (11.3 | ) | 2014 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Illinois - All other |
6 | (99.8 | ) | 20.9 | 101.3 | 3.1 | 21.0 | 104.3 | 125.3 | (19.7 | ) | Various | 2012-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indiana |
5 | (23.3 | ) | 6.2 | 81.0 | 11.1 | 10.5 | 87.8 | 98.3 | (10.7 | ) | Various | 2017-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Iowa |
7 | (111.8 | ) | 9.1 | 102.8 | 34.4 | 12.5 | 133.8 | 146.3 | (41.5 | ) | Various | 2014-2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kansas - Kansas City |
1 | (93.0 | ) | 6.8 | 81.5 | 31.8 | 9.5 | 110.6 | 120.1 | (32.9 | ) | Various | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kansas - Olathe |
1 | | 21.7 | 96.2 | | 21.7 | 96.2 | 117.9 | (7.5 | ) | 2022 | 2020 |
F-79
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2023
(dollars in millions, except quantity of buildings)
Initial costs to Company | Gross amount at which carried as of December 31, 20231, 3, 6 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property Description |
Number of buildings |
Encumbrances | Land | Buildings and improvements |
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition1, 2 |
Land | Buildings and improvements |
Total | Accumulated depreciation1, 4, 6 |
Date of construction5 |
Date acquired |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kansas - All other |
1 | $ | (9.4 | ) | $ | 0.4 | $ | 10.0 | $ | 9.7 | $ | 0.5 | $ | 19.6 | $ | 20.1 | $ | (5.3 | ) | Various | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Kentucky |
2 | (43.4 | ) | 2.1 | 33.6 | 10.1 | 2.4 | 43.4 | 45.8 | (13.6 | ) | Various | 2014-2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana |
1 | | 0.8 | 5.6 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 6.8 | 7.6 | (0.9 | ) | 1998 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maryland |
4 | | 14.6 | 65.9 | 1.7 | 14.7 | 67.5 | 82.2 | (5.5 | ) | Various | 2021-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Massachusetts - Boston |
1 | (37.5 | ) | 21.0 | 47.6 | 1.1 | 21.0 | 48.7 | 69.7 | (8.1 | ) | 2009 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Massachusetts - All other |
3 | (20.0 | ) | 2.9 | 36.2 | 36.7 | 4.6 | 71.2 | 75.8 | (3.9 | ) | Various | 2019-2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michigan |
5 | | 6.0 | 66.1 | 16.7 | 8.5 | 80.3 | 88.8 | (8.2 | ) | Various | 2017-2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minnesota - Luverne |
1 | | 0.2 | 62.0 | | 0.2 | 62.0 | 62.2 | (1.0 | ) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minnesota - All other |
1 | | 1.5 | 11.0 | | 1.5 | 11.0 | 12.5 | (1.1 | ) | 2001 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi |
1 | (26.3 | ) | 0.8 | 22.6 | 11.8 | 1.3 | 33.9 | 35.2 | (10.6 | ) | Various | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nebraska |
4 | (51.5 | ) | 4.2 | 50.3 | 30.2 | 4.8 | 79.9 | 84.7 | (23.0 | ) | Various | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Jersey - Elizabeth |
2 | (42.1 | ) | 27.0 | 114.1 | 3.6 | 27.0 | 117.7 | 144.7 | (13.0 | ) | Various | 2019-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Jersey - All other |
3 | (17.5 | ) | 7.3 | 74.1 | 22.6 | 7.3 | 96.7 | 104.0 | (5.3 | ) | Various | 2019-2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New York |
8 | (87.2 | ) | 9.8 | 108.6 | 14.1 | 10.9 | 121.6 | 132.5 | (22.5 | ) | Various | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Carolina |
3 | (45.6 | ) | 3.1 | 32.7 | 14.8 | 3.2 | 47.4 | 50.6 | (11.2 | ) | Various | 2011-2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Dakota |
1 | (28.5 | ) | 3.2 | 12.6 | 0.2 | 3.2 | 12.8 | 16.0 | (2.7 | ) | 1999 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ohio - Columbus |
3 | | 4.0 | 46.6 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 49.1 | 53.1 | (6.1 | ) | Various | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ohio - All other |
3 | (57.0 | ) | 7.5 | 47.5 | 4.2 | 7.7 | 51.5 | 59.2 | (10.5 | ) | Various | 2014-2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oklahoma |
2 | (21.8 | ) | 4.0 | 14.9 | 0.1 | 4.0 | 15.0 | 19.0 | (2.0 | ) | Various | 2020-2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oregon - Portland |
2 | (81.9 | ) | 9.0 | 62.0 | | 9.0 | 62.0 | 71.0 | (7.5 | ) | Various | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oregon - Salem |
5 | (139.3 | ) | 12.8 | 119.0 | 4.8 | 12.7 | 123.9 | 136.6 | (20.8 | ) | Various | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oregon - All other |
4 | (22.9 | ) | 9.3 | 45.8 | 3.2 | 9.2 | 49.1 | 58.3 | (9.9 | ) | Various | 2011-2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pennsylvania - Allentown |
2 | (144.6 | ) | 5.9 | 133.7 | 29.1 | 7.6 | 161.1 | 168.7 | (42.2 | ) | Various | 2014-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pennsylvania - All other |
5 | (37.5 | ) | 40.5 | 87.1 | 6.6 | 40.5 | 93.7 | 134.2 | (20.2 | ) | Various | 2016-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Carolina - Charleston |
2 | (50.7 | ) | 9.7 | 48.4 | 29.9 | 14.5 | 73.5 | 88.0 | (14.6 | ) | Various | 2014-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Carolina - All other |
1 | (13.4 | ) | 0.3 | 12.0 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 14.0 | 14.3 | (2.0 | ) | Various | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Dakota |
1 | | 6.8 | 45.7 | 33.5 | 6.8 | 79.2 | 86.0 | (6.5 | ) | Various | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tennessee |
1 | (6.6 | ) | 0.7 | 5.3 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 6.4 | 7.1 | (0.7 | ) | 2005 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Texas - Dallas |
1 | (84.3 | ) | 3.5 | 32.4 | 36.9 | 4.8 | 68.0 | 72.8 | (18.4 | ) | Various | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Texas - Fort Worth |
2 | (189.7 | ) | 7.9 | 130.8 | 35.1 | 9.3 | 164.5 | 173.8 | (36.6 | ) | Various | 2014-2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Texas - Houston |
3 | (73.6 | ) | 8.7 | 117.3 | 4.6 | 8.9 | 121.7 | 130.6 | (17.7 | ) | Various | 2019-2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Texas - McAllen |
4 | (73.5 | ) | 6.3 | 63.5 | 14.4 | 6.8 | 77.4 | 84.2 | (23.1 | ) | Various | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Texas - All other |
6 | (85.6 | ) | 10.8 | 77.0 | 18.9 | 11.0 | 95.7 | 106.7 | (28.2 | ) | Various | 2011-2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Utah |
2 | (28.1 | ) | 10.0 | 28.7 | 3.3 | 10.2 | 31.8 | 42.0 | (6.2 | ) | Various | 2014-2022 |
F-80
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2023
(dollars in millions, except quantity of buildings)
Initial costs to Company | Gross amount at which carried as of December 31, 20231, 3, 6 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property Description |
Number of buildings |
Encumbrances | Land | Buildings and improvements |
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition1, 2 |
Land | Buildings and improvements |
Total | Accumulated depreciation1, 4, 6 |
Date of construction5 |
Date acquired |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia - Chesapeake |
1 | $ | (29.4 | ) | $ | 4.2 | $ | 62.7 | $ | 1.2 | $ | 4.2 | $ | 63.9 | $ | 68.1 | $ | (8.4 | ) | 2008 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia - Portsmouth |
1 | | 6.9 | 59.4 | (1.3 | ) | 15.0 | 50.0 | 65.0 | (3.4 | ) | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia - All other |
6 | (52.5 | ) | 8.7 | 64.7 | 12.2 | 8.9 | 76.7 | 85.6 | (20.4 | ) | Various | 2011-2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Washington - Grandview |
9 | (29.7 | ) | 7.4 | 62.3 | 0.8 | 7.4 | 63.1 | 70.5 | (7.4 | ) | Various | 2020-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Washington - Othello |
1 | (66.5 | ) | 2.0 | 35.0 | 22.7 | 3.8 | 55.9 | 59.7 | (16.4 | ) | Various | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Washington - Pasco |
2 | | 4.5 | 102.6 | 0.1 | 4.5 | 102.7 | 107.2 | (7.0 | ) | Various | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Washington - Quincy |
3 | (107.0 | ) | 6.2 | 95.2 | 9.3 | 6.6 | 104.1 | 110.7 | (29.4 | ) | Various | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Washington - Richland |
2 | (200.4 | ) | 14.0 | 326.7 | 0.8 | 14.2 | 327.3 | 341.5 | (43.4 | ) | Various | 2019-2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Washington - All other |
12 | (210.3 | ) | 21.4 | 176.9 | 42.7 | 22.2 | 218.8 | 241.0 | (64.1 | ) | Various | 2008-2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wisconsin - Milwaukee |
2 | | 3.9 | 47.0 | 1.5 | 3.9 | 48.5 | 52.4 | (4.6 | ) | Various | 2019-2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wisconsin - Stevens Point |
1 | (62.9 | ) | 1.2 | 37.1 | 67.2 | 6.5 | 99.0 | 105.5 | (17.2 | ) | Various | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wisconsin - All other |
3 | | 5.1 | 45.6 | 0.4 | 5.1 | 46.0 | 51.1 | (3.4 | ) | Various | 2021-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CANADA |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alberta - Calgary |
3 | | 12.8 | 89.4 | (2.9 | ) | 12.4 | 86.9 | 99.3 | (3.4 | ) | Various | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alberta - All other |
2 | | 7.6 | 20.1 | (0.7 | ) | 7.4 | 19.6 | 27.0 | (0.9 | ) | Various | 2022-2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
British Columbia - Delta |
3 | | 58.3 | 57.6 | (3.0 | ) | 56.5 | 56.4 | 112.9 | (2.4 | ) | Various | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
British Columbia - All other |
2 | | 47.8 | 28.5 | (1.6 | ) | 46.3 | 28.4 | 74.7 | (3.3 | ) | Various | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manitoba |
1 | | 6.5 | 40.7 | (1.2 | ) | 6.3 | 39.7 | 46.0 | (2.0 | ) | Various | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Brunswick |
1 | | 0.7 | 9.5 | 4.4 | 0.8 | 13.8 | 14.6 | (1.1 | ) | 2009 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Newfoundland |
1 | | 2.5 | 3.7 | | 2.4 | 3.8 | 6.2 | (0.4 | ) | 1981 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nova Scotia |
1 | | 2.4 | 11.3 | (0.2 | ) | 2.4 | 11.1 | 13.5 | (0.9 | ) | Various | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ontario - Brampton |
1 | | 24.4 | 59.4 | (2.5 | ) | 23.6 | 57.7 | 81.3 | (2.9 | ) | Various | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ontario - Vaughan |
1 | | 23.2 | 33.0 | (1.5 | ) | 22.4 | 32.3 | 54.7 | (1.7 | ) | Various | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ontario - All other |
6 | | 16.9 | 92.5 | 4.6 | 19.2 | 94.8 | 114.0 | (10.6 | ) | Various | 2020-2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quebec |
3 | | 24.1 | 79.6 | (3.2 | ) | 23.2 | 77.3 | 100.5 | (4.9 | ) | Various | 2021-2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EUROPE |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Belgium |
2 | | 5.9 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 5.4 | 7.1 | 12.5 | (0.8 | ) | Various | 2021-2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Denmark |
15 | | 29.9 | 182.8 | 5.4 | 28.3 | 189.8 | 218.1 | (27.5 | ) | Various | 2020-2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
France |
2 | | 3.9 | 60.3 | 8.9 | 3.9 | 69.2 | 73.1 | (3.4 | ) | Various | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Italy |
2 | | 5.7 | 11.6 | (1.1 | ) | 5.5 | 10.7 | 16.2 | (0.8 | ) | Various | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Netherlands - Bergen op Zoom |
1 | | 10.2 | 63.5 | 17.2 | 24.1 | 66.8 | 90.9 | (15.6 | ) | 2006 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Netherlands - Rotterdam |
4 | | 4.2 | 149.2 | (2.9 | ) | 4.0 | 146.5 | 150.5 | (9.7 | ) | Various | 2021-2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Netherlands - Velsen |
1 | | 25.5 | 27.8 | (2.5 | ) | 24.3 | 26.5 | 50.8 | (3.8 | ) | Various | 2021 |
F-81
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2023
(dollars in millions, except quantity of buildings)
Initial costs to Company | Gross amount at which carried as of December 31, 20231, 3, 6 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property Description |
Number of buildings |
Encumbrances | Land | Buildings and improvements |
Costs capitalized subsequent to acquisition1, 2 |
Land | Buildings and improvements |
Total | Accumulated depreciation1, 4, 6 |
Date of construction5 |
Date acquired |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Netherlands - Vlissingen |
12 | $ | | $ | 78.8 | $ | 25.6 | $ | 13.2 | $ | 75.3 | $ | 42.3 | $ | 117.6 | $ | (7.3 | ) | 1982 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Netherlands - All Other |
12 | | 56.2 | 115.9 | 7.7 | 57.4 | 122.4 | 179.8 | (15.2 | ) | Various | 2017-2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Norway |
3 | | 10.5 | 43.3 | (5.0 | ) | 9.4 | 39.4 | 48.8 | (3.7 | ) | Various | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Poland |
2 | | 1.0 | 28.1 | 5.9 | 1.7 | 33.3 | 35.0 | (4.0 | ) | Various | 2020-2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spain |
10 | | 26.2 | 57.4 | 2.1 | 27.4 | 58.3 | 85.7 | (10.3 | ) | Various | 2021-2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United Kingdom - Gloucester |
1 | | 3.4 | 70.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 71.3 | 74.5 | (15.3 | ) | 2010 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United Kingdom - Heywood |
1 | | 4.6 | 32.2 | 19.0 | 4.5 | 51.3 | 55.8 | (8.2 | ) | Various | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United Kingdom - Peterborough |
1 | | 7.2 | 16.5 | 46.7 | 7.1 | 63.3 | 70.4 | (3.8 | ) | Various | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United Kingdom - Wisbech |
1 | | 3.3 | 60.6 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 62.1 | 65.1 | (13.1 | ) | 2009 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United Kingdom - All other |
10 | | 36.0 | 88.6 | 18.1 | 35.6 | 107.1 | 142.7 | (38.0 | ) | Various | 2017-2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ASIA PACIFIC |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australia - Hemmant |
3 | | 19.4 | 95.3 | 2.6 | 19.4 | 97.9 | 117.3 | (11.3 | ) | Various | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australia - All other |
10 | | 41.0 | 142.8 | 7.0 | 40.3 | 150.5 | 190.8 | (18.0 | ) | Various | 2019-2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Zealand |
35 | | 31.8 | 108.7 | 17.6 | 32.6 | 125.5 | 158.1 | (15.7 | ) | Various | 2020-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Singapore |
1 | | | 49.6 | 2.6 | | 52.2 | 52.2 | (4.6 | ) | Various | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sri Lanka |
1 | | | 7.4 | (3.1 | ) | | 4.3 | 4.3 | (0.5 | ) | Various | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vietnam |
5 | | 0.1 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 0.1 | 48.0 | 48.1 | (8.5 | ) | Various | 2019-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
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Total |
$ | (4,176.6 | ) | $ | 1,347.3 | $ | 7,289.5 | $ | 1,084.1 | $ | 1,436.5 | $ | 8,284.4 | $ | 9,720.9 | $ | (1,427.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Land, buildings, and improvements in the construction in progress balance as of December 31, 2023 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States |
267.7 | 267.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe |
20.5 | 20.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asia Pacific |
5.7 | 5.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Canada |
5.3 | 5.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total in construction in progress |
299.2 | 299.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total assets |
$ | (4,176.6 | ) | $ | 1,347.3 | $ | 7,289.5 | $ | 1,084.1 | $ | 1,436.5 | $ | 8,583.6 | $ | 10,020.1 | $ | (1,427.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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F-82
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2023
(dollars in millions, except quantity of buildings)
Schedule IIIFootnotes
(1) The following table presents a reconciliation of the gross amount of real estate assets, as presented in Schedule III above, to the sum of the historical book value of buildings, building improvements, refrigeration equipment, land, land improvements, and construction in progress, as disclosed in Note 5, Property, plant, and equipment in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023:
Reconciliation of total Schedule III assets as of December 31, 2023 |
||||
Gross amount of real estate assets, as disclosed in Note 5: |
||||
Buildings, building improvements and refrigeration equipment |
$ | 8,544.4 | ||
Land and land improvements |
1,446.3 | |||
Construction in progress |
432.1 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
10,422.8 | |||
Less: |
||||
Book value of real estate assets in leased facilities |
(256.2 | ) | ||
Book value of construction in progress on non-real estate assets |
(106.1 | ) | ||
Book value of construction in progress on real estate assets in leased facilities |
(26.9 | ) | ||
Book value of other miscellaneous |
(13.5 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Total reconciling items |
(402.7 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Gross amount of real estate assets, as reported on Schedule III |
$ | 10,020.1 | ||
|
|
|||
Reconciliation of total Schedule III accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 2023: |
||||
Accumulated depreciation, as disclosed in Note 5: |
$ | (2,266.2 | ) | |
Less: |
||||
Accumulated depreciationnon-real estate assets |
781.8 | |||
Accumulated depreciationreal estate assets in leased facilities |
57.3 | |||
|
|
|||
Total reconciling items |
839.1 | |||
|
|
|||
Accumulated depreciation, as reported on Schedule III |
$ | (1,427.1 | ) | |
|
|
(2) | Amount includes the cumulative impact of foreign currency translation and the effect of any asset disposals or impairments. |
(3) | The unaudited aggregate cost for Federal tax purposes at December 31, 2023 of the company real estate assets was approximately $10.6 billion. |
(4) | The life on which depreciation is computed in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2023 ranges from 1 to 40 years. |
(5) | Various for properties with multiple buildings or with multiple construction dates due to expansions. |
(6) | The following table summarizes the Companys real estate cost and accumulated depreciation activity for the years ended December 31: |
F-83
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2023
(dollars in millions, except quantity of buildings)
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Real estate properties, at cost: |
||||||||||||
Balance at January 1 |
$ | 9,380.3 | $ | 8,062.7 | $ | 6,307.3 | ||||||
Capital expenditures |
418.1 | 449.9 | 364.1 | |||||||||
Acquisitions |
180.4 | 1,052.7 | 1,482.9 | |||||||||
Dispositions |
(21.6 | ) | (7.0 | ) | (27.7 | ) | ||||||
Impairments |
(0.4 | ) | (0.6 | ) | | |||||||
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes and other |
63.3 | (177.4 | ) | (63.9 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance at December 31 |
$ | 10,020.1 | $ | 9,380.3 | $ | 8,062.7 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Accumulated depreciation: |
||||||||||||
Balance at January 1 |
$ | (1,116.1 | ) | $ | (843.6 | ) | $ | (617.7 | ) | |||
Depreciation Expense |
(309.1 | ) | (285.0 | ) | (233.5 | ) | ||||||
Dispositions |
7.3 | 1.7 | 4.8 | |||||||||
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes and other |
(9.2 | ) | 10.8 | 2.8 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance at December 31 |
$ | (1,427.1 | ) | $ | (1,116.1 | ) | $ | (843.6 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total real estate properties, net at December 31 |
$ | 8,593.0 | $ | 8,264.2 | $ | 7,219.1 | ||||||
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F-84
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions, except per share and share amounts)
March 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
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(unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 91.2 | $ | 68.2 | ||||
Restricted cash |
2.4 | 2.6 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
869.4 | 912.9 | ||||||
Inventories |
167.9 | 170.6 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
129.6 | 101.5 | ||||||
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Total current assets |
1,260.5 | 1,255.8 | ||||||
Non-current assets: |
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Property, plant, and equipment, net |
10,480.1 | 10,570.5 | ||||||
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net |
1,216.6 | 1,243.3 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net |
709.3 | 723.7 | ||||||
Equity method investments |
115.0 | 112.5 | ||||||
Goodwill |
3,373.1 | 3,393.9 | ||||||
Other intangible assets, net |
1,247.7 | 1,280.0 | ||||||
Other assets |
332.1 | 291.3 | ||||||
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Total assets |
$ | 18,734.4 | $ | 18,871.0 | ||||
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Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests, and Equity |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 1,030.5 | $ | 1,136.6 | ||||
Accrued distributions |
11.4 | 109.9 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
86.9 | 94.4 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt, net |
21.7 | 24.3 | ||||||
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Total current liabilities |
1,150.5 | 1,365.2 | ||||||
Non-current liabilities: |
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Long-term finance lease obligations |
1,283.5 | 1,304.5 | ||||||
Long-term operating lease obligations |
676.5 | 692.1 | ||||||
Deferred income tax liability |
356.4 | 370.1 | ||||||
Long-term debt, net |
9,246.0 | 8,958.2 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities |
158.4 | 159.6 | ||||||
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Total liabilities |
12,871.3 | 12,849.7 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16) |
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Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
255.1 | 348.9 | ||||||
Stockholders equity: |
||||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share 500,000,000 authorized shares; 161,762,835 and 162,017,515 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively |
1.6 | 1.6 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital - common stock |
5,990.9 | 5,960.7 | ||||||
Series A preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share 100,000,000 authorized shares; 630 issued and outstanding shares, with an aggregate liquidation preference of $0.6 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 |
0.6 | 0.6 | ||||||
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) |
(918.3 | ) | (878.6 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
(96.8 | ) | (33.8 | ) | ||||
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Total stockholders equity |
4,978.0 | 5,050.5 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interests |
630.0 | 621.9 | ||||||
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Total equity |
5,608.0 | 5,672.4 | ||||||
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Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity |
$ | 18,734.4 | $ | 18,871.0 | ||||
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-85
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 1,328.0 | $ | 1,333.3 | ||||
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Cost of operations |
883.8 | 890.2 | ||||||
General and administrative expense |
124.1 | 114.9 | ||||||
Depreciation expense |
157.7 | 129.5 | ||||||
Amortization expense |
53.4 | 51.7 | ||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
8.6 | 10.8 | ||||||
Restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals |
(0.4 | ) | 4.2 | |||||
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Total operating expense |
1,227.2 | 1,201.3 | ||||||
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Income from operations |
100.8 | 132.0 | ||||||
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Other income (expense): |
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Equity income (loss), net of tax |
(1.8 | ) | 0.2 | |||||
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net |
(10.7 | ) | (1.3 | ) | ||||
Interest expense, net |
(138.8 | ) | (114.7 | ) | ||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt |
(6.5 | ) | | |||||
Other nonoperating income (expense), net |
(0.7 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||
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Total other income (expense), net |
(158.5 | ) | (116.0 | ) | ||||
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Net income (loss) before income taxes |
(57.7 | ) | 16.0 | |||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(9.7 | ) | (2.6 | ) | ||||
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Net income (loss) |
(48.0 | ) | 18.6 | |||||
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(8.3 | ) | 0.9 | |||||
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Net income (loss) attributable to Lineage, Inc. |
$ | (39.7 | ) | $ | 17.7 | |||
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Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: |
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Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency hedges and interest rate hedges |
3.3 | (39.0 | ) | |||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(74.0 | ) | 30.2 | |||||
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Comprehensive income (loss) |
(118.7 | ) | 9.8 | |||||
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(16.3 | ) | (0.1 | ) | ||||
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Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Lineage, Inc. |
$ | (102.4 | ) | $ | 9.9 | |||
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Basic earnings (loss) per share |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 0.04 | |||
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Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 0.04 | |||
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Weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions): |
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Basic |
161.9 | 161.6 | ||||||
Diluted |
161.9 | 164.0 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-86
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY (Unaudited)
(dollars in millions, except number of shares)
Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
Number of shares |
Amount at par value |
Additional paid-in capital |
Series A preferred stock |
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
Noncontrolling interests |
Total equity |
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Balance as of December 31, 2023 |
$ | 348.9 | 162,017,515 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 5,960.7 | $ | 0.6 | $ | (878.6 | ) | $ | (33.8 | ) | $ | 621.9 | $ | 5,672.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions |
(0.4 | ) | | | | | | | (12.3 | ) | (12.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| | | 2.9 | | | | 1.6 | 4.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(0.4 | ) | | | | | | (62.7 | ) | (7.6 | ) | (70.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interests (Note 2) |
(6.3 | ) | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of common stock |
| (254,680 | ) | | (25.0 | ) | | | | | (25.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expiration of redemption option (Note 2) |
(92.4 | ) | | | 64.9 | | | | 27.5 | 92.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment |
0.5 | | | (0.5 | ) | | | | | (0.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
5.4 | | | (5.4 | ) | | | | | (5.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(0.2 | ) | | | | | (39.7 | ) | | (8.1 | ) | (47.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests |
| | | (6.7 | ) | | | (0.3 | ) | 7.0 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Balance as of March 31, 2024 |
$ | 255.1 | 161,762,835 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 5,990.9 | $ | 0.6 | $ | (918.3 | ) | $ | (96.8 | ) | $ | 630.0 | $ | 5,608.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-87
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY (Unaudited)
(dollars in millions, except number of shares)
Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
Number of shares |
Amount at par value |
Additional paid-in capital |
Series A preferred stock |
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
Noncontrolling interests |
Total equity |
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Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
$ | 297.8 | 160,400,437 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 5,915.0 | $ | 0.6 | $ | (712.8 | ) | $ | (37.4 | ) | $ | 640.9 | $ | 5,807.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issuances, net of equity raise costs |
| 1,558,333 | | 140.3 | | | | | 140.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |
| | | 3.1 | | | | 2.0 | 5.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions |
| | | | | | | (11.8 | ) | (11.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 48,447 | | 2.5 | | | | 1.8 | 4.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(0.1 | ) | | | | | | (7.8 | ) | (0.9 | ) | (8.7 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of REIT subsidiary preferred shares |
| | | | | | | 0.1 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of common stock |
| (37,037 | ) | | (3.3 | ) | | | | | (3.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of units issued as stock compensation |
| | | (9.5 | ) | | | | (0.5 | ) | (10.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment |
4.0 | | | (4.0 | ) | | | | | (4.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
8.9 | | | (8.9 | ) | | | | | (8.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
0.1 | | | | | 17.7 | | 0.8 | 18.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests |
| | | (20.6 | ) | | | 2.0 | 18.6 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Balance as of March 31, 2023 |
$ | 310.7 | 161,970,180 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 6,014.6 | $ | 0.6 | $ | (695.1 | ) | $ | (43.2 | ) | $ | 651.0 | $ | 5,929.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-88
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (48.0 | ) | $ | 18.6 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Provision for credit losses |
0.9 | 0.8 | ||||||
Impairment of long-lived and intangible assets |
| 0.3 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
211.1 | 181.2 | ||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, net |
6.5 | | ||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs and above/below market debt |
6.0 | 5.5 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation |
4.5 | 4.3 | ||||||
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, net |
10.7 | 1.3 | ||||||
Deferred income tax |
(22.9 | ) | (15.0 | ) | ||||
Other operating activities |
3.0 | 0.2 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (excluding effects of acquisitions): |
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Accounts receivable |
35.8 | 18.2 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses, other assets, and other long-term liabilities |
(20.5 | ) | (28.3 | ) | ||||
Inventories |
2.3 | (6.2 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and deferred revenue |
(82.6 | ) | (72.6 | ) | ||||
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities |
(1.5 | ) | (0.8 | ) | ||||
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
105.3 | 107.5 | ||||||
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Business combinations, net of cash acquired |
(58.9 | ) | | |||||
Real estate purchases |
| (13.1 | ) | |||||
Deposits on pending acquisitions |
1.8 | 1.0 | ||||||
Purchase of property, plant, and equipment |
(147.5 | ) | (228.7 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from sale of assets |
1.5 | 3.5 | ||||||
Other investing activity |
0.7 | (15.2 | ) | |||||
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Net cash used in investing activities |
(202.4 | ) | (252.5 | ) | ||||
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Capital contributions, net of equity raise costs |
| 140.2 | ||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |
| 3.0 | ||||||
Distributions to stockholders |
(88.5 | ) | | |||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interests |
(22.5 | ) | (11.0 | ) | ||||
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests |
(0.4 | ) | | |||||
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
(6.3 | ) | | |||||
Financing fees |
(44.2 | ) | | |||||
Proceeds from long-term debt |
81.0 | | ||||||
Repayments of long-term debt and finance leases |
(971.8 | ) | (25.3 | ) | ||||
Borrowings on revolving line of credit |
1,837.4 | 262.8 | ||||||
Repayments on revolving line of credit |
(631.5 | ) | (202.5 | ) | ||||
Redemption of units issued as stock compensation |
| (9.7 | ) | |||||
Redemption of common stock |
(25.0 | ) | (3.3 | ) | ||||
Other financing activity |
(7.0 | ) | (8.9 | ) | ||||
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
121.2 | 145.3 | ||||||
Impact of foreign exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
(1.3 | ) | 1.8 | |||||
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Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
22.8 | 2.1 | ||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of the period |
70.8 | 202.0 | ||||||
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Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the period |
$ | 93.6 | $ | 204.1 | ||||
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F-89
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
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Cash paid for taxes |
$ | 9.3 | $ | 24.0 | ||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 160.9 | $ | 145.0 | ||||
Noncash activities: |
||||||||
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 73.0 | $ | 70.2 | ||||
Accrued distributions to noncontrolling interests |
$ | 11.4 | $ | 11.4 | ||||
Net deferred and contingent consideration on acquisitions |
$ | | $ | 1.1 | ||||
Noncash capital contribution from noncontrolling interests |
$ | | $ | (2.1 | ) |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-90
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
Table of Contents for Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note | Page | |||||
Significant accounting policies and practices | F-92 | |||||
Capital structure and noncontrolling interests | F-94 | |||||
Revenue | F-100 | |||||
Business combinations and asset acquisitions | F-100 | |||||
Property, plant, and equipment | F-102 | |||||
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net | F-102 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | F-103 | |||||
Income taxes | F-103 | |||||
Debt | F-103 | |||||
Derivative instruments and hedging activities | F-107 | |||||
Interest expense | F-109 | |||||
Fair value measurements | F-110 | |||||
Leases | F-111 | |||||
Stock-based compensation | F-113 | |||||
Related-party balances | F-114 | |||||
Commitments and contingencies | F-115 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | F-117 | |||||
Earnings (loss) per share | F-117 | |||||
Segment information | F-119 | |||||
Subsequent events | F-120 |
F-91
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(1) | Significant accounting policies and practices |
(a) | Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation |
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the accounting principals generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These financial statements include all adjustments, which consist of normal, recurring adjustments and transactions or events discretely impacting the interim periods, considered necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lineage, Inc. consolidated with the accounts of all subsidiaries and affiliates in which the Company holds a controlling financial interest as of the financial statement date. The operating results for the interim period ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year and should be read in conjunction with the Companys consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The Company consolidates a voting interest entity (VOE) in which it has a controlling financial interest and a variable interest entity (VIE) if it possesses both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect its economic performance, and (a) is obligated to absorb the losses that could be significant to the VIE or (b) holds the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. During 2023, the Company invested less than $1.0 million in two special-purpose entities which constituted VIEs in which the Company was the primary beneficiary as of December 31, 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company sold the special-purpose entities for a nominal amount. As of March 31, 2024, the Company did not have any VIEs.
(b) | Use of estimates in preparation of financial statements |
The preparation of the Companys condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the financial statement date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. The Company bases its estimates on various factors and information which may include, but are not limited to, history and prior experience, expected future results, new related events, and economic conditions, which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from the estimates used in preparing the Companys condensed consolidated financial statements.
(c) | Recently adopted accounting pronouncements |
In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. The amendments in this ASU clarify that a contractual restriction on sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments also clarify that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction. The ASU also requires additional disclosures surrounding equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2024. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-92
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(d) | Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted |
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments in this ASU require that an entity disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, disclose an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of the amounts composition, and provide all annual disclosures about a reportable segments profit or loss and assets currently required by ASC 280, Segment Reporting, in interim periods. The amendments also require that an entity disclose the title and position of the CODM with an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and making resource allocation decisions. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is still evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU amends existing income tax disclosure guidance, primarily requiring more detailed disclosure for income taxes paid and the effective tax rate reconciliation. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is still evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted new rules that will require registrants to provide certain climate-related information in their registration statements and annual reports. The rules require information about a registrants climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on its business, results of operations, or financial condition. The required information about climate-related risks will also include disclosure of a registrants greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the rules will require registrants to present certain climate-related financial metrics in their audited financial statements. Some portions of the new rules will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning in calendar year 2025 and some in 2026. In April 2024, the SEC voluntarily stayed the implementation of these rules, pending resolution of judicial review. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the rule changes on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-01, Compensation Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interests and Similar Awards. This ASU clarifies the application of ASC 718, Compensation Stock Compensation, to profits interests and similar instruments by providing illustrative examples of the proper accounting for such awards. The ASU does not contain changes to the application of the previously existing accounting guidance. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company does not expect this ASU to have an effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements because the Companys accounting for profits interests and similar instruments conforms to the clarified guidance.
(e) | Accounts receivable and Notes receivable |
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and are stated net of estimated allowances for uncollectible balances. Notes receivable primarily consist of amounts that are due and payable related to various business transactions. The current portion of notes receivable is recorded in Accounts receivable, net and the non-current portion is recorded in Other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The current portion of notes receivable was $6.0 million and $6.3 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The non-current portion of notes receivable was $13.3 million and $20.4 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
F-93
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
Allowances for uncollectible balances are reserved based on expected credit losses. Management exercises judgement in establishing these allowances and considers the balance outstanding and payment history. The Company writes off receivables against the allowances after all reasonable collection efforts are exhausted. The Companys allowance for accounts receivable was $8.0 million and $7.1 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
(f) | Investments in partially owned entities |
The Company accounts for its investments in partially owned entities where the Company does not have a controlling interest but has significant influence using the equity method of accounting, under which the net income of the entity is recognized in income and presented in Equity method investments within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Allocations of profits and losses are made per the terms of the organizational documents. The Companys ownership percentages in such investments range from 9.0% to 50.0%.
The Company has committed to invest up to a total of $108.0 million in its equity method investment Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings, LLC (LatAm). The Company has contributed a total of $75.2 million to date, of which the Company invested $4.8 million and $15.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company has an option to purchase the remaining equity interests in LatAm during a period beginning on the third anniversary and expiring on the sixth anniversary of its initial investment date, which was July 2021.
The Company has interests in partially owned entities where the Company does not have a controlling interest or significant influence. These investments do not have readily determinable fair values, and the Company has elected the measurement alternative to measure these investments at cost less impairment, adjusted by observable price changes, with any fair value changes recognized in earnings. Refer to Note 12, Fair value measurements for additional information. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of these investments was $29.3 million and $29.8 million, respectively, and is presented within Other assets within the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(2) | Capital structure and noncontrolling interests |
Lineage, Inc. was organized in 2017 under Maryland law by an affiliate of Bay Grove Capital, LLC (Bay Grove Capital) and operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for United States (U.S.) federal income tax purposes. All outstanding common shares of Lineage, Inc. are held by BG Lineage Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (BGLH). Lineage, Inc. is the managing member of Lineage OP, LLC (Lineage OP or the Operating Partnership) and owns a controlling financial interest in Lineage OP. Lineage OP holds all direct interests in Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC (LLH) other than certain interests held by LLH MGMT Profits, LLC (LLH MGMT), LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC (LLH MGMT II), and BG Maverick, LLC (BG Maverick).
Lineage, Inc. capital structure
(a) | Common Stock |
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were 161.8 million and 162.0 million common shares issued and outstanding, respectively.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, Lineage, Inc. repurchased shares of its common stock as authorized by its Board of Directors (Board). Any repurchased shares are constructively retired and returned to an unissued status. The following table provides the number of
F-94
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
shares repurchased, average price paid per share, and total amount paid for share repurchases (in millions) for the three months ended March 31:
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Total number of shares repurchased |
254,680 | 37,037 | ||||||
Average price paid per share |
$ | 98.37 | $ | 90.00 | ||||
Total consideration paid for share repurchases |
$ | 25.0 | $ | 3.3 |
Operating Partnership capital structure
The Operating Partnership has three classes of equity: Class A, Class B, and Class C units. A summary of these ownership interests as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is as follows:
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
Class A units owned by Lineage, Inc. |
161,762,835 | 162,017,515 | ||||||
Class A & B units owned by Non-Company LPs |
19,709,542 | 18,829,959 | ||||||
Redeemable Class A units owned by Non-Company LPs |
319,006 | 1,260,182 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
181,791,383 | 182,107,656 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
Class C units are excluded from the above summary because their only claim on the underlying assets of the Operating Partnership is the distribution described below.
Noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership relates to the interest in the Operating Partnership owned by Non-Company LPs.
(b) | Noncontrolling Interest in Operating Partnership - Class A, Class B, and Class C |
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Non-Company LPs owned 10.8% and 10.3% of the outstanding Class A and Class B units of the Operating Partnership, respectively, other than the redeemable Operating Partnership units described below. Class A and Class B units are both voting capital interests in the Operating Partnership and are similar to each other in all material respects except that Class A units held by Non-Company LPs bear a Founders Equity Share (as described below) payable to Class C unit holders, whereas Class B units do not.
BG Cold, LLC (BG Cold), an affiliate of Bay Grove Management, holds all outstanding Class C units of the Operating Partnership. Class C units provide BG Cold the right to receive a percentage distribution (Founders Equity Share) upon certain distributions made to Non-Company LPs who hold Class A units of the Operating Partnership. Class C units also receive a distribution upon certain repurchases and redemptions of Class A units of the Operating Partnership held by Non-Company LPs. The calculation of the Founders Equity Share borne by Class A units in the Operating Partnership held by Non-Company LPs varies depending on the sub-class of Class A units but generally amounts to a percentage of all value appreciation over certain thresholds. On a quarterly basis, BG Cold also receives an advance distribution (Advance Distribution) against its future Founders Equity Share based on a formulaic amount of all capital contributed to the Operating Partnership after August 3, 2020. This Advance Distribution is an advance on the Class C Founders Equity Share to be paid upon the sale, redemption, or liquidation of, or other distributions to, Class A units and would offset subsequent Class C unit Founders Equity Share distributions paid in conjunction with a hypothetical sale, redemption, liquidation, or other distribution.
F-95
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
BG Cold received a total of $11.4 million in total Advance Distributions both during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
(c) | Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership Units |
In connection with the acquisition of Cherry Hill Joliet, LLC, 279 Marquette Drive, LLC, Joliet Cold Storage, LLC, and Bolingbrook Cold Storage, LLC (collectively, JCS) in 2021, the Company entered into an Equity Purchase Agreement with the sellers of JCS. Under the terms of the agreement, the sellers acquired 941,176 Class A units of the Operating Partnership, and the sellers had a one-time right as of February 1, 2024 to put all, or a portion of, the units for cash. These units were accounted for as Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity due to the put right held by the sellers. Upon the exercise of the put right, the price to be paid for the redeemable noncontrolling interests was the current fair market value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest, subject to a minimum price (floor) equivalent to $97.0 million if the put right was exercised for all the units. Any redemption also required a distribution of any accrued but unpaid Founders Equity Share through the date of redemption, and the required accretion adjustments related to these units included the impact of the Founders Equity Share.
On February 1, 2024, one of the holders of these units elected to exercise their redemption rights for 61,593 of these units in exchange for total proceeds of $6.3 million. As a result of the partial redemption, BG Cold received a distribution of $0.4 million in respect of Founders Equity Share. The holders waived their redemption rights for their remaining 879,583 units and the units remained outstanding, which resulted in a reclassification of the redeemable noncontrolling interest to noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership. The difference between the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest and the ASC 810 carrying value for the remaining noncontrolling interest was recognized in Additional paid-in capitalcommon stock in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity.
LLH Capital Structure
The Operating Partnership owns all outstanding equity interests of LLH except for those held by LLH MGMT, LLH MGMT II, and BG Maverick. Certain subsidiaries of LLH have also issued equity interests to third parties. All of these equity interests are accounted for as Noncontrolling interests in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity.
(d) | Noncontrolling Interests in Other Consolidated Subsidiaries |
Noncontrolling interests in Other Consolidated Subsidiaries include entities other than the Operating Partnership in which the Company has a controlling interest but which are not wholly owned by the Company. Third parties own the following interests in the below Other Consolidated Subsidiaries:
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
Cool Port Oakland Holdings, LLC |
13.3 | % | 13.3 | % | ||||
Lineage Jiuheng Logistics (HK) Group Company Ltd. |
40.0 | % | 40.0 | % | ||||
Kloosterboer BLG Coldstore GmbH |
49.0 | % | 49.0 | % | ||||
Turvo India Pvt. Ltd. |
1.0 | % | 1.0 | % |
F-96
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
In addition to the third-party interests detailed above, Noncontrolling interests in Other Consolidated Subsidiaries also include Series A Preferred shares issued by each of the Companys REIT subsidiaries to third-party investors. Each REIT subsidiary has issued Series A Preferred shares, which are non-voting shares that have a $1,000 liquidation preference and a cumulative 12% per annum dividend preference. The REIT subsidiary Series A Preferred shares may be redeemed at the Companys option for consideration equal to $1,000 plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to and including the date fixed for redemption and are not convertible or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Company.
On January 12, 2023, Lineage Logistics CC Holdings, LLC issued 123 preferred shares in order to become a REIT subsidiary. The Companys REIT subsidiaries had an aggregate amount of 373 Series A preferred shares held by third parties outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
(e) | Management Profits Interests Class C units |
The Company grants interests in LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II to certain members of management. LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II hold all outstanding Class C units in LLH (Management Profits Interests Class C units). Management Profits Interests Class C units entitle LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II, and, by extension, certain members of management, to a formulaic amount of the profits of LLH, generally based on the growth of the Companys share price over a certain threshold, subject to certain adjustments.
On certain occasions, the Company offers a repurchase opportunity for certain Management Profits Interests Class C units by offering cash settlement to repurchase units at their current fair market value. Certain Management Profits Interests Class C units were redeemed in exchange for a cash total of $10.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. No such redemptions occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2024. In the condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity, the carrying value of the redeemed units is recorded as a reduction of Noncontrolling interests, while the excess of the redemption payments over the carrying value of the redeemed units is recorded as a reduction of Additional paid-in capital - common stock.
(f) | Convertible Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Preference Shares |
During three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded net redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments of $0.5 million and $4.0 million, respectively, representing the effect of foreign currency on the carrying amount and accrued dividends payable. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were 2,214,553 Preference Shares outstanding. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the ending redeemable noncontrolling interest balance of $221.3 million and $220.8 million, respectively, represents the maximum redemption value of the Preference Shares.
F-97
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
Below is a summary of all activity for the Companys redeemable noncontrolling interests during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, which are discussed in further detail above.
(in millions) | Redeemable Non controlling Interests Operating Partnership Units |
Convertible Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Preference Shares |
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Operating Subsidiaries |
Total Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2023 |
$ | 120.4 | $ | 220.8 | $ | 7.7 | $ | 348.9 | ||||||||
Distributions |
(0.4 | ) | | | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(0.4 | ) | | | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||||
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
(6.3 | ) | | | (6.3 | ) | ||||||||||
Expiration of redemption option |
(92.4 | ) | | | (92.4 | ) | ||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment |
| 0.5 | | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
4.8 | | 0.6 | 5.4 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | (0.2 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2024 |
$ | 25.6 | $ | 221.3 | $ | 8.2 | $ | 255.1 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) | Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership Units |
Convertible Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Preference Shares |
Total Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
|||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
$ | 84.8 | $ | 213.0 | $ | 297.8 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | |||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment |
| 4.0 | 4.0 | |||||||||
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
8.9 | | 8.9 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) |
0.1 | | 0.1 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2023 |
$ | 93.7 | $ | 217.0 | $ | 310.7 | ||||||
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|
|
F-98
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
Below is a summary of all activity for the Companys noncontrolling interests during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, which are discussed in further detail above.
(in millions) | Operating Partnership Units - Class A, B, & C |
Noncontrolling Interests in Other Consolidated Subsidiaries |
Management Profits Interests Class C Units |
Total Noncontrolling interests |
||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2023 |
$ | 597.7 | $ | 15.6 | $ | 8.6 | $ | 621.9 | ||||||||
Distributions |
(11.3 | ) | (1.0 | ) | | (12.3 | ) | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| | 1.6 | 1.6 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(7.6 | ) | | | (7.6 | ) | ||||||||||
Expiration of redemption option |
27.5 | | | 27.5 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(4.8 | ) | 0.2 | (3.5 | ) | (8.1 | ) | |||||||||
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests |
7.0 | | | 7.0 | ||||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2024 |
$ | 608.5 | $ | 14.8 | $ | 6.7 | $ | 630.0 | ||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) | Operating Partnership Units - Class A, B, & C |
Noncontrolling Interests in Other Consolidated Subsidiaries |
Management Profits Interests Class C Units |
Total Noncontrolling interests |
||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
$ | 608.1 | $ | 20.5 | $ | 12.3 | $ | 640.9 | ||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interests |
2.0 | | | 2.0 | ||||||||||||
Distributions |
(11.8 | ) | | | (11.8 | ) | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| | 1.8 | 1.8 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(0.9 | ) | | | (0.9 | ) | ||||||||||
Issuance of REIT subsidiary preferred shares |
| 0.1 | | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Redemption of units issued as stock compensation |
| | (0.5 | ) | (0.5 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
2.1 | | (1.3 | ) | 0.8 | |||||||||||
Reallocation of noncontrolling interests |
18.6 | | | 18.6 | ||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2023 |
$ | 618.1 | $ | 20.6 | $ | 12.3 | $ | 651.0 | ||||||||
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F-99
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(3) | Revenue |
The following table disaggregates the Companys net revenues by major stream and reportable segment for the three months ended March 31:
(in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
Warehousing operations |
$ | 872.2 | $ | 862.8 | ||||
Warehouse lease revenues |
67.1 | 64.0 | ||||||
Managed services |
25.2 | 21.6 | ||||||
Other |
4.1 | 9.2 | ||||||
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|
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|
|||||
Total Global Warehousing |
$ | 968.6 | $ | 957.6 | ||||
Transportation |
204.2 | 228.3 | ||||||
Food sales |
48.5 | 55.0 | ||||||
Redistribution revenues |
48.0 | 44.5 | ||||||
E-commerce and other |
40.1 | 29.9 | ||||||
Railcar lease revenues |
18.6 | 18.0 | ||||||
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|
|||||
Total Global Integrated Solutions |
$ | 359.4 | $ | 375.7 | ||||
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|
|||||
Total net revenues |
$ | 1,328.0 | $ | 1,333.3 | ||||
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The Company has no material warranties or obligations for allowances, refunds, or other similar obligations. As a practical expedient, the Company does not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component, as the period between the transfer of service to the customer and the receipt of customer payment is less than a year.
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $1,032.1 million of remaining unsatisfied performance obligations from contracts with customers subject to a non-cancellable term and within contracts that have an original expected duration exceeding one year. These obligations also do not include variable consideration beyond the non-cancellable term, which, due to the inability to quantify by estimate, is fully constrained. The Company expects to recognize 21% of these remaining performance obligations as revenue over the next 12 months and the remaining 79% to be recognized over a weighted average period of 10.0 years through 2043.
Accounts receivable balances related to contracts with customers were $785.8 million and $804.5 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Deferred revenue balances related to contracts with customers were $86.0 million, and $93.3 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Substantially all revenue that was included in the deferred revenue balances at the beginning of 2024 has been recognized as of March 31, 2024 and represents revenue from the satisfaction of storage and handling services billed in advance.
(4) | Business combinations and asset acquisitions |
2024 Business Combinations
The following acquisition took place during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The initial accounting for the 2023 and 2024 business combinations has been completed on a preliminary basis. The primary areas of acquisition accounting that are not yet finalized relate to the valuation of all acquired real estate assets, intangible assets, and related income tax assets and liabilities. The Companys estimates and assumptions are subject to change during the measurement period, not to exceed one year from the acquisition date, and actual values may materially differ from the preliminary
F-100
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
estimates. The Companys condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity, and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 include the results of operations for this business since the date of acquisition.
The following table summarizes the total consideration and the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the business combination made by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
(in millions) | Entrepôt du Nord Inc. | |||
Fair value of consideration transferred |
||||
Cash paid |
$ | 59.5 | ||
|
|
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Total |
$ | 59.5 | ||
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
0.8 | |||
Accounts receivable, net and prepaid expenses and other current assets |
1.6 | |||
Property, plant, and equipment |
30.8 | |||
Customer relationships (included in other intangible assets) |
14.8 | |||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and deferred revenue |
(0.6 | ) | ||
Deferred income tax liabilities |
(9.7 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Total identified net assets |
$ | 37.7 | ||
Goodwill |
$ | 21.8 |
(a) | Entrepôt du Nord |
On February 1, 2024, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity of Entrepôt du Nord Inc. and 2957-8002 Quebec Inc. (collectively EDN) through a share purchase agreement for $59.5 million in cash consideration. EDN owns and operates a warehouse facility near Montreal in Quebec, Canada. EDN is primarily engaged in temperature controlled warehousing services.
The goodwill associated with this acquisition is primarily attributable to the strategic benefits of strengthening the Companys warehousing network in Canada. The goodwill associated with this acquisition is not amortizable for income tax purposes. The goodwill is attributable to the Companys Global Warehousing segment.
Updates Relating to Prior Period Acquisitions
(a) | Burris |
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded an adjustment to the total cash consideration paid and related goodwill in the amount of $0.2 million for the acquisition of certain facilities and related assets from Burris Logistics in 2023, resulting from an incremental post-closing true-up payment made to the seller.
F-101
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(5) | Property, plant, and equipment |
Property, plant, and equipment, net consists of the following:
(in millions) | March 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
Estimated Useful Life (Years) |
|||||||||
Buildings, building improvements, and refrigeration equipment |
$ | 8,583.7 | $ | 8,544.4 | 1 40 | |||||||
Land and land improvements |
1,449.2 | 1,446.3 | 15 Indefinite | |||||||||
Machinery and equipment |
1,262.8 | 1,316.3 | 5 20 | |||||||||
Railcars |
537.8 | 534.5 | 7 50 | |||||||||
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment |
611.9 | 563.1 | 1 7 | |||||||||
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|
|||||||||
Gross property, plant, and equipment |
12,445.4 | 12,404.6 | ||||||||||
Less accumulated depreciation |
(2,383.2 | ) | (2,266.2 | ) | ||||||||
Construction in progress |
417.9 | 432.1 | ||||||||||
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|
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Property, plant, and equipment, net |
$ | 10,480.1 | $ | 10,570.5 | ||||||||
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|
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded no impairment charges. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, impairment charges of less than $1.0 million were recorded, which are included in Restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals in the Companys condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
(6) | Goodwill and other intangible assets, net |
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for each reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are as follows:
(in millions) | Global Warehousing |
Global Integrated Solutions |
Total | |||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2023 |
$ | 2,749.5 | $ | 644.4 | $ | 3,393.9 | ||||||
Goodwill acquired1 |
21.8 | | 21.8 | |||||||||
Measurement period adjustments1 |
0.2 | | 0.2 | |||||||||
Foreign currency translation |
(37.4 | ) | (5.4 | ) | (42.8 | ) | ||||||
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|
|
|
|||||||
Balance, March 31, 2024 |
$ | 2,734.1 | $ | 639.0 | $ | 3,373.1 | ||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
The following are the Companys total other intangible assets as of:
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Gross Carrying Amount |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net Carrying Amount |
Gross Carrying Amount |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net Carrying Amount |
Useful Life (Years) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Customer relationships |
$ | 1,500.2 | $ | (364.6 | ) | $ | 1,135.6 | $ | 1,506.7 | $ | (343.3 | ) | $ | 1,163.4 | 5 - 28 | |||||||||||||
In-place leases |
97.2 | (22.0 | ) | 75.2 | 98.1 | (20.5 | ) | 77.6 | 2 - 31 | |||||||||||||||||||
Technology |
31.5 | (5.8 | ) | 25.7 | 31.5 | (5.0 | ) | 26.5 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
Trade names |
9.3 | (6.3 | ) | 3.0 | 24.2 | (20.7 | ) | 3.5 | 1 - 15 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other |
19.6 | (11.4 | ) | 8.2 | 19.9 | (10.9 | ) | 9.0 | 4 - 17 | |||||||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||||||
Other intangible assets |
$ | 1,657.8 | $ | (410.1 | ) | $ | 1,247.7 | $ | 1,680.4 | $ | (400.4 | ) | $ | 1,280.0 | ||||||||||||||
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1 | See Note 4, Business combinations and asset acquisitions for details. |
F-102
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company derecognized fully-amortized intangible assets and the associated accumulated amortization totaling $15.4 million.
Customer relationships intangible assets acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2024 have a weighted-average amortization period of 15 years.
(7) | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
(in millions) | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
$ | 84.6 | $ | 62.6 | ||||
Other current assets |
28.8 | 29.7 | ||||||
Deferred equity raise costs |
16.2 | 9.2 | ||||||
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|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 129.6 | $ | 101.5 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(8) | Income taxes |
The Companys provision for income taxes is based upon an estimated annual tax rate for the year applied to U.S. federal, U.S. state, and foreign income. Significant discrete items that are not consistent from period to period are recorded to Income tax expense (benefit) in the quarter in which they occur.
The Companys effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was 16.8% and (16.3%), respectively. The annual effective tax rates differ from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to the Company operating as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the differences in tax rates at which foreign income is taxed, and certain nondeductible expenses, income tax credits, and changes in valuation allowance.
(9) | Debt |
Debt consists of the following at:
(in millions) | March 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
||||||
Credit Agreement - Revolving Credit Facility, variable rate, due February 2028 |
$ | 2,385.0 | $ | 1,205.3 | ||||
Adjustable Rate Multi-Property Loan (CMBS 4), variable rate, due May 2024 |
2,344.2 | 2,344.2 | ||||||
Private Placement Guaranteed Senior Unsecured Notes, fixed rates, due August 2026-2031 |
1,431.2 | 1,443.4 | ||||||
Adjustable Rate Multi-Property Loan (CMBS 5), variable rate, due November 20241 |
1,297.5 | 1,297.5 | ||||||
Credit Agreement - Term Loan A, variable rate, due February 2029 |
1,000.0 | 1,875.0 | ||||||
Private Placement Guaranteed Senior Unsecured Notes, fixed rates, due August 2027-2032 |
259.0 | 264.9 | ||||||
MetLife Real Estate Lending, LLC, - iStar, fixed rate 4.51%, due October 2028 |
228.0 | 228.0 |
1 | The maturity of CMBS 5 may be extended to November 9, 2025 through a one-year extension option that can be exercised if certain covenants are met. |
F-103
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(in millions) | March 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
||||||
MetLife Real Estate Lending, LLC - Richland, fixed rate 4.00%/4.10%, due January 2026 |
164.4 | 164.9 | ||||||
MetLife Real Estate Lending, LLC - Cool Port Oakland, variable rate, due March 2029 |
81.0 | | ||||||
Transportes Fuentes Group Term Loans, various rates, due November 2024July 2028 |
25.0 | 28.2 | ||||||
MetLife Real Estate Lending, LLC - Cool Port Oakland, variable rate, due March 2024 |
| 76.7 | ||||||
Other debt, various rates and maturities |
76.8 | 80.5 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total debt |
9,292.1 | 9,008.6 | ||||||
Less current portion long-term debt |
(21.7 | ) | (24.3 | ) | ||||
Less deferred financing costs |
(21.9 | ) | (23.3 | ) | ||||
Less below-market debt |
(5.4 | ) | (5.9 | ) | ||||
Plus above-market debt |
2.9 | 3.1 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total long-term debt, net |
$ | 9,246.0 | $ | 8,958.2 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(a) | Credit AgreementRevolving Credit Facility and Term Loan A |
On December 22, 2020, the Company entered into a revolving credit and term loan agreement (collectively, the Credit Agreement) consisting of a multi-currency revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) and a USD-denominated term loan (the Term Loan A) with various lenders. The Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan A had an original maturity of December 22, 2024 and December 22, 2025, respectively. The Credit Agreement became unsecured with an amendment on August 20, 2021.
Effective February 15, 2024, the Company amended and restated the Credit Agreement, increasing the Companys borrowing capacity under the existing Revolving Credit Facility from $2,625.0 million to $3,500.0 million. The amendment also resulted in a pay down of $875.0 million on the Term Loan A using funds available on the Revolving Credit Facility. After the amendment, the remaining outstanding balance on the Term Loan A is $1,000.0 million. Additionally, the amendment gives the Company the right to increase the size of the existing Term Loan A, add one or more incremental term loans, and/or increase commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility, up to $500.0 million, which would increase the total aggregate commitment amount of the existing Credit Agreement to $5,000.0 million. The amended maturity dates for the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan A are February 15, 2028 and February 15, 2029, respectively. Under the terms of Credit Agreement, the Revolving Credit Facility may be extended through two six-month extension options that can be exercised if certain conditions are met.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, and in connection with the refinancing of the Credit Agreement, the Company incurred total fees and expenses of $33.9 million, of which $31.1 million was capitalized as deferred financing costs, ($1.7) million was recognized as an immediate Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, and $1.1 million was recognized in General and administrative expense as third-party costs related to a debt modification. Of the capitalized $31.1 million in deferred financing costs, $26.4 million related to the Revolving Credit Facility and $4.7 million related to the Term Loan A, which are presented in Other assets and Long-term debt, net, respectively, within the Companys condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized an additional ($4.8) million in Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt related to unamortized deferred financing costs for the portions of the Credit Agreement determined to be extinguished.
F-104
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
The following table provides the details of the Companys Credit Agreement:
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Contractual Interest Rate (1) |
Borrowing Currency |
Carrying Amount (USD) |
Contractual Interest Rate (1) |
Borrowing Currency |
Carrying Amount (USD) |
||||||||||||||||
Term Loan A |
||||||||||||||||||||||
USD |
SOFR+1.60% | 1,000.0 | $ | 1,000.0 | SOFR+1.60% | 1,875.0 | $ | 1,875.0 | ||||||||||||||
Revolving Credit Facility |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
USD |
SOFR+1.60% | 1,510.0 | 1,510.0 | SOFR+1.60% | 315.0 | 315.0 | ||||||||||||||||
CAD |
CDOR+1.60% | 440.0 | 324.9 | CDOR+1.60% | 448.0 | 338.1 | ||||||||||||||||
AUD |
BBSW+1.60% | 355.0 | 231.3 | BBSW+1.60% | 349.0 | 237.7 | ||||||||||||||||
EUR |
EURIBOR+1.60% | 187.0 | 201.8 | EURIBOR+1.60% | 175.0 | 193.2 | ||||||||||||||||
DKK |
CIBOR+1.60% | 503.0 | 72.8 | CIBOR+1.60% | 498.0 | 73.7 | ||||||||||||||||
NZD |
BKBM+1.60% | 62.0 | 37.1 | BKBM+1.60% | 62.0 | 39.2 | ||||||||||||||||
NOK |
NIBOR+1.60% | 78.0 | 7.1 | NIBOR+1.60% | 86.0 | 8.4 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Revolving Credit Facility |
$ | 2,385.0 | $ | 1,205.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
1 | SOFR = Secured Overnight Financing Rate, CDOR = Canadian Dollar Offered Rate, BBSW = Bank Bill Swap Rate, EURIBOR = Euro Interbank Offered Rate, CIBOR = Copenhagen Interbank Offered Rate, NIBOR = Norwegian Interbank Offered Rate, BKBM = Bank Bill Reference Rate |
There were $66.1 million and $66.5 million letters of credit issued on the Companys Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company has the ability to issue up to $100.0 million as letters of credit.
(b) | Delayed-draw term loan facility |
On February 15, 2024, the Company entered into an unsecured delayed-draw term loan facility (DDTL) with a borrowing capacity of up to $2,400.0 million. The involved parties, in addition to the Company, included a syndicate of banks, financial institutions, and other entities, with notable participants being JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMorgan) also acting as the administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Securities LLC also acting as a syndication agent. Under this facility, the full commitment was available for borrowing in a single drawing during the period commencing on the closing date and ending on May 10, 2024. In addition, the Company has the right to increase the size of the DDTL, up to $500.0 million, which would increase the total aggregate commitment amount to $2,900.0 million.
The DDTL matures one year from closing, on February 14, 2025. The DDTL may be extended through a twelve-month extension option that can be exercised if certain conditions are met and an extension fee of 0.25% is paid.
The agreement permits prepayments of principal, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium or penalty. There are also additional instances outlined that would trigger a mandatory principal prepayment under specified events. The Company is required to prepay 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds from any issuance or offering of common or preferred equity securities through an underwritten public offering of equity interests in which the equity interests of the Company are listed on a nationally-recognized stock exchange (Qualified Initial Public Offering) or a generally offered equity raise, any portion of net cash proceeds in excess of $100.0 million for any debt issuances (on a cumulative basis, excluding borrowings or repayments under the Companys existing Credit
F-105
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
Agreement), and any portion of net cash proceeds in excess of $100.0 million on any sale, transfer, or other disposition of any owned or ground-leased real or personal property or equity interests (on a cumulative basis).
On or before December 31, 2024, the Company must repay outstanding DDTL balances in an amount equal to at least 20% of the aggregate principal amount borrowed on the initial funding date.
Term loan borrowings under the DDTL facility will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR plus 0.10% (or Adjusted Term SOFR), plus the applicable margin ranging from 1.60% to 2.20% based on the Companys total leverage ratio. Based on the Companys existing total leverage ratio, the interest rate expected to be in effect for the Companys prospective DDTL borrowing is Adjusted Term SOFR plus 1.60%. Interest is payable in arrears on a quarterly basis. In addition, the DDTL facility is subject to a commitment fee of 0.20% on the average daily unused amount of the facility commitment.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, and in connection with the execution of the DDTL, the Company incurred and capitalized fees and expenses of $9.2 million as deferred financing costs. The DDTL capitalized deferred financing costs are presented in Other assets within the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
On April 9, 2024, the Company borrowed the full $2,400.0 million available under the DDTL. The borrowing proceeds were used to pay off the CMBS 4 loan and to partially repay the Revolving Credit Facility. In accordance with the terms of the DDTL agreement, $480.0 million (or 20%) of the total principal balance is to be classified as a current liability, as it represents the portion of the principal amount required to be repaid on or before December 31, 2024.
(c) | Adjustable rate multi-property loan (CMBS 4) |
On May 9, 2019, the Company entered into an adjustable rate multi-property loan agreement (CMBS 4) with Column Financial, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., and Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. in the aggregate amount of $2,350.0 million.
On April 9, 2024, using the proceeds from the DDTL, the Company fully paid the remaining outstanding CMBS 4 principal balance of $2,344.2 million, along with $14.2 million in accrued interest and fees.
(d) | MetLife Real Estate Lending LLCCool Port Oakland |
On March 25, 2019, the Company entered into a loan agreement with MetLife Real Estate Lending LLC in the amount of $81.3 million.
On February 6, 2024, the Company entered into a new $81.0 million loan agreement with MetLife Real Estate Lending LLC, designed as a refinancing arrangement, with a maturity date of March 5, 2029. This agreement enabled the company to fully pay the outstanding balloon payment of $76.5 million associated with the previous loan due to mature in March 2024. After the repayment, debt issuance fees, and other closing costs, the Company received net cash proceeds of $3.5 million. The loan bears interest at SOFR plus a spread of 1.77% per annum. In addition, the agreement mandates monthly interest-only payments with a balloon repayment of the outstanding principal amount due upon maturity.
As a result of the financing, the Company capitalized $1.1 million of incurred fees and expenses as deferred financing costs during three months ended March 31, 2024.
F-106
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(e) | Deferred financing costs and gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt |
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 the Company recognized amortization of deferred financing costs recorded to Interest expense, net of $5.6 million and $4.8 million, respectively.
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the amount of unamortized deferred financing costs in Long-term debt, net within the condensed consolidated balance sheets was $21.9 million and $23.3 million, respectively. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the amount of unamortized deferred financing costs in Other assets within the condensed consolidated balance sheets was $41.5 million and $9.1 million, respectively.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, as the result of various debt refinancing arrangements, the Company recorded ($6.5) million to Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt.
(f) | Collateral |
CMBS 4 and CMBS 5 are secured by certain assets in which the lender has been granted a security interest pursuant to the loan agreement. Other than the unsecured loan agreements noted above, all other debt instruments are secured by various other assets specific to the underlying agreement.
(10) | Derivative instruments and hedging activities |
(a) | Risk management objective of using derivatives |
The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, foreign currency, liquidity, and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities and with the use of derivative financial instruments.
(b) | Cash flow hedges of interest rate and foreign currency risk |
The Companys objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to manage its exposure to interest rate movements and to mitigate the potential volatility to interest expense. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and caps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Interest rate caps involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for a premium. The Companys designated interest rate swaps and caps hedge variable-rate interest payments using a first payments approach. The first payments approach allows an entity to hedge interest payments on a designated principal amount, rather than a specific, named debt issuance. Refer to Note 9, Debt for additional information.
In addition, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future cash amounts due to changes in foreign currency rates.
F-107
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(c) | Designated hedges |
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate and foreign currency derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
Number of Instruments |
Notional (in millions) |
|||||||||||
Interest rate derivatives: |
||||||||||||
Interest rate swap |
2 | USD | 1,000.0 | |||||||||
Interest rate cap |
3 | USD | 1,500.0 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
5 | USD | 2,500.0 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions) | Buy Notional | Sell Notional | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency derivatives: |
||||||||||||||||
Buy EUR/Sell GBP forward |
EUR | 36.0 | GBP | 31.2 | ||||||||||||
Buy USD/Sell GBP forward |
USD | 3.9 | GBP | 3.1 |
The table below presents the effect of the Companys derivatives that are designated as hedging instruments on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in millions).
The estimated net amount of existing gains (losses) that are reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of March 31, 2024 that is expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months is $87.5 million.
(d) | Non-designated hedges |
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had the following outstanding derivatives that were not designated as hedging instruments:
Number of Instruments | Notional (in millions) |
|||||||||||
Interest Rate Derivatives |
||||||||||||
Interest rate cap |
8 | USD | 3,664.2 |
F-108
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
The table below presents the effect of the Companys derivative financial instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in millions).
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments |
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives |
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives |
||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
Interest expense, net | $ | 0.2 | $ | (0.5 | ) |
The table below presents the fair value of the Companys derivative financial instruments as well as their classification in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of:
The notional value of the Companys non-designated foreign currency derivatives is immaterial. Refer to Note 12, Fair value measurements for further information on the valuation of the Companys derivatives.
(11) | Interest expense |
Interest expense, net consists of the following for the three months ended March 31:
(in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
Interest expense |
$ | 137.8 | $ | 115.7 | ||||
(Gain) loss on designated and non-designated hedge instruments |
(26.0 | ) | (24.9 | ) | ||||
Finance lease liabilities interest |
22.7 | 23.1 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
5.6 | 4.8 | ||||||
Capitalized interest |
(1.8 | ) | (3.8 | ) | ||||
Interest income |
(0.7 | ) | (1.7 | ) | ||||
Other financing fees |
1.2 | 1.5 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Interest expense, net |
$ | 138.8 | $ | 114.7 | ||||
|
|
|
|
F-109
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(12) | Fair value measurements |
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, were representative of their fair values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
The hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value is as follows:
Level 1 Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in active markets.
Level 2 Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs), such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities exchanged in active or inactive markets, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in inactive markets, other inputs that may be considered in fair value determinations of these assets or liabilities, such as interest rates and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Pricing evaluations generally reflect discounted expected future cash flows, which incorporate yield curves for instruments with similar characteristics, such as credit ratings, estimated durations, and yields for other instruments of the issuer or entities in the same industry sector.
Level 3 Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets and liabilities. Management is required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs because there is little, if any, market activity in the assets or liabilities and it may be unable to corroborate the related observable inputs. Unobservable inputs require management to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in valuing assets or liabilities.
The following table presents the fair value hierarchy levels of the Companys assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
(in millions) | Fair Value Hierarchy |
March 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
|||||||||
Measured at fair value on a recurring basis: |
||||||||||||
Interest rate derivative financial instruments assets |
Level 2 | $ | 139.4 | $ | 137.5 | |||||||
Foreign exchange forward contracts assets |
Level 2 | $ | 0.6 | $ | 0.3 | |||||||
Foreign exchange forward contracts liabilities |
Level 2 | $ | 1.1 | $ | 0.5 | |||||||
Acquisition related contingent consideration |
Level 3 | $ | 4.7 | $ | 4.8 | |||||||
Measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis: |
||||||||||||
Other investments (included in Other assets)1 |
Level 3 | $ | 14.3 | $ | 12.1 | |||||||
Disclosed at fair value: |
||||||||||||
Long-term debt2 |
Level 3 | $ | 9,084.8 | $ | 8,767.5 |
The Company is required to measure certain assets and liabilities at estimated fair value from time to time. These fair value measurements typically result from the application of specific accounting pronouncements under GAAP and are considered non-recurring fair value measurements.
1 | The investments in equity securities carried at fair value are subject to transfer restrictions and generally cannot be sold without consent. |
2 | The carrying value of long-term debt is disclosed in Note 9, Debt. |
F-110
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
In accordance with GAAP, the Company has elected to remeasure investments without readily determinable fair values only when an observable transaction occurs for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded non-recurring fair value adjustments related to certain other investments without readily determinable fair values totaling ($0.9) million, which is included within Other nonoperating income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). No such transactions were observed during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
The Companys long-term debt is reported at the aggregate principal amount less unamortized deferred financing costs and any above or below market adjustments (as required in purchase accounting) in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. For instruments with no prepayment option, the fair value is estimated utilizing a discounted cash flow model where the contractual cash flows (i.e., coupon and principal repayments) were discounted at a risk-adjusted yield reflective of both the time value of money and the credit risk inherent in each instrument. For instruments that include a prior-to-maturity prepayment option, the fair value is estimated using a Black-Derman-Toy lattice model. The inputs used to estimate the fair value of the Companys debt instruments are comprised of Level 2 inputs, including risk-free interest rates, credit ratings, and financial metrics for comparable publicly listed companies, and Level 3 inputs, such as risk-adjusted credit spreads based on adjusted yields implied at issuance, and yield volatility (used for instruments with a prepayment option).
(13) | Leases |
The Company leases real estate, most significantly warehouses for use in operations, as well as equipment for use within owned and leased warehouses. The Company also leases vehicles, trailers and other equipment. The Company has not pledged any assets as collateral related to the Companys existing leases as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Right-of-use asset balances are as follows:
(in millions) | March 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
||||||
Finance lease right-of-use assets |
$ | 1,596.7 | $ | 1,608.2 | ||||
Less: accumulated amortization |
(380.1 | ) | (364.9 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net |
$ | 1,216.6 | $ | 1,243.3 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
$ | 890.9 | $ | 891.6 | ||||
Less: accumulated amortization |
(181.6 | ) | (167.9 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net |
$ | 709.3 | $ | 723.7 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Lease liabilities are presented in the following line items in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Finance Leases |
Operating Leases |
Finance Leases |
Operating Leases |
||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 77.6 | $ | 61.8 | $ | 75.9 | $ | 60.3 | ||||||||
Long-term finance lease obligations |
1,283.5 | | 1,304.5 | | ||||||||||||
Long-term operating lease obligations |
| 676.5 | | 692.1 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total lease obligations |
$ | 1,361.1 | $ | 738.3 | $ | 1,380.4 | $ | 752.4 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-111
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
Maturities of lease liabilities for each of the next five years and thereafter as of March 31, 2024 are as follows (in millions):
Years Ending December 31: | Finance Leases |
Operating Leases |
||||||
2024 (nine months remaining) |
$ | 118.3 | $ | 75.1 | ||||
2025 |
153.8 | 95.9 | ||||||
2026 |
151.6 | 93.0 | ||||||
2027 |
146.3 | 91.4 | ||||||
2028 |
137.4 | 82.3 | ||||||
2029 and thereafter |
1,671.5 | 766.9 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total lease payments |
2,378.9 | 1,204.6 | ||||||
Less imputed interest |
(1,017.8 | ) | (466.3 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 1,361.1 | $ | 738.3 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Supplemental condensed consolidated balance sheet information related to leases as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is as follows:
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years): |
||||||||
Finance |
16.2 | 16.5 | ||||||
Operating |
15.7 | 15.9 | ||||||
Weighted average discount rate: |
||||||||
Finance |
6.9 | % | 6.8 | % | ||||
Operating |
6.5 | % | 6.5 | % |
The components of lease expense are as follows for the three months ended March 31:
(in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
Finance lease cost: |
||||||||
Amortization of ROU assets |
$ | 24.3 | $ | 23.3 | ||||
Interest on lease liabilities |
22.7 | 23.1 | ||||||
Operating lease cost |
29.3 | 27.8 | ||||||
Variable & short-term lease cost |
9.3 | 5.6 | ||||||
Sublease income |
(4.2 | ) | (2.4 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total lease cost |
$ | 81.4 | $ | 77.4 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows for the three months ended March 31:
(in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liability |
||||||||
Operating cash flows from finance leases |
$ | 22.0 | $ | 22.0 | ||||
Finance cash flows from finance leases |
13.6 | 10.4 | ||||||
Operating cash flows from operating leases |
22.6 | 23.5 | ||||||
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations (excluding the effect of acquisitions) |
||||||||
Finance leases |
$ | 14.6 | $ | 3.5 | ||||
Operating leases |
4.0 | 18.0 |
F-112
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(14) | Stock-based compensation |
(a) | BGLH Restricted Class B units |
Certain members of management and certain non-employee directors were granted interests in BGLH in the form of restricted Class B Units (BGLH Restricted Units). The Company fair values these BGLH Restricted Units as of the grant date based on the price of substantially similar units issued to third-party investors in arms length transactions in connection with other BGLH capital raising activities. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term. The Company accounts for these units as equity-based awards.
Stock-based compensation expense related to BGLH Restricted Units for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $2.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, there was $8.3 million of unrecognized noncash compensation cost related to unvested BGLH Restricted Units that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of less than one year.
The following represents a summary of these units:
Units | Weighted average grant date fair value per unit |
|||||||
Unvested as of December 31, 2023 |
151,200 | $ | 89.29 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Awards granted in 2024 |
31,088 | 96.50 | ||||||
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|
|||||
Unvested as of March 31, 2024 |
182,288 | $ | 90.52 | |||||
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(b) | Management Profits Interests Class C units |
LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II interests were issued to members of management in the form of Management Profits Interests Class C units. These profits interests generally vest over a three to five year time period, with the number of units vested based partially on meeting certain financial targets of the Company or individual performance metrics.
Stock-based compensation related to Management Profits Interests Class C units for each of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $1.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, there was $11.5 million of unrecognized noncash compensation cost related to unvested Class C units to be recognized over a weighted-average period of less than one year.
The following represents a summary of these units:
Units | Weighted average grant date fair value per unit |
|||||||
Unvested as of December 31, 2023 |
6,695,123 | $ | 2.31 | |||||
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|
|
|
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Awards granted in 2024 |
1,487,235 | 2.93 | ||||||
Awards vested in 2024 |
852,581 | 2.10 | ||||||
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Unvested as of March 31, 2024 |
7,329,777 | $ | 2.46 | |||||
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(c) | LLH Value Creation Unit Plan units |
Certain employees have been granted notional units under the LLH Value Creation Unit Plan (the 2015 LVCP) in the form of appreciation rights that vest over a period of four years and upon the
F-113
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
occurrence of a liquidity event. This plan covered awards from 2015 to 2020. A new LLH Value Creation Unit Plan was established in 2021 (the 2021 LVCP) that generally provides for the grant of similar appreciation rights that may also vest without the occurrence of a liquidity event if the Company achieves the target value as specified in the award agreements.
Upon full vesting, the awards under both the 2015 LVCP and 2021 LVCP entitle the recipient to a payment equal to the excess of the price of the Companys shares at the time of full vesting, over the benchmark amount specified by the award agreement. In accordance with GAAP, until the full vesting conditions are probable of occurring, no expense is recognized for the awards. The Company believes the vesting requirement for all awards under both the 2015 LVCP and 2021 LVCP are not probable. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the cumulative unrecognized stock compensation expense related to the units issued pursuant to the 2015 LVCP and 2021 LVCP was $36.4 million and $37.0 million, respectively.
(15) | Related-party balances |
The Company pays Bay Grove Management an operating services fee and reimburses certain expenses pursuant to an operating services agreement between Bay Grove Management and the Company. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded $3.2 million and $2.6 million of expenses in General and administrative expense for these operating services, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $2.6 million in operating services fees were owed to Bay Grove Management and included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company accrued distributions payable in the amount of $11.4 million and $109.9 million, respectively. Distributions payable as of March 31, 2024 were payable by the Operating Partnership to BG Cold in connection with Founders Equity Share, as further described in Note 2, Capital structure and noncontrolling interests. As of December 31, 2023, distributions payable consisted of $88.5 million payable by Lineage, Inc. to BGLH, $10.0 million payable by the Operating Partnership to Non-Company LPs, and $11.4 million payable by the Operating Partnership to BG Cold in connection with Founders Equity Share.
The Company owns an investment stake in suppliers that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, creating related-party relationships. The Company paid $1.6 million and $3.5 million to these suppliers for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities includes less than $1.0 million owed to these suppliers as of March 31, 2024 and $1.8 million owed to these suppliers as of December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had receivables due from employees of $1.0 million, which were subsequently collected in February 2024. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had additional related-party receivables, primarily with minority interest partners and equity method investees, of $6.0 million and $6.3 million, respectively. Related-party receivables are included in Accounts receivable, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had additional related-party payables, primarily with minority interest partners, of $2.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively. Related-party payables are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The Operating Partnership has issued notes to certain individual BGLH investors and Non-Company LPs in order to fund certain investor transactions. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, these notes totaled $10.8 million and $15.9 million, respectively. These notes receivable are included in Accounts receivable, net and Other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
F-114
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(16) | Commitments and contingencies |
(a) | Self-insured risks |
The Company is self-insured for workers compensation costs, with the Companys workers compensation plan having an individual claim stop-loss deductible of $1.0 million. Self-insurance liabilities are determined by third-party actuaries. The Company has established restricted cash accounts with banks or directly with the insurers or letters of credit that are collateral for its self-insured workers compensation obligations. The combined amount included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities relating to workers compensation liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $42.2 million and $40.0 million. The liability as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 represents the gross amount excluding amounts receivable from the insurers. The total included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other assets related to the receivables from insurers as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $11.6 million and $10.9 million, respectively.
The Company is also self-insured for a portion of employee medical costs. The Company has a medical plan with a retained deductible. Medical self-insurance liabilities are determined by third-party actuaries. The total included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities relating to medical liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $17.7 million and $14.7 million, respectively.
(b) | Legal and regulatory proceedings |
The Company, from time to time and in the normal course of business, is party to various claims, lawsuits, arbitrations, and regulatory actions (collectively, Claims). In particular, as the result of numerous ongoing construction activities, the Company may be a party to construction and/or contractor related liens and claims, including mechanics and materialmens liens. The Company is also party to various Claims relating to commercial disagreements with customers or suppliers. Additionally, given the Companys substantial workforce, and, in particular, its warehouse related workforce, the Company is party to various labor and employment related Claims, including, without limitation, Claims related to workers compensation, wage and hour, discrimination, and related matters. Finally, given the Companys business of warehousing refrigerated food products and its utilization of anhydrous ammonia for its refrigeration systems (a known hazardous material), the Company is subject to the jurisdiction of various U.S. regulatory agencies, including, without limitation, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Justice, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and various other agencies in the locations in which the Company operates. Management of the Company believes the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
(c) | Environmental matters |
The Company is subject to a wide range of environmental laws and regulations in each of the locations in which the Company operates. Compliance with these requirements can involve significant capital and operating costs. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in civil or criminal fines or sanctions, claims for environmental damages, remediation obligations, the revocation of environmental permits, or restrictions on the Companys operations.
The Company records accruals for environmental matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on current law and existing
F-115
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
technologies. The Company adjusts these accruals periodically as assessment and remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information become available. The Company has recorded nominal environmental liabilities in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company believes it is in compliance with applicable environmental regulations in all material respects. Under various U.S. federal, state, and local environmental laws, a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the entire cost of investigating, removing, and/or remediating hazardous or toxic substances on such property. Such laws often impose liability, whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the contamination. Even if more than one person may have been responsible for the contamination, each person covered by the environmental laws may be held responsible for the entire clean-up cost. There are no material unrecorded liabilities as of the periods ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Most of the Companys warehouses utilize anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant. Anhydrous ammonia is classified as a hazardous chemical regulated by the EPA and various other agencies in the locations in which the Company operates, and an accident or significant release of anhydrous ammonia from a warehouse could result in injuries, loss of life, and property damage.
(d) | Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) |
The Companys warehouses located in the U.S. are subject to regulation under OSHA, which requires employers to provide employees with an environment free from hazards, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, and unsanitary conditions. The cost of complying with OSHA and similar laws enacted by states and other jurisdictions in which the Company operates can be substantial, and any failure to comply with these regulations could expose the Company to substantial penalties and/or liabilities to employees who may be injured at the Companys warehouses. The Company records accruals for OSHA matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The Company believes that it is in compliance with all OSHA regulations in all material respects and that no material unrecorded liabilities exist as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
(e) | Statesville, North Carolina |
On January 10, 2020, contractors and subcontractors were working on the blast cells at the Companys freezer warehouse in Statesville, North Carolina when an incident occurred triggering the release of anhydrous ammonia at the facility, resulting in the death of a subcontractor and injury to another subcontractor, as well as damage to customers goods. Litigation is ongoing with respect to this incident, and while the Company believes it has a strong defense to any potential claims, the Company could be subject to losses in unknown amounts. The Company believes the ultimate outcome of this matter will not have a material adverse impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements. No material costs have been incurred in relation to this matter.
F-116
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(17) | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
The Company reports activity in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) for foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on interest rate and foreign currency hedges. Activity within AOCI is as follows for the three months ended March 31:
(in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments: |
||||||||
Balance at beginning of period |
$ | (149.1 | ) | $ | (227.7 | ) | ||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(74.0 | ) | 30.2 | |||||
Amounts allocated to Noncontrolling interests and Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
8.4 | (3.3 | ) | |||||
Reallocation due to change in Noncontrolling interest ownership percentage |
4.7 | 4.2 | ||||||
|
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|
|||||
Balance at end of period |
$ | (210.0 | ) | $ | (196.6 | ) | ||
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|
|||||
Derivatives: |
||||||||
Balance at beginning of period |
$ | 115.3 | $ | 190.3 | ||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency hedges |
29.0 | (15.8 | ) | |||||
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income (loss) |
(25.8 | ) | (25.2 | ) | ||||
Tax effect |
0.1 | 2.0 | ||||||
Amounts allocated to Noncontrolling interests and Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
(0.4 | ) | 4.3 | |||||
Reallocation due to change in Noncontrolling interest ownership percentage |
(5.0 | ) | (2.2 | ) | ||||
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Balance at end of period |
$ | 113.2 | $ | 153.4 | ||||
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Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | (96.8 | ) | $ | (43.2 | ) | ||
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(18) | Earnings (loss) per share |
Basic earnings (loss) per share (EPS) is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Lineage, Inc. by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Lineage, Inc. by the weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the reporting period. A reconciliation of the basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31:
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share (in millions): |
||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Lineage, Inc. |
$ | (39.7 | ) | $ | 17.7 | |||
Less: Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests |
4.8 | 8.0 | ||||||
Less: Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment |
0.4 | 3.6 | ||||||
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Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders - basic and diluted |
$ | (44.9 | ) | $ | 6.1 |
F-117
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Denominator (in millions): |
||||||||
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares |
161.9 | 161.6 | ||||||
Effect of dilutive securities: |
||||||||
True-up option held by sellers of MTC Logistics |
| 0.1 | ||||||
Preference Share conversion right |
| 2.2 | ||||||
Unvested BGLH Restricted Units |
| 0.1 | ||||||
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|||||
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares |
161.9 | 164.0 | ||||||
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Basic earnings (loss) per share |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 0.04 | |||
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Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 0.04 | |||
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The Companys potential dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings (loss) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as they are antidilutive and the effect would be to increase the net earnings (or decrease the net loss) per share. Therefore, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate both basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is the same.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, because there was net income attributable to common stockholders, certain of the potential dilutive securities were determined to be dilutive, as indicated in the reconciliation above.
The Companys potential common share equivalents as of March 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
| As of March 1, 2025 the sellers of MTC Logistics may elect to receive any combination of cash or Operating Partnership units that equal the excess of $34.2 million over the fair market value of the units issued to the sellers in the MTC Logistics acquisition. The Operating Partnership Units that could be issued in connection with this hypothetical election represent potential common share equivalents. |
| The holder of the Preference Shares issued by a subsidiary of LLH in connection with the Kloosterboer acquisition has conversion rights to convert the Preference Shares to Operating Partnership units or common stock of Lineage, Inc., depending on whether or not certain events have occurred. The Operating Partnership units or common stock of Lineage, Inc. that could be issued in connection with a hypothetical conversion represent potential common share equivalents. |
| As described in Note 14, Stock-based compensation, certain members of management and certain non-employees have been granted BGLH Restricted Units. BGLH Restricted Units that are unvested as of March 31, 2024 and 2023 represent potential common share equivalents because upon vesting, Lineage, Inc. will have outstanding common shares issued to BGLH. |
| As described in Note 14, Stock-based compensation, certain members of management have been granted Management Profits Interests Class C units in LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II. These Class C Units in LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II that are unvested as of March 31, 2024 and 2023 represent potential common share equivalents because upon vesting, they will be able to share in the profits of the Company, as defined in the LLH MGMT and LLH MGMT II operating agreements. Because the Class C Units do not yet share in distributions, the potential units would not be allocated any undistributed earnings for basic and diluted EPS calculations. |
F-118
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(19) | Segment information |
Reportable | Segments Information |
The Companys business is organized into two reportable segments, Global Warehousing and Global Integrated Solutions. The following table presents segment revenues and segment net operating income (NOI), with a reconciliation to Net income (loss) before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. All inter-segment transactions are not significant and have been eliminated in consolidation. Asset information by reportable segment is not presented, as the Company does not produce such information internally and the CODM does not use such information to manage the business. Capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment presented below by segment are inclusive of purchases recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and 2023.
(in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
Global Warehousing revenues |
$ | 968.6 | $ | 957.6 | ||||
Global Integrated Solutions revenues |
359.4 | 375.7 | ||||||
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Total net revenues |
$ | 1,328.0 | $ | 1,333.3 | ||||
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Global Warehousing cost of operations |
$ | 584.1 | $ | 572.4 | ||||
Global Integrated Solutions cost of operations |
299.7 | 317.8 | ||||||
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Total cost of operations |
$ | 883.8 | $ | 890.2 | ||||
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Global Warehousing NOI |
$ | 384.5 | $ | 385.2 | ||||
Global Integrated Solutions NOI |
$ | 59.7 | $ | 57.9 | ||||
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Total NOI |
$ | 444.2 | $ | 443.1 | ||||
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Reconciling items: |
||||||||
General and administrative expense |
(124.1 | ) | (114.9 | ) | ||||
Depreciation expense |
(157.7 | ) | (129.5 | ) | ||||
Amortization expense |
(53.4 | ) | (51.7 | ) | ||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
(8.6 | ) | (10.8 | ) | ||||
Restructuring, impairment, and gain (loss) on disposals |
0.4 | (4.2 | ) | |||||
Equity income (loss), net of tax |
(1.8 | ) | 0.2 | |||||
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net |
(10.7 | ) | (1.3 | ) | ||||
Interest expense, net |
(138.8 | ) | (114.7 | ) | ||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt |
(6.5 | ) | | |||||
Other nonoperating income (expense), net |
(0.7 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||
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|||||
Net income (loss) before income taxes |
$ | (57.7 | ) | $ | 16.0 | |||
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Capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment: |
||||||||
Global Warehousing capital expenditures |
$ | 84.6 | $ | 146.1 | ||||
Global Integrated Solutions capital expenditures |
7.0 | 23.7 | ||||||
Corporate capital expenditures |
25.2 | 26.5 | ||||||
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Total capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment |
$ | 116.8 | $ | 196.3 | ||||
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F-119
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Unaudited
(20) | Subsequent events |
The Company evaluated subsequent events through May 7, 2024, the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were available to be issued. The following are subsequent events or transactions that required recognition or disclosure:
On April 9, 2024, the Company borrowed $2,400.0 million available under the DDTL and used the proceeds to pay off the CMBS 4 loan and partially pay down the RCF. Refer to Note 9, Debt for details.
On April 21, 2024, a fire occurred at the Companys warehouse in Kennewick, Washington. No employees or other parties were injured. The Company is assessing the financial impact and evaluating damages caused to the property, plant, and equipment and any customer inventories.
On April 24, 2024, the Board adopted the Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan (Incentive Award Plan), with the approval of BGLH. The maximum number of shares of common stock which can be issued under the Incentive Award Plan is 1,000,000. The Incentive Award Plan is administered by the Board and provides for the award of stock options, restricted stock awards, dividend equivalent awards, stock payment awards, restricted stock unit awards (RSUs), performance share awards, LTIP unit awards, stock appreciation rights, and other incentive awards, each as defined in the Incentive Award Plan, to eligible employees, consultants, and members of the Board. Concurrently with the adoption of the Incentive Award Plan, the Board also approved grants of 32,202 RSUs to certain members of management. The Company will recognize stock-based compensation expense for these RSUs over their vesting terms.
F-120
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
As used in these unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements, unless the context otherwise requires, we, us, and our company mean Lineage, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries upon consummation of this offering and the formation transactions, in each case, as described below. Upon completion of this offering and the formation transactions, we will hold substantially all of our assets, and will conduct substantially all of our operations, through our operating partnership, Lineage OP, LP. Lineage, Inc. will be the sole general partner of our operating partnership. As used in these unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements, our operating partnership means, prior to its conversion to a Maryland limited partnership in connection with the formation transactions, Lineage OP, LLC, or Lineage OP, a Delaware limited liability company, and after such conversion, Lineage OP, LP, a Maryland limited partnership, through which we will hold substantially all of our assets and conduct our operations.
Offering Transactions
We will sell shares of our common stock in this offering and an additional shares of our common stock if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in full. We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $ million, or $ million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, after deducting underwriting discounts and other estimated expenses, in each case, based on the initial public offering price of $ per share. These unaudited pro forma financial statements assume no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares.
We will contribute the net proceeds from this offering to our operating partnership and receive OP units (or OP units if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full), representing a % ownership interest in the operating partnership ( % if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full), with holders of Legacy OP Units and Lineage management holding % and % ownership interests in the operating partnership, respectively ( % and % if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to an additional shares of our common stock in full).
We expect our operating partnership to use the net proceeds received from us to repay the delayed-draw term loan (DDTL) with an aggregate principal balance of $2.4 billion at the time of this offering. The DDTL proceeds were utilized to repay our ICE4 CMBS loan on April 9, 2024, prior to maturity in May 2024, and to repay a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. The DDTL permits prepayments of principal, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium or penalty. The DDTL bears interest at an annual floating rate of term SOFR plus 0.10% (Adjusted SOFR) plus a spread of between 1.60% and 2.20% based on our total leverage ratio. Based on our existing total leverage ratio, the interest rate expected to be in effect for our DDTL borrowing is Adjusted Term SOFR plus 1.60%. In addition, the DDTL is subject to a commitment fee of 0.20% on the average daily unused amount of the commitment. Our ICE4 CMBS loan bore interest at an annual floating rate of term SOFR plus a margin of 1.66%.
Formation Transactions
Prior to, or simultaneously with the completion of this offering, we will engage in formation transactions, which are designed to facilitate this offering. Through the formation transactions, the following have occurred or will occur prior to or concurrently with the completion of this offering.
Operating Partnership Conversion and Reclassification of Units
Lineage OP, LLC will convert from a Delaware limited liability company to a Maryland limited partnership, change its name to Lineage OP, LP and adopt the Agreement of Limited Partnership pursuant to which, among other things:
| We will become Lineage OP, LPs sole general partner. |
F-121
| All operating partnership units that are owned by our companyall of which are currently classified as Lineage OP Class A unitswill be reclassified into OP units. |
| All operating partnership units that are not owned by our companyall of which are comprised of Lineage OP Class A units, Lineage OP Class B units or Lineage OP Class C unitswill be reclassified into Legacy OP Units with various subclasses, each of which will retain certain terms that differ from OP units in order to continue pre-existing rights of Lineage OP, LLCs members for a period of up to three years following the initial closing of this offering. See Structure and Formation of Our CompanyFormation Transactions for additional information. The Legacy OP Units are classified as a noncontrolling interest on the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements, which is consistent with our historical financial statement presentation prior to the reclassification of these units. Therefore, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not include adjustments for the Legacy OP Unit reclassifications. |
Incentive Equity
Prior to this offering, certain of our current and former officers and employees hold interests intended to constitute profits interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes (LMEP Units) that represent historic accrued management incentive equity interests through two incentive equity pooling entities, LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, which each hold corresponding historic accrued management incentive equity interests in Lineage Holdings for the benefit of these officers and employees. As part of the formation transactions, we will have purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock the vested awards of LMEP Units valued at less than $3.0 million per individual that are held by certain of our officers and employees who are not named executive officers. After such purchase, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC will contribute its vested management incentive equity interests in Lineage Holdings to our operating partnership in exchange for Legacy Class B OP Units. This results in the vested LMEP Units not purchased by us becoming a fixed number of Legacy Class B OP Units prior to such time as the LMEP Units would otherwise be paid pursuant to their rights under the terms of the existing awards. Following the contribution, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC will distribute the Legacy Class B OP Units to its members, including certain of our officers and employees whose LMEP Units are not purchased in exchange for shares of our common stock, in complete liquidation of each such entity. Following such distribution, officers, employees and others to whom Legacy Class B OP Units are distributed will generally continue to hold such Legacy Class B OP Units subject to settlement over a period of up to three years as part of the same settlement process that applies to all of our legacy investor equity. The Legacy Class B OP Units are classified as a noncontrolling interest, a component of total equity, on the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements, which is consistent with our historical financial statement presentation of the LMEP Units prior to the reclassification of these units through the formation transactions. As the exchange of the LMEP Units for Legacy Class B OP units did not result in a change in the fair value, vesting conditions or the classification of the awards, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not include adjustments for the LMEP Units reclassifications.
All outstanding LMEP Units that remain unvested as of the date of the contribution and distribution described above will terminate automatically at such time and we intend to issue replacement awards under the 2024 Plan outlined below. The replacement awards are expected to have a grant date fair value equal to the higher of the then intrinsic value of the unvested LMEP Units or the target value of the original profits interest attributable to unvested awards. The pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements include adjustments to reflect incremental equity-based compensation expense attributable to the excess of the grant date fair value of the replacement awards over the then-current fair value of the terminated LMEP Units, which shall be recognized ratably over the vesting period of the replacement awards.
F-122
We intend to adopt the 2024 Plan, under which we will grant cash and equity-based incentive awards to eligible service providers in order to attract, motivate and retain the talent for which we compete. The 2024 Plan provides that the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to awards granted to our directors, executive officers and employees thereunder is equal to the sum of (i) 12,500,000 shares and (ii) an annual increase on the first day of each calendar year beginning on and including January 1, 2025 and ending on and including January 1, 2034 equal to (A) a number of shares equal to 1% of the sum of (I) the aggregate number of shares of our common stock outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, plus (II) the aggregate number of OP units (other than OP units that are held by the company and other than any OP units resulting from the conversion of LTIP units) outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, plus (III) the aggregate number of OPEUs outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, plus (IV) the aggregate number of Legacy OP Units outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year or (B) such smaller number of shares as is determined by the Board. Prior to the completion of this offering, we expect to amend the 2024 Plan, including with respect to the number of shares authorized for issuance pursuant to awards under the plan. In addition, our board of directors or compensation committee is expected to approve awards under the 2024 Plan covering an aggregate of shares of our common stock or LTIP units of our operating partnership to be granted to our directors, executive officers and employees upon completion of this offering. The awards will vest based on the applicable recipients continued service through the vesting dates and/or the satisfaction of specified performance vesting conditions. In addition to these awards under the 2024 Plan, our compensation committee is expected to approve $ in cash bonuses to be paid upon the completion of this offering. The majority of these bonuses will not have vesting requirements and will be paid as soon as administratively feasible after the completion of this offering, while the remainder will vest based on the applicable recipients continued service through the vesting date.
Internalization of Bay Grove Services
We are internalizing certain operating, consulting, strategic development and financial services that have historically been provided by Bay Grove. In connection with this internalization, we will terminate the operating services agreement between our subsidiary Lineage Holdings and Bay Grove, and we will terminate all rights of Bay Grove to accrue additional future profits interests at Lineage Holdings (the equity accrual right). In exchange for these terminations, Bay Grove will receive a one-time increase in its profit share attributable to the existing profits interest it holds in Lineage Holdings equal to $200.0 million, approximately $ of which will instead be allocated to Lineage OP in settlement of prior distribution advances made to Bay Grove, its owners and their affiliates (with such amount becoming part of Lineage OPs equity holdings in Lineage Holdings, and such amount also restoring other distribution rights of Bay Grove, its owners and their affiliates through Lineage OP and BGLH in the same amount) and the remaining approximately $ of which will be reclassified into OPEUs held by Bay Grove. The value of the consideration received by Bay Grove in exchange for the termination of the operating services agreement and the equity accrual right will be recognized as acquisition, transaction, and other expense when incurred and has been included as an adjustment in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). In connection with such one-time net increase in Bay Groves profits interest, there will be a corresponding reduction to the interests in BGLH held by Bay Groves owners and their affiliates to effect a true-up for a portion of this increase (the Internalization True-up), the effect of which is that Bay Groves net increase in equity (taking into account both its direct interests in Lineage Holdings and the reduction in interests held by Bay Groves owners and their affiliates in BGLH) is $ rather than $200.0 million. As the Internalization True-up occurs at BGLH and not Lineage, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not include an adjustment for the Internalization True-up.
Following the one-time net increase in Bay Groves profits interest and corresponding reclassification into a fixed number of OPEUs described immediately above, Lineage Holdings will repurchase OPEUs held by Bay Grove for cash in the amount of $ . Once the number of OPEUs has been fixed, the OPEUs will be exchangeable in the future (after a two-year initial holding period) on a one-for-one basis with OP units, subject to certain adjustments, and no additional OPEUs will be created in respect of any equity accrual right. OP units
F-123
issued in exchange for such OPEUs will not be redeemable until after the settlement of all legacy BGLH equity and all Legacy OP Units.
We will enter into a transition services agreement with an affiliate of Bay Grove, pursuant to which Bay Grove will provide us with certain transition services supporting capital deployment and mergers and acquisitions activity for three years following the initial closing of this offering to help us build our full internal capability during that period. We will pay Bay Grove an annual fee equal to $8.0 million, or $24.0 million in the aggregate for the three-year period, which fee is payable in advance in equal quarterly installments.
Class D Units
Prior to this offering, BG Maverick, an affiliate of Bay Grove, holds all outstanding Class D units in Lineage Holdings representing non-voting profits interests whereby BG Maverick is entitled to receive a formulaic annual amount of income and profits payable only upon the occurrence of a liquidity event. As the Class D units in Lineage Holdings held by BG Maverick do not have the substantive risks and rewards of equity ownership, the Class D units do not represent a substantive class of equity in Lineage Holdings. As payment of the income and profits attributable to Class D units in Lineage Holdings is contingent upon the occurrence of a liquidity event, no compensation expense is recognized prior to this offering. Accordingly, we have not recorded a liability in the historical consolidated balance sheet for the Class D units in Lineage Holdings. The Class D units in Lineage Holdings vested in connection with this offering and were reclassified into a fixed number of OPEUs held by Bay Grove in connection with the Internalization transactions described above. Accordingly, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements include an adjustment to recognize compensation expense and an increase in noncontrolling interests associated with the OPEUs received by Bay Grove.
We will amend the operating agreement of Lineage Holdings to reflect the resulting ownership of Lineage Holdings by Lineage OP and Bay Grove after giving effect to these transactions.
Series A Preferred Stock
We will redeem our outstanding 12.0% Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the Series A preferred stock) for $630,000 in cash plus any accrued but unpaid dividends.
Rollover Holder Put Option
Rollover equity in the form of BGLH units or Lineage OP units was previously issued to various sellers of assets we acquired as part of the purchase price consideration. Some of those sellers who received rollover equity in BGLH or Lineage OP were provided with separate classes of equity of BGLH or Lineage OP that in some cases included special one-time redemption features with minimum value guarantees and/or the alternative option to elect cash or equity top-up rights to achieve a certain minimum equity valuation at a specific date (collectively, the Guarantee Rights). The obligations in respect of the Guarantee Rights have resided with BGLH and its subsidiaries, where BGLH units were issued (the BGLH Guarantee Rights), and with Lineage OP and its subsidiaries, where Lineage OP units were issued.
To ensure that the financial obligations associated with all Guarantee Rights proportionately impact investors at Lineage, our operating partnership and Lineage Holdings, as was contemplated at the time of the rollover transaction, each of those entities has agreed to provide successive special repurchase rights and cash and equity top-up rights to such legacy investors that mirror those given by BGLH to its investors (the Rollover Holder Put Option) and those given by Lineage OP to its investors, in each case in connection with the Guarantee Rights (the Lineage OP Put Option).
| Pursuant to the Rollover Holder Put Option, BGLH has the right to (i) distribute (in various installments from September 2024 through December 2025 (the Rollover Holder Put Exercise |
F-124
Window)) up to 2,034,876.86 shares of our common stock to its investors holding BGLH Guarantee Rights, and such investors have the individual right to cause Lineage to purchase any or all of such shares of our common stock distributed to such persons by BGLH (the Rollover Holder Put Securities) for an amount equal to the guaranteed minimum value intrinsic to the BGLH Guarantee Rights (at a guaranteed minimum price or, in some cases, if greater, the then-current fair market value of the shares of our common stock (the Rollover Holder Put Cap)), which amounts differ for different such investors, or (ii) in some cases demand a top-up, through a cash payment (the Rollover Holder Top-up Cash provision) or through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock without payment therefor (the Rollover Holder Top-up Securities provision), or any combination thereof, in the amount by which the guaranteed minimum value exceeds the then-current fair market value of the shares of our common stock (if at all) at various specified times during the Rollover Holder Put Exercise Window. |
| Pursuant to the Lineage OP Put Option, during the Rollover Holder Put Exercise Window: (i) our operating partnership has similar rights to cause us to purchase up to 319,006.21 Legacy Class A-4 OP units for an amount that ranges from $34.0 million to $36.1 million (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) if our share price is between $106.59 to $113.25, or, if our share price is $113.25 or higher, the product of such share price (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) and the number of Legacy Class A-4 OP units sold back to us; and (ii) our operating partnership has similar cash or equity top-up rights if the guaranteed minimum value of $106.59 (less certain distributions received after June 26, 2024) exceeds the then-current fair market value of such Legacy Class A-4 OP units. |
The effect of the Rollover Holder Put Option and the Lineage OP Put Option is to cause all Guarantee Rights ultimately to be satisfied by Lineage Holdings so that all investors in BGLH, Lineage, our operating partnership and Lineage Holdings are proportionately impacted by the Guarantee Rights based on their direct and indirect ownership interests in Lineage Holdings. The Rollover Holder Put Option represents a written put option on shares of our common stock, which we expect to be accounted for as a separate, freestanding financial instrument from the shares of common stock underlying the option (the Rollover Holder Put Option Liability). Accordingly, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements include an adjustment to recognize the Rollover Holder Put Option Liability at fair value with a corresponding reduction in Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) attributable to BGLH. Subsequently, the Rollover Holder Put Option Liability will be remeasured to fair value at each reporting date, with changes in fair value recognized through earnings.
2024 and 2023 Net Investment Activity
Since January 1, 2024, we completed the acquisition of a temperature-controlled warehousing facility for a purchase price of approximately $59.5 million (our 2024 Acquisition). For the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed the acquisition of certain temperature-controlled warehousing facilities and companies for an aggregate purchase price of $289.0 million (our 2023 Acquisitions). Based on quantitative and qualitative considerations, such acquisitions during the periods stated above were not material to us individually or in the aggregate and, therefore, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not include adjustments for such acquisitions.
In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed a disposition within our global integrated solutions segment for an immaterial sales price. Such disposition was not considered discontinued operations as the transaction did not represent a strategic shift that had a major effect on our operations and financial results. Therefore, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not include adjustments for such disposition.
The below table provides the relative contribution to our revenue and cost of operations from our 2024 Acquisition for the period from the acquisition date through March 31, 2024 and from our 2023 Acquisitions for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (dollar amounts in millions).
F-125
Acquisition date | February 1, 2024 |
May 1, 2023 |
August 1, 2023 |
October 2, 2023 |
October 2, 2023 |
October 2, 2023 |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
Global Warehousing |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of warehouses |
1 | | 2 | 6 | 2 | | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 2.1 | $ | | $ | 0.8 | $ | 8.4 | $ | 2.7 | $ | | $ | 14.0 | ||||||||||||||
Cost of operations |
$ | (0.7 | ) | $ | | $ | (0.5 | ) | $ | (6.0 | ) | $ | (1.7 | ) | $ | | $ | (8.9 | ) | |||||||||
Global Integrated Solutions |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of warehouses |
| | | 2 | | | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | | $ | 0.3 | $ | | $ | 11.4 | $ | | $ | 5.2 | $ | 16.9 | ||||||||||||||
Cost of operations |
$ | | $ | (0.2 | ) | $ | | $ | (8.3 | ) | $ | | $ | (3.4 | ) | $ | (11.9 | ) |
The below table provides the relative contribution to our revenue and cost of operations from our 2023 Acquisitions for the period from the respective acquisition dates through December 31, 2023 (dollar amounts in millions).
Acquisition date | May 1, 2023 |
August 1, 2023 |
October 2, 2023 |
October 2, 2023 |
October 2, 2023 |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Global Warehousing |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of warehouses |
| 2 | 6 | 2 | | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | | $ | 1.8 | $ | 7.9 | $ | 2.6 | $ | | $ | 12.3 | ||||||||||||
Cost of operations |
$ | | $ | (1.0 | ) | $ | (5.3 | ) | $ | (1.4 | ) | $ | | $ | (7.7 | ) | ||||||||
Global Integrated Solutions |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of warehouses |
| | 2 | | | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 1.2 | $ | | $ | 9.2 | $ | | $ | 4.2 | $ | 14.6 | ||||||||||||
Cost of operations |
$ | (0.7 | ) | $ | | $ | (7.3 | ) | $ | | $ | (3.4 | ) | $ | (11.4 | ) |
Other Transactions
Kloosterboer
On October 1, 2021, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests in Kloosterboer Group B.V. and its subsidiaries. Pursuant to the terms of the sale and purchase agreement and the investment agreement (collectively, the Kloosterboer Investment Agreement), the seller (the Kloosterboer Co-Investor) elected to reinvest 200 million in a newly formed Dutch subsidiary of ours in the form of 2,952,738 non-voting convertible preferred equity instruments with a per share nominal value of 0.007 (the preference shares) issued on the closing date. On October 13, 2022, Kloosterboer Co-Investor redeemed 738,185 of the preference shares. The preference shares accrue a fixed, cumulative, preferential dividend at the rate of 10% per annum from January 1, 2024, compounding annually. Once per year, the Kloosterboer Co-Investor has a regular redemption right. We have applied the guidance under ASC 480-10-S99-3A on the classification and subsequent measurement of the preference shares. The preference shares are recognized as a redeemable noncontrolling interest in our company and are presented within redeemable noncontrolling interests in the historical consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity.
As required under the terms of the Kloosterboer Investment Agreement, we have provided notice to the Kloosterboer Co-Investor of our plans to complete this offering. The Kloosterboer Co-Investor has not exercised its right to convert the preference shares into a security that tracks economic performance of an equivalent number of Class A-20 units of Lineage OP (which will become Legacy Class A-3 OP Units of our operating partnership). As the Kloosterboer Co-Investor has not exercised this conversion option, all outstanding preference shares, including all unpaid, accrued preferential dividends, shall be mandatorily redeemed for cash or a variable number of shares of our common stock on October 1, 2026. To the extent the Kloosterboer Co-Investor elects to receive shares of our common stock, the number of variable shares would be based on the volume weighted average price of our common stock on the business day immediately prior to the redemption
F-126
date. As a result, upon completion of this offering, the preference shares are considered mandatorily redeemable and will be recognized as a liability. Accordingly, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements include an adjustment to reclassify the preference shares from redeemable noncontrolling interests to long-term debt, net at fair value. The difference between the estimated fair value of the liability and the previous carrying value of the preference shares is recorded to additional paid-in capitalcommon stock in a manner similar to our treatment of dividends paid on preferred stock. In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) include adjustments to reflect the effective interest expense accrued during the period, as if the fair value of the preference shares became a mandatorily redeemable liability on January 1, 2023.
Amendment of Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement
Effective February 15, 2024, we amended and restated the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, increasing our borrowing capacity under the existing Revolving Credit Facility to $3.5 billion. The amendment also resulted in a pay down of $875.0 million on the Term Loan using funds available on the Revolving Credit Facility. After the amendment, the remaining outstanding balance on the Term Loan is $1.0 billion. Additionally, the amendment gives us the right to increase the size of the existing Term Loan, add one or more incremental term loans and/or increase commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility up to $500.0 million (subject to satisfying certain conditions and obtaining such commitments), which would increase the total aggregate commitment amount of the existing Credit Agreement to $5.0 billion. Furthermore, the amendment extended the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan maturity dates to February 15, 2028 and February 15, 2029, respectively. Under the terms of Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, the Revolving Credit Facility may be extended through two six-month extension options that can be exercised if certain conditions are met. The historical consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2024 reflect the impacts of the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement amendment. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) include adjustments to reflect the changes in interest expense and deferred financing fees associated with this amendment.
Historic Equity-Based Awards
Certain current and former employees have been granted notional units under certain preexisting value creation unit plans (collectively the LVCP Plans). The awards under the LVCP Plans entitle the recipient to a payment equal to the excess of the per unit value of Lineage Holdings at the time of full vesting, over the benchmark amount specified by the award agreement. Prior to this offering, no expense was recognized as the liquidity event vesting conditions were not considered probable of occurring. As the liquidity event vesting conditions under the LVCP Plans were satisfied at the time of this offering, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements include an adjustment to recognize the associated compensation expense and a corresponding liability. This liability will be immediately settled upon the completion of this offering by paying cash or issuing shares of our common stock to the holders of vested LVCP awards.
Certain members of management and certain non-employee directors were granted interests in BGLH in the form of restricted Class B Units (BGLH Restricted Units). Although BGLH Restricted Units have time-vesting conditions, we expect that all outstanding BGLH Restricted Units will immediately vest upon the completion of this offering. For those certain BGLH Restricted Units with contingent accelerated vesting, because the liquidity event vesting conditions were satisfied at the time of this offering, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements include an adjustment to recognize the associated acceleration of compensation expense.
F-127
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF MARCH 31, 2024
(dollars in millions, except per share and share amounts)
Historical | Offering Transactions Adjustments |
Formation Transactions Adjustments |
Other Pro Forma Adjustments |
Pro Forma |
||||||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 91.2 | $
|
3 3 |
(A) (B) |
$ |
3 3 |
(C) (D) |
$ | $ | ||||||||||
Restricted cash |
2.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
869.4 | 3 | (B) | |||||||||||||||||
Inventories |
167.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
129.6 | 3 | (A) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total current assets |
1,260.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-current assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Property, plant, and equipment, net |
10,480.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net |
1,216.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net |
709.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity method investments |
115.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
3,373.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other intangible assets, net |
1,247.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other assets |
332.1 | 3 | (B) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 18,734.4 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests, and Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 1,030.5 | $ | 3 | (B) | $ | 3 | (F) | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Accrued distributions |
11.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
86.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt, net |
21.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total current liabilities |
1,150.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-current liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term finance lease obligations |
1,283.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Long-term operating lease obligations |
676.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Deferred income tax liability |
356.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, net |
9,246.0 | 3 | (B) | |||||||||||||||||
Other long-term liabilities |
158.4 | 3 | (F) | 3 | (G) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities |
12,871.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Commitments and contingencies |
||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
255.1 | 3 | (E) | 3 | (G) | |||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share |
1.6 | 3 | (A) | 3 | (D) | |||||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital - common stock |
5,990.9 | 3 | (A) | |
3 3 |
(D) (E) |
3 | (G) | ||||||||||||
Series A preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share |
0.6 | 3 | (C) | |||||||||||||||||
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) |
(918.3 | ) | 3 | (B) | |
3 3 3 |
(C) (D) (F) |
|||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
(96.8 | ) | 3 | (E) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total stockholders equity |
4,978.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interests |
630.0 | 3 | (E) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total equity |
5,608.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and equity |
$ | 18,734.4 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-128
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Historical | Offering Transactions Adjustments |
Formation Transactions Adjustments |
Other Pro Forma Adjustments |
Pro Forma | ||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 1,328.0 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Cost of operations |
883.8 | 4 | (C) | |||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expense |
124.1 | |
4 4 |
(C) (D) |
||||||||||||||||
Depreciation expense |
157.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense |
53.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
8.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring, impairment, and (gain) loss on disposals |
(0.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total operating expense |
1,227.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income from operations |
100.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Equity income (loss), net of tax |
(1.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net |
(10.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
(138.8 | ) | |
4 4 |
(A) (B) |
4 | (E) | |||||||||||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt |
(6.5 | ) | |
4 4 |
(A) (B) |
|||||||||||||||
Other nonoperating income (expense), net |
(0.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total other income (expense), net |
(158.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) before income taxes |
(57.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(9.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(48.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(8.3 | ) | 4 | (F) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Lineage, Inc. |
(39.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency hedges and interest rate hedges |
3.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(74.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
(118.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(16.3 | ) | 4 | (F) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Lineage, Inc. |
$ | (102.4 | ) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 4 | (G) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 4 | (G) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
161.9 | 4 | (G) | |||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
161.9 | 4 | (G) |
F-129
LINEAGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Historical | Offering Transactions Adjustments |
Formation Transactions Adjustments |
Other Pro Forma Adjustments |
Pro Forma | ||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 5,341.5 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Cost of operations |
3,589.8 | 5 | (B) | |||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expense |
501.8 | |
5 5 |
(B) (D) |
5 | (G) | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation expense |
551.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense |
207.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition, transaction, and other expense |
60.0 | 5 | (E) | |||||||||||||||||
Restructuring and impairment expense |
31.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total operating expense |
4,943.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income from operations |
398.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Equity income (loss), net of tax |
(2.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net |
3.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
(490.4 | ) | 5 | (A) | 5 | (G) | ||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt |
| 5 | (A) | 5 | (G) | |||||||||||||||
Other nonoperating income (expense), net |
(19.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total other income (expense), net |
(508.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) before income taxes |
(110.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(13.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(96.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(18.8 | ) | 5 | (C) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Lineage, Inc. |
(77.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency hedges and interest rate hedges |
(86.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
88.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
(94.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(20.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Lineage, Inc. |
$ | (73.7 | ) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share |
$ | (0.73 | ) | $ | 5 | (F) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
$ | (0.73 | ) | $ | 5 | (F) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
161.9 | 5 | (F) | |||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
161.9 | 5 | (F) |
F-130
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. | Basis of Presentation |
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X, as amended. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are presented as if (i) this offering and related use of proceeds, (ii) the formation transactions and (iii) certain other adjustments had all occurred on March 31, 2024 for the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet and (i) this offering and related use of proceeds, (ii) the formation transactions and (iii) certain other adjustments had all occurred on January 1, 2023 for the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2023 is presented as if (i) this offering and related use of proceeds, (ii) the formation transactions and (iii) certain other adjustments had all occurred on January 1, 2023.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our historical financial statements, including the notes thereto, and other financial information and analysis, including the section captioned Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations presented elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements (i) are based on available information and assumptions that we deem reasonable; (ii) are presented for informational purposes only; (iii) do not purport to represent our financial position or results of operations or cash flows that would actually have occurred assuming completion of this offering and related use of proceeds, the formation transactions and other adjustments described above had all occurred on March 31, 2024 for the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet or this offering and related use of proceeds, the formation transactions or other adjustments described above had all occurred on January 1, 2023 for the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss); and (iv) do not purport to be indicative of our future results of operations or our financial position.
2. | Significant Accounting Policies |
The accounting policies used in the preparation of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements are those set out in our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023.
3. | Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet |
The adjustments to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2024 are as follows:
(A) | Reflects the sale of shares of common stock in this offering at a public offering price of $ per share, net of underwriting discounts and other estimated offering expenses payable by us (in thousands). |
Gross proceeds from this offering |
$ | |||
Underwriting discounts |
( | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Proceeds before offering expenses payable by us |
||||
|
|
|||
Offering expenses payable by us(1) |
( | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Net proceeds from this offering |
$ | |||
|
|
(1) | Includes offering costs of $ million in prepaid and other current assets on our historical condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2024. |
(B) | In April 2024, we received $2.4 billion from the DDTL. We incurred financing fees and expenses of $9.2 million in connection with obtaining the DDTL. The DDTL proceeds were utilized to repay our entire ICE4 CMBS loan on April 9, 2024, prior to maturity in May 2024, and a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. Because the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2024 is presented as if this offering occurred on March 31, 2024, this adjustment reflects the use of the net proceeds from this offering to repay our ICE4 CMBS loan, assumes that the DDTL loan proceeds were not received, and removes the deferred financing costs associated with the DDTL. |
F-131
Accrued interest expense of $10.0 million associated with the ICE4 CMBS loan is eliminated from accounts payable and accrued liabilities in connection with the repayment of the loan. This adjustment assumes settlement of the designated interest rate caps related to the ICE4 CMBS loan, which is reflected through a write-off of $0.5 million in related receivables recorded in our historical condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2024, and a net cash inflow of $1.3 million, as we assumed that repayment of our ICE4 CMBS loan took place on January 1, 2023. Deferred financing costs related to the ICE4 CMBS loan are included in long-term debt, net. This adjustment reflects the elimination of $0.4 million in unamortized deferred financing costs we would have expensed in connection with the repayment of our ICE4 CMBS loan. The remainder of changes in long-term debt, net represent the repayment of a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility with the remaining net proceeds from this offering.
(C) | Reflects (i) the redemption of our outstanding Series A preferred stock for $630,000 in cash plus any accrued but unpaid dividends and (ii) the repurchase of a portion of the Bay Grove OPEUs held by Bay Grove for cash in the amount of $ . |
(D) | Reflects (i) $ in cash and $ in fully-vested shares of our common stock granted to our executive officers and employees as one-time awards in connection with the completion of this offering, (ii) $ in fully-vested shares of our common stock issued to certain of our employees, former employees and others in settlement of certain outstanding vested LMEP Units and $ in Legacy OP Units issued to certain of our employees in settlement of certain outstanding vested LMEP Units, (iii) $ in cash and $ in fully-vested shares of our common stock issued to our employees, other than executive officers, in connection with the vesting and immediate settlement of LVCP Awards, and (iv) $ recognized for the accelerated vesting of outstanding unvested BGLH Restricted Units. |
(E) | Reflects the recognition of (i) noncontrolling interests associated with the OPEUs received by Bay Grove of $ associated with the vesting of the Class D units in Lineage Holdings and the termination of the operating services agreement between Lineage Holdings and Bay Grove and (ii) a reallocation between noncontrolling interests and additional paid-in capital to align the ending ownership percentages. |
(F) | Reflects the recognition of the Rollover Holder Put Option Liability at fair value with a corresponding reduction in retained earnings (accumulated deficit) attributable to BGLH. The current portion of this adjustment is presented as an adjustment to accounts payable and accrued liabilities whereas the non-current portion is presented as an adjustment to other long-term liabilities. |
(G) | Reflects the reclassification of the Kloosterboer preference shares from redeemable noncontrolling interests to long-term debt, net at fair value. The difference between the estimated fair value of the liability and the previous carrying value of the preference shares is recorded to additional paid-in capitalcommon stock in a manner similar to our treatment of dividends paid on preferred stock. |
4. | Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
The adjustments to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are as follows:
(A) | Reflects (i) a $41.4 million reduction in interest expense related to the repayment of our ICE4 CMBS loan prior to maturity in April 2024 as described in Note 3(B), including the elimination of deferred financing costs that were amortized over the term of the loan and included interest expense, net, (ii) a $13.6 million reduction in interest expense related to the repayment of a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility and (iii) removal of $6.5 million of loss on extinguishment of debt, as we have assumed that this offering and the formation transactions occurred as of January 1, 2023 for the purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), and any related loss on debt extinguishment is reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2023. |
F-132
(B) | Effective February 15, 2024, we amended and restated the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, increasing our borrowing capacity under the existing Revolving Credit Facility to $3.5 billion. The amendment also resulted in a pay down of $875.0 million on the Term Loan using funds drawn on the Revolving Credit Facility. This adjustment reflects the recognition of incremental expenses for fees incurred in relation to the amendment as if it occurred on January 1, 2023, as well as a $ million decrease in interest expense, net related to amortization of incremental deferred financing costs capitalized in connection with the same amendment. This adjustment also reflects a $0.5 million adjustment to interest expense, net for removal of interest rate caps related to the ICE4 CMBS loan. |
(C) | Reflects (i) $ in equity-based compensation expense associated with grants of restricted stock units that are subject to time-based vesting to certain of our employees as replacement for certain unvested LVCP awards, (ii) $ in equity-based compensation expense associated with one-time grants of restricted stock units that are subject to time-based vesting to certain of our employees that hold certain vested LVCP awards (iii) $ in equity-based compensation expense associated with grants of restricted stock units or LTIP units that are subject to time-based vesting to certain of our executive officers and employees as replacement for certain unvested LMEP Units, (iv) $ in equity-based compensation expense associated with one-time grants of restricted stock units that are subject to time-based vesting to certain of our employees that hold certain vested LMEP Units and (v) $ in equity-based compensation expense associated with grants of restricted stock units and LTIP units that are subject to time- and/or performance-based vesting to certain of our executive directors and employees as part of our annual equity award program. |
(D) | Reflects the elimination of $ million in operating services fees for the three months ended March 31, 2024 incurred under the operating services agreement that will be terminated in connection with the internalization, partially offset by $ million in transition services fees for the three months ended March 31, 2024 that would have been incurred under the transition services agreement that will be entered into in connection with the internalization. |
(E) | Reflects $ million of effective interest expense accrued for the three months ended March 31, 2024, related to the Kloosterboer preference shares. The expense is calculated using an effective interest method assuming that the fair value of the preference shares became a mandatorily redeemable liability on January 1, 2023. |
(F) | Reflects the change in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests resulting from the issuance of OP units to us in exchange for the contribution of the net proceeds from this offering. |
(G) | Represents the pro forma basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares our common stock outstanding after giving effect to the shares issued in this offering and completion of the formation transactions. |
5. | Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
The adjustments to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:
(A) | Reflects (i) a $158.9 million reduction in interest expense related to the repayment of our ICE4 CMBS loan prior to maturity in April 2024, as described in Note 3(B), including the elimination of deferred financing costs that were amortized over the term of the loan and included interest expense, net, (ii) a $51.8 million reduction in interest expense related to the repayment of a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility and (iii) $6.6 million of loss on extinguishment of debt associated with the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs related to the ICE4 CMBS loan. This adjustment also reflects a $2.7 million adjustment to interest expense, net for removal of interest rate caps related to the ICE4 CMBS loan. |
(B) | Reflects (i) $ in equity-based compensation expense associated with grants of restricted stock units |
that are subject to time-based vesting to certain of our employees as replacement for certain vested and |
F-133
unvested LVCP awards, (ii) $ in equity-based compensation expense associated with grants of restricted stock units that are subject to time-based vesting to certain of our executive directors and employees as replacement for certain vested and unvested LMEP Units, (iii) $ in equity-based compensation expense associated with grants of restricted stock units and LTIP units that are subject to time- and/or performance-based vesting to certain of our executive directors and employees as part of our annual equity award program, (iv) $0.6 million in equity-based compensation expense associated with grants of restricted stock units that are subject to time-based vesting to certain of our non-employee directors upon completion of this offering, and (v) $ million in expense associated with the accelerated vesting of the outstanding unvested BGLH Restricted Units. |
(C) | Reflects the change in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and comprehensive net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests resulting from the issuance of OP units to us in exchange for the contribution of the net proceeds from this offering. |
(D) | Reflects the elimination of $10.7 million in operating services fees for the year ended December 31, 2023 incurred under the operating services agreement that will be terminated in connection with the internalization, partially offset by $8.0 million in transition services fees for the year ended December 31, 2023 that would have been incurred under the transition services agreement that will be entered into in connection with the internalization. |
(E) | Reflects the recognition of additional acquisition, transaction, and other expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 associated with the following nonrecurring expenses: (i) $ consideration received by Bay Grove in exchange for the termination of operating services agreement and the equity accrual right, (ii) recognition of $ in additional expense associated with the vesting of certain of the LVCP Awards that were immediately paid in cash or fully-vested shares of our common stock, (iii) $ associated with the vesting of the Class D units in Lineage Holdings, (iv) recognition of expense for one-time awards of $ to be paid in cash and $ to be paid in fully-vested shares of our common stock issued to certain of our executive officers and employees in connection with the completion of this offering , and (v) recognition of expense in the amount of $ for cash awards subject to time-based vesting requirements and $ for restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting requirements granted to certain of our employees in connection as one-time awards in connection with the completion of this offering. |
(F) | Represents the pro forma basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares of our common stock outstanding after giving effect to the shares issued in this offering and the completion of the formation transactions. |
(G) | Reflects the recognition of expenses for fees incurred in relation to the amendment of the Term Loan Agreement and Revolving Credit Facility on February 15, 2024, as described in the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024, included elsewhere in this prospectus, as well as $ million in changes in interest expense, net related to amortization of incremental deferred financing costs capitalized in connection with the same amendment. The adjustment also includes $ million of effective interest accrued for the year ended December 31, 2023, related to the Kloosterboer preference shares. The expense is calculated using an effective interest method assuming that the fair value of the preference shares became a mandatorily redeemable liability on January 1, 2023. |
F-134
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 31. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table itemizes the expenses incurred by us in connection with the issuance and registration of the securities being registered hereunder. All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, filing fee and the Nasdaq Global Select Market listing fee.
SEC registration fee |
$14,760 | |||
FINRA filing fee |
15,500 | |||
Stock exchange listing fee |
* | |||
Legal fees and expenses |
* | |||
Printing and engraving expenses |
* | |||
Transfer agents fees and expenses |
* | |||
Accounting fees and expenses |
* | |||
Miscellaneous |
* | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | * | ||
|
|
* | To be completed by amendment. |
Item 32. Sales to Special Parties.
None.
Item 33. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
The following table sets forth all unregistered sales of securities made by us during the last three years:
Date |
Securities Issued |
Purchaser |
Consideration |
Exemption from Registration | ||||
July 19, 2021 |
14,705.40 shares of common stock | BGLH | Non-cash equity contribution by rollover sellers in Kenyon transaction with an aggregate value equal to $999,967.20 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
September 1, 2021 |
505 shares of Series A preferred stock and 129,363.06 shares of common stock | BGLH (common stock); approximately 126 preferred stockholders (Series A preferred stock) | 3,741.70 shares of Class A voting common stock and Class B non-voting common stock of Kenyon Zero Storage, Inc., a Washington corporation | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
September 23, 2021 |
5,882,352.94 shares of common stock | BGLH | $400,000,000.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
September 24, 2021 |
6,187,610.01 shares of common stock | BGLH | $420,757,480.42 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
September 24, 2021 |
58,825.00 shares of common stock | BGLH | $4,000,100.00 | Section 4(a)(2) |
Date |
Securities Issued |
Purchaser |
Consideration |
Exemption from Registration | ||||
September 24, 2021 |
114,649.68 shares of common stock | BGLH | $9,000,000.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
September 24, 2021 |
3,307,359.25 shares of common stock | BGLH | $266,242,419.58 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
November 2, 2021 |
551,199.34 shares of common stock | BGLH | Non-cash equity contribution by rollover sellers in Perishable Shipping Solutions transaction with an aggregate value equal to $44,371,546.72 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
December 8, 2021 |
2,528,433.85 shares of common stock | BGLH | $203,500,000.00 and non-cash contribution in an amount equal to $38,925.00 (representing foreign exchange loss on cash contribution) | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
December 9, 2021 |
475,580.06 shares of common stock | BGLH | $38,284,194.98 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
December 28, 2021 |
16,058.30 shares of common stock | BGLH | $1,292,693.52 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
December 29, 2021 |
562,049.69 shares of common stock | BGLH | $45,245,000.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
December 29, 2021 |
408,891.15 shares of common stock | BGLH | $32,915,737.50 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
February 18, 2022 |
37,267.08 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
March 4, 2022 |
52,173.92 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
April 25, 2022 |
1,114,271.07 shares of common stock | BGLH | $89,698,821.48 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
May 25, 2022 |
17,848.01 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) |
Date |
Securities Issued |
Purchaser |
Consideration |
Exemption from Registration | ||||
June 1, 2022 |
615,458.79 shares of common stock | BGLH | A number of shares of Turvo, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with an aggregate value equal to $54,991,291.05 and a cash payment of $400,000.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
June 24, 2022 |
3,726,708.08 shares of common stock | BGLH | $300,000,000.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
July 22, 2022 |
482,483.23 shares of common stock | BGLH | $38,839,900.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
August 30, 2022 |
1,666.67 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
September 1, 2022 |
1,057,361.1 shares of common stock | BGLH | $95,162,500.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
September 1, 2022 |
156,418.89 shares of common stock | BGLH | A promissory note originally issued to BG Lineage Holdings, LLC by Lineage Spain Holdings I, S.L.U, a Spanish limited liability company in the form of sociedad de responsabilidad limitada, with a principal amount equal to 14,000,000.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
September 7, 2022 |
9,316.77 shares of common stock | BGLH | $750,000.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
October 3, 2022 |
111,611.10 shares of common stock | BGLH | $10,044,999.12 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
October 20, 2022 |
211,180.12 shares of common stock | BGLH | $17,000,000.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
December 1, 2022 |
1,666.67 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
December 7, 2022 |
4,409,555.96 shares of common stock | BGLH | $396,860,036.34 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
December 7, 2022 |
19,657.02 shares of common stock | BGLH | $1,582,390.38 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
December 16, 2022 |
46,404.40 shares of common stock | BGLH | $4,176,396.25 | Section 4(a)(2) |
Date |
Securities Issued |
Purchaser |
Consideration |
Exemption from Registration | ||||
December 20, 2022 |
13,000.00 shares of common stock | BGLH | $1,170,000.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
January 9, 2023 |
56,666.67 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
January 20, 2023 |
1,113,888.89 shares of common stock | BGLH | $100,250,000.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
January 25, 2023 |
44,444.444 shares of common stock | BGLH | $40,000,000.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
February 10, 2023 |
33,333.33 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
April 10, 2023 |
7,777.79 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
April 19, 2023 |
111,111.00 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
May 9, 2023 |
17,833.39 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | $1,605,005.00 | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
May 26, 2023 |
2,222.22 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
August 30, 2023 |
1,666.67 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
September 1, 2023 |
2,777.80 shares of restricted common stock subject to vesting requirements | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) |
Date |
Securities Issued |
Purchaser |
Consideration |
Exemption from Registration | ||||
December 29, 2023 |
1554.4 shares of common stock | BGLH | Provisions of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
February 21, 2024 |
31,088.1 shares of common stock | BGLH | Provision of services and compliance with vesting requirements by BGLH management personnel | Section 4(a)(2) | ||||
April 24, 2024 |
32,202 shares of common stock underlying restricted stock units | Employees of the Company | Provision of services | Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act | ||||
June 15, 2024 |
11,650.34 shares of common stock | BGLH | Provisions of services | Section 4(a)(2) |
Item 34. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and that is material to the cause of action. The charter of Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the company, we, us and our), contains a provision that eliminates the liability of our directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
The Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL) requires us (unless our charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits us to indemnify our present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:
| the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; |
| the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or |
| in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. |
Under the MGCL, we may not indemnify a director or officer in a suit by us or in our right in which the director or officer was adjudged liable to us or in a suit in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by us or in our right, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.
In addition, the MGCL permits us to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon our receipt of:
| a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by us; and |
| a written undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by us if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct. |
Our charter requires us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:
| any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or |
| any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. |
Our charter also permits us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.
We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers that provide for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
In addition, our directors and officers may be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement of Lineage OP, LP, our operating partnership.
Item 35. Treatment of Proceeds from Stock Being Registered.
The consideration to be received by us from the securities registered hereunder will be credited to the appropriate capital account.
Item 36. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(A) Financial Statements: see Index to Financial Statements.
(B) Exhibits: The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this registration statement on Form S-11:
*1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement | |
3.1 | Form of Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Lineage, Inc., to be in effect upon the completion of this offering | |
3.2 | Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Lineage, Inc., to be in effect upon the completion of this offering | |
4.1 | Form of Common Stock Certificate of Lineage, Inc. | |
*5.1 | Opinion of Venable LLP | |
*8.1 | Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP with respect to tax matters | |
*10.1 | Form of Partnership Agreement of Lineage OP, LP, to be in effect upon the completion of this offering | |
*10.2 | Form of Partnership Unit Designation of Legacy OP Units of Lineage OP, LP, to be in effect upon the completion of this offering | |
*10.3 | Form of Unit Designation of Series A Preferred Units of Lineage OP, LP, to be in effect upon the completion of this offering |
* | To be filed by amendment. |
| Indicates management contract or compensatory plan. |
Item 37. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) | For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
(2) | For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-11 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Novi, Michigan, on this 26th day of June, 2024.
LINEAGE, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Greg Lehmkuhl | |
Greg Lehmkuhl | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Know all men by these presents, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Greg Lehmkuhl, Robert Crisci and Natalie Matsler, and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of the other, the individuals true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for the person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this registration statement and any or all amendments, including post-effective amendments to the registration statement, including a prospectus or an amended prospectus therein and any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act, and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact as agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ Greg Lehmkuhl Greg Lehmkuhl |
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
June 26, 2024 | ||
/s/ Robert Crisci Robert Crisci |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
June 26, 2024 | ||
/s/ Abigail Fleming Abigail Fleming |
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) | June 26, 2024 | ||
/s/ Adam Forste Adam Forste |
Co-Executive Chairman | June 26, 2024 | ||
/s/ Kevin Marchetti Kevin Marchetti |
Co-Executive Chairman | June 26, 2024 |
Exhibit 3.1
LINEAGE, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
FIRST: Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Corporation), desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.
SECOND: The following provisions and Exhibit A are all the provisions of the charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:
ARTICLE I
INCORPORATOR
Anthony Lebron, whose address is c/o Latham & Watkins LLP, 355 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90071, being at least 18 years of age, formed a corporation under the general laws of the State of Maryland on April 21, 2017.
ARTICLE II
NAME
The name of the corporation (the Corporation) is:
Lineage, Inc.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the Code)) for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force. For purposes of the charter of the Corporation (the Charter), REIT means a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code or any successor provisions.
ARTICLE IV
PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT
The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland are CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.
ARTICLE V
PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING
AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE
CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Number of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the board of directors (the Board of Directors). The number of directors of the Corporation currently is two, which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws of the Corporation (the Bylaws), but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL). The names of the current directors who shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:
Adam Forste
Kevin Marchetti
Any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled in the manner provided in the Bylaws.
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The Corporation elects, effective at such time as it becomes eligible under Section 3-802 of the MGCL to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors remaining in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.
Directors may have more than one vote as contemplated by Section 2.1 of that certain Stockholders Agreement (as amended from time to time, the Stockholders Agreement) by and among the Corporation and the other parties thereto. If and when one or more directors shall have more than one vote per director on any matter, every reference in the Charter or the Bylaws to a majority or other proportion of directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of votes entitled to be cast by the directors.
Section 5.2 Extraordinary Actions. Notwithstanding any provision of law requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a greater proportion of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Section 5.3 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend or for the purpose of qualifying as a REIT under the Code), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.
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Section 5.4 Preemptive and Appraisal Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by a contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of shares of stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell. Holders of shares of stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors upon such terms and conditions as may be specified by the Board of Directors, determines that such rights apply, with respect to all or any shares of all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.
Section 5.5 Indemnification and Advance of Expenses. To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, trustee, member, manager or partner of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Charter shall vest immediately upon election of a director or officer. The Corporation may, with the approval of the Board of Directors, provide such indemnification and advance of expenses to an individual who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and
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to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided herein shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, resolution, insurance, agreement or otherwise.
Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 5.5, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Section 5.5, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
Section 5.6 Determinations by Board. The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, acquisition of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, cash flow, funds from operations, adjusted funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been set aside, paid or discharged); any interpretation or resolution of any ambiguity with respect to any provision of the Charter (including any of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any
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shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation) or of the Bylaws; the number of shares of stock of any class or series of the Corporation; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; any interpretation of the terms and conditions of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other entity; the compensation of directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.7 REIT Qualification. For so long as the Corporation has elected to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Board of Directors shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as it determines are necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT; however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT, the Board of Directors may (or may cause the Corporation to) revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporations REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, also may (a) determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article VII is no longer required for REIT qualification and (b) make any other determination or take any other action pursuant to Article VII.
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Section 5.8 Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of shares of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock (as defined below) to elect or remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. For the purpose of this paragraph, cause shall mean, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.
Section 5.9 Advisor Agreements. Subject to such approval of stockholders and other conditions, if any, as may be required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Board of Directors may authorize the execution and performance by the Corporation of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization whereby, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Directors, any such other person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization shall render or make available to the Corporation managerial, investment, advisory and/or related services, office space and other services and facilities (including, if deemed advisable by the Board of Directors, the management or supervision of the investments of the Corporation) upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in such agreement or agreements (including, if deemed fair and equitable by the Board of Directors, the compensation payable thereunder by the Corporation).
Section 5.10 Corporate Opportunities. If any director of the Corporation who is also an officer, employee or agent of (i) any of the Stonepeak Entities (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement), (ii) any of the D1 Entities (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement), (iii) any of the BentallGreenOak
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Entities (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) or (iv) Oxford Properties Group, OMERS Administration Corporation or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, Oxford) acquires knowledge of a potential business opportunity, the Corporation renounces, on its behalf and on behalf of its subsidiaries, any potential interest or expectation in, or right to be offered or to participate in, such business opportunity, unless it is a Retained Opportunity (as defined below). Accordingly, except for Retained Opportunities, (a) no director nominated by Stonepeak (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) or BentallGreenOak (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) or who is an officer, employee or agent of D1 Capital (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) or Oxford is required to present, communicate or offer any business opportunity to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and (b) a director nominated by Stonepeak or BentallGreenOak or who is an officer, employee or agent of D1 Capital or Oxford, on his or her own behalf or on behalf of any of the Stonepeak Entities, BentallGreenOak Entities, D1 Entities or Oxford, respectively, or any of their respective affiliates, shall have the right to hold and exploit any business opportunity, or to direct, recommend, offer, sell, assign or otherwise transfer such business opportunity to any person or entity other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries. For purposes of this Section 5.10, affiliate shall mean any party that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Stonepeak Entities, BentallGreenOak Entities, D1 Entities or Oxford, as applicable.
The taking by a director nominated by Stonepeak or BentallGreenOak or who is an officer, employee or agent of D1 Capital or Oxford for himself or herself, or the offering or other transfer to another person or entity, of any potential business opportunity, other than a Retained Opportunity, whether pursuant to the Charter or otherwise, shall not constitute or be construed or interpreted as (a) an act or omission of the director committed in bad faith or as the result of active or deliberate dishonesty or (b) receipt by the director of an improper benefit or profit in money, property, services or otherwise.
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The term Retained Opportunity shall mean any business opportunity of which a director nominated by Stonepeak or BentallGreenOak or who is an officer, employee or agent of D1 Capital or Oxford becomes aware as a direct result of his or her capacity as a director of the Corporation and (a) which the Corporation is financially able to undertake, (b) which the Corporation is not prohibited by contract or applicable law from pursuing or undertaking, (c) which, from its nature, is in the line of the Corporations business, (d) which is of practical advantage to the Corporation and (e) in which the Corporation has an interest or a reasonable expectancy.
Section 5.11 Subtitle 8. In accordance with Section 3-802(c) of the MGCL, the Corporation is prohibited from electing to be subject to the provisions of Section 3-803 of the MGCL, unless such election is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
ARTICLE VI
STOCK
Section 6.1 Authorized Shares. The Corporation has authority to issue 600,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (Common Stock), and 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (together with any shares of stock hereinafter classified by the Board of Directors pursuant to this Article VI, Preferred Stock), of which 630 shares are classified and designated as 12.0% Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock (the Series A Preferred Stock). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $6,000,000. If shares of one class of
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stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class of stock pursuant to Section 6.2, 6.3 or 6.4 of this Article VI, the number of authorized shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.
Section 6.2 Common Stock. Subject to the provisions of Article VII and except as may otherwise be specified in the Charter, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time into one or more classes or series of stock.
Section 6.3 Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any class or series from time to time into one or more classes or series of stock.
Section 6.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares. Prior to the issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series of stock, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting
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powers, restrictions, including, without limitation, restrictions on transferability, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the SDAT). Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other Charter document.
Section 6.5 Action by Stockholders. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors may be taken without a meeting by consent, in writing or by electronic transmission, in any manner and by any vote permitted by the MGCL and set forth in the Bylaws.
Section 6.6 Charter and Bylaws. The rights of all stockholders and the terms of all stock of the Corporation are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.
Section 6.7 Distributions. Except as may otherwise be provided in the terms of any class or series of Preferred Stock, in determining whether a distribution is permitted under Maryland law, amounts that would be needed, if the Corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights upon dissolution are superior to those receiving the distribution, shall not be added to the Corporations total liabilities.
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ARTICLE VII
RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
Section 7.1 Definitions. For the purpose of this Article VII, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit. The term Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit shall mean 9.8 percent in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8 of the Charter, excluding any such outstanding shares of Capital Stock which are not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes. The value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock shall be determined by the Board of Directors, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.
Beneficial Ownership. The term Beneficial Ownership shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that are actually owned or would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) and Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code. The terms Beneficial Owner, Beneficially Owns and Beneficially Owned shall have the correlative meanings.
Business Day. The term Business Day shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
Capital Stock. The term Capital Stock shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.
Charitable Beneficiary. The term Charitable Beneficiary shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 7.3.6, provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.
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Common Stock Ownership Limit. The term Common Stock Ownership Limit shall mean 9.8 percent (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8 of the Charter, excluding any such outstanding shares of Common Stock which are not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes. The value of the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined by the Board of Directors, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.
Constructive Ownership. The term Constructive Ownership shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that are actually owned or would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms Constructive Owner, Constructively Owns and Constructively Owned shall have the correlative meanings.
Domestically Controlled Qualified Investment Entity. The term Domestically Controlled Qualified Investment Entity shall mean a domestically controlled qualified investment entity within the meaning of Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code.
Excepted Holder. The term Excepted Holder shall mean a stockholder of the Corporation for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Charter or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.
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Excepted Holder Limit. The term Excepted Holder Limit shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.2.7, the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7, which limit may be expressed, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, as one or more percentages and/or numbers of shares of Capital Stock, and may apply with respect to one or more classes or series of Capital Stock or to all classes or series of Capital Stock in the aggregate.
Foreign Ownership Limitation Period. The term Foreign Ownership Limitation Period shall mean the period commencing with the Initial Date and ending on the third (3rd) anniversary of the initial public offering of Common Stock pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or such other date as the Board of Directors may determine that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a Domestically Controlled Qualified Investment Entity or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on acquisitions of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a Domestically Controlled Qualified Investment Entity.
Individual. The term Individual means an individual, a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code, a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, or a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, provided that, except as set forth in Section 856(h)(3)(A)(ii) of the Code, a trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code shall be excluded from this definition.
Initial Date. The term Initial Date shall mean the date of the closing of the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the initial underwritten public offering of the Corporation.
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Market Price. The term Market Price on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The Closing Price on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on Nasdaq or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on Nasdaq, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors.
Nasdaq. The term Nasdaq shall mean the Nasdaq Stock Market.
Person. The term Person shall mean an Individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust, association, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.
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Prohibited Owner. The term Prohibited Owner shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of this Article VII, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.
Restriction Termination Date. The term Restriction Termination Date shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Directors determines pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.
Transfer. The term Transfer shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire, or change its level of, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such action or cause any such event, of Capital Stock or the right to vote (other than solely pursuant to a revocable proxy) or receive dividends on Capital Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms Transferring and Transferred shall have the correlative meanings.
Trust. The term Trust shall mean any trust provided for in Section 7.3.1.
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Trustee. The term Trustee shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust.
Section 7.2 Capital Stock.
Section 7.2.1 Ownership Limitations. During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 7.4:
(a) Basic Restrictions.
(i) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.
(ii) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock could result in the Corporation being closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, without limitation, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that could result in the Corporation constructively owning, determined in accordance with Sections 856(d)(2)(B) and 856(d)(5) of the Code, an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant, taking into account any other income of the Corporation that would not qualify under the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code, would cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of such gross income requirements).
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(iii) Any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective, would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock. Without limitation of the application of any other provision of this Article VII, it is expressly intended that the restrictions on ownership and Transfer described in this Section 7.2.1 shall apply to restrict the rights of any members or partners in limited liability companies or partnerships to exchange their interest in such entities for shares of Capital Stock.
(iv) During the Foreign Ownership Limitation Period, no Person shall directly or indirectly acquire shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such acquisition would result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a Domestically Controlled Qualified Investment Entity; provided, however, that the receipt of shares of Capital Stock by members of BGLH (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) as a result of an in-kind distribution by BGLH shall not be treated as an acquisition of Capital Stock for the purposes of this Section 7.2.1(a)(iv).
(b) Transfer in Trust.
(i) If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii),
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(A) then that number of shares of the Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or
(B) if the transfer to the Trust described in clause (A) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.
(ii) If any direct or indirect acquisition of shares of Capital Stock occurs which, if effective, would result in a violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(iv),
(A) then that number of shares of the Capital Stock the direct or indirect acquisition of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(iv) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such acquisition, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or
(B) if the transfer to the Trust described in clause (A) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(iv), then the acquisition of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(iv) shall be void ab initio, and the intended acquiror shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.
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(ii) In determining which shares of Capital Stock are to be transferred to a Trust in accordance with this Section 7.2.1(b) and Section 7.3 hereof, shares shall be so transferred to a Trust in such manner as minimizes the aggregate value of the shares that are transferred to the Trust (except as provided in Section 7.2.6) and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, on a pro rata basis (unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion).
(iii) To the extent that, upon a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust pursuant to this Section 7.2.1(b), a violation of any provision of this Article VII would nonetheless be continuing (for example, where the ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a single Trust would result in the shares of Capital Stock being beneficially owned (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) by fewer than 100 persons), then shares of Capital Stock shall be transferred to that number of Trusts, each having a distinct Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of this Article VII.
Section 7.2.2 Remedies for Breach. If the Board of Directors shall at any time determine that a Transfer has taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.2.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors may take such action as it deems advisable, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares, and in the event of such Transfer, all shares resulting in such violation shall be redeemable by the Corporation, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer;
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provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted Transfer in violation of Section 7.2.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors.
Section 7.2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 7.2.1(a) or any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2.1(b) shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporations status as a REIT.
Section 7.2.4 Owners Required To Provide Information. From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:
(a) every owner of at least five percent (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of any class or series of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide promptly to the Corporation in writing such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporations status as a REIT or as a Domestically Controlled Qualified Investment Entity and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit; and
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(b) each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of shares of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation in writing such information as the Corporation may request, in order to determine the Corporations status as a REIT or as a Domestically Controlled Qualified Investment Entity and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit.
Section 7.2.5 Remedies Not Limited. Subject to Section 5.7 of the Charter, nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation or the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporations status as a REIT.
Section 7.2.6 Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Article VII, including Section 7.2, Section 7.3 or any definition contained in Section 7.1, or any defined term used in this Article VII but defined elsewhere in the Charter, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 or any such definition with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 requires an action by the Board of Directors and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3. Absent a decision to the contrary by the
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Board of Directors (which the Board of Directors may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 7.2.2) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been actually owned by such Person, and second to the shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Capital Stock based upon the relative number of the shares of Capital Stock held by each such Person.
Section 7.2.7 Exceptions.
(a) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), the Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if:
(i) the Board of Directors determines, based on such representations and undertakings from such Person to the extent required by the Board of Directors and as the Board of Directors determines are reasonably necessary for the Board of Directors to ascertain, that such exemption will not cause five or fewer Individuals to Beneficially Own more than 49% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock (taking into account the then-current Common Stock Ownership Limit and Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, any then-existing Excepted Holder Limits, and the Excepted Holder Limit of such Person);
(ii) the Board of Directors determines, based on such representations and undertakings from such Person to the extent required by the Board of Directors
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and as the Board of Directors determines are reasonably necessary to ascertain, that such Person does not and will not actually or constructively own, determined in accordance with Sections 856(d)(2)(B) and 856(d)(5) of the Code, an interest in a tenant of the Corporation (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) that would cause the Corporation to own, actually or constructively, determined in accordance with Sections 856(d)(2)(B) and 856(d)(5) of the Code, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant (for this purpose, a tenant from whom the Corporation (or an entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, or controlled by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporations ability to qualify as a REIT shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation); and
(iii) such Person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in Sections 7.2.1 through 7.2.6) will result in such shares of Capital Stock being automatically transferred to a Trust in accordance with Sections 7.2.1(b) and 7.3.
(b) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporations status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.
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(c) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), an underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser that participates in a public offering, forward sale or a private placement or other private offering of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering, forward sale or private placement.
(d) The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Common Stock Ownership Limit or the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable.
Section 7.2.8 Increase or Decrease in Common Stock Ownership or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limits. Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii) and this Section 7.2.8, the Board of Directors may, in its sole and absolute discretion, from time to time increase or decrease the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit for one or more Persons and decrease or increase the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit for all other Persons. No decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit will be effective for any Person whose percentage of ownership of Capital Stock is in excess of such decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, until such time as such Persons percentage of ownership of Capital Stock equals or falls below the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate
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Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable; provided, however, any further acquisition of Capital Stock or increased Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock by any such Person (other than a Person for whom an exemption has been granted pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a) or an Excepted Holder) in excess of the Capital Stock Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by such person on the date the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, became effective will be in violation of the Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit. No increase to the Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit may be approved if the new Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit (taking into account any then-existing Excepted Holder Limits to the extent appropriate as determined by the Board of Directors) would allow five or fewer Individuals to Beneficially Own, in the aggregate more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock.
Section 7.2.9 Legend. Each certificate for shares of Capital Stock, if certificated, shall bear substantially the following legend:
The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Corporations maintenance of its status as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporations Charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of the Corporations Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Capital Stock that could result in the Corporation being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; (iv) no Person may
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Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons and (v) no Person may directly or indirectly acquire shares of Capital Stock to the extent such acquisition would cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a Domestically Controlled Qualified Investment Entity. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts or intends to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock which causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice. If any of the restrictions on Transfer or ownership provided in (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) above are violated, the shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may take other actions, including redeeming shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion, if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, if the ownership restrictions provided in (iv) above would be violated or upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio. All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the Charter of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.
Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate or any notice in lieu of a certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of the shares to a stockholder on request and without charge.
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Section 7.3 Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust.
Section 7.3.1 Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported Transfer that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer that results in the transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 7.2.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 7.3.6.
Section 7.3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Trust. The Prohibited Owner shall have no claim, cause of action, or any other recourse whatsoever against the purported transferor of such Capital Stock.
Section 7.3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights. The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or other distribution to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or other distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustees sole and absolute
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discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VII, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its stock transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes and determining the other rights of stockholders.
Section 7.3.4 Sale of Shares by Trustee. Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares held in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 7.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the
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amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.
Section 7.3.5 Purchase Right in Capital Stock Transferred to the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation shall reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which has been paid to the Prohibited Owner and is owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. The Corporation shall pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 7.3.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.
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Section 7.3.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries of the interest in the Trust such that (i) the shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code. Neither the failure of the Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the Corporation to appoint the Trustee before the automatic transfer provided in Section 7.2.1(b) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Corporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment.
Section 7.4 Nasdaq Transactions. Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of Nasdaq or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII, and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.
Section 7.5 Enforcement. The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VII.
Section 7.6 Non-Waiver. No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.
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Section 7.7 Severability. If any provision of this Article VII or any application of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other applications of such provisions shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
ARTICLE IX
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Article IX, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
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THIRD: Descriptions of the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock of the Corporation are set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part of Article VI hereof.
FOURTH: The amendment to and restatement of the charter as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law.
FIFTH: The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.
SIXTH: The name and address of the Corporations current resident agent are as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.
SEVENTH: The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article V of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.
EIGHTH: There has been no change in the total authorized stock of the Corporation effected by the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.
NINTH: These Articles of Amendment and Restatement shall become effective at ___, Eastern Time, on ________, 2024.
TENTH: The undersigned officer acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned officer acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary on this ___ day of _____, 2024.
ATTEST: | Lineage, Inc. | |||||
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By: |
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Natalie Matsler | Greg Lehmkuhl | |||||
Secretary | President and Chief Executive Officer |
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LINEAGE, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
EXHIBIT A
12.0% Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock
1.1 Designation and Number. A series of Preferred Stock, designated the 12.0% Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock (the Series A Preferred Stock), is hereby established having the rights, preferences, powers and limitations described herein. The total number of authorized shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be Six Hundred and Thirty (630). The Series A Preferred Stock shall be uncertificated.
1.2 Rank. The Series A Preferred Stock shall, with respect to distribution and redemption rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, rank senior to the Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Corporation (Common Stock) and to all other equity securities issued by the Corporation from time to time (together with the Common Stock, the Junior Securities). The term equity securities shall not include convertible debt securities unless and until such securities are converted into equity securities of the Corporation.
1.3 Dividends.
1.3.1 Each holder of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when and as authorized by the Board and declared by the Corporation, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the rate of 12.0% per annum of the total of $1,000.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon. Such dividends shall accrue on a daily basis and be cumulative from the first date on which such share of Series A Preferred Stock is issued, such issue date to be contemporaneous with the receipt by the Corporation of subscription funds for the
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Series A Preferred Stock (the Original Issue Date), and shall be payable annually in arrears on or before June 30 of each year (each, a Dividend Payment Date); provided, however, that if any Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on such Dividend Payment Date may be paid on the preceding Business Day or the following Business Day with the same force and effect as if paid on such Dividend Payment Date. Any dividend payable on the Series A Preferred Stock for any partial Dividend Period (as defined below) will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. A Dividend Period shall mean, with respect to the first Dividend Period, the period from and including the Original Issue Date to and including the first Dividend Payment Date, and with respect to each subsequent Dividend Period, the period from but excluding a Dividend Payment Date to and including the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date or other date as of which accrued dividends are to be calculated. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in the stock transfer records of the Corporation at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be the fifteenth day of the calendar month in which the applicable Dividend Payment Date falls or on such other date designated by the Board for the payment of dividends that is not more than 30 nor less than 10 days prior to such Dividend Payment Date (each, a Dividend Record Date). Any accrued and unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, may be authorized and paid at any time to holders of record on the Dividend Record Date determined pursuant to the preceding sentence. Any dividend payment made on shares of the Series A Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to such shares which remains payable.
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1.3.2 No dividends on shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be declared by the Corporation or paid or set apart for payment by the Corporation at such time as the terms and provisions of any written agreement between the Corporation and any party that is not an affiliate of the Corporation, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibit such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provide that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such declaration or payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law. For purposes of this Section 1.3.2, affiliate shall mean any party that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Corporation.
1.3.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall accrue whether or not the terms and provisions set forth in Section 1.3.2 hereof at any time prohibit the current payment of dividends, whether or not the Corporation has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are authorized or declared. Furthermore, dividends shall be declared and paid when due in all events to the fullest extent permitted by law. Accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will accumulate as of the Dividend Payment Date on which they first become payable.
1.3.4 Unless full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, accrued through and including the last Dividend Payment Date, if any, occurring on or before payment of a distribution on Junior Securities, have been or contemporaneously are either declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment, (i) no dividend (other than in shares of Junior Securities) shall be paid or set apart for payment upon any Junior Securities, (ii) no other dividend shall be made upon any Junior Securities, and (iii) no Junior Securities shall be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) by the Corporation (except by conversion into or exchange for other shares of Junior Securities and except for transfers, redemptions or purchases made pursuant to the provisions of Article VII of the Charter).
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1.3.5 When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not set apart) on the Series A Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon the Series A Preferred Stock shall be declared and paid pro rata based on the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding.
1.3.6 Any dividend payment made on the Series A Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to such shares which remains payable. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or shares, in excess of full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock as described above.
1.4 Liquidation Preference.
1.4.1 Subject to Section 1.4.6 below, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation (each a Liquidation Event), the holders of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding are entitled to be paid, out of the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to its stockholders, a liquidation preference equal to the sum of the following (collectively, the Liquidation Preference): (i) $1,000.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon through and including the date of payment, and (iii) if the Liquidation Event occurs before the Redemption Premium (as defined below) right expires, the per share Redemption Premium in effect on the date of payment of the Liquidation Preference, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of any Junior Securities.
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1.4.2 If upon any Liquidation Event the available assets of the Corporation are insufficient to pay the full amount of the Liquidation Preference on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, then the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full Liquidation Preference to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.
1.4.3 After payment of the full amount of the Liquidation Preference to which they are entitled, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation.
1.4.4 Upon the Corporations provision of notice as to the effective date of any Liquidation Event, and payment by a check or electronic transfer in the amount of the full Liquidation Preference to which each record holder of the Series A Preferred Stock is entitled, the Series A Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Corporation and all rights of the holders of such Series A Preferred Stock will terminate without any further action. Such notice shall be given as provided in Section 1.10 herein. Acceptance of payment by the holder of Preferred Stock shall constitute acknowledgement of receipt of such notice.
1.4.5 The consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other business enterprise or of any other business enterprise with or into the Corporation, the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Corporation or a statutory share exchange of the Corporation, shall not be deemed to constitute a Liquidation Event.
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1.4.6 In the event that the Corporation elects to set apart the Liquidation Preference for payment, the Series A Preferred Stock shall remain outstanding until the holders thereof are paid the full Liquidation Preference therefor, which payment shall be made no later than immediately prior to the Corporation making its final liquidating distribution on shares of Common Stock. In the event that the Redemption Premium would be payable on the date that the Liquidation Preference was set apart for payment but no Redemption Premium would be payable on the payment date, the Corporation may make a corresponding reduction to the funds set apart for payment of the Liquidation Preference.
1.5 Redemption.
1.5.1 Right of Optional Redemption. The Corporation, at its option, may redeem some or all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price (the Redemption Price) equal to $1,000.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to and including the date fixed for redemption (the Redemption Payment Date) (except as provided in Section 1.5.3 below), plus a redemption premium per share (each, a Redemption Premium) calculated as follows based on the Redemption Payment Date:
(1) on or before the second anniversary of the initial closing of the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, $100, and
(2) thereafter, no Redemption Premium.
If less than all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed may be selected pro rata by any equitable method determined by the Corporation provided that such method does not result in the creation of fractional shares.
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1.5.2 Limitations on Redemption. Unless full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have been, or contemporaneously are, paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all prior Dividend Periods, no shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be redeemed or otherwise acquired, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation unless all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed or acquired, and the Corporation shall not purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any Junior Securities of the Corporation (except by exchange for other Junior Securities); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
1.5.3 Rights to Dividends on Shares Called for Redemption. Immediately prior to or upon any redemption of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall pay, in cash, or declare and set aside for payment, any accumulated and unpaid dividends to and including the Redemption Payment Date, unless a Redemption Payment Date falls after a Dividend Record Date and prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, in which case each holder of Series A Preferred Stock at the close of business on such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares of Series A Preferred Stock on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares before such Dividend Payment Date.
1.5.4 Procedures for Redemption.
(a) Upon the Corporations provision of notice of the redemption, and payment by a check or by electronic transfer in the amount of the full Redemption Price to which each record holder of Series A Preferred Stock is entitled, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be redeemed and shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock will terminate. Such notice shall be given as provided in Section 1.10 herein. No failure to give such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing or transmission thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. Acceptance of payment by the holder of Preferred Stock shall constitute acknowledgement of receipt of such notice.
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(b) In addition to any information required by law, such notice shall state: (i) the Redemption Payment Date; (ii) the Redemption Price; (iii) the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed; and (iv) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption date. If less than all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice to such holder shall also specify the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed.
(c) If notice of redemption of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock has been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by the Corporation for the benefit of the holders of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then, from and after the date funds are so set aside, dividends will cease to accrue on such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the Redemption Price therefor. In the event that the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed are uncertificated, such shares shall be redeemed in accordance with the notice and no further action on the part of the holders of such shares shall be required.
(d) The deposit of funds with a bank or trust corporation for the purpose of redeeming the Series A Preferred Stock shall be irrevocable except that:
(i) the Corporation shall be entitled to receive from such bank or trust corporation the interest or other earnings, if any, earned on any money so deposited in trust, and the holders of any shares redeemed shall have no claim to such interest or other earnings; and
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(ii) any balance of monies so deposited by the Corporation and unclaimed by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock entitled thereto at the expiration of two years from the applicable Redemption Payment Date shall be repaid, together with any interest or other earnings thereon, to the Corporation, and after any such repayment, the holders of the shares entitled to the funds so repaid to the Corporation shall look only to the Corporation for payment of the Redemption Price without interest or other earnings.
1.5.5 Status of Redeemed Shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock that shall at any time have been redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall, after such redemption or acquisition, have the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to class or series until such shares are once more classified and designated as part of a particular class or series by the Board.
1.6 Voting Rights. Except as provided in this Section 1.6, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any matter submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for a vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock (excluding such shares that were not issued in a private placement of the Series A Preferred Stock conducted by A5 Securities LLC), voting as a separate class, shall be required for (a) authorization or issuance of any equity security of the Corporation with any rights that are senior to the Series A Preferred Stock, (b) any amendment to the Charter, whether by merger, consolidation, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or otherwise (an Event), which amendment has a material adverse effect on the rights and preferences of the Series A Preferred Stock or which
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increases the number of authorized or issued shares of Series A Preferred Stock to a number greater than 125, or (c) any reclassification of the Series A Preferred Stock; provided, however, with respect to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in subsection (b) above, so long as the shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged or the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock receive equity securities of the successor or survivor of such Event with substantially similar rights as the Series A Preferred Stock, taking into account that, after the occurrence of an Event, the Corporation may not be the surviving entity or the surviving entity may not be a corporation, the occurrence of such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock, and in such case the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights with respect to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in subsection (b) above unless the number of authorized shares of Series A Preferred Stock is increased to a number greater than 125. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock acknowledge and agree that their subscription documents for Series A Preferred Stock contain an irrevocable (to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law) proxy and power of attorney in favor of A5 REIT Services LLC.
1.7 Conversion. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Corporation.
1.8 Transfers. In addition to the restrictions on ownership and transfer contained in Article VII of the Charter, no transfer of Series A Preferred Stock shall be effected if such transfer would jeopardize the status of the Corporation as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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1.9 No Fractionalization. The Series A Preferred Stock shall not be transferred in any manner that results in the fractionalization of a share of Series A Preferred Stock.
1.10 Notice. All notices to be given to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be given by (i) mail, postage prepaid, (ii) overnight delivery courier service, (iii) facsimile transmission (iv) electronic mail or (v) personal delivery, to the holders of record, addressed to the address or sent to the facsimile number or electronic mail address shown in the records of the Corporation.
1.11 Limitation of Liability. Except to the extent required by applicable law, no holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall be bound by, or be personally liable for, the expenses, liabilities or obligations of the Corporation in excess of the payment made in exchange for his or her share of Series A Preferred Stock.
1.12 Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the same meanings given to such terms in the Charter.
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Exhibit 3.2
LINEAGE, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal office of Lineage, Inc. (the Corporation) in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the board of directors of the Corporation (the Board of Directors) may from time to time designate.
Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES. The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. PLACE. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting. The Board of Directors may determine that a meeting not be held at any place, but instead may be held partially or solely by means of remote communication. In accordance with these Bylaws and subject to any guidelines and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors, stockholders and proxy holders may participate in any meeting of stockholders held by means of remote communication and may vote at such meeting as permitted by Maryland law. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS.
(a) General. Each of the chair of the board (or any co-chair of the board if more than one), chief executive officer, president and Board of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. Except as provided in subsection (b)(4) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the chair of the board (or any co-chair of the board if more than one), chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the Special Meeting Percentage).
(b) Stockholder-Requested Special Meetings. (1) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the Record Date Request Notice) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the Request Record Date). To be in proper form, such Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the Exchange Act). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which a Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary. If the Board of Directors shall determine that any request to fix a record date or demand to call and hold a special meeting was not properly made in accordance with this Article II, or shall determine that the stockholder or stockholders requesting that the Board of Directors fix such record date or submitting a demand to call the special meeting have not otherwise complied with this Article II, then the Board of Directors shall not be required to fix a Request Record Date and the secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting of stockholders.
(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the Special Meeting Request) signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Special Meeting Request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (i) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (ii) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (iii) set forth (A) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporations books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (B) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such stockholder and (C) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, (iv) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (v) be received by the secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation
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of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke such stockholders request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary. No business may be considered at a special meeting called by the secretary in accordance with Section 3(b) of this Article II (a Stockholder-Requested Meeting) except as described in the applicable Record Date Request Notice or at the direction of the Board of Directors.
(3) The secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Corporations proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a Stockholder-Requested Meeting and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives on behalf of the Corporation payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.
(4) In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting, such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the date of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the Meeting Record Date); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the Delivery Date), a date and time for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., local time, on the 90th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, the Board of Directors may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder-Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).
(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporations intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chair of the meeting to
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adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chair of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting from time to time without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.
(6) The chair of the board (or any co-chair of the board if more than one), chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days after actual receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).
(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Section 4. NOTICE. Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholders residence or usual place of business, by electronic transmission or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholders address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless such stockholder objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.
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Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 11(c)(4) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this Section 4.
Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT. Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chair of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment or appointed individual, by the chair of the board (or any co-chair of the board if more than one) or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chair of the board (or all co-chairs of the board if more than one), by one of the following individuals present at the meeting in the following order: the lead independent director, if there is one, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and, within each rank, in their order of seniority, the secretary, or, in the absence of such officers, a chair chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the secretary, an assistant secretary or an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of stockholders, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. Even if present at the meeting, the person holding the office named herein may delegate to another person the power to act as chair or secretary of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chair of the meeting. The chair of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chair and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance or participation at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chair of the meeting may determine; (c) recognizing speakers at the meeting and determining when and for how long speakers and any individual speaker may address the meeting; (d) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed and when announcement of the results should be made; (e) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (f) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chair of the meeting; (g) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, to a later date and time and at a place either (i) announced at the meeting or (ii) provided at a future time through means announced at the meeting; and (h) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chair of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with any rules of parliamentary procedure.
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Section 6. QUORUM. At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or represented by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the charter of the Corporation (the Charter) for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter. If such quorum is not established at any meeting of the stockholders, the chair of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. The date, time and place of the meeting, as reconvened, shall be either (a) announced at the meeting or (b) provided at a future time through means announced at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.
The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.
Section 7. VOTING. A nominee for director shall be elected as a director only if such nominee receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast for and against such nominee at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present. However, directors shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present for which (a) the secretary of the Corporation receives notice that a stockholder has nominated an individual for election as a director in compliance with the requirements of advance notice of stockholder nominees for director set forth in these Bylaws and (b) such nomination has not been withdrawn by such stockholder on or before the close of business on the tenth day before the date of filing of the definitive proxy statement of the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and, as a result of which, the number of nominees is greater than the number of directors to be elected at the meeting. Each share entitles the holder thereof to vote for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the holder is entitled to vote. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by statute, by the Charter or by these Bylaws. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter, each outstanding share of stock, regardless of class, entitles the holder thereof to cast one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chair of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.
Section 8. PROXIES. A holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation may cast votes in person or by proxy that is (a) executed by the stockholder or by the stockholders duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by applicable law, including Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act, (b) compliant with Maryland law and these Bylaws and (c) filed in accordance with the procedures established by the Corporation. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the record of the proceedings of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
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Any stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other stockholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for the exclusive use by the Board of Directors.
Section 9. VOTING OF STOCK BY CERTAIN HOLDERS. Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, managing member, manager, general partner or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any trustee or fiduciary, in such capacity, may vote stock registered in such trustees or fiduciarys name, either in person or by proxy.
Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.
The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or appropriate. On receipt by the secretary of the Corporation of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.
Section 10. INSPECTORS. The Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. Except as otherwise provided by the chair of the meeting, the inspectors, if any, shall (a) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (b) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (c) report such tabulation to the chair of the meeting, (d) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (e) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.
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Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. (1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and proposals of other business to be considered at an annual meeting of stockholders by the stockholders may only be made (i) pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting who was a stockholder of record at the record date set by the Board of Directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting (and any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section 11(a) and the other applicable provisions of this Section 11. Except for proposals properly made pursuant to, and in accordance with, Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, and included in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to nominate individuals for election as directors at, or propose business to be brought before, an annual meeting of the stockholders.
(2) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice (as defined below) thereof in writing and in proper form to the secretary of the Corporation, provided any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 11 and any such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, including pursuant to Rule 14a-19 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, a stockholders notice shall set forth all information and representations required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 150th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(4) of this Article II) for the preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that in connection with the Corporations first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding years annual meeting, in order for notice by the stockholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting (or the public announcement thereof) shall not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
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(3) To be in proper form, such stockholders notice shall set forth:
(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a Proposed Nominee), (A) all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act (including the Proposed Nominees written consent to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (B) a reasonably detailed description of any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement between or among any stockholder giving notice and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), on the one hand, and each Proposed Nominee or his or her respective associates or any other participants in such solicitation, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person were the registrant for purposes of such rule and the Proposed Nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and (C) a completed and signed questionnaire and representation as provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this Section 11;
(ii) as to any other item of business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, (A) a reasonably detailed description of such business, the stockholders reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom, (B) 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 Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), (C) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (x) between or among such stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person or (y) between or among such stockholder, any Stockholder Associated Person and any other person or entity (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, and (D) any other information relating to such item of business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) of the Exchange Act;
(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person,
(A) (I) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the Company Securities), if any, which are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, except that such person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation as to which such person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future, (II) the date on which each such Company Security was acquired, (III) the investment intent of such acquisition, and (IV) any pledge by such person with respect to any Company Securities or short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person;
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(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person;
(C) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the previous six months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of Company Securities for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof disproportionately to such persons economic interest in the Company Securities;
(D) any material interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business, contractual or other material relationship with the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation, including any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, individually or in the aggregate, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series; provided, however, that such interests shall not include any such disclosure with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner; and
(E) any pending or threatened legal proceeding in which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person is a party or a participant involving the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any affiliate of the Corporation;
(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 11(a) and any Proposed Nominee,
(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporations stock ledger, and the current name and address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee and
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(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person that is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person;
(v) the name and address of any person who contacted or was contacted by the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person about the Proposed Nominee or other business proposal;
(vi) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other person supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business;
(vii) in the case of a business proposal other than a nomination of individuals for election to the Board of Directors, (A) a representation that the stockholder giving notice and any Stockholder Associated Person intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporations outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal and (B) any other information relating to such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder;
(viii) if the stockholder is proposing one or more Proposed Nominees, (A) a representation that such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person intends or is part of a group which intends to (x) deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporations outstanding capital stock required to elect any nominee and (y) solicit the holders of shares representing at least 67% of the voting power of shares entitled to vote on the election of directors in support of each Proposed Nominee in accordance with Rule 14a-19 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and (B) any other information relating to such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder; and
(ix) an undertaking that such stockholder will appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate any Proposed Nominees or to bring such business before the meeting, as applicable, and an acknowledgment that if the stockholder does not so appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate such Proposed Nominees or bring such business before the meeting, as applicable, the Corporation need not bring such Proposed Nominee or such business for a vote at such meeting and any proxies or votes cast in favor of the election of any such Proposed Nominee or of any proposal related to such other business need not be counted or considered.
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(4) Such stockholders notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by:
(i) a written representation executed by the Proposed Nominee:
(A) that such Proposed Nominee (I) is not, and, if elected as a director during his or her term of office, will not become, a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given and will not give any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such Proposed Nominee, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a Voting Commitment) or any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such Proposed Nominees ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such Proposed Nominees duties under the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the MGCL), (II) is not, and will not become, a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, (III) consents to be named in a proxy statement as a nominee, (IV) consents to serve as a director of the Corporation for the entire term if elected, (V) will notify the Corporation simultaneously with the notification to the stockholder of the Proposed Nominees actual or potential unwillingness or inability to serve as a director for the entire term, (VI) does not need any permission or consent from any third party to serve as a director of the Corporation, if elected, that has not been obtained, including any employer or any other board or governing body on which such Proposed Nominee serves and (VII) if elected as a director of the Corporation, will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, stock ownership and trading and other policies and guidelines of the Corporation applicable to directors and in effect during such persons term in office as a director (and, if requested by any candidate for nomination, the secretary of the Corporation shall provide to such Proposed Nominee all such policies and guidelines then in effect);
(B) attaching copies of any and all requisite permissions or consents; and
(C) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Corporation are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Corporation are traded); and
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(ii) a written representation executed by the stockholder that such stockholder will:
(A) comply with Rule 14a-19 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act in connection with such stockholders solicitation of proxies in support of any Proposed Nominee and, except to the extent otherwise agreed to by the Corporation in writing, maintain the confidentiality of any information provided by the Corporation to the stockholder pursuant to Rule 14a-19(d) (or any successor provision) until such information has been made public by the Corporation;
(B) notify the Corporation as promptly as practicable of any determination by the stockholder to no longer solicit proxies for the election of any Proposed Nominee as a director at the applicable meeting;
(C) no later than five Business Days prior to the applicable meeting, deliver in writing to the secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation, evidence, sufficient in the judgment of the Board of Directors, to demonstrate that such stockholder has satisfied the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act; and
(D) furnish such other or additional information as the Corporation may request for the purpose of determining whether the requirements of this Section 11 have been complied with and of evaluating any nomination or other business described in the stockholders notice.
(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(4) of this Article II) for the preceding years annual meeting, a stockholders notice required by clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(6) The Board of Directors may request that the stockholder giving notice and any Stockholder Associated Person furnish such additional information as may be reasonably required by the Board of Directors. Such stockholder shall provide such additional information within ten days after it has been requested by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also require any proposed candidate for nomination as a director to furnish such other information as may reasonably be requested by the Board of Directors in writing prior to the meeting of stockholders at which such candidates nomination is to be acted upon. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board of Directors may request such other information in order for the Board of Directors to determine the eligibility of such candidate for nomination to be an independent director of the Corporation or to comply with the director qualification standards and additional selection criteria in accordance with the Corporations corporate governance guidelines. Such other information shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (or any other office specified by the Corporation in any public announcement) not later than five Business Days after the request by the Board of Directors has been delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Nominating Person.
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(7) For purposes of this Section 11, Stockholder Associated Person of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder or another Stockholder Associated Person or who is otherwise a participant (as defined in Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in the solicitation, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting and, except as contemplated by and in accordance with the next two sentences of this Section 11(b), no stockholder may nominate an individual for election to the Board of Directors or make a proposal of other business to be considered at a special meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the record date set by the Board of Directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting, at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting (and any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures and other applicable requirements set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporations notice of meeting, if the stockholders notice, containing the information and representations required by paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this Section 11, is delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and such stockholder satisfies the other applicable requirements of this Section 11. The postponement or adjournment of a special meeting (or public announcement thereof) shall not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
(c) General. (1) If any information or representation submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders, including any information or representation from a Proposed Nominee, shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information or representation may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.
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Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information or representation. Upon written request by the secretary or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder or Proposed Nominee shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (i) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11, (ii) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting and, if applicable, satisfy the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date and (iii) an updated representation by each Proposed Nominee that such individual will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected. If a stockholder or Proposed Nominee fails to provide such written verification, update or representation within such period, the information as to which such written verification, update or representation was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.
(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. A stockholder proposing a Proposed Nominee shall have no right to (i) nominate a number of Proposed Nominees that exceeds the number of directors to be elected at the meeting or (ii) substitute or replace any Proposed Nominee unless such substitute or replacement is nominated in accordance with this Section 11 (including the timely provision of all information and representations with respect to such substitute or replacement Proposed Nominee in accordance with the deadlines set forth in this Section 11) and the nomination of each Proposed Nominee being substituted or replaced has been withdrawn by written notice to the secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation prior to, or concurrently with, such stockholders delivery of notice of the nomination of any substitute or replacement Proposed Nominee pursuant to this Section 11. If the Corporation provides notice to a stockholder that the number of Proposed Nominees proposed by such stockholder exceeds the number of directors to be elected at a meeting, the stockholder must provide written notice to the Corporation within five Business Days stating the names of the Proposed Nominees that have been withdrawn so that the number of Proposed Nominees proposed by such stockholder no longer exceeds the number of directors to be elected at a meeting. If any individual who is nominated in accordance with this Section 11 becomes unwilling or unable to serve on the Board of Directors, then the nomination with respect to such individual shall no longer be valid and no votes may validly be cast for such individual. The chair of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11, and (i) any defective nomination shall be disregarded and any ballots cast for the candidate in question (but in the case of any form of ballot listing other qualified nominees, only the ballots cast for the nominee in question) shall be void and of no force or effect and/or (ii) any other business, other than a nomination, not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
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(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, unless otherwise required by law, the Corporation shall disregard the nomination of, and any proxy authority granted in favor of, or votes for, director nominees, notwithstanding that such nominee is included as a nominee in the Corporations proxy statement, notice of meeting or other proxy materials for any annual meeting (or any supplement thereto), if the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person (each, a Soliciting Stockholder) soliciting proxies in support of such director nominees abandons the solicitation or does not (i) comply with Rule 14a-19 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, including any failure by the Soliciting Stockholder to (A) provide the Corporation with any notices required thereunder in a timely manner or (B) comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) and Rule 14a-19(a)(3) (or any successor provisions) under the Exchange Act or (ii) timely provide sufficient evidence in the determination of the Board of Directors sufficient to satisfy the Corporation that such Soliciting Stockholder has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act in accordance with the following sentence.
(4) For purposes of this Section 11, the date of the proxy statement shall have the same meaning as the date of the companys proxy statement released to shareholders as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Public announcement shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.
(5) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, any proxy statement filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by, or routine solicitation contacts made by or on behalf of, the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person.
(6) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, except as otherwise determined by the chair of the meeting, if the stockholder giving notice as provided for in this Section 11 does not appear in person or by proxy at such annual or special meeting to present each nominee for election as a director or the proposed business, as applicable, such matter shall not be considered at the meeting.
Section 12. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the MGCL, shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.
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Section 13. STOCKHOLDERS CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a unanimous consent setting forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the stockholders.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1. GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE, QUALIFICATIONS AND RESIGNATION. A majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL, nor more than 15, and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering a resignation to the Board of Directors, the chair of the board (or any co-chair of the board if more than one) or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.
Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the Board of Directors may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.
Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the chair of the board (or any co-chair of the board if more than one), the lead independent director, the chief executive officer, the president or a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the time and place of any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.
Section 5. NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each director at such directors business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting.
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Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or such directors agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or such directors agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.
Section 6. QUORUM. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such directors is present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a specified group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group.
The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough directors to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.
Section 7. VOTING. The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws.
Section 8. ORGANIZATION. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the chair of the board (or any co-chair of the board if more than one) or, in the absence of the chair, the chief executive officer shall act as chair of the meeting. Even if present at the meeting, the director named herein may designate another director to act as chair of the meeting. In the absence of the chair of the board (or all co-chairs of the board if more than one) and the chief executive officer, the lead independent director, if one, or, in the absence of all such individuals, the president or, in the absence of the president, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chair of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation, or, in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the chair of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
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Section 9. MEETINGS BY REMOTE COMMUNICATION. Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 10. CONSENT BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.
Section 11. VACANCIES. If for any reason any or all the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.
Section 12. COMPENSATION. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 13. RELIANCE. Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of such directors or officers duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the persons professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.
Section 14. RATIFICATION. The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify any act, omission, failure to act or determination made not to act (an Act) by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the Act and, if so ratified, such Act shall have the same force and effect as if originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation
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and its stockholders. Any Act questioned in any proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and such ratification shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned Act.
Section 15. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF DIRECTORS. Any director, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee, or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to, in addition to or in competition with those of or relating to the Corporation.
Section 16. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Charter or these Bylaws, this Section 16 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an Emergency). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, (a) a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (b) notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio; and (c) the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 17. MORE THAN ONE VOTE PER DIRECTOR. If the Charter provides that directors may have more than one vote on any matter, then if and when one or more directors shall have more than one vote per director on any matter, every reference in these Bylaws to a majority or other proportion of directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of votes entitled to be cast by the directors.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and one or more other committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member.
Section 2. POWERS. The Board of Directors may delegate to any committee appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, any committee may delegate some or all of its power and authority to one or more subcommittees, composed of one or more directors, as the committee deems appropriate in its sole discretion.
Section 3. MEETINGS. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation, the applicable committee, may designate a chair of any committee, and such chair or, in the absence of a chair, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide.
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Section 4. MEETINGS BY REMOTE COMMUNICATION. Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.
Section 6. CHANGES. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to appoint the chair of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member, to dissolve any such committee or to withdraw or add to any powers previously delegated to a committee.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chair of the board, a vice chair of the board, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or appropriate. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until such officers successor is elected and qualifies or until such officers death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.
Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering a resignation to the Board of Directors, the chair of the board (or any co-chair of the board if more than one), the lead independent director, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.
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Section 3. VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.
Section 4. CHAIR OF THE BOARD. The Board of Directors may designate from among its members a chair of the board (or co-chairs of the board), who shall not, solely by reason of these Bylaws, be an officer of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate the chair of the board (or co-chairs of the board) as an executive or non-executive chair. The chair of the board (or any co-chair of the board if more than one) shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors. The chair of the board (or the co-chairs of the board if more than one) shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to the chair of the board (or the co-chairs of the board if more than one) by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.
Section 5. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer. In the absence of such designation, the chair of the board (or any co-chair of the board if more than one) shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. The chief executive officer may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 6. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.
Section 7. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.
Section 8. CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief technology officer. The chief technology officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.
Section 9. PRESIDENT. In the absence of a chief executive officer, the president shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In the absence of a designation of a chief operating officer by the Board of Directors, the president shall be the chief operating officer. The president may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
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Section 10. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president, or vice president for particular areas of responsibility.
Section 11. SECRETARY. The secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the secretary by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.
Section 12. TREASURER. The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the treasurer by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.
The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Board of Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors or whenever it may so require, an account of all the transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.
Section 13. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.
Section 14. COMPENSATION. The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that such officer is also a director.
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ARTICLE VI
CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
Section 1. CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors and executed by the chief executive officer, any co-president or any other person authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. DEPOSITS. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Corporation as the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors may determine.
ARTICLE VII
STOCK
Section 1. CERTIFICATES. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation, stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in any manner permitted by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no difference in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.
Section 2. TRANSFERS. All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of any uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares, to the extent then required by the MGCL, a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.
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The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the Charter and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.
Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE. Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or such owners legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.
Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such record date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.
When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if postponed or adjourned, except if the meeting is postponed or adjourned to a date more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting shall be determined as set forth herein.
Section 5. STOCK LEDGER. The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.
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Section 6. FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS. The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue fractional shares of stock or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of units consisting of different securities of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
ACCOUNTING YEAR
The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.
ARTICLE IX
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 1. AUTHORIZATION. Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter.
Section 2. CONTINGENCIES. Before payment of any dividend or other distribution, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its sole discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.
ARTICLE X
INVESTMENT POLICY
Subject to the provisions of the Charter, the Board of Directors may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE XI
SEAL
Section 1. SEAL. The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words Incorporated Maryland. The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.
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Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL. Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word (SEAL) adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.
ARTICLE XII
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to the Charter or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.
ARTICLE XIII
EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LITIGATION
Section 1. CERTAIN STATE LAW CLAIMS. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, any state court of competent jurisdiction in Maryland, or, if such state courts do not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court located within the State of Maryland shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, other than actions arising under federal securities laws, (b) any Internal Corporate Claim, as such term is defined in the MGCL, or any successor provision thereof, including, without limitation, (i) any action asserting a claim based on an alleged breach of any duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the stockholders of the Corporation or (ii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL, the Charter or these Bylaws, or (c) any other action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. None of the foregoing actions, claims or proceedings may be brought in any court sitting outside the State of Maryland unless the Corporation consents in writing to such court. This paragraph of Article XIII does not apply to any action or proceeding under federal securities laws or claims arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the first sentence of this Article XIII is filed in a court other than the courts in the State of Maryland (a Foreign Action) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Maryland in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the provisions of the first sentence of this Article XIII and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholders counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.
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Section 2. SECURITIES ACT CLAIMS. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action or causes of action arising under the Securities Act, including all causes of action asserted against any defendant to such complaint.
Section 3. ENFORCEMENT. The provisions of this Article XIII are intended to benefit and may be enforced by the Corporation, its officers and directors, the underwriters to any offering giving rise to such complaint, and any other professional or entity whose profession gives authority to a statement made by that person or entity and who has prepared or certified any part of the documents underlying the offering.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
The Board of Directors is vested with the power to alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to adopt new Bylaws. In addition, pursuant to a binding proposal that is properly submitted by stockholders for approval at a duly called annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders, the stockholders shall have the power, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter, to alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to adopt new Bylaw provisions, in any such case to the extent permitted by and consistent with the Charter, these Bylaws (including, without limitation, Sections 3 and 11 of Article II of these Bylaws) and applicable law.
Approved: [ ], 2024
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Exhibit 4.1
Number *0* | Shares *0* | |||
SEE REVERSE FOR IMPORTANT NOTICE ON TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION |
THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE CUSIP ___________
IN THE CITIES OF _________________
LINEAGE, INC.
a Corporation Formed Under the Laws of the State of Maryland
THIS CERTIFIES THAT **Specimen** is the owner of **Zero (0)** fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of
LINEAGE, INC.
(the Corporation) transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by its duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the charter of the Corporation (the Charter) and the Bylaws of the Corporation and any amendments or supplements thereto. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officers.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Corporation will furnish to any stockholder, on request and without charge, a full statement of the information required by Section 2-211(b) of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland with respect to the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of the stock of each class which the Corporation has authority to issue and, if the Corporation is authorized to issue any preferred or special class in series, (i) the differences in the relative rights and preferences between the shares of each series to the extent set, and (ii) the authority of the Board of Directors to set such rights and preferences of subsequent series.
The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Corporations maintenance of its status as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporations Charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of the Corporations Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Capital Stock that could result in the Corporation being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; (iv) no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons and (v) no Person may directly or indirectly acquire shares of Capital Stock to the extent such acquisition would cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a Domestically Controlled Qualified Investment Entity. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts or intends to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock which causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice. If any of the restrictions on Transfer or ownership provided in (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) above are violated, the shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may take other actions, including redeeming shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion, if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, if the ownership restrictions provided in (iv) above would be violated or upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio. All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the Charter of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.
KEEP THIS CERTIFICATE IN A SAFE PLACE. IF IT IS LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED, THE CORPORATION MAY REQUIRE
A BOND OF INDEMNITY AS A CONDITION TO THE ISSUANCE OF A REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM - | as tenants in common | UNIF GIFT MIN ACT | Custodian | |||||||||
TEN ENT - |
as tenants by the entireties |
(Custodian) | (Minor) | |||||||||
JT TEN - | as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common |
Under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act of | ||||||||||
(State) |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ________________HEREBY SELLS, ASSIGNS AND TRANSFERS UNTO
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(NAME & ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE & SS# OR OTHER IDENTIFYING # OF ASSIGNEE)
_____________________________________ (________________) shares of stock of the Corporation represented by this Certificate and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _______________________________________ attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the Corporation, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated: _______________________ | ||||
NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF | ||||
THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY OTHER CHANGE. |
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Exhibit 10.6
TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Transition Services Agreement (this Agreement), dated as of [__________], 2024, is entered into by and between Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), and Bay Grove Management Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Bay Grove). The Company and Bay Grove are each referred to herein individually as a Party and, collectively, as the Parties.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, as the founder and owner-operator of the Company and its indirect parent Lineage, Inc. (Lineage REIT and together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including the Company, Lineage), Bay Grove and its Affiliates (as defined below) have historically provided Lineage with services supporting capital deployment and mergers and acquisitions activity; and
WHEREAS, following the initial public offering of Lineage REIT, Bay Grove will cease to serve as owner-operator of Lineage and Bay Groves functions as owner-operator will be internalized into Lineage; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Bay Grove desire to provide for a three-year period of transitional support services from Bay Grove to the Company in support of Lineages capital deployment and mergers and acquisitions activity to ensure the successful internalization into the Company of these services historically provided by Bay Grove.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the covenants and conditions herein set forth, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Appointment. The Company hereby appoints Bay Grove to render the services described in Section 2 hereof on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
Section 2. Services.
(a) Transition Services. The Company hereby engages Bay Grove to provide to the Company, by and through such of Bay Groves officers, employees, agents, representatives and Affiliates as Bay Grove, in its sole discretion, shall designate (the Bay Grove Designees), services supporting Lineages capital deployment and mergers and acquisitions activity (the Transition Services). In providing the Transition Services or otherwise, Bay Grove shall not be deemed to be acting in concert with Lineage, including, without limitation, for purposes of any Lineage entitys compliance with any and all consent decrees to which the Company is party or may be party in the future. As used herein, the term Affiliate of any specified person or entity means any person or entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with such specified person or entity. Nothing herein shall require Bay Grove to engage in any activities as a broker-dealer or investment adviser under the laws of any jurisdiction in which it performs services.
(b) Additional Services. The Company may request, by written notice to Bay Grove, that Bay Grove provide additional services that are not specifically identified in this Agreement. Bay Grove is under no obligation to provide or perform any additional services requested by the Company but may elect in its sole discretion whether to perform such additional services. If Bay Grove elects in writing to perform any such additional services, such services shall be deemed to be Transition Services for purposes of this Agreement. It is acknowledged and agreed that if Bay Grove elects in writing to perform any such additional services, Bay Grove will be entitled to additional compensation, as set forth in Section 3(b) below.
(c) Level of Service. Bay Grove shall use commercially reasonable efforts to perform the Transition Services in the manner and at a relative level of service substantially similar to that provided by Bay Grove with respect to Lineage during the one-year prior to the initial closing of Lineages initial public offering (the Closing); provided, however, that except as it relates to temperature controlled warehousing and/or logistics outside of Latin America, nothing in this Agreement shall require Bay Grove to favor the Company or its Affiliates over Bay Groves own business operations or those of its Affiliates as to the provision of any Transition Service.
(d) Use of Services. The Transition Services shall be used by the Company and its Affiliates exclusively in connection with their conduct of their business and only for substantially the same purpose and in substantially the same manner as Lineage used such services immediately prior to the Closing. The Company shall not, and shall not permit its Affiliates or any of their respective employees or agents to, resell or provide any Transition Services to or for the benefit of any third party or permit the use of any Transition Services by or for the benefit of any third party.
(e) Cooperation, Access and Oversight. The Company and its Affiliates shall (i) provide Bay Grove and the Bay Grove Designees or such other person providing the Transition Services with all necessary access to the facilities in which the Company or its Affiliates operate to perform the Transition Services, (ii) make available on a timely basis to Bay Grove and the Bay Grove Designees or such other person providing the Transition Services, all information, personnel, systems, servers and materials reasonably requested by such person to enable it to provide the Transition Services and (iii) obtain and maintain all telecommunications, data and network connections, hardware and other equipment, licenses, sublicenses, leases and contracts (other than any of the foregoing that are provided to the Company or its Affiliates as Transition Services hereunder) necessary to enable Bay Grove and the Bay Grove Designees or such other person providing the Transition Services to provide the Transition Services. Each Party and its Affiliates shall (i) adhere to the policies of the other Party with respect to the protection of proprietary information and other policies regarding the use of information technology resources, to the extent relevant to the Transition Services provided and (ii) maintain reasonably appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to ensure that the other Partys data, including customer data and non-public personal information, is protected against loss, destruction, damage, and unauthorized access, use, modification, disclosure, and other misuse of such data. Bay Grove and the Bay Grove Designees shall be entitled to rely on any instructions or other information provided by the Company or its Affiliates and Bay Grove shall not be in breach of or in default under this Agreement as a result of any such reliance; provided that no such instructions shall expand the obligations of Bay Grove or the Bay Grove Designees hereunder. Bay Grove and the Bay Grove Designees shall be excused from their obligation to perform, or cause to be performed, a Transition Service if and to the extent that such failure to perform, or cause to be performed, such Transition Service was due to the Companys or an Affiliate of the Companys failure to perform its responsibilities under this Agreement.
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Section 3. Fees.
(a) Annual Fee. In consideration of the performance of the Transition Services contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof, the Company agrees to pay to Bay Grove (or its designee) a non-refundable and non-cancelable annual fee of $8,000,000 in cash (the Annual Fee) for a period of three years until the third anniversary of the Closing. The Annual Fee shall be payable in quarterly installments in advance on each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year, and in the case of the first installment, on the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that any payment for any period other than a full quarterly period (including the period covered by the first installment) shall be adjusted on a pro rata basis according to the actual number of days elapsed during such period.
(b) Fees for Additional Services. In consideration of any services, other than the Transition Services, that may be provided by Bay Grove to the Company from time to time during the term of this Agreement, Bay Grove shall be entitled to receive such additional compensation as agreed upon by the Company and Bay Grove.
(c) Taxes. Any and all payments required to be made to Bay Grove (or its designee) hereunder shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction for, any federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes, duties and assessments in the nature of a tax imposed by a governmental entity or tax authority (Taxes), other than any (A) Taxes imposed with respect to Bay Groves net income or branch profits (x) in any jurisdiction in which Bay Grove is organized or in which its principal office is located, or (y) as a result of any other present or former connection between Bay Grove and the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes, (B) property taxes and (C) employment/social security taxes (such Taxes described in clauses (A) through (C), collectively, Excluded Taxes); provided, however, that, if the Company shall be required by applicable law to deduct any Taxes from any payment hereunder, (i) to the extent such Taxes are not Excluded Taxes, such payment shall be increased as necessary so that, after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section 3(c)), Bay Grove receives payments equal to the amount it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Company shall make such deductions and (iii) the Company shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant governmental authority in accordance with applicable law. Bay Grove has provided to the Company an IRS Form W-9 prior to or simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement and shall provide an IRS Form W-9 for future years at such times reasonably requested by the Company.
Section 4. Out-of-Pocket Expenses. In addition to the compensation payable to Bay Grove pursuant to Section 3 hereof, the Company shall, promptly at the request of Bay Grove, reimburse Bay Grove for, or at Bay Groves request, pay directly on Bay Groves behalf, the Out-of-Pocket Expenses. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term Out-of-Pocket Expenses shall mean all out-of-pocket expenses that are incurred or accrued by or on behalf of Bay Grove or its Affiliates in connection with the performance of the Transition Services or any other services provided under this Agreement, whether incurred or accrued (or, in the case of such
3
expenses that are incurred or accrued by way of allocation, that are allocated in the good faith judgment of Bay Grove) before or after the termination of this Agreement, including, without limitation, (i) costs, fees, expenses and disbursements of any counsel, consultants, investment bankers, accountants, financial advisors, tax support, appraiser, retainer, finder, adviser, custodian, depositary, transfer agent, disbursal, brokerage, registration, legal, compliance, trading, settlement, client relations, auditing, banking or other independent professionals or organizations, and other costs, fees and expenses for support services outsourced to third party service providers, (ii) costs of any outside services or independent contractors such as financial printers, couriers, business publications or similar services, (iii) costs associated with preparation of any financial reports, costs of regulatory filings and costs of reporting to authorities in any jurisdiction, (iv) telephone calls, word processing expenses or any similar third-party expense not associated with Bay Groves ordinary operating overhead, (v) research and software expenses, and other expenses incurred in connection with data services providing price feeds, news feeds, securities and company information, and company fundamental data and costs, fees and expenses for other third party research, news, industry information, analytics and expert networks/research resources, (vi) appraisal and valuation costs, fees and expenses, including costs, fees and expenses of independent appraisal or valuation services or third party vendor price quotations, (vii) costs, fees and expenses that are classified as extraordinary expenses under generally accepted accounting principles, (viii) costs, fees and premiums and fees for insurance (including insurance that benefits, directly or indirectly, Bay Grove or any of its shareholders, partners, members, officers, directors, employees, agents or Affiliates), including errors and omissions insurance, (ix) governmental charges, fees and duties, (x) damages and other costs, fees and expenses relating to litigation, settlements or other matters that are the subject of the indemnification rights, (xi) sales, leasing and brokerage commissions, development fees, loan servicing fees and other costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with assets, (xii) transportation, per diem, travel, meals, entertainment and related expenses associated with any of the foregoing, which may include business or first class airfare and private air travel with third party providers not affiliated with Bay Grove and (xiii) BG Aircraft Expenses.
As used herein, BG Aircraft Expenses shall mean the expenses reimbursable by the Company to Bay Grove Capital LLC pursuant to the Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement, dated as of [_________], 2024, by and between Bay Grove Capital LLC and the Company.
All reimbursements for Out-of-Pocket Expenses shall be made promptly upon presentation by Bay Grove to the Company of an invoice from Bay Grove in connection therewith.
Section 5. Direction of Employees. Bay Grove shall be solely responsible for all salary, wages, bonuses, employment, payroll and other benefits of and liabilities owed to (including severance and workers compensation and the withholding and payment of applicable taxes relating to such employment), and compliance with immigration and visa laws and requirements in respect of, its personnel assigned to perform the Transition Services on behalf of Bay Grove. In performing their respective duties hereunder, all personnel engaged in providing Transition Services shall be under the direction, control and supervision of Bay Grove, and Bay Grove shall have the sole right to exercise all authority with respect to the employment (including termination of employment), assignment and compensation of such personnel. The employees of Bay Grove engaged in providing Transition Services shall not, by virtue thereof, become employees of the Company.
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Section 6. Term and Termination.
(a) Term. This Agreement will be effective from the date hereof and will terminate on the earlier to occur of (i) the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 6(b) and (ii) the third anniversary of the Closing. The date on which this Agreement is terminated is referred to herein as the Termination Date.
(b) Termination of Agreement.
(i) This Agreement may be terminated at any time by the mutual written consent of Bay Grove and the Company.
(ii) The Company may terminate this Agreement with immediate effect by written notice to Bay Grove at any time after Cause has occurred. Cause means that each of the following has occurred: (A) either (1) Adam Forste or Kevin Marchetti (each, a Bay Grove Principal), but only if such Bay Grove Principal then remains an active manager of Bay Grove, has been convicted of, or has made a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony involving fraud, embezzlement or a similar misappropriation of funds in each case in connection with the business of Lineage, (2) Bay Grove has been convicted of, or has made a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony involving fraud, embezzlement or a similar misappropriation of funds in which either of the Bay Grove Principals is found to have been personally culpable (but only if such Bay Grove Principal then remains an active manager of Bay Grove or otherwise in control (including joint control with the other Bay Grove Principal) of Bay Grove), (3) a court of competent jurisdiction has adjudicated in a final judgment that a Bay Grove Principal (but only if such Bay Grove Principal then remains an active manager of Bay Grove or otherwise in control (including joint control with the other Bay Grove Principal) of Bay Grove) has, in the provision of Bay Groves services to the Company and in the performance of his duties and obligations in connection therewith, engaged in uncured willful misconduct after written notice thereof and a minimum of 45 days to cure (if curable), and that such willful misconduct has had a sustained and continuing material adverse impact on Lineage, taken as a whole, or (4) a court of competent jurisdiction has adjudicated in a final judgment in which either of the Bay Grove Principals is found to have been personally culpable (but only if such Bay Grove Principal then remains an active manager of Bay Grove or otherwise in control (including joint control with the other Bay Grove Principal) of Bay Grove) that Bay Grove has, in the provision of Bay Groves services to the Company and in the performance of its duties and obligations in connection therewith, engaged in uncured willful misconduct after written notice thereof and a minimum of 45 days to cure (if curable), and that such willful misconduct has had a sustained and continuing material adverse impact on Lineage, taken as a whole; and (B) Bay Grove has not terminated such Bay Grove Principals involvement in the Transition Services and caused such Bay Grove Principal to no longer control (including jointly control) Bay Grove on or prior to 60 days after the date of such conviction, plea or adjudication.
(c) Effect of Termination. Upon the termination of this Agreement, all rights and obligations of each of the Company and Bay Grove shall immediately cease and terminate, and no Party shall have any further obligation to the other Party with respect to this Agreement, except that (i) the rights and obligations in Sections 5 through 17 of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement with respect to matters arising before or after such termination
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without regard to the termination of this Agreement and (ii) the Company shall, on the terms set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement, remain responsible for reimbursing Bay Grove for any Out-of-Pocket Expenses incurred or accrued by or on behalf of any Bay Grove Related Party (as defined below), whether incurred or accrued prior to or after the termination of this Agreement, as a result of the provision of any Transition Services prior to the termination of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, termination of this Agreement will not relieve any Party from liability for any breach of this Agreement at or prior to such termination.
Section 7. Proprietary Rights; Insurance.
(a) Intellectual Property.
(i) Any software, development tools, know-how, methodologies, processes, technologies, algorithms or other intellectual property (collectively, Intellectual Property) owned by Bay Grove or any of its Affiliates and which may during the term of this Agreement be operated or used by Bay Grove or its Affiliates in connection with the performance of the Transition Services hereunder or by the Company or its Affiliates in connection with the receipt of the Transition Services hereunder, shall remain Bay Groves or such Affiliate of Bay Groves property and neither the Company nor its Affiliates shall have any rights or interests therein, except as provided in the immediately following sentence. Bay Grove hereby grants to the Company and its Affiliates, solely in respect of the Transition Services and during the term of this Agreement as provided in Section 6(a), a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, royalty-free license to access and use such Intellectual Property owned by Bay Grove and made available to the Company and its Affiliates hereunder, as necessary for the Company and its Affiliates to receive the Transition Services in accordance with this Agreement. Bay Grove shall not be required to grant any right in respect of Intellectual Property owned by a third party or to provide any Transition Service contemplated in connection therewith if, after using commercially reasonable efforts, Bay Grove is unable to obtain any necessary consent of the applicable third party to such grant.
(ii) Any Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates and which may during the term of this Agreement be operated or used by Bay Grove or its Affiliates in connection with the performance of the Transition Services hereunder or by the Company or its Affiliates in connection with the receipt of the Transition Services hereunder, shall remain the Companys or such Affiliate of the Companys property and neither Bay Grove nor its Affiliates shall have any rights or interests therein, except as provided in the immediately following sentence. The Company hereby grants to Bay Grove and its Affiliates, solely in respect of the Transition Services and during the term of this Agreement as provided in Section 6(a), a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, royalty-free license to access and use such Intellectual Property owned by the Company and made available to Bay Grove and its Affiliates hereunder, as necessary for Bay Grove and its Affiliates to provide the Transition Services in accordance with this Agreement. The Company shall not be required to grant any right in respect of Intellectual Property owned by a third party or to provide any Transition Service contemplated in connection therewith if, after using commercially reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain any necessary consent of the applicable third party to such grant.
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(b) Insurance. During the term of this Agreement as provided in Section 6(a) and for a period of five years following the Termination Date, the Company shall, at its sole cost and expense, procure and maintain insurance customary and typical for its business and operations (inclusive of the Transition Services provided pursuant to this Agreement), including general liability, directors and officers liability, automobile liability, umbrella liability and property liability policies, and shall name Bay Grove and its Affiliates as additional insureds. The Company insurance policies shall be the insurance of first resort. The Company shall use best efforts to have each insurance policy maintained hereunder include a waiver of any rights of subrogation against Bay Grove and its Affiliates.
Section 8. Disclaimer, Limitation on Warranty and Limitation of Liability; Opportunities.
(a) Disclaimer; Standard of Care. None of Bay Grove, any Bay Grove Designee or any Bay Grove Related Party makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, in respect of the services to be provided by Bay Grove or the Bay Grove Designees hereunder. In no event will Bay Grove, any Bay Grove Designee or any of their respective former, current or future partners, members, stockholders, Affiliates, associates, officers, directors, employees, controlling persons, agents or representatives, or any former, current or future partners, members, stockholders, Affiliates, associates, officers, directors, employees, controlling persons, agents or representatives of the foregoing (together with Bay Grove and the Bay Grove Designees, the Bay Grove Related Parties) be liable to the Company or any of its Affiliates for any act, alleged act, omission or alleged omission that does not constitute actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Bay Grove Related Party, as determined by a final, non-appealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) Limitation on Warranty. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that Bay Grove Related Parties are not in the business of providing Transition Services. Bay Grove has agreed to provide the Transition Services hereunder solely as an accommodation to the Company and its Affiliates and such Transition Services are provided on an as-is, where-is basis and in the manner provided in this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, none of the Bay Grove Related Parties makes, nor is the Company relying on, any representation or warranty of any kind whatsoever (including by omission), express or implied, written or oral, at law or in equity, with respect to the Transition Services, the subject matter of this Agreement or any information or materials provided to the Company or any of its Affiliates (including any policies and procedures of any Bay Grove Related Party), including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose or use, title or non-infringement, accuracy, availability, timeliness, completeness or the results to be obtained from such Transition Services, and the Bay Grove Related Parties hereby disclaim the same.
(c) Limitation of Liability.
(i) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, under no circumstances shall any Bay Grove Related Party be liable to the Company or any of its Affiliates for incidental, exemplary, special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages of any kind, including any damages arising from business interruption, diminution of value, increased insurance premiums or lost profits and losses based upon any multiplier of earnings, including
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earnings before interest, depreciation or amortization, or any other valuation metric, arising under or relating to this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, regardless of whether such damages are based in contract, breach of warranty, tort, negligence or any other theory, and regardless of whether any Bay Grove Related Party has been advised of, knew of, or should have known of the possibility of such damages.
(ii) The Company acknowledges that none of the Bay Grove Related Parties are in the business of providing services of the type contemplated by this Agreement, and that the Transition Services are to be provided on a temporary basis. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Bay Groves maximum liability to the Company and any other Party arising under or in relation to this Agreement or any of the Transition Services provided hereunder shall be limited to an amount equal to the aggregate Annual Fees actually paid to Bay Grove during the term of this Agreement.
(d) Accuracy of Information. The Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to Bay Grove such information as Bay Grove believes reasonably appropriate to render the services contemplated by this Agreement (all such information so furnished, the Information). The Company recognizes and agrees that Bay Grove (i) will use and rely primarily on the Information and on information available from generally recognized public sources in performing the services contemplated by this Agreement without having independently verified the same, (ii) does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the Information and such other information and (iii) is entitled to rely upon the Information without independent verification.
Section 9. Indemnification.
(a) The Company agrees, and agrees to cause each subsidiary of the Company to jointly and severally indemnify, defend, exonerate and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Bay Grove Related Parties from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, claims or threatened claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including, without limitation reasonable and documented attorneys, accountants and consultants fees, expenses and disbursements), but excluding any Excluded Taxes, incurred by the Bay Grove Related Parties or any of them before, on or after the date of this Agreement, arising out of, incurred in connection with or as a result of, or in any way relating to, (i) this Agreement, (ii) services provided by Bay Grove or any Bay Grove Designee to the Company or any of its subsidiaries from time to time pursuant to this Agreement or (iii) the exercise, enforcement or preservation of any rights or remedies under this Agreement (collectively, the Indemnified Liabilities); provided that the foregoing indemnification rights will not be available to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines by final non-appealable judgment or order that such Indemnified Liabilities arose on account of such Bay Grove Related Partys actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct; and provided, further, that if and to the extent that the foregoing right to indemnification may be unavailable or unenforceable for any reason (other than the actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Bay Grove Related Party referred to above), the Company hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. The Company shall be obligated to pay in cash promptly, and in any event within fifteen (15) days, all expenses and other costs incident to any actual or threatened claim, lawsuit
8
or other proceeding, including those incurred in defending any civil or criminal action arising out of or relating to any event or circumstance to which this Section 9 shall apply, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Bay Grove Related Parties to repay such amount if it be later determined in accordance with this Section 9 that such Bay Grove Related Party was not entitled to indemnification (whether hereunder or otherwise).
(b) The Company will reimburse any Bay Grove Related Party for all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses and any other litigation-related expenses) as they are incurred in connection with investigating, preparing, pursuing, defending or assisting in the defense of any action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding for which the Bay Grove Related Party would be entitled to indemnification under the terms of Section 9(a), or any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such Bay Grove Related Party is a formal party thereto. The Company agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the Bay Grove Related Party, settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action or proceeding relating to the matters contemplated hereby (if any Bay Grove Related Party is a party thereto or has been threatened to be made a party thereto) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of the Bay Grove Related Party from all liability, without future obligation or prohibition on the part of the Bay Grove Related Party, arising or that may arise out of such claim, action or proceeding, and does not contain an admission of guilt or liability on the part of the Bay Grove Related Party.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be liable to any Bay Grove Related Party in respect of any Indemnified Liabilities (or any related costs and expenses) to a Bay Grove Related Party to the extent the same is determined, in a final non-appealable judgment by a court having jurisdiction, to have resulted solely from the actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Bay Grove Related Party. An adverse judgment or plea of nolo contendere shall not, of itself, create a presumption that any Bay Grove Related Party committed actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct.
(d) The rights of any Bay Grove Related Party to indemnification hereunder will be in addition to any other rights any such person may have under any other agreement or instrument referenced above or any other agreement or instrument to which such Bay Grove Related Party is or becomes a party or is or otherwise becomes a beneficiary or under law or regulation. The Company hereby acknowledges that each Bay Grove Related Party may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more persons or entities with whom or which such Bay Grove Related Party may be associated (including, without limitation, any other Bay Grove Related Party). The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Company shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any Indemnified Liability, (ii) the Company shall be primarily liable for all Indemnified Liabilities and any indemnification afforded to any Bay Grove Related Party in respect of any Indemnified Liabilities, whether created by law, organizational or constituent documents, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise, (iii) any obligation of any other person or entity with whom or which any Bay Grove Related Party may be associated (including, without limitation, BG Lineage Holdings, LLC or any other Bay Grove Related Party) to indemnify such Bay Grove Related Party and/or advance expenses to such Bay Grove Related Party in respect of any proceeding shall be secondary to the obligations of the Company hereunder, (iv) the Company
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shall be required to indemnify each Bay Grove Related Party and advance expenses to each Bay Grove Related Party hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights such Bay Grove Related Party may have against any other person or entity with whom or which such Bay Grove Related Party may be associated (including, without limitation, any other Bay Grove Related Party) or insurer of any such person or entity and (v) the Company (on behalf of itself and its insurers) irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any other person or entity with whom or which any Bay Grove Related Party may be associated from any claim of contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Company hereunder. In the event any other person or entity with whom or which any Bay Grove Related Party may be associated (including, without limitation, any other Bay Grove Related Party) or their insurers advances or extinguishes any liability or loss which is the subject of any Indemnified Liability owed by the Company or payable under any insurance policy provided under this Agreement, the payor shall have a right of subrogation against the Company or its insurer or insurers for all amounts so paid which would otherwise be payable by the Company or its insurer or insurers under this Agreement. In no event will payment of an Indemnified Liability under this Agreement by any other person or entity with whom or which any Bay Grove Related Party may be associated (including, without limitation, other Bay Grove Related Parties) or their insurers affect the obligations of the Company hereunder or shift primary liability for any Indemnified Liability to any other person or entity with whom or which such Bay Grove Related Party may be associated (including, without limitation, any other Bay Grove Related Party).
(e) The indemnity rights provided to the Bay Grove Related Parties under this Agreement are cumulative with, and do not supersede any other indemnification rights such Bay Grove Related Parties would have at common law or under any other agreement or arrangement and shall remain in full force and effect following any termination of the services hereunder or this Agreement.
(f) If for any reason (other than the actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of a Bay Grove Related Party referred to above) the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to any Bay Grove Related Party or insufficient to hold it harmless as and to the extent contemplated by Section 9(a), then the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the liabilities of each Bay Grove Related Party which is permissible under applicable law.
Section 10. Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, or consent to any departure by either Party from any such provision, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Parties to this Agreement, and, in any case, such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. The waiver by any Party of any breach of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver by such Party of any subsequent breach.
Section 11. Assignment; Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the rights of the Parties hereunder may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Parties hereto; provided, however, that Bay Grove may assign or transfer all or a portion of its rights, duties, obligations or interests hereunder to one or more of its controlling Affiliates at the sole discretion of Bay Grove. Subject to the foregoing, the provisions of this Agreement will be binding
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upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Subject to the next sentence, no person or party other than the Parties hereto and their respective successors or permitted assigns is intended to be a beneficiary of this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge and agree that each of the Bay Grove Related Parties shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to Sections 8 and 9 hereof, in each case entitled to enforce such provisions as though each such Bay Grove Related Party were a party to this Agreement.
Section 12. Notices. Any and all notices hereunder shall be deemed duly given when delivered by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid), email, overnight courier or hand delivery to the Parties at the following addresses (or such different addresses as are specified by a Party for itself by notice to the other Party in accordance with this Section 12):
If to Bay Grove: Bay Grove Management Company, LLC
801 Montgomery Street, Floor 5
San Francisco, California 94133
Attention:
Email:
If to the Company: Lineage, Inc.
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, Michigan 48377
Attention:
Email:
Section 13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall supersede all previous oral and written (and all contemporaneous oral) negotiations, commitments, agreements and understandings relating hereto.
Section 14. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
(b) Consent to Jurisdiction. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF VIA OVERNIGHT COURIER,
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TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN THIS AGREEMENT, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE FOURTEEN CALENDAR DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL IN ANY WAY BE DEEMED TO LIMIT THE ABILITY OF EITHER PARTY HERETO TO SERVE ANY SUCH LEGAL PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR TO OBTAIN JURISDICTION OVER OR TO BRING ACTIONS, SUITS OR PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY HERETO IN SUCH OTHER JURISDICTIONS, AND IN SUCH MANNER, AS MAY BE PERMITTED BY ANY APPLICABLE LAW.
(c) Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.
Section 15. Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, and by different Parties on separate counterparts. Each set of counterparts showing execution by all Parties shall be deemed an original, and shall constitute one and the same instrument. The words execution, signed, signature, and words of like import in this Agreement shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by electronic format (including, without limitation, pdf, tif or jpg) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.
Section 16. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 17. Independent Contractor. In providing services to the Company, Bay Grove will act as an independent contractor, and it is expressly understood and agreed that this Agreement is not intended to create, and does not create, any partnership, agency, joint venture or similar relationship and that neither Bay Grove, on the one hand, nor the Company, on the other hand, has the right or ability to contract for or on behalf of the other Party respectively, or to effect any transaction for the account of the other Party, respectively.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers or agents as of the date first referenced above as set forth below.
BAY GROVE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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[Signature Page to Transition Services Agreement]
Exhibit 10.7
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (Agreement) is made and entered into as of the _____ day of _________, 2024, by and between Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and ________________________ (Indemnitee).
WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as [a director] [and] [an officer] of the Company and may in the future serve in other positions or capacities for the Company or its affiliated entities, and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of such service;
WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity, the Company has agreed to indemnify Indemnitee and to advance expenses, fees, and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings, to the maximum extent permitted by law; and
WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advancement of expenses, fees, and costs.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) Change in Control means a change in control of the Company occurring after the Effective Date of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if, after the Effective Date, (i) any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 15% or more of the combined voting power of all of the Companys then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such persons attaining such percentage interest; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, plan of liquidation or other reorganization not approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then in office, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or (iii) at any time, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not individuals (A) who were directors as of the Effective Date or (B) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders was approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors as of the Effective Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved.
(b) Corporate Status means the status of a person as a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a present or former director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise at which such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company. As a clarification and without limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the Company, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Company: (i) if Indemnitee serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (1) of which a majority of the voting power or equity interest is or was owned directly or indirectly by the Company or (2) if the management of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise is controlled directly or indirectly by the Company and (ii) if, as a result of Indemnitees service to the Company or any of its affiliated entities, Indemnitee is subject to duties to, or required to perform services for, an employee benefit plan or its participants or beneficiaries, including as a deemed fiduciary thereof.
(c) Disinterested Director means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advancement of Expenses is sought by Indemnitee.
(d) Effective Date means the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
(e) Expenses means: any and all reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys fees and costs; retainers; court costs; arbitration and mediation costs; transcript costs; fees of experts; witness fees; travel expenses; duplicating costs; printing and binding costs; telephone charges; postage; delivery service fees; federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement; ERISA excise taxes and penalties; and any other disbursements, fees, costs, or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in a Proceeding. Expenses shall also include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including, without limitation, the premium for, security for and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent.
(f) Independent Counsel means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements with the Company), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Counsel shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitees rights under this Agreement.
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(g) Proceeding means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing, claim, cross claim, demand or discovery request or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, except one completed on or before the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee. If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding.
Section 2. Services by Indemnitee. Indemnitee serves or will serve in the capacity or capacities set forth in the first WHEREAS clause above. However, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitees service to the Company. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.
Section 3. General. The Company shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the Effective Date. The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification or advancement of expenses permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL), including, without limitation, Section 2-418 of the MGCL.
Section 4. Standard for Indemnification. If, by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection with any such Proceeding unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitees conduct was unlawful.
Section 5. Certain Limits on Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6), Indemnitee shall not be entitled to:
(a) indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is adjudged, in a final adjudication of the Proceeding not subject to further appeal, to be liable to the Company;
(b) indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is adjudged, in a final adjudication of the Proceeding not subject to further appeal, to be liable on the basis that personal benefit in money, property or services was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee, whether or not involving action in Indemnitees Corporate Status; or
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(c) indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee against the Company, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Companys charter or Bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party expressly provide otherwise.
Section 6. Court-Ordered Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification of Indemnitee by the Company in the following circumstances:
(a) if such court determines that Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to such reimbursement and to recover the Expenses of securing such reimbursement; or
(b) if such court determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper without regard to any limitation on such court-ordered indemnification contemplated by Section 2-418(d)(2)(ii) of the MGCL.
Section 7. Indemnification for Expenses of an Indemnitee Who is Wholly or Partially Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for all Expenses actually incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection with each such claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. For purposes of this Section 7 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
Section 8. Advancement of Expenses for Indemnitee. If, by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding. The Company shall make such advancement of incurred Expenses within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advancement from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of
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such Proceeding, which advancement may be in the form of, in the reasonable discretion of Indemnitee (but without duplication), (a) payment of such Expenses directly to third parties on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advancement of funds to Indemnitee in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses or (c) reimbursement to Indemnitee for Indemnitees payment of such Expenses. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such other form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof. To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitees financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.
Section 9. Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses as a Witness or Other Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is or may be, by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other person, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be advanced and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection therewith within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting any such advancement or indemnification from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee. In connection with any such advancement of Expenses, the Company may require Indemnitee to provide an undertaking and affirmation substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such other form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of execution thereof.
Section 10. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.
(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary or appropriate to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. Indemnitee may submit one or more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in Indemnitees sole discretion. The officer of the Company receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitees entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control has occurred, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control has not
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occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors or by the majority vote of a group of Disinterested Directors designated by the Disinterested Directors to make the determination, (B) if Independent Counsel has been selected by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL and approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (C) if so directed by the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Company, other than directors or officers who are parties to the Proceeding. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall make payment to Indemnitee within ten days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary or appropriate to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Directors or Independent Counsel if retained pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of this Section 10(b). Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(c) The Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel, if one is appointed.
Section 11. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.
(a) In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons (including any court having jurisdiction over the matter) making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of overcoming that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.
(b) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.
(c) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any other right to indemnification under this Agreement.
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Section 12. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within 60 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 7 or 9 of this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to any other section of this Agreement or the charter or Bylaws of the Company is not made within ten days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled, at Indemnitees option, to an adjudication in an appropriate court located in the State of Maryland, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, or in an arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, of Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitees rights under Section 7 of this Agreement. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Maryland law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such proceeding. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitees right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advancements pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification and advancement (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed). The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such judicial proceeding or arbitration that the Company is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.
(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitees statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification that was not disclosed in connection with the determination.
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(d) In the event that Indemnitee is successful in seeking, pursuant to this Section 12, a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce Indemnitees rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in such judicial proceeding or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial proceeding or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.
(e) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the maximum rate allowed to be charged for judgments under the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for amounts which the Company pays or is obligated to pay for the period (i) commencing with either the eleventh day after the date on which the Company was requested to advance Expenses in accordance with Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement or the 61st day after the date on which the Company was requested to make the determination of entitlement to indemnification under Section 10(b) of this Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) ending on the date such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
Section 13. Defense of the Underlying Proceeding.
(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advancement of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice either (a) a copy of such document relating to a Proceeding or (b) a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advancement of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Companys ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within 15 days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise with respect to Indemnitee which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee, (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee, or (iii) would impose any liability, Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee. This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement.
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(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based on consultation with legal counsel, that Indemnitee may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants positions in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company or other Company indemnitees in such Proceeding, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitees choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitees choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.
Section 14. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification and advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the charter or Bylaws of the Company, any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise. Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of the charter or Bylaws of the Company, this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in Indemnitees Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
Section 15. Insurance.
(a) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed consistent with industry standards by the Board of Directors, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee or any claim made against Indemnitee by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status and covering the Company for any
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indemnification or advancement of Expenses made by the Company to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status. In the event of a Change in Control, the Company shall maintain in force any and all directors and officers liability insurance policies that were maintained by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control for a period of six years with the insurance carrier or carriers and through the insurance broker in place at the time of the Change in Control; provided, however, (i) if the carriers will not offer the same policy and an expiring policy needs to be replaced, a policy substantially comparable in scope and amount shall be obtained and (ii) if any replacement insurance carrier is necessary to obtain a policy substantially comparable in scope and amount, such insurance carrier shall have an AM Best or S&P rating that is the same or better than the AM Best or S&P rating of the existing insurance carrier; provided, further, however, in no event shall the Company be required to expend in the aggregate in excess of 250% of the annual premium or premiums paid by the Company for directors and officers liability insurance in effect on the date of the Change in Control. In the event that 250% of the annual premium paid by the Company for such existing directors and officers liability insurance is insufficient for such coverage, the Company shall spend up to that amount to purchase such lesser coverage as may be obtained with such amount. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company is the primary indemnitor, and any indemnification or advancement obligation of any other person is secondary.
(b) Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee which would otherwise be indemnifiable hereunder arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in Section 15(a). The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company under any such insurance policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) and for which the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.
(c) The Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the Company or any insurance carrier of the Company with respect to any Proceeding.
Section 16. Coordination of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
Section 17. Contribution. If the indemnification provided in this Agreement is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason, other than for failure to satisfy the standard of conduct set forth in Section 4 or due to the provisions of Section 5, then, with respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee
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(or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying and holding harmless Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, penalties, and/or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of indemnification or contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
Section 18. Reports to Stockholders. To the extent required by the MGCL, the Company shall report in writing to its stockholders the payment of any amounts for indemnification of, or advancement of Expenses to, Indemnitee under this Agreement arising out of a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company with the notice of the meeting of stockholders of the Company next following the date of the payment of any such indemnification or advancement of Expenses or prior to such meeting.
Section 19. Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect.
(a) This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of (i) the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).
(b) The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitees spouse, trusts and other estate planning vehicles, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(c) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
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(d) The Company and Indemnitee agree that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult to ascertain, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled. Indemnitee shall further be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertakings in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that, in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.
Section 20. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable that is not itself invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
Section 21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, (delivery of which may be by facsimile, or via e-mail as a portable document format (.pdf) or other electronic format), each of which will be deemed to be an original, and it will not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement or the terms of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
Section 22. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
Section 23. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
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Section 24. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, on the day of such delivery, (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed or (iii) sent by e-mail, on the day such e-mail is so sent:
(a) | If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto. |
(b) | If to the Company, to: |
Lineage, Inc. |
46500 Humboldt Drive |
Novi, MI 48377 |
Attention: [] |
E-mail: [] |
or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
Section 25. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY: | ||
LINEAGE, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
INDEMNITEE: | ||
Name: | ||
Address: | ||
E-mail: |
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EXHIBIT A
AFFIRMATION AND UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED
To: The Board of Directors of Lineage, Inc.
Re: Affirmation and Undertaking
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Affirmation and Undertaking is being provided pursuant to that certain Indemnification Agreement dated the _____ day of ______________, 2024, by and between Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and the undersigned Indemnitee (the Indemnification Agreement), pursuant to which I am entitled to advancement of Expenses in connection with [Description of Proceeding] (the Proceeding).
Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indemnification Agreement.
I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged actions or omissions by me in such capacity. I hereby affirm my good faith belief that at all times, insofar as I was involved as [a director] [and] [an officer] of the Company or any of its affiliated entities, in any of the facts or events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (1) did not act with bad faith or active or deliberate dishonesty, (2) did not receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or omission by me was unlawful.
In consideration of the advancement by the Company for Expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the Advanced Expenses), I hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is established that (1) an act or omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (2) I actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, then I shall promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the foregoing findings have been established.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking on this ___ day of ____________________, 20___.
Name: _____________________________
Exhibit 10.8
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AGREEMENT
This RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of [], 2024 and effective as of the Effective Date (as defined below), is entered into by and between [Adam Forste][Kevin Marchetti] (the Restricted Party) and Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company).
WHEREAS, the Company is undertaking an initial public offering of its common stock (the IPO);
WHEREAS, the Restricted Party holds ownership interests in the Company and the Companys subsidiaries and following the IPO will continue to hold ownership interests in the Company and the Companys subsidiaries;
WHEREAS, following the IPO, the Restricted Party will serve as Co-Executive Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO and the services to be provided by the Restricted Party to the Company, the Restricted Party and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valid consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the Restricted Party and the Company hereby agree as follows:
I. | EFFECTIVENESS |
This Agreement shall become effective upon and as of the date of the first closing of the IPO (the Effective Date). In the event that the IPO does not occur, this Agreement shall be null and void and shall be of no force or effect.
II. | NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION |
A. Non-Solicitation of Personnel. From the Effective Date through the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of the Effective Date or (ii) the date on which the Restricted Party ceases to own, directly or indirectly, any equity interest in the Company (the Restricted Period), the Restricted Party agrees to not, directly or indirectly, for his own benefit or the benefit of anyone else other than the Company or any of its subsidiaries (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of the Company):
1. solicit, or attempt to solicit, the employment or engagement (whether as an employee or independent contractor, or other service provider) of any person who is, or within six (6) months prior to such solicitation or attempted solicitation was, an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or
2. encourage or induce, or attempt to encourage or induce, any person who is an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to cease his or her employment with the Company or its subsidiaries or otherwise harm or interfere with the Companys relationship with such persons.
For the avoidance of doubt, a general job advertisement that does not target the Company or any of its employees does not violate the restrictions set forth in this Section II(A).
B. Non-Solicitation of Business Relationships. During the Restricted Period, the Restricted Party agrees to not, directly or indirectly, for his own benefit or the benefit of anyone else other than the Company or any of its subsidiaries (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries):
1. solicit, divert, or appropriate to, or accept on behalf of, or attempt to solicit, divert, appropriate to or accept on behalf of, any Competing Business in the Geographic Area, any business from any customer or actively sought prospective customer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries with whom the Restricted Party has dealt, whose dealings with the Company or its subsidiaries have been supervised by the Restricted Party or about whom the Restricted Party has acquired confidential or proprietary information during the Restricted Period; or
2. encourage or induce, or attempt to encourage or induce, any customers, clients, suppliers, vendors, licensees, licensors, distributors or other business relations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to reduce, terminate, or refuse to continue business with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or otherwise harm or interfere with the Companys relationship with such customers, clients, suppliers, vendors, licensees, licensors, distributors or other business relations.
C. Non-Competition. During the Restricted Period, the Restricted Party agrees to not, directly or indirectly, for his own benefit or the benefit of anyone else other than the Company or any of its subsidiaries (except with the prior written consent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries):
1. engage in, conduct, or operate, or prepare to engage in, conduct, or operate, a Competing Business, or any portion thereof, in the Geographic Area (as defined below); or
2. whether as a shareholder, bondholder, lender, officer, director, employee, consultant or otherwise, perform services for, invest in, aid or abet or give information or financial assistance to any person or entity engaged in a Competing Business, or any portion thereof, in the Geographic Area, or any portion thereof; provided, however, that nothing in this Section II(C)(2) shall be deemed to prohibit the Restricted Party from owning as an investment, directly or indirectly, up to two percent (2%) of the securities of any publicly-traded company, or any portion thereof.
The Restricted Party acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Section II are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company, including its trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information, business relations and goodwill.
D. Certain Defined Terms. As used herein:
1. Competing Business means any business of temperature controlled logistics and warehousing and related services that competes or could compete with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries as conducted during the Restricted Period. A Competing Business includes any business, or part thereof, whose efforts involve any research and development, products, services or activities in competition with products, services or activities which are, at any time during the Restricted Period, either (x) produced, marketed or otherwise commercially exploited by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (y) in actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
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2. Geographic Area means any city, state, region, and country in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is then operating or has firm plans to operate at the relevant time during the Restricted Period, but in any event excludes Latin America, defined as the region encompassing Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico.
III. | MISCELLANEOUS |
A. Judicial Modification; Severability. In the event that a court finds that any covenants set forth herein (including any time, territory or other provision of this Agreement) is unenforceable or invalid as an unreasonable restriction, the Company and the Restricted Party agree that such court will have the power, and the parties expressly desire that the court exercise such power, to revise this Agreement such that such restriction is to be interpreted and enforced to the maximum extent which such court deems reasonable and/or to make any other modifications that the court deems necessary to render the Agreement reasonable, valid and enforceable under applicable law, and the court shall enforce this Agreement as so judicially modified. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the other provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
B. Remedies. In the event that the Restricted Party breaches any of his covenants under this Agreement, the Company may obtain, as its sole remedy, an injunction or other equitable relief restraining the Restricted Party from violating any of the covenants contained in this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries may recover monetary or other damages from the Restricted Party in the event that the Restricted Party breaches any of his covenants under this Agreement or otherwise in connection with this Agreement.
C. Waiver. No failure of the Company to (i) object to any conduct or violation of any of the covenants made by the Restricted Party under this Agreement or (ii) exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Agreement shall, in any case, operate or be construed as a waiver thereof. No waiver by the Company of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of the Company.
D. Binding Effect. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of the Company and each of its successors and assigns and may be enforced by any one or more of the same, without the need of any further authorization or agreement from the Restricted Party. This Agreement and all rights and benefits hereunder are personal to the Restricted Party, and neither this Agreement nor any right or interest of the Restricted Party herein or arising hereunder shall be subject to voluntary or involuntary alienation, assignment, pledge or other transfer by him.
E. Modification. Neither party hereto may modify or amend this Agreement, except by a subsequent writing clearly expressing the intent to so modify or amend this Agreement executed by both a duly authorized representative of the Company and the Restricted Party. Any changes to the Restricted Partys duties, authorities or other terms of his engagement shall not affect this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect pursuant to its terms.
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F. Choice of Law. The terms and conditions of this Agreement are governed by and are to be interpreted under the laws of the State of [Wyoming][California]1 without regard to the conflicts of law principles, rules or statutes of any jurisdiction.
G. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. A facsimile, PDF (or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or any other type of copy of an executed version of this Agreement signed by a party is binding upon the signing party to the same extent as the original of the signed agreement.
H. Emergent Cold LatAm Arrangements. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to restrict any activities undertaken for the benefit of Emergent Cold LatAm Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries solely in respect of the Geographic Area.
[signature page follows]
1 | Note to Draft: Adam Forstes Agreement will be governed by Wyoming law and Kevin Marchettis Agreement will be governed by California law. |
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THE RESTRICTED PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, IN EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT, HE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT HE HAS READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.
FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, THE PARTIES HEREBY ENTER INTO THIS RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AGREEMENT AS OF THE DATE SET FORTH BELOW.
RESTRICTED PARTY
Date: |
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Signature: |
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Print Name: |
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LINEAGE, INC. | ||||||||
Date: |
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[Signature Page to Restrictive Covenants Agreement]
Exhibit 10.9
[AMENDED & RESTATED] LMEP RESTRICTED UNIT GRANT AGREEMENT1
THIS [AMENDED & RESTATED] LMEP RESTRICTED UNIT GRANT AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made as of [_____] (the Effective Date), by and between LLH MGMT PROFITS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), and [_____], an individual (the Grantee). [This Agreement amends, restates and supersedes in its entirety that certain Restricted Unit Grant Agreement, dated as of [_____] by and between the Company and Grantee (as amended, the Original Award Agreement).] Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Company, dated as of April 22, 2015 and attached hereto as Exhibit A, as amended to date and as the same may be further amended or otherwise modified from time to time (the Operating Agreement).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company was formed for the purpose of granting equity interests in the Company to certain employees and consultants of Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Lineage) or its Affiliates from time to time in consideration of their services to Lineage or its Affiliates, and to hold corresponding units of Lineage;
WHEREAS, the Grantee serves as an employee of Lineage or its Affiliates or otherwise performs or has performed services on behalf of or for the benefit of Lineage, the Company and their respective Affiliates[, pursuant to that certain Employment Agreement between the Grantee and Lineage, dated as of [_____] (the Employment Agreement)]; and
[WHEREAS, the Company desires to compensate the Grantee for such services and to align Grantees interests with those of Lineage by way of an equity grant in the Company and therefore has granted to the Grantee, and the Grantee has agreed to accept, C-[ ] Common Units in the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein]/[WHEREAS, the Company and the Grantee are parties to the Original Award Agreement, pursuant to which the Company granted to the Grantee [_____] C-[ ] Common Units in the Company, and the Company and the Grantee desire to amend and restate the Original Award Agreement, as set forth herein].2
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Grant of Restricted Units. The Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, has issued to the Grantee, as of the Effective Date [of the Original Agreement (as defined in the Original Agreement) (the Original Effective Date)], [_____] of the Companys C-[ ] Common Units (the Restricted Units).
2. Consideration. The Grantee is not obligated to pay the Company any cash consideration for the issuance of the Restricted Units. The Restricted Units are granted to the Grantee as consideration for the Grantees services to or for the benefit of Lineage and its Affiliates.
1 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language throughout to be included as applicable. |
2 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included in the alternative as applicable. |
3. Restricted Units Held in Escrow. The Restricted Units are not certificated. In the event the Company elects to certificate the Restricted Units in the future, it shall hold and maintain possession of the certificates evidencing the Restricted Units, which certificates will be available for release to the Grantee if and when the forfeiture restrictions set forth in Section 5 below are satisfied.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Grantee. The Grantee has been advised that the Restricted Units are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), or applicable state securities laws, but are being offered and conveyed pursuant to exemptions from such laws, and that the Companys reliance on such exemptions is predicated in part on the Grantees representations contained in this Agreement. The Company is relying in part on the Grantees representations and warranties contained in this Section 4 for the purpose of qualifying for applicable exemptions from registration or qualification pursuant to federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations. Therefore, the Grantee hereby represents and warrants to the Company the following:
4.1 No Resale or Distribution. The Restricted Units are being acquired for investment for the Grantees own account, not as a nominee or agent and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and the Grantee has no present intention of selling, granting any participation interest in, or otherwise distributing the same, but subject, nevertheless, to any requirement of law that the disposition of the Grantees property shall at all times be within the Grantees control. The Grantee further represents that the Grantee does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participation interests to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Restricted Units. The Restricted Units will be acquired for investment for the Grantees own account;
4.2 Restricted Securities. The Grantee understands that the Restricted Units are characterized as restricted securities under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Act only in certain circumstances. The Grantee realizes that (a) the Restricted Units have not been registered under the Act, are characterized under the Act as restricted securities and, therefore, cannot be sold or transferred unless they are subsequently registered under the Act or an exemption from such registration is available; (b) the Company is not being registered as an investment company as the term investment company is defined in Section 3(a) of the 1940 Act; and (c) there is presently no public market for the Restricted Units and the Grantee would most likely not be able to liquidate the Grantees investment in the event of an emergency or to pledge the Restricted Units as collateral security for loans. The Grantee represents that he or she is familiar with Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Act. The Grantee also recognizes that the Restricted Units are subject to additional restrictions on transfer pursuant to the Operating Agreement, which restrictions may limit any right to transfer any Restricted Units that may otherwise be transferable within the requirements of applicable law;
4.3 Due Diligence. The Grantee has been solely responsible for the Grantees own due diligence investigation of the Company and its business, and is not relying on anyone elses analysis or investigation of the Company, its business or the merits and risks of the Restricted Units, other than professional advisors employed specifically by the Grantee to assist the Grantee. In taking any action or performing any role relative to arranging the investment being made pursuant to this Agreement, the Grantee has acted solely in the Grantees own interest and not in the interest of any other party, and no other party has acted as an agent or fiduciary for the Grantee;
4.4 Access to Information. The Grantee has been given the opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the Company concerning the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Operating Agreement and has been given the opportunity to obtain such additional information as the Grantee may reasonably require. The Grantee has obtained advice of counsel as necessary and appropriate with respect to the documents related to this Agreement and understands the provisions of this Agreement and the Operating Agreement;
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4.5 Sophistication. The Grantee, either alone or with the assistance of the Grantees professional advisor, is a sophisticated investor, is able to fend for the Grantee in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he, she or it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the Restricted Units;
4.6 Suitability. The investment in the Restricted Units is suitable for the Grantee based upon the Grantees investment objectives and financial needs, and the Grantee has adequate net worth and means for providing for the Grantees current financial needs and contingencies and has no need for liquidity of investment with respect to the Restricted Units;
4.7 Professional Advice. The Grantee has obtained, to the extent he, she or it deems necessary, professional advice with respect to the Restricted Units, the conditions and terms of this Agreement and the suitability of the arrangement in light of the Grantees financial condition and investment needs. The Grantee is not relying on the Company, Lineage or any of their respective Affiliates, employees or agents with respect to the legal, tax, economic and related considerations of the Restricted Units;
4.8 Capitalization; Restrictions. The Grantee acknowledges that the Grantee is receiving C-[ ] Units of the Company and that such units correspond directly to the Class C Units of Lineage that are owned by the Company. The Grantee further acknowledges that the Company has Class B Units, C-1 Common Units, C-2 Common Units, C-3 Common Units, C-4 Common Units, C-5 Common Units, C-6 Common Units, C-7 Common Units, C-8 Common Units[, and] C-9 Common Units [and C-[ ] Common Units]3 also issued and outstanding and that such units are senior in distribution to the C-[ ] Units. The Grantee also acknowledges that Lineage has Class A Units (as defined in the Lineage Operating Agreement (as defined below)) issued and outstanding and that such Class A Units earn a preferred return and are senior in distribution to the Class B Units and all classes of common units of Lineage. In addition, the Company may from time to time issue additional common units, which issuances may be dilutive to one or more outstanding classes of units, including the Restricted Units. Further, subject to the terms and conditions of that certain operating agreement of Lineage, dated as of May 1, 2019 (as the same may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the Lineage Operating Agreement), Lineage may in the future create and issue additional classes of preferred and/or senior membership interests that have rights different from those currently authorized, and may also issue additional classes of common units. The Grantee acknowledges that (i) the Grantee has no vested right in the existing capital structure of either Lineage or the Company in respect of this Agreement, (ii) the Managing Member (as defined in the Lineage Operating Agreement) and the Class A holder(s) of Lineage have extensive rights to modify the capital structure of Lineage, (iii) the Manager of the Company has extensive authority and is expressly permitted to approve any modification to the capital structure of Lineage without any approval from the Grantee or any other member of the Company, and the Manager may give any such approval whether or not such modification is in the interest of the Grantee, (iv) the Manager has extensive rights to modify the capital structure of the Company, the Manager may make such modifications whether or not such modifications are in the interest of the Grantee, and (v) the foregoing may affect the value of the Restricted Units. The Grantee further acknowledges and accepts that the Grantee has limited to no rights to influence decisions involving changes in capitalization of the Company or Lineage, and that such decisions will be made based on various considerations and taking into account interests that may differ from the Grantees own interests. The Grantee further acknowledges that the Restricted Units are subject to all of the terms and conditions in the Operating Agreement, including the transfer and other restrictions set forth therein; and
3 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
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4.9 Further Limitations on Disposition. The Grantee shall have no right to transfer Unvested Units (as defined below), and pursuant to the Operating Agreement has very limited rights to transfer the Vested Units (as defined below). Without in any way limiting the representations set forth above, the Grantee further agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Vested Units unless and until the Grantee has complied with the restrictions on Transfer set forth in the Operating Agreement:
(a) Either (i) there is then in effect a registration statement under the Act covering such proposed disposition, and such disposition is made in accordance with such registration statement; or (ii) the Grantee (A) shall have notified the Company of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and (B) (x) the Company shall be satisfied that such proposed disposition complies in all respects with SEC Rule 144 or any successor rule providing a safe harbor for such dispositions without registration or (y) if requested by the Company, shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such disposition will not require registration of such Restricted Units under the Act; and
(b) The Transfer is in compliance with the terms of the Operating Agreement.
5. Risk of Forfeiture of Restricted Units; Call Right; Distributions[; Restrictive Covenants].4
5.1 Termination. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the Restricted Units are subject to forfeiture upon termination of the Grantees employment with Lineage and its Affiliates (the Employment Relationship) for any reason. All Restricted Units shall be unvested and subject to forfeiture (the Unvested Units) unless and until such units become vested as set forth in Section 6 below (the Vested Units). If and when the Employment Relationship is terminated for any reason, the Grantee will forfeit all then-Unvested Units (after taking into consideration any accelerated vesting that may occur in connection with such termination of the Employment Relationship (if any)), without any compensation, credit or other payment or benefit to the Grantee, and in connection therewith the Company shall cancel all certificates (if any) held by it with respect to such Restricted Units. In addition, [subject to Section 4(e)(ii) of the Employment Agreement] and notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, upon termination of the Employment Relationship for Cause (as defined below), [ten percent (10%) of any then-Vested Units]/[all Restricted Units (whether Vested Units or Unvested Units)] shall automatically and immediately be forfeited without any compensation, credit or other payment or benefit to the Grantee, and in connection therewith the Company shall cancel all certificates (if any) held by it with respect to such [Vested]/[Restricted] Units. THE GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES THE GRANTEES UNDERSTANDING THAT THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS MEAN THAT (i) THE GRANTEE WILL NOT RECEIVE VALUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE [CERTAIN VESTED] RESTRICTED UNITS IN THE EVENT THE GRANTEES EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP IS TERMINATED FOR CAUSE AND (ii) THE GRANTEE WILL NOT RECEIVE VALUE [(OTHER THAN PURSUANT TO SECTION 5.3 BELOW)] ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNVESTED UNITS IN THE EVENT THE GRANTEES EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP IS TERMINATED FOR ANY REASON [OTHER THAN CAUSE] PRIOR TO THE VESTING OF SUCH UNITS (AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION ANY ACCELERATED VESTING THAT MAY OCCUR IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH TERMINATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP (IF ANY)). THE GRANTEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT, FOR PURPOSES OF THE FOREGOING FORFEITURE PROVISIONS, NO RESTRICTED UNITS SHALL BE CONSIDERED EARNED FOR ANY PURPOSE UNLESS AND UNTIL [SUCH RESTRICTED UNITS VEST]/[THE GRANTEES EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY TERMINATES OTHER THAN DUE TO CAUSE].5
4 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language in Section 5 to be included as applicable. |
5 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included, in certain cases in the alternative, as applicable. |
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5.2 Company Call Right.
(a) [Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event of a termination of the Employment Relationship by the Company for Cause, by the Company without Cause or by the Grantee for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement), any then-Vested Units shall be subject to repurchase by the Company to the extent provided in, and in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in, Section 4(e)(ii)(B) and (C), as applicable, of the Employment Agreement, irrespective of whether the Employment Agreement is then in effect (the Specified Call Right), which sections shall apply to this Section 5.2 as if first set forth herein.]
(b) If and when the Employment Relationship is terminated for any reason other than [as described in Section 5.2(a) above]/[Cause], the Company shall have the option (the [General] Call Right [and, together with the Specified Call Right, the Call Right]) to purchase the Vested Units at a price equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in Section 5.2([d]/[c]) below) of the Vested Units on the date the Call Right is exercised. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT (1) UPON THE TERMINATION OF THE GRANTEES EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP FOR CAUSE, [CERTAIN]/[NO] RESTRICTED UNITS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE BY THE COMPANY AND [CERTAIN]/[ALL] RESTRICTED UNITS SHALL INSTEAD BE FORFEITED WITHOUT PAYMENT OR OTHER CONSIDERATION AND (2) UPON THE TERMINATION OF THE GRANTEES EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN CAUSE, UNVESTED UNITS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE BY THE COMPANY AND SHALL INSTEAD BE FORFEITED WITHOUT PAYMENT OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.
(c) [Except as otherwise set forth in the Employment Agreement, the]/[The] Company may exercise the Call Right at any time within six (6) months after the date of termination of the Employment Relationship (or such longer period as may be required in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences) (the Call Period) by delivering written notice to the Grantee within the Call Period specifying the date [or dates] within the Call Period on which the Call Right shall be exercised (the Purchase Date) and the number of Vested Units as to which the Call Right is being exercised. For the avoidance of doubt[, and except as otherwise set forth in the Employment Agreement], the Call Right may be exercised more than once during the Call Period and may be exercised for some or all of the Vested Units. If the Company elects to exercise the Call Right, the Grantee agrees that the Grantee shall enter into reasonable conveyance instruments in the form requested by the Company that require the Grantee to represent and warrant good and marketable title to the Vested Units free and clear of any liens or encumbrances and full right, power and authority to sell, but without further representations or warranties.
(d) The Fair Market Value of the Vested Units for purposes of the Call Right shall be determined by the Manager in its reasonable, good faith discretion, taking into account any recent third-party determination of the fair market value of the Companys or Lineages equity securities to the extent the Manager determines appropriate under the circumstances. The Managers determination of Fair Market Value shall be final and binding on all interested parties.
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(e) If the Grantees Vested Units are repurchased in connection with an exercise of the [General] Call Right, the Company shall pay the consideration for the Vested Units on the Purchase Date in cash unless the aggregate payment exceeds $50,000, in which case the payment may, in the Companys discretion, be fifty percent in cash (but not more than $50,000, unless the Company otherwise determines), and the balance in a four year unsecured promissory note payable in four equal annual installments accruing interest at a fixed rate during the term of such note at the lower of 5.0% or the prime rate reported by Bank of America (or any other nationally recognized bank selected by the Manager) as of the date of such promissory note, provided that the interest rate shall not be less than the minimum rate necessary to avoid imputation of income under applicable law. Immediately prior to the repurchase of the Grantees Vested Units described in this Section 5.2([e]/[d]), the Company shall provide to Lineage for repurchase from the Company the C Units of Lineage that correspond to the Vested Units then being repurchased. The Company shall cause the repurchase(s) described in this Section 5.2 to occur in such a manner as may be determined by the Manager in its reasonable discretion, not inconsistent with the economic terms hereof.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.2 to the contrary, no payment shall be made under this Section 5.2 that would cause the Company, Lineage or any of their Affiliates to violate any applicable law, any banking agreement or loan or other financial covenant or cause default of any indebtedness of the Company, Lineage or any of their Affiliates, regardless of when such agreement, covenant or indebtedness was created, incurred or assumed. Any payment under this Section 5.2 that would cause such violation or default shall result in an extension of the Call Period and related payment dates, in the sole discretion of the Manager, until thirty days after the date such payment shall no longer cause any such violation or default and at which time the Call Right may be exercised.
5.3 Allocations, Distributions.
(a) Tax Allocations and Tax Distributions. The Grantee will be allocated items of income and loss, and corresponding tax distributions, in respect of the Restricted Units, as set forth in the Operating Agreement.
(b) Other Cash Distributions. If after the [Original] Effective Date, the Company shall declare and pay any distributions in cash in respect of the Restricted Units, other than tax distributions pursuant to Section 6.01(b) of the Operating Agreement, such funds distributed in respect of the Unvested Units shall, subject to Section 6 below, be held by the Company and shall be subject to forfeiture by and release to the Grantee to the same extent as the Unvested Units. Upon the applicable vesting date(s) on which the Unvested Units become Vested Units, the Company shall release such funds to the Grantee, plus accrued interest (if any), on such funds.
(c) Other Distributions. If, after the [Original] Effective Date, the Company shall issue any additional C-[ ] Common Units by way of a dividend or split or other distribution with respect to the Restricted Units, or if any shares of C-[ ] Common Units or other securities of the Company are issued in exchange for, or with respect to the Restricted Units, the certificate or certificates representing all such interests (if any) shall be held by the Company and for all purposes hereof such shares shall constitute, and be subject to the same restrictions as, the Restricted Units.
5.4 [Restrictive Covenants. In consideration of the grant of the Restricted Units hereunder, the compensation now and hereafter paid to Grantee by the Company, Lineage or their respective Affiliates, and Grantees continued employment with Lineage or its Affiliates, and further as a material inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement and to grant the Restrictive Units to the Grantee, Grantee hereby agrees to be bound by the restrictive covenants set forth on Exhibit B hereto, which are hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions set forth on Exhibit B hereto shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Employment Relationship.]
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6. Vesting Schedule.6 The Restricted Units shall vest pursuant to the provisions set forth in Exhibit [B]/[C]. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
6.1 All Unvested Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit [B]/[C]) shall, subject to the Grantees timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of Lineage and its Affiliates in a form prescribed by Lineage (a Release), automatically become Vested Units upon the earlier to occur of (i) an Exit Transaction (as defined below) unless the successor buyer agrees to continue the employment of the Grantee on terms that are not materially worse, in the aggregate, for the Grantee than those applicable to the Grantee immediately prior to such Exit Transaction, as determined by the Manager, and (ii) if the successor buyer agrees to continue the employment of the Grantee on terms that are not materially worse, in the aggregate, for the Grantee than those applicable to the Grantee immediately prior to such Exit Transaction, subject to Section 6.6, the date on which the Grantees Employment Relationship (including with a successor buyer) is Involuntarily Terminated (as defined below) following an Exit Transaction;
6.2 If the Grantees Employment Relationship terminates as a result of the Grantees death or Disability (as defined below), then, subject to the Grantees (or the Grantees estates, if applicable) timely execution and non-revocation of a Release, an additional number of Restricted Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit [B]/[C]) shall vest equal to the sum of (a) 20% of the total Restricted Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit [B]/[C]), plus (b) the product obtained by multiplying 20% of the total Restricted Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit [B]/[C]) by a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of days elapsed from the latest applicable vesting date (or if no such vesting date has occurred, the [Original] Effective Date), and the denominator of which equals 365 (or such lesser number of Restricted Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit [B]/[C]) and which then-remain as Unvested Units), it being understood that in no event shall this Section 6.2 result in greater than 100% of the total number of Restricted Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit [B]/[C]) being vested. For purposes of this Agreement, Disability shall have the meaning set forth in the employment or other service agreement between the Grantee and the Company or any Affiliate thereof or, if no such agreement exists or such agreement exists but does not contain a definition of Disability, then Disability shall mean that Grantee is unable to perform Grantees duties and responsibilities as a result of physical or mental incapacity, illness or other condition, whether total or partial, as determined in good faith by the Manager or by a physician selected in good faith by the Manager and reasonably acceptable to Grantee, which inability continues for a period exceeding 90 consecutive days or shorter periods exceeding 120 days in the aggregate during any 12-month period;
6.3 All Unvested Units that first became eligible to vest based on performance criteria (Part II of Exhibit [B]/[C]) for the calendar year in which the closing of an Exit Transaction occurs shall vest immediately prior to the closing of such Exit Transaction irrespective of the achievement of the performance criteria as of such date in such calendar year (and all Unvested Units subject to performance vesting in subsequent years shall be forfeited);
6.4 In order to effectuate Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 above, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Restricted Units that may become Vested Units subject to the Grantees execution and non-revocation of a Release shall remain outstanding and eligible to become Vested Units through the earliest of (a) the date on which the Release becomes effective, (b) the date on which the Grantee revokes the Release, or (c) the expiration of the period during which the Grantee may execute the Release;
6 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language in Section 6 to be included as applicable. |
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6.5 The Manager may accelerate the vesting of any Unvested Unit in its discretion from time to time; and
6.6 If an Exit Transaction or other transaction affecting the capitalization of the Company occurs, and to the extent the Manager deems appropriate to (i) prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended by the Company to be made available under or with respect to this Agreement or (ii) facilitate such Exit Transaction or other transaction affecting the capitalization of the Company, the Manager is authorized, in such manner as it may deem equitable, to adjust any or all of (a) the number and kind of securities subject to this Agreement, (b) the Threshold Value of the Restricted Units and (c) the terms and conditions of the Restricted Units (or, in each case, other securities into which the Restricted Units are converted); provided, that no such action by the Manager may materially and adversely affect the economic value of the Restricted Units, the vesting of the Restricted Units, the timing of any payments in respect of the Restricted Units or the Grantees rights hereunder or with respect to the Restricted Units without the Grantees prior written consent.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term Exit Transaction shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.05 of the Lineage Operating Agreement and the term Involuntarily Terminated means any termination of the Employment Relationship other than: (i) the Grantee electing to terminate the Grantees Employment Relationship for any reason (i.e., the Grantee quits), or (ii) a termination of the Grantee for Cause or due to the Grantees death or Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall have the meaning set forth in the employment or other service agreement between the Grantee and the Company or any Affiliate thereof or, if no such agreement exists or such agreement exists but does not contain a definition of Cause, then Cause shall mean (a) the Grantee has committed and/or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or crime of moral turpitude, (b) the Grantee willfully engages in misconduct in the performance of the Grantees duties for Lineage or its Affiliates or any successor employer, (c) the Grantee materially breaches any written agreement between the Grantee and any such entity, (d) the Grantee willfully refuses to comply with a lawful and direct order of the Grantees supervisor after warning that such refusal will result in a for Cause termination, (e) the Grantee breaches any duty owed to the Company or its Affiliates or any successor employer and fails to cure such breach within ten days following a request to cure the same (by way of example and not limitation, such breaches include embezzlement, breach of [the restrictive covenants set forth on Exhibit B or any other] confidentiality covenant, [breach of] non-compete, etc.) or (f) the Grantee engages in any other acts (including making a public statement) or fails to engage in any acts, which the Manager determines in good faith to be materially detrimental or damaging to the reputation, operations, finances, prospects or business relations of Lineage or its Affiliates or which acts are the subject of any similar determination by a successor employer.
7. Operating Agreements. As a condition to the grant contemplated herein, the Grantee shall be required to enter into and execute a counterpart signature page to the Companys Operating Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A. Prior to release to the Grantee of the Restricted Units upon the vesting of the same in accordance with this Agreement, the Grantee shall be required, if requested by the Company, to confirm the Grantees agreement to the Operating Agreement, including any modifications or amendments thereto that have been approved in compliance with the terms thereof. The Grantee agrees the Grantee will hold all equity interests issued by the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Operating Agreement. In addition, the Grantee acknowledges that, while Grantee will not become a party to the Lineages Operating Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit [C]/[D], certain terms of Lineages Operating Agreement govern the Lineage units corresponding to the Restricted Units and may indirectly affect the Grantees rights hereunder.
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8. Rights of the Grantee with Respect to Restricted Units. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Grantee shall be entitled to exercise all the incidents of ownership with respect to the Restricted Units.
9. Election to Include Fair Market Value of Restricted Units in Gross Income in Year of Transfer. The Grantee agrees to file a proper and timely Code Section 83(b) election with the Internal Revenue Service (and to take such other actions necessary to the validity of such filing for tax purposes) to include the aggregate fair market value of the Restricted Units in the Grantees gross income for the current taxable year.
10. General Provisions.7
10.1 Withholding. To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, the Company may withhold any taxes required to be withheld with respect to the Restricted Units under applicable law and the Grantee shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any such withholding tax obligations. The Company shall not be required to issue the Restricted Units or to recognize the disposition of such Restricted Units until such obligations are satisfied. To the extent permitted or required by the Company, these obligations may or shall be satisfied by having the Company withhold a portion of the Restricted Units that otherwise would be issued to the Grantee under this Agreement or by tendering Restricted Units previously acquired by the Grantee.
10.2 Employment. Neither this Agreement nor the grant of the Restricted Units hereunder shall be held or construed to confer upon the Grantee any right to continue in the employment with or service of Lineage or any of its Affiliates or interfere in any way with Lineages or its Affiliates right to terminate the Grantees employment or service at any time. [Any changes to the Grantees compensation, duties, authorities or otherwise shall not affect this Agreement (including Exhibit B hereto), which shall remain in full force and effect pursuant to its terms.]
10.3 Governing Law. [This]/[Except as otherwise set forth in Exhibit B hereto, this] Agreement and any other documents promulgated hereunder shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable federal law. The Company may provide that any dispute arising from this Agreement shall be presented and determined in such forum as the Company may specify, including through binding arbitration.
10.4 Non-Exclusivity of Grant. This Agreement shall not be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Manager or the Company to adopt such other incentive arrangements as either may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of unit options, unit appreciation rights, Restricted Units or other units otherwise than under this Agreement, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
10.5 Compliance with Other Laws and Regulations. This Agreement, the grant of the Restricted Units hereunder, and the obligation of the Company to sell, issue or deliver Restricted Units under this Agreement, shall be subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. The Company shall not be required to register in the Grantees name or deliver any Restricted Units prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of such Restricted Units under any federal, state or local law or any ruling or regulation of any government body which the Company shall determine to be necessary or advisable. To the extent the Company is unable to or deems it infeasible to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Companys counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Restricted Units hereunder, the Company shall be relieved of any liability with respect to the failure to issue or sell such Restricted Units as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
7 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language in Section 10 to be included as applicable. |
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10.6 Limited Liability of Company. The Company shall not be liable to the Grantee or other persons as to any tax or economic consequence expected, but not realized, by the Grantee or other person due to the receipt or vesting of the Restricted Units granted hereunder.
10.7 Transferability. No Restricted Units granted under this Agreement, nor any interest in such Restricted Units, may be sold, assigned, conveyed, gifted, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred in any manner prior to the vesting or lapse of any and all restrictions applicable thereto, and thereafter other than as permitted under the terms of the Operating Agreement. Any purported assignment, transfer or encumbrance that does not qualify under this Section 10.7 shall be void and unenforceable against the Company ab initio.
10.8 [Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Plan and any agreements, exhibits and documents referred to herein, contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions set forth in Exhibit B hereto shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any similar covenants or restrictions otherwise agreed to by the Grantee with or for the benefit of the Company, Lineage or any of their respective Affiliates.
10.9 Waiver. No failure of the Company, Lineage or their respective Affiliates to (i) object to any conduct or violation of any of the terms and conditions herein (including the covenants made by the Grantee hereunder) or (ii) exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege arising hereunder shall, in any case, operate or be construed as a waiver thereof. No waiver by the Company, Lineage or their respective Affiliates of any of the provisions herein shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of such entity.
10.10 Binding Effect. This Agreement, including Exhibit B hereto, will inure to the benefit of the Company and each of its successors and assigns, and may be enforced by any one or more of the same, without the need of any further authorization or agreement from the Grantee. This Agreement, including Exhibit B hereto, and all rights and benefits hereunder are personal to the Grantee, and neither this Agreement, including Exhibit B hereto, nor any right or interest of the Grantee herein or arising hereunder shall be subject to voluntary or involuntary alienation, assignment, pledge or other transfer by the Grantee.
10.11 Modification. Neither party hereto may modify or amend this Agreement, including Exhibit B hereto, except by a subsequent writing clearly expressing the intent to so modify or amend this Agreement, including Exhibit B hereto, executed by both a duly authorized representative of the Company and the Grantee.
10.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. A facsimile, PDF (or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or any other type of copy of an executed version of this Agreement signed by a party is binding upon the signing party to the same extent as the original of the signed agreement.]
* * * * *
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[THE GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, IN EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT, THE GRANTEE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THE GRANTEE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS ALL OF THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING (WITHOUT LIMITATION) THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH ON EXHIBIT B ATTACHED HERETO.]8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantee and the Company have caused this Restricted Unit Grant Agreement to be duly executed and delivered on the date and year first above written.
GRANTEE: | ||||
COMPANY: | ||||
LLH MGMT PROFITS, LLC a Delaware limited liability company | ||||
By: | Bay Grove Management Company, LLC | |||
By: | ||||
Name: Adam Forste Its: Manager |
8 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
[Signature Page to LMEP Restricted Unit Grant Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
OPERATING AGREEMENT
[See attached]
[EXHIBIT B]9
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
In consideration of the grant of the Restricted Units hereunder, and for other good and valuable consideration, which I hereby acknowledge and agree is valid and sufficient consideration to make the covenants set forth in this Exhibit B, and further as a material inducement for the Company to enter into the LMEP Restricted Unit Grant Agreement to which this Exhibit is attached (the Agreement) with me and to grant me the Restrictive Units, I hereby acknowledge and agree to be bound by the restrictive covenants and other terms and conditions set forth in this Exhibit B. For purposes of this Exhibit B, (i) all references to I, me, my, myself and other words of similar import shall refer to the Grantee, as such term is used and defined in the Agreement to which this Exhibit B is attached; and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, all references to the Company herein shall refer to LLH MGMT Profits, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, together with their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and their respective successors or assigns.
I. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
A. Recognition of Companys Rights. I recognize that the Company is engaged in a continuous program of research and development respecting its business, present and future, including fields generally related to its business and that the Company possesses and will continue to possess information that has been created, discovered, developed or otherwise become known to the Company (including, without limitation, information created, discovered or developed by, or made known to, me during the period of or arising out of my employment or service with the Company (Service)) and/or in which property rights have been assigned, licensed or otherwise conveyed to the Company, which information has commercial value in the business in which the Company is engaged.
B. Nondisclosure. At all times during and after my Service with the Company, I will hold in strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, disclose, use, distribute or publish any Proprietary Information (as defined below) that I may produce or otherwise acquire or have access to during the course of my Service, except as expressly provided herein. I further agree not to reproduce or in any way allow any Proprietary Information to be delivered to or used by any third party without specific written direction or written consent of a duly authorized representative of the Company. I hereby assign to Lineage Logistics, LLC (or, if my employment or engagement transfers to an affiliate, successor or assign of Lineage Logistics, LLC, such affiliate, successor or assign) any rights I may have or acquire in the Proprietary Information and recognize that all Proprietary Information shall be the sole and exclusive property of Lineage Logistics, LLC, or if applicable, its affiliate, successor or assign.
C. Proprietary Information. The term Proprietary Information shall mean any and all confidential and/or proprietary knowledge, data or information of the Company, including, without limitation, the information described in the first paragraph of Section I(A) above. By way of illustration but not limitation, Proprietary Information includes (i) trade secrets, inventions, products, devices, mask works, ideas, processes, procedures, methods, formulas, source and object codes, design, data, algorithms, programs, network and system architecture, trading methods, models and programs, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, other works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments, designs, techniques, composition or process, unique or novel device, or the like, in each case whether or not patentable or copyrightable (hereinafter collectively referred to as Inventions); (ii) information regarding plans for research, development, products, trading, investing, marketing and selling
9 | Note to Draft: Exhibit B to be included as applicable. |
Exhibit B-1
business plans, budgets and unpublished financial statements, licenses, prices and costs, suppliers and customers; and (iii) information regarding the skills, functions and compensation of other employees, in each case, of the Company. The term Proprietary Information does not include any knowledge, data or information which: (a) is generally known by the public, generally known by persons with training and experience comparable to my own or common knowledge in the industry in which the Company operates, in each case, other than as a result of disclosure by me or others who owe a duty of confidentiality to the Company or any third party; or (b) is or becomes rightfully known by me (other than as a result of, or in connection with, my Service with, or work for, the Company, or disclosure by others who owe a duty of confidentiality to the Company or any third party).
D. Third Party Information. I understand that the Company has received (and, in the future, will receive) from third parties confidential or proprietary information (Third Party Information), subject to the Companys duty to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. During the term of my Service and at all times thereafter, I will hold all Third Party Information in the strictest confidence and will not disclose to anyone (other than Company personnel or agents who need to know such information in connection with their work for the Company or as may be required by applicable law or civil process) or use, except in connection with my work for the Company, any Third Party Information unless expressly authorized by duly authorized representative of the Company in writing.
E. No Improper Use of Information of Prior Employers and Others. During my Service with the Company, I will not improperly use or disclose any Proprietary Information or other confidential information or trade secrets, if any, of any former employer or any other person to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality, and I will not bring onto the premises of the Company any unpublished documents or any property belonging to any former employer or any other person to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality unless consented to in writing by that former employer or person. I will use in the performance of my duties only information which is generally known and used by persons with training and experience comparable to my own, which is common knowledge in the industry or otherwise legally in the public domain, or which is otherwise provided or developed by the Company. I am aware and understand that theft, misappropriation and improper use of trade secrets of a former employer or any other person is a serious matter, and in fact, is a federal criminal offense under the U.S. Economic Espionage Act of 1996.
F. Defend Trade Secrets Act Disclaimer. I acknowledge receipt of the immunity notice under the Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, which states: (i) an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (x) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal, and (ii) an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual (A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal and (B) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
Exhibit B-2
II. ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS
A. Definitions. The term Proprietary Rights shall mean all trade secret, patent, copyright, trademark, trade name, service mark, mask work and other intellectual property rights throughout the world. For purposes of this Section II, the term Company shall mean Lineage Logistics, LLC or, if I become employed by or engaged with any affiliate, successor or assign of Lineage Logistics, LLC, such affiliate, successor or assign.
B. Prior Excluded Inventions. All Inventions, if any, patented or unpatented, and whether or not registrable under copyright or similar statute, which I made prior to the commencement of my Service with the Company are excluded from the scope of this Exhibit B. To preclude any possible uncertainty, I have set forth on Schedule A attached hereto a complete list of all Inventions that I have, alone or jointly with others, conceived, developed or reduced to practice or caused to be conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to the commencement of my Service with the Company, that I consider to be my property or the property of third parties and that I wish to have excluded from the scope of this Exhibit B (collectively, the Prior Excluded Inventions). If disclosure of any such Prior Excluded Invention would cause me to violate any prior confidentiality agreement, I understand that I am not to list such Prior Excluded Inventions on Schedule A hereto but am only to disclose that confidential Prior Excluded Inventions exist and that full disclosure as to such Inventions has not been made for that reason (collectively, the Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions). A space is provided on Schedule A for such purpose. Except as I have specifically disclosed to the Company in writing, I hereby represent and warrant that the Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions do not relate to the business of the Company (as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted to the extent disclosed to me as of the date of the Agreement) or any Competing Business (as defined below), and none of the Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions were conceived, developed or reduced to practice in connection with any Competing Business. As used herein, all Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions are also Prior Excluded Inventions. I understand that I am to describe any such Prior Excluded Invention in Schedule A at the most specific level possible without violating any such prior agreement. If no disclosure is made on Schedule A, I represent that there are no Prior Excluded Inventions of any kind. I agree that I will not intentionally incorporate, or knowingly permit to be incorporated, Prior Excluded Inventions in any Company Inventions (as defined below) without the Companys express prior written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, in the course of my Service with the Company, I incorporate a Prior Excluded Invention (that I own or have the right to grant rights thereto) into a product, service or Invention of the Company, the Company, as the case may be, is hereby granted and shall have an exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, transferable, worldwide license (with rights to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicensees) to make, have made, modify, use, import, offer to sell, and sell such Prior Excluded Invention in the industries in which the Company is now or in the future engaged (and any industry which would otherwise be deemed a Competing Business). [As used herein, Competing Business means any business of temperature controlled logistics and warehousing and related services that compete or could compete with the Company. A Competing Business includes any business, or part thereof, whose efforts involve any research and development, products, services or activities in competition with products, services or activities which are, at any time during the last two (2) years of my Service with the Company, either (x) produced, marketed or otherwise commercially exploited by the Company or (y) in actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development by the Company.]10
C. Assignment of Inventions. Subject to Sections II(D) and II(F) below, I hereby assign, and agree to confirm such assignment in the future (when any such Inventions or Proprietary Rights are first reduced to practice or first fixed in a tangible medium, as applicable), to the Company (or its designee) all my right, title and interest in and to any and all Inventions (and all Proprietary Rights with respect thereto) whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, invented, authored, created,
10 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicabe. |
Exhibit B-3
made or conceived or reduced to practice or learned by me, either alone or jointly with others, during the period of my Service with the Company. Inventions assigned to the Company, or to a third party as directed by the Company pursuant to this Section II, are hereinafter referred to as Company Inventions. I also hereby waive, and agree to waive, any moral rights I may have in any copyrightable work I create or have created on behalf of the Company.
D. Nonassignable Inventions. Pursuant to California Labor Code §§ 2870-2872, Illinois Employee Patent Act, 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 1060/2 or other applicable law, you are hereby notified that the assignment in Section II(C) above does not apply to any Inventions for which no equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was developed entirely on my own time, unless: (i) the Invention relates at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the Invention (a) to the business of the Company, or (b) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company; or (ii) the Invention results from any work performed by me for the Company. To the extent applicable, at the time of disclosure of an Invention that I believe qualifies under California Labor Code Section 2870, Illinois Employee Patent Act, 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 1060/2 or such other applicable law, if any, I shall provide to the Company, in writing, evidence to substantiate the belief that such Invention so qualifies under such law. I understand that, to the extent this Exhibit B is construed in accordance with the laws of any state which precludes a requirement in an employee or service agreement to assign certain classes of inventions made by an employee or other service provider, Section II(C) above, shall be interpreted not to apply to any Invention that a court rules and/or the Company determines to be within any such class.
E. Obligation to Keep Company Informed. During the period of my Service and for twelve (12) months thereafter, I will promptly and fully disclose to the Company, in writing, all Inventions invented, authored, created, made, conceived or reduced to practice by me, either alone or jointly with others, which would qualify as Company Inventions hereunder. In addition, I will promptly disclose to the Company all patent applications or applications for copyright registration filed by me (or on my behalf), if any, during the twelve (12) months following the termination of my Service with respect to Inventions that would constitute Company Inventions hereunder. At the time of any such disclosure, I will advise the Company, in writing, of any Company Inventions that I believe fully qualify for protection under the provisions of the United States patent laws, copyright laws, or under any analogous laws in a foreign jurisdiction; and I will at that time provide to the Company (or its designee), in writing, all evidence necessary to substantiate that belief.
F. Government or Third Party. I also agree to assign all my right, title and interest in and to any particular Company Invention to a third party, including, without limitation, the United States, as directed by the Company.
G. Works for Hire. I acknowledge that all original works of authorship which are made by me (either alone or jointly with others) within the scope of my Service, which would be considered Company Inventions, and which are protectable by copyright are works made for hire, pursuant to the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. Section 101).
H. Enforcement of Proprietary Rights. I will assist the Company or designees in every proper way to obtain, and from time to time enforce, United States and foreign Proprietary Rights relating to Company Inventions in any and all countries. To that end I will execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, I will execute, verify and deliver assignments or waivers of such Proprietary Rights to the Company (or its designee). My obligation to assist the Company with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Company Inventions in any and all countries shall
Exhibit B-4
continue beyond the termination of my Service, but the Company shall compensate me at a reasonable rate after my termination for the time actually spent by me at the request of the Company on such assistance. In the event the Company (or its designee) is unable for any reason, after reasonable effort, to secure my signature on any document needed in connection with the actions specified in the preceding paragraph, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney in fact, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to act for and in my behalf to execute, verify and file any such documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of the preceding paragraph with the same legal force and effect as if executed by me. I hereby waive and quitclaim to the Company (or its designee) any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, which I now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company (or its designee).
III. RECORDS. I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current records (in the form of notes, sketches, drawings and in any other form that may be required by the Company) of all Proprietary Information developed by me and all Company Inventions made by me during the period of my Service at the Company, which records shall be available to and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company at all times.
IV. NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION
A. Non-Solicitation of Personnel. During the term of my Service with the Company and for a period of [___] ([_]) years immediately following the termination of my Service for any reason, I agree to not, directly or indirectly, for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone else:
1. solicit, or attempt to solicit, the employment or engagement (whether as an employee or independent contractor, or other service provider) of any person who is, or within six (6) months prior to such solicitation or attempted solicitation was, an employee or independent contractor of the Company;
2. encourage or induce, or attempt to encourage or induce, any person who is an employee or independent contractor of the Company to cease his or her employment or relationship with the Company or otherwise harm or interfere with the Companys relationship with such persons; or
3. coordinate with another employee of the Company to leave the employ of the Company.
For the avoidance of doubt, a general job advertisement that does not target the Company or any of their respective employees or independent contractors does not violate the restrictions set forth in this Section IV(A).
B. [Non-Solicitation of Business Relationships. During the term of my Service with the Company and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination of my Service for any reason, I agree to not, directly or indirectly, for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone else (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of the Company):
1. solicit, divert, or appropriate to, or accept on behalf of, or attempt to solicit, divert, appropriate to or accept on behalf of, any Competing Business, (a) any business from any customer or actively sought prospective customer of the Company with whom I have dealt, whose dealings with the Company have been supervised by me or about whom I have acquired Proprietary Information in the course of my Service with the Company or (b) any investment, funding or financing whatsoever, directly or indirectly, from any Company Investor (as defined below); or
Exhibit B-5
2. encourage or induce, or attempt to encourage or induce, any customers, clients, suppliers, vendors, licensees, licensors, distributors or other business relations of the Company to reduce, terminate, or refuse to continue business with the Company or otherwise harm or interfere with the Companys relationship with such customers, clients, suppliers, vendors, licensees, licensors, distributors or other business relations.]11
C. Non-Competition. [During the term of my Service with the Company and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination of my Service for any reason, I agree to not, directly or indirectly, for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone else (except with the prior written consent of the Company):
1. engage in, conduct, or operate, or prepare to engage in, conduct, or operate, a Competing Business, or any portion thereof, in the Geographic Area (as defined below); or
2. whether as a shareholder, bondholder, lender, officer, director, employee, consultant or otherwise, perform services for, invest in, aid or abet or give information or financial assistance to any person or entity engaged in a Competing Business, or any portion thereof, in the Geographic Area, or any portion thereof; provided, however, that nothing in this Section IV(C)(2) shall be deemed to prohibit me from (a) owning as an investment, directly or indirectly, up to two percent (2%) of the securities of any publicly-traded company, or any portion thereof; or (b) rendering services to any person or entity to the extent that such services (i) do not relate and are not similar to any services I performed for the Company during the last two (2) years of my Service with the Company, and (ii) could not reasonably be expected to involve the use or disclosure of Proprietary Information.
I acknowledge and agree that the restrictions set forth in this Section IV are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company, including their trade secrets and other Proprietary Information, business relations and goodwill.]/[As used herein, Competing Business means any business of temperature controlled logistics and warehousing and related services that compete or could compete with the Company. A Competing Business includes any business, or part thereof, whose efforts involve any research and development, products, services or activities in competition with products, services or activities which are, at any time during the last two (2) years of my Service with the Company, either (x) produced, marketed or otherwise commercially exploited by the Company or (y) in actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development by the Company.]12
D. [Certain Defined Terms. As used herein:
1. Company Investor means (i) any person or entity that has invested in or otherwise provided financing to the Company, (ii) any person or entity with whom the Company have had discussions with regarding a potential investment in the Company or that has received confidential materials regarding any investment in the Company, and (iii) any affiliate of a person or entity described in clauses (i) or (ii) above.
11 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
12 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included in the alternative as applicable. |
Exhibit B-6
2. Competing Business means any business of temperature controlled logistics and warehousing and related services that compete or could compete with the Company. A Competing Business includes any business, or part thereof, whose efforts involve any research and development, products, services or activities in competition with products, services or activities which are, at any time during the last two (2) years of my Service with the Company, either (x) produced, marketed or otherwise commercially exploited by the Company or (y) in actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development by the Company.
3. Geographic Area means any city, state, region, and country in which the Company at any time during my Service or at the end of my Service is then-operating or has firm plans to operate, provided I have knowledge of such plans.]13
V. NON-DISPARAGEMENT. At all times during my Service with the Company and for the longest period thereafter permitted under applicable law, I will not, directly or indirectly, make (or cause to be made) to any person or entity any false or disparaging statements about the Company (including, without limitation, any of its products, services, employees, agents, officers, members, managers, partners or directors), and I will not make any statement that may impair or otherwise adversely affect the goodwill or reputation of the Company; provided, however, nothing herein shall prohibit me from (i) reporting any good faith allegation of unlawful conduct to federal, state or local officials for investigation; (ii) filing a charge with or participating in a proceeding conducted by any governmental agency; (iii) making any truthful statements or disclosures required by law, regulation or legal process; (iv) requesting or receiving confidential legal advice; or (v) engaging in concerted activity protected by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act or other protected conduct, such as communications regarding unlawful acts in the workplace, which by applicable law cannot be subject to a non-disparagement agreement.
VI. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Judicial Modification; Severability. In the event that a court finds that any covenants set forth herein (including any time, territory or other provision of this Exhibit B) is unenforceable or invalid as an unreasonable restriction, the Company and I agree that such court will have the power, and the parties expressly desire that the court exercise such power, to revise this Exhibit B such that such restriction is to be interpreted and enforced to the maximum extent which such court deems reasonable and/or to make any other modifications that the court deems necessary to render such restriction reasonable, valid and enforceable under applicable law, and the court shall enforce such restriction as so judicially modified. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent one or more of the provisions contained herein shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the other provisions of the Agreement (including this Exhibit B), and the Agreement (including this Exhibit B) shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
B. Effect of Termination. The termination of my Service from or with the Company will not release me from any of my covenants hereunder, which shall continue pursuant to their terms in full force and effect.
C. Remedies. I acknowledge that the rights of the Company under this Exhibit B are of a specialized and unique nature and irreparable harm will result to the Company if I violate any of my obligations hereunder and that such harm may be difficult to measure in monetary damages. Accordingly, in the event that I violate any of my obligations hereunder, the Company may obtain an immediate injunction or other equitable relief restraining me from violating any of the covenants contained herein, without the need to post a bond or other security and without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy. I acknowledge that each and every entity constituting the Company (as defined herein) is an intended third-party beneficiary of the covenants and other terms and conditions contained herein having full rights to enforce this Exhibit B as if such entity was a signatory hereto.
13 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
Exhibit B-7
D. [Tolling. If I violate any of the restrictions set forth in Section IV, the applicable post-termination restricted period shall be extended by one (1) day for each day that I am in violation of this Exhibit B, up to a maximum extension equal to the length of the applicable post-termination restricted period, so as to give the Company the full benefit of the bargained-for length of forbearance. This tolling provision shall be in addition to and not in place of any available legal or equitable remedies.]14
E. Choice of Law. The terms and conditions of this Exhibit B are governed by and are to be interpreted under the laws of the State of [_________] without regard to its conflicts of law principles, rules or statutes of any jurisdiction.
F. Arbitration. I acknowledge and agree that I shall remain bound by, and comply with my obligations under, the Companys Mutual Arbitration Policy (or similar policy or program as in effect from time to time) and any arbitration agreement between myself and the Company.
* * * * *
14 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
Exhibit B-8
Schedule A
Prior Excluded Inventions
[____]
Exhibit B-9
EXHIBIT [B]/[C]
VESTING SCHEDULE
Part I: Temporal Vesting
Fifty percent (50%) of the Restricted Units shall time vest and become Vested Units pursuant to the following schedule, subject to the Grantees continued employment with Lineage or its Affiliate(s) through the applicable vesting date:
Date |
% Vested | |||
[_____] |
10 | % | ||
[_____] |
10 | % | ||
[_____] |
10 | % | ||
[_____] |
10 | % | ||
[_____] |
10 | % | ||
|
|
|||
Subtotal |
50 | % | ||
|
|
Part II: Performance Vesting
[The remaining fifty percent (50%) of the Restricted Units (the Performance Vesting Units) shall vest incrementally (10% in the aggregate each year over a five-year period) upon the achievement of certain performance objectives, as set forth below, in each case, subject to the Grantees continued employment with Lineage or its Affiliate(s) through the applicable vesting date:
[A. Individual Performance. [___] percent of the Performance Vesting Units (i.e., [__]% of total Restricted Units) shall vest in substantially equal annual installments over a five-year period, based on the Grantees achievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each applicable calendar year, as set forth in the table below:]
Year-End |
% Subject to Vest * |
Target | Actual | % Achieved*** |
||||||||||||
Individual Performance (KPI) |
|
|||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Subtotal |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
|
|
Exhibit [B]/[C]-1
B. Company Performance. [___] percent of the Performance Vesting Units (i.e., [__]% of total Restricted Units) shall vest in substantially equal annual installments over a five-year period, if Lineage achieves its EBITDA Target for each applicable calendar year, as set forth in the table below:
Year-End |
% Subject to Vest * |
Target** | Actual | % Achieved |
||||||||||||
Company Performance |
|
|||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Subtotal |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
|
|
* | Represents percentage of total Restricted Units. |
** | The pre-bonus EBITDA Target for each applicable calendar year will be determined by the Manager and communicated to the Grantee within ninety (90) days following the start of such calendar year. |
*** | Refer to the Grantees annual management compensation letter for the KPI scoring methodology. The KPI score percentage, up to a maximum of 100%, will be applied against the applicable Performance Vesting Units available for vesting in any given year. (Units Granted x 5% Subject to Vesting x % KPI Score = Units Vested per year) |
C. Performance Vesting Units that Fail to Satisfy Performance Vesting Conditions. Any Performance Vesting Units which were eligible to vest in a given year and fail to vest under the terms set forth in this Part II of Exhibit B, shall remain outstanding as Unvested Units, subject to Section 5.1 of the Agreement, and (i) shall vest in full upon the occurrence of a Qualifying Exit Transaction (as defined below) occurring prior to any applicable termination under Section 5.1 of the Agreement, and (ii) shall be eligible to vest in whole or in part in the Managers sole discretion, unless and until terminated in accordance with Section 5.1 of the Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph, Qualifying Exit Transaction means an Exit Transaction which generates net proceeds to the equityholders of the Company, Lineage or any of their respective affiliates (including, without limitation, BG LLH, LLC), as applicable, in an amount equal to at least $[___] per unit, as determined by the Manager in its sole discretion.]15
* * * * * * *
15 | Note to Draft: To be included and/or modified as applicable. |
Exhibit [B]/[C]-2
EXHIBIT [C]/[D]
LINEAGE OPERATING AGREEMENT
[See attached]
Exhibit 10.10
LMEP II RESTRICTED UNIT GRANT AGREEMENT
THIS LMEP II RESTRICTED UNIT GRANT AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made as of [_____] (the Effective Date), by and between LLH MGMT PROFITS II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), and [_____], an individual (the Grantee). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain Operating Agreement of the Company, dated as of March 29, 2022 and attached hereto as Exhibit A, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time (the Operating Agreement).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company was formed for the purpose of granting equity interests in the Company to certain employees and consultants of Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Lineage) or its Affiliates from time to time in consideration of their services to Lineage or its Affiliates, and to hold corresponding units of Lineage;
WHEREAS, the Grantee serves as an employee or other service provider of Lineage or its Affiliates or otherwise performs or has performed services on behalf of or for the benefit of Lineage, the Company and their respective Affiliates; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to compensate the Grantee for such services and to align Grantees interests with those of Lineage by way of an equity grant in the Company and therefore has granted to the Grantee, and the Grantee has agreed to accept, Common Units in the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Grant of Restricted Units. The Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Operating Agreement, has issued to the Grantee, as of the Effective Date, [_____] of the Companys C-[ ] Common Units (the Restricted Units).
2. Consideration. The Grantee is not obligated to pay the Company any cash consideration for the issuance of the Restricted Units. The Restricted Units are granted to the Grantee as consideration for the Grantees services to or for the benefit of Lineage and its Affiliates.
3. Restricted Units Held in Escrow. The Restricted Units are not certificated. In the event the Company elects to certificate the Restricted Units in the future, it shall hold and maintain possession of the certificates evidencing the Restricted Units, which certificates will be available for release to the Grantee if and when the forfeiture restrictions set forth in Section 5 below lapse.
4. Representations and Warranties of the Grantee. The Grantee has been advised that the Restricted Units are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), or applicable state securities laws, but are being offered and conveyed pursuant to exemptions from such laws, and that the Companys reliance on such exemptions is predicated in part on the Grantees representations contained in this Agreement. The Company is relying in part on the Grantees representations and warranties contained in this Section 4 for the purpose of qualifying for applicable exemptions from registration or qualification pursuant to federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations. Therefore, the Grantee hereby represents and warrants to the Company the following:
4.1 No Resale or Distribution. The Restricted Units are being acquired for investment for the Grantees own account, not as a nominee or agent and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and the Grantee has no present intention of selling, granting any participation interest in, or otherwise distributing the same, but subject, nevertheless, to any requirement of law that the disposition of the Grantees property shall at all times be within the Grantees control. The Grantee further represents that the Grantee does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participation interests to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Restricted Units. The Restricted Units will be acquired for investment for the Grantees own account;
4.2 Restricted Securities. The Grantee understands that the Restricted Units are characterized as restricted securities under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Act only in certain circumstances. The Grantee realizes that (a) the Restricted Units have not been registered under the Act, are characterized under the Act as restricted securities and, therefore, cannot be sold or transferred unless they are subsequently registered under the Act or an exemption from such registration is available; (b) the Company is not being registered as an investment company as the term investment company is defined in Section 3(a) of the 1940 Act; and (c) there is presently no public market for the Restricted Units and the Grantee would most likely not be able to liquidate the Grantees investment in the event of an emergency or to pledge the Restricted Units as collateral security for loans. The Grantee represents that he or she is familiar with Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Act. The Grantee also recognizes that the Restricted Units are subject to additional restrictions on transfer pursuant to the Operating Agreement, which restrictions may limit any right to transfer any Restricted Units that may otherwise be transferable within the requirements of applicable law;
4.3 Due Diligence. The Grantee has been solely responsible for the Grantees own due diligence investigation of the Company and its business, and is not relying on anyone elses analysis or investigation of the Company, its business or the merits and risks of the Restricted Units, other than professional advisors employed specifically by the Grantee to assist the Grantee. In taking any action or performing any role relative to arranging the investment being made pursuant to this Agreement, the Grantee has acted solely in the Grantees own interest and not in the interest of any other party, and no other party has acted as an agent or fiduciary for the Grantee;
4.4 Access to Information. The Grantee has been given the opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the Company concerning the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Operating Agreement and has been given the opportunity to obtain such additional information as the Grantee may reasonably require. The Grantee has obtained advice of counsel as necessary and appropriate with respect to the documents related to this Agreement and understands the provisions of this Agreement and the Operating Agreement;
4.5 Sophistication. The Grantee, either alone or with the assistance of the Grantees professional advisor, is a sophisticated investor, is able to fend for the Grantee in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he, she or it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the Restricted Units;
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4.6 Suitability. The investment in the Restricted Units is suitable for the Grantee based upon the Grantees investment objectives and financial needs, and the Grantee has adequate net worth and means for providing for the Grantees current financial needs and contingencies and has no need for liquidity of investment with respect to the Restricted Units;
4.7 Professional Advice. The Grantee has obtained, to the extent he, she or it deems necessary, professional advice with respect to the Restricted Units, the conditions and terms of this Agreement and the suitability of the arrangement in light of the Grantees financial condition and investment needs. The Grantee is not relying on the Company, Lineage or any of their respective Affiliates, employees or agents with respect to the legal, tax, economic and related considerations of the Restricted Units;
4.8 Capitalization; Restrictions. The Grantee acknowledges that the Grantee is receiving C-[ ] Common Units of the Company and that such units correspond directly to the common units of Lineage that are owned by the Company. The Grantee further acknowledges that the Company has issued and/or may, from time to time, issue additional Common Units, which issuances may be dilutive to one or more outstanding classes of Common Units, including the Restricted Units. The Grantee also acknowledges that Lineage has Class A Units (as defined in the Lineage Operating Agreement (as defined below)) issued and outstanding and that such Class A Units are senior in distribution to the Class B Units and all classes of common units of Lineage. Further, subject to the terms and conditions of that certain Sixth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Lineage, dated as of August 3, 2020 (as the same may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the Lineage Operating Agreement), Lineage has created and issued (or may, in the future, create and issue) additional classes of preferred and/or senior membership interests that have rights different from those currently authorized, and may also issue additional classes of common units. The Grantee acknowledges that (i) the Grantee has no vested right in the existing capital structure of either Lineage or the Company in respect of this Agreement, (ii) the Managing Member (as defined in the Lineage Operating Agreement) and the Class A holder(s) of Lineage have extensive rights to modify the capital structure of Lineage, (iii) the Manager of the Company has extensive authority and is expressly permitted to approve any modification to the capital structure of Lineage without any approval from the Grantee or any other member of the Company, and the Manager may give any such approval whether or not such modification is in the interest of the Grantee, (iv) the Manager has extensive rights to modify the capital structure of the Company, the Manager may make such modifications whether or not such modifications are in the interest of the Grantee, and (v) the foregoing may affect the value of the Restricted Units. The Grantee further acknowledges and accepts that the Grantee has limited to no rights to influence decisions involving changes in capitalization of the Company or Lineage, and that such decisions will be made based on various considerations and taking into account interests that may differ from the Grantees own interests. The Grantee further acknowledges that the Restricted Units are subject to all of the terms and conditions in the Operating Agreement, including the transfer and other restrictions set forth therein; and
4.9 Further Limitations on Disposition. The Grantee shall have no right to transfer Unvested Units (as defined below), and pursuant to the Operating Agreement has very limited rights to transfer the Vested Units (as defined below). Without in any way limiting the representations set forth above, the Grantee further agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Vested Units unless and until the Grantee has complied with the restrictions on Transfer set forth in the Operating Agreement:
(a) Either (i) there is then in effect a registration statement under the Act covering such proposed disposition, and such disposition is made in accordance with such registration statement; or (ii) the Grantee (A) shall have notified the Company of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and (B) (x) the Company shall be satisfied that such proposed disposition complies in all respects with SEC Rule 144 or any successor rule providing a safe harbor for such dispositions without registration or (y) if requested by the Company, shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such disposition will not require registration of such Restricted Units under the Act; and
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(b) The Transfer is in compliance with the terms of the Operating Agreement and all applicable laws.
5. Risk of Forfeiture of Restricted Units; Call Right; Distributions; Restrictive Covenants.
5.1 Termination; Forfeiture. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the Restricted Units are subject to forfeiture upon termination of the Grantees employment or other service with Lineage and its Affiliates, including any successor thereto (the Service Relationship) for any reason. All Restricted Units shall be unvested and subject to forfeiture (the Unvested Units) unless and until such units become vested as set forth in Section 6 below (the Vested Units). If and when the Service Relationship is terminated for any reason, the Grantee will forfeit all then-Unvested Units (after taking into consideration any accelerated vesting that may occur in connection with such termination of the Service Relationship (if any)), without any compensation, credit or other payment or benefit to the Grantee, and in connection therewith the Company shall cancel all certificates (if any) held by it with respect to such Restricted Units. In addition, and notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, upon termination of the Service Relationship for Cause (as defined below), all Restricted Units (whether Vested Units or Unvested Units) shall automatically and immediately be forfeited without any compensation, credit or other payment or benefit to the Grantee, and in connection therewith the Company shall cancel all certificates (if any) held by it with respect to such Restricted Units. THE GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES THE GRANTEES UNDERSTANDING THAT THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS MEAN THAT (i) THE GRANTEE WILL NOT RECEIVE VALUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RESTRICTED UNITS IN THE EVENT THE GRANTEES SERVICE RELATIONSHIP IS TERMINATED FOR CAUSE AND (ii) THE GRANTEE WILL NOT RECEIVE VALUE (OTHER THAN PURSUANT TO SECTION 5.3 BELOW) ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNVESTED UNITS IN THE EVENT THE GRANTEES SERVICE RELATIONSHIP IS TERMINATED FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN CAUSE PRIOR TO THE VESTING OF SUCH UNITS (AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION ANY ACCELERATED VESTING THAT MAY OCCUR IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH TERMINATION OF THE SERVICE RELATIONSHIP (IF ANY)). THE GRANTEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT, FOR PURPOSES OF THE FOREGOING FORFEITURE PROVISIONS, NO RESTRICTED UNITS SHALL BE CONSIDERED EARNED FOR ANY PURPOSE UNLESS AND UNTIL THE GRANTEES SERVICE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY TERMINATES OTHER THAN DUE TO CAUSE.
5.2 Company Call Right.
(a) If and when the Service Relationship is terminated for any reason other than Cause, the Company shall have the option (the Call Right) to purchase the Vested Units at a price equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of the Vested Units on the date the Call Right is exercised. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT (I) UPON THE TERMINATION OF THE GRANTEES SERVICE RELATIONSHIP FOR CAUSE, NO RESTRICTED UNITS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE BY THE COMPANY AND ALL RESTRICTED UNITS SHALL INSTEAD BE FORFEITED WITHOUT PAYMENT OR OTHER CONSIDERATION AND (II) UPON THE TERMINATION OF THE GRANTEES SERVICE RELATIONSHIP FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN CAUSE, UNVESTED UNITS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO REPURCHASE BY THE COMPANY AND SHALL INSTEAD BE FORFEITED WITHOUT PAYMENT OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.
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(b) The Company may exercise the Call Right at any time within six (6) months after the date of termination of the Service Relationship (or such longer period as may be required in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences) (the Call Period) by delivering written notice to the Grantee within the Call Period specifying the date within the Call Period on which the Call Right shall be exercised (the Purchase Date) and the number of Vested Units as to which the Call Right is being exercised. For the avoidance of doubt, the Call Right may be exercised more than once during the Call Period and may be exercised for some or all of the Vested Units. If the Company elects to exercise the Call Right, the Grantee agrees that the Grantee shall enter into reasonable conveyance instruments in the form requested by the Company that require the Grantee to represent and warrant good and marketable title to the Vested Units free and clear of any liens or encumbrances and full right, power and authority to sell, but without further representations or warranties.
(c) The Fair Market Value of the Vested Units for purposes of the Call Right shall be determined by the Manager in its reasonable, good faith discretion, taking into account any recent third-party determination of the fair market value of the Companys or Lineages equity securities to the extent the Manager determines appropriate under the circumstances. The Managers determination of Fair Market Value shall be final and binding on all interested parties.
(d) If the Grantees Vested Units are repurchased in connection with an exercise of the Call Right, the Company shall pay the consideration for the Vested Units on the Purchase Date in cash unless the aggregate payment exceeds $50,000, in which case the payment may, in the Companys discretion, be fifty percent in cash (but not more than $50,000, unless the Company otherwise determines), and the balance in a four year unsecured promissory note payable in four equal annual installments accruing interest at a fixed rate during the term of such note at the lower of 5.0% or the prime rate reported by Bank of America (or any other nationally recognized bank selected by the Manager) as of the date of such promissory note, provided that the interest rate shall not be less than the minimum rate necessary to avoid imputation of income under applicable law. Immediately prior to the repurchase of the Grantees Vested Units described in this Section 5.2(d), the Company shall provide to Lineage for repurchase from the Company the C Units of Lineage that correspond to the Vested Units then being repurchased. The Company shall cause the repurchase(s) described in this Section 5.2 to occur in such a manner as may be determined by the Manager in its reasonable discretion, not inconsistent with the economic terms hereof.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.2 to the contrary, no payment shall be made under this Section 5.2 that would cause the Company, Lineage or any of their Affiliates to violate any applicable law, any banking agreement or loan or other financial covenant or cause default of any indebtedness of the Company, Lineage or any of their Affiliates, regardless of when such agreement, covenant or indebtedness was created, incurred or assumed. Any payment under this Section 5.2 that would cause such violation or default shall result in an extension of the Call Period and related payment dates, in the sole discretion of the Manager, until thirty days after the date such payment shall no longer cause any such violation or default and at which time the Call Right may be exercised.
5.3 Allocations, Distributions.
(a) Tax Allocations and Tax Distributions. The Grantee will be allocated items of income and loss, and corresponding tax distributions, in respect of the Restricted Units, as set forth in the Operating Agreement.
(b) Other Cash Distributions. If after the Effective Date, the Company shall declare and pay any distributions in cash in respect of the Restricted Units, other than tax distributions pursuant to Section 6.01(b) of the Operating Agreement, such funds distributed in respect of the Unvested Units shall, subject to Section 6 below, be held by the Company and shall be subject to forfeiture by and release to the Grantee to the same extent as the Unvested Units. Upon the applicable vesting date(s) on which the Unvested Units become Vested Units, the Company shall release such funds attributable to those Vested Units to the Grantee, plus accrued interest (if any), on such funds.
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(c) Other Distributions. If, after the Effective Date, the Company shall issue any additional C-[ ] Common Units by way of a dividend or split or other distribution with respect to the Restricted Units, or if any shares of C-[ ] Common Units or other securities of the Company are issued in exchange for, or with respect to the Restricted Units, the certificate or certificates representing all such interests (if any) shall be held by the Company and for all purposes hereof such shares shall constitute, and be subject to the same restrictions as, the Restricted Units.
5.4 [Lock-Up. Without limiting the foregoing, except with the advance written consent of the Manager, in its sole discretion, in no event shall the Restricted Units or any equity securities of the Company, BG LLH, LLC, Lineage or its affiliates into which the Restricted Units are exchanged or converted be transferred, sold, assigned or otherwise disposed of during the Lock-Up Period (as defined below).]1
5.5 Restrictive Covenants. In consideration of the grant of the Restricted Units hereunder, the compensation now and hereafter paid to Grantee by the Company, Lineage or their respective Affiliates, and Grantees continued Service Relationship, and further as a material inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement and to grant the Restrictive Units to the Grantee, Grantee hereby agrees to be bound by the restrictive covenants set forth on Exhibit B hereto, which are hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions set forth on Exhibit B hereto shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Service Relationship.
6. Vesting Schedule.2 The Restricted Units shall vest pursuant to the provisions set forth in Exhibit C. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
6.1 [All Unvested Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit C) shall, subject to the Grantees timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of Lineage and its Affiliates in a form prescribed by Lineage (a Release), automatically become Vested Units upon the earlier to occur of (i) an Exit Transaction (as defined below) unless the successor buyer agrees to continue the Service Relationship of the Grantee on terms that are not materially worse, in the aggregate, for the Grantee than those applicable to the Grantee immediately prior to such Exit Transaction, as determined by the Manager, and (ii) if the successor buyer agrees to continue the Service Relationship of the Grantee on terms that are not materially worse, in the aggregate, for the Grantee than those applicable to the Grantee immediately prior to such Exit Transaction, subject to Section 6.6 below, the date on which the Grantees Service Relationship (including with a successor buyer) is Involuntarily Terminated (as defined below) following an Exit Transaction.]/[The Manager may accelerate the vesting of any Unvested Unit in its discretion from time to time, which acceleration may, in the Managers discretion be subject to and conditioned upon the Grantees timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of Lineage and its Affiliates in a form prescribed by Lineage (a Release).]
6.2 [If the Grantees Service Relationship terminates as a result of the Grantees death or Disability (as defined below), then, subject to the Grantees (or the Grantees estates, if applicable) timely execution and non-revocation of a Release, an additional number of Restricted Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit C) shall vest equal to the sum of (a) [__]% of the total Restricted Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit C), plus (b) the product obtained by multiplying [__]% of the total Restricted Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit C) by a fraction, the numerator of which
1 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
2 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language in Section 6 to be included as applicable. |
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equals the number of days elapsed from the latest applicable vesting date (or if no such vesting date has occurred, the Effective Date), and the denominator of which equals 365 (or such lesser number of Restricted Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit C) and which then-remain as Unvested Units), it being understood that in no event shall this Section 6.2 result in greater than 100% of the total number of Restricted Units that are subject to time vesting (Part I of Exhibit C) being vested.]
6.3 [All Unvested Units that first became eligible to vest based on performance criteria (Part II of Exhibit C) for the calendar year in which the closing of an Exit Transaction occurs shall, subject to the Grantees timely execution and non-revocation of a Release, automatically vest and become Vested Units immediately prior to the closing of such Exit Transaction irrespective of the achievement of the performance criteria as of such date in such calendar year (and all Unvested Units subject to performance vesting in subsequent years shall be forfeited).]
6.4 In order to effectuate Section[s] 6.1[, 6.2 and 6.3] above, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Restricted Units that may become Vested Units subject to the Grantees execution and non-revocation of a Release shall remain outstanding and eligible to become Vested Units [(including, as applicable, following a termination of the Service Relationship)] through the earliest of (a) the date on which the Release becomes effective, (b) the date on which the Grantee revokes the Release, or (c) the expiration of the period during which the Grantee may execute the Release.
6.5 [The Manager may accelerate the vesting of any Unvested Unit in its discretion from time to time.]
6.6 If an Exit Transaction or other transaction affecting the capitalization of the Company occurs, and to the extent the Manager deems appropriate to (i) prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended by the Company to be made available under or with respect to this Agreement or (ii) facilitate such Exit Transaction or other transaction affecting the capitalization of the Company, the Manager is authorized, in such manner as it may deem equitable, to adjust any or all of (a) the number and kind of securities subject to this Agreement, (b) the Threshold Value of the Restricted Units and (c) the terms and conditions of the Restricted Units (or, in each case, other securities into which the Restricted Units are converted); provided, that no such action by the Manager may materially and adversely affect the economic value of the Restricted Units, the vesting of the Restricted Units, the timing of any payments in respect of the Restricted Units or the Grantees rights hereunder or with respect to the Restricted Units without the Grantees prior written consent.
6.7 For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) Cause shall have the meaning set forth in the employment or other service agreement between the Grantee and the Company or any Affiliate thereof or, if no such agreement exists or such agreement exists but does not contain a definition of Cause, then Cause shall mean (a) the Grantee has committed and/or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or crime of moral turpitude, (b) the Grantee willfully engages in misconduct in the performance of the Grantees duties for Lineage or its Affiliates or any successor employer, (c) the Grantee materially breaches any written agreement between the Grantee and any such entity, (d) the Grantee willfully refuses to comply with a lawful and direct order of the Grantees supervisor after warning that such refusal will result in a for Cause termination, (e) the Grantee breaches any duty owed to the Company or its Affiliates or any successor employer and fails to cure such breach within ten days following a request to cure the same (by way of example and not limitation, such breaches include embezzlement, breach of the restrictive covenants set forth on Exhibit B or any other confidentiality covenant, non-compete, etc.) or (f) the Grantee engages in any other acts (including making a public statement) or fails to engage in any acts, which the Manager determines in good faith to be materially detrimental or damaging to the reputation, operations, finances, prospects or business relations of Lineage or its Affiliates or which acts are the subject of any similar determination by a successor employer.
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(b) [Disability shall have the meaning set forth in the employment or other service agreement between the Grantee and the Company or any Affiliate thereof or, if no such agreement exists or such agreement exists but does not contain a definition of Disability, then Disability shall mean that Grantee is unable to perform Grantees duties and responsibilities as a result of physical or mental incapacity, illness or other condition, whether total or partial, as determined in good faith by the Manager or by a physician selected in good faith by the Manager and reasonably acceptable to Grantee, which inability continues for a period exceeding 90 consecutive days or shorter periods exceeding 120 days in the aggregate during any 12-month period.]3
(c) [Exchange Act means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.]4
(d) Exit Transaction shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.05 of the Lineage Operating Agreement.
(e) [Involuntarily Terminated means any termination of the Service Relationship other than: (i) the Grantee electing to terminate the Grantees Service Relationship for any reason (i.e., the Grantee quits), or (ii) a termination for Cause or due to the Grantees death or Disability.] 5
(f) [Lock-Up Period means the period starting on the filing date of a registration statement filed by the Company (or its parent or successor entity) registering equity securities of such entity (whether in an underwritten offering, direct listing, deSPAC or similar transaction or otherwise) under the Securities Act and ending on the third (3rd) anniversary of the Grantees start date of employment or, if later, the expiration of such longer period as may be determined by any underwriter in connection with such registration of equity securities.] 6
7. Operating Agreements. As a condition to the grant contemplated herein, the Grantee shall be required to enter into and execute a counterpart signature page to the Companys Operating Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A. Prior to release to the Grantee of the Restricted Units upon the vesting of the same in accordance with this Agreement, the Grantee shall be required, if requested by the Company, to confirm the Grantees agreement to the Operating Agreement, including any modifications or amendments thereto that have been approved in compliance with the terms thereof. The Grantee agrees the Grantee will hold all equity interests issued by the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Operating Agreement. In addition, the Grantee acknowledges that, while Grantee will not become a party to the Lineages Operating Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit D, certain terms of Lineages Operating Agreement govern the Lineage units corresponding to the Restricted Units and may indirectly affect the Grantees rights hereunder.
8. Rights of the Grantee with Respect to Restricted Units. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Operating Agreement and the Lineage Operating Agreement, the Grantee shall be entitled to exercise all the incidents of ownership with respect to the Restricted Units.
3 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
4 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
5 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
6 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
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9. Election to Include Fair Market Value of Restricted Units in Gross Income in Year of Transfer. The Grantee agrees to file a proper and timely Code Section 83(b) election with the Internal Revenue Service (and to take such other actions necessary to the validity of such filing for tax purposes) to include the aggregate fair market value of the Restricted Units in the Grantees gross income for the current taxable year.
10. General Provisions.
10.1 Withholding. To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, the Company, Lineage or any of their respective Affiliates may withhold any taxes required to be withheld with respect to the Restricted Units under applicable law and the Grantee shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company, Lineage or any such Affiliate for the satisfaction of any such withholding tax obligations. Neither the Company, Lineage nor any of their respective Affiliates shall be required to issue the Restricted Units or to recognize the disposition of such Restricted Units until such obligations are satisfied. To the extent permitted or required by the Company, Lineage or any of their respective Affiliates, these obligations may or shall be satisfied by having the Company, Lineage or any such Affiliate withhold a portion of the Restricted Units that otherwise would be issued to the Grantee under this Agreement or by tendering Restricted Units previously acquired by the Grantee.
10.2 Employment. Neither this Agreement nor the grant of the Restricted Units hereunder shall be held or construed to confer upon the Grantee any right to continue in the employment with or service of Lineage or any of its Affiliates or interfere in any way with Lineages or its Affiliates right to terminate the Grantees employment or service at any time. Any changes to the Grantees compensation, duties, authorities or otherwise shall not affect this Agreement (including Exhibit B hereto), which shall remain in full force and effect pursuant to its terms.
10.3 Governing Law. Except as otherwise set forth in Exhibit B hereto, this Agreement and any other documents promulgated hereunder shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable federal law. The Company may provide that any dispute arising from this Agreement shall be presented and determined in such forum as the Company may specify, including through binding arbitration.
10.4 Non-Exclusivity of Grant. This Agreement shall not be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Manager or the Company, Lineage or any of their respective Affiliates to adopt such other incentive arrangements as either may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of unit options, unit appreciation rights, Restricted Units or other units otherwise than under this Agreement, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
10.5 Compliance with Other Laws and Regulations. This Agreement, the grant of the Restricted Units hereunder, and the obligation of the Company to sell, issue or deliver Restricted Units under this Agreement, shall be subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. The Company shall not be required to register in the Grantees name or deliver any Restricted Units prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of such Restricted Units under any federal, state or local law or any ruling or regulation of any government body which the Company shall determine to be necessary or advisable. To the extent the Company is unable to or deems it infeasible to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Companys counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Restricted Units hereunder, the Company shall be relieved of any liability with respect to the failure to issue or sell such Restricted Units as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
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10.6 Limited Liability of Company. None of the Company, Lineage or any of their respective Affiliates shall be liable to the Grantee or other persons as to any tax or economic consequence expected, but not realized, by the Grantee or other person due to the receipt or vesting of the Restricted Units granted hereunder.
10.7 Transferability. No Restricted Units granted under this Agreement, nor any interest in such Restricted Units, may be sold, assigned, conveyed, gifted, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred in any manner prior to the vesting or lapse of any and all restrictions applicable thereto, and thereafter other than as permitted under the terms of the Operating Agreement. Any purported assignment, transfer or encumbrance that does not qualify under this Section 10.7 shall be void and unenforceable against the Company ab initio.
10.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Plan and any agreements, exhibits and documents referred to herein, contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions set forth in Exhibit B hereto shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any similar covenants or restrictions otherwise agreed to by the Grantee with or for the benefit of the Company, Lineage or any of their respective Affiliates.
10.9 Waiver. No failure of the Company, Lineage or their respective Affiliates to (i) object to any conduct or violation of any of the terms and conditions herein (including the covenants made by the Grantee hereunder) or (ii) exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege arising hereunder shall, in any case, operate or be construed as a waiver thereof. No waiver by the Company, Lineage or their respective Affiliates of any of the provisions herein shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of such entity.
10.10 Binding Effect. This Agreement, including Exhibit B hereto, will inure to the benefit of the Company and each of its successors and assigns, and may be enforced by any one or more of the same, without the need of any further authorization or agreement from the Grantee. This Agreement, including Exhibit B hereto, and all rights and benefits hereunder are personal to the Grantee, and neither this Agreement, including Exhibit B hereto, nor any right or interest of the Grantee herein or arising hereunder shall be subject to voluntary or involuntary alienation, assignment, pledge or other transfer by the Grantee.
10.11 Modification. Neither party hereto may modify or amend this Agreement, including Exhibit B hereto, except by a subsequent writing clearly expressing the intent to so modify or amend this Agreement, including Exhibit B hereto, executed by both a duly authorized representative of the Company and the Grantee.
10.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. A facsimile, PDF (or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or any other type of copy of an executed version of this Agreement signed by a party is binding upon the signing party to the same extent as the original of the signed agreement.
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THE GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, IN EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT, THE GRANTEE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THE GRANTEE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS ALL OF THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING (WITHOUT LIMITATION) THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH ON EXHIBIT B ATTACHED HERETO.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantee and the Company have caused this Restricted Unit Grant Agreement to be duly executed and delivered on the date and year first above written.
GRANTEE: | ||
Name: | ||
COMPANY: | ||
LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: Bay Grove Management Company, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: Adam Forste | ||
Its: Manager |
[Signature Page to LMEP II Restricted Unit Grant Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
OPERATING AGREEMENT
[See attached]
EXHIBIT B
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
In consideration of the grant of the Restricted Units hereunder, and for other good and valuable consideration, which I hereby acknowledge and agree is valid and sufficient consideration to make the covenants set forth in this Exhibit B, and further as a material inducement for the Company to enter into the LMEP II Restricted Unit Grant Agreement to which this Exhibit is attached (the Agreement) with me and to grant me the Restricted Units, I hereby acknowledge and agree to be bound by the restrictive covenants and other terms and conditions set forth in this Exhibit B. For purposes of this Exhibit B, (i) all references to I, me, my, myself and other words of similar import shall refer to the Grantee, as such term is used and defined in the Agreement to which this Exhibit B is attached; and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, all references to the Company herein shall refer to LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, together with their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and their respective successors or assigns.
I. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
A. Recognition of Companys Rights. I recognize that the Company is engaged in a continuous program of research and development respecting its business, present and future, including fields generally related to its business and that the Company possesses and will continue to possess information that has been created, discovered, developed or otherwise become known to the Company (including, without limitation, information created, discovered or developed by, or made known to, me during the period of or arising out of my employment or service with the Company (Service)) and/or in which property rights have been assigned, licensed or otherwise conveyed to the Company, which information has commercial value in the business in which the Company is engaged.
B. Nondisclosure. Subject to Section VI below, at all times during and after my Service with the Company, I will hold in strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, disclose, use, distribute or publish any Proprietary Information (as defined below) that I may produce or otherwise acquire or have access to during the course of my Service, except as expressly provided herein. I further agree not to reproduce or in any way allow any Proprietary Information to be delivered to or used by any third party without specific written direction or written consent of a duly authorized representative of the Company. I hereby assign to Lineage Logistics, LLC (or, if my employment or engagement transfers to an affiliate, successor or assign of Lineage Logistics, LLC, such affiliate, successor or assign) any rights I may have or acquire in the Proprietary Information and recognize that all Proprietary Information shall be the sole and exclusive property of Lineage Logistics, LLC, or if applicable, its affiliate, successor or assign.
C. Proprietary Information. The term Proprietary Information shall mean any and all confidential and/or proprietary knowledge, data or information of the Company, including, without limitation, the information described in the first paragraph of Section I(A) above. By way of illustration but not limitation, Proprietary Information includes (i) trade secrets, inventions, products, devices, mask works, ideas, processes, procedures, methods, formulas, source and object codes, design, data, algorithms, programs, network and system architecture, trading methods, models and programs, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, other works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments, designs, techniques, composition or process, unique or novel device, or the like, in each case whether or not patentable or copyrightable (hereinafter collectively referred to as Inventions); (ii) information regarding plans for research, development, products, trading, investing, marketing and selling
Exhibit B-1
business plans, budgets and unpublished financial statements, licenses, prices and costs, suppliers and customers; and (iii) information regarding the skills, functions and compensation of other employees, in each case, of the Company. The term Proprietary Information does not include any knowledge, data or information which: (a) is generally known by the public, generally known by persons with training and experience comparable to my own or common knowledge in the industry in which the Company operates, in each case, other than as a result of disclosure by me or others who owe a duty of confidentiality to the Company or any third party; or (b) is or becomes rightfully known by me (other than as a result of, or in connection with, my Service with, or work for, the Company, or disclosure by others who owe a duty of confidentiality to the Company or any third party).
D. Third Party Information. I understand that the Company has received (and, in the future, will receive) from third parties confidential or proprietary information (Third Party Information), subject to the Companys duty to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. During the term of my Service and at all times thereafter, I will hold all Third Party Information in the strictest confidence and will not disclose to anyone (other than Company personnel or agents who need to know such information in connection with their work for the Company or as may be required by applicable law or civil process) or use, except in connection with my work for the Company, any Third Party Information unless expressly authorized by duly authorized representative of the Company in writing.
E. No Improper Use of Information of Prior Employers and Others. During my Service with the Company, I will not improperly use or disclose any Proprietary Information or other confidential information or trade secrets, if any, of any former employer or any other person to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality, and I will not bring onto the premises of the Company any unpublished documents or any property belonging to any former employer or any other person to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality unless consented to in writing by that former employer or person. I will use in the performance of my duties only information which is generally known and used by persons with training and experience comparable to my own, which is common knowledge in the industry or otherwise legally in the public domain, or which is otherwise provided or developed by the Company. I am aware and understand that theft, misappropriation and improper use of trade secrets of a former employer or any other person is a serious matter, and in fact, is a federal criminal offense under the U.S. Economic Espionage Act of 1996.
F. Defend Trade Secrets Act Disclaimer. I acknowledge receipt of the immunity notice under the Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, which states: (i) an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (x) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal, and (ii) an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual (A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal and (B) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
Exhibit B-2
II. ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS
A. Definitions. The term Proprietary Rights shall mean all trade secret, patent, copyright, trademark, trade name, service mark, mask work and other intellectual property rights throughout the world. For purposes of this Section II, the term Company shall mean Lineage Logistics, LLC or, if I become employed by or engaged with any affiliate, successor or assign of Lineage Logistics, LLC, such affiliate, successor or assign.
B. Prior Excluded Inventions. All Inventions, if any, patented or unpatented, and whether or not registrable under copyright or similar statute, which I made prior to the commencement of my Service with the Company are excluded from the scope of this Exhibit B. To preclude any possible uncertainty, I have set forth on Schedule A attached hereto a complete list of all Inventions that I have, alone or jointly with others, conceived, developed or reduced to practice or caused to be conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to the commencement of my Service with the Company, that I consider to be my property or the property of third parties and that I wish to have excluded from the scope of this Exhibit B (collectively, the Prior Excluded Inventions). If disclosure of any such Prior Excluded Invention would cause me to violate any prior confidentiality agreement, I understand that I am not to list such Prior Excluded Inventions on Schedule A hereto but am only to disclose that confidential Prior Excluded Inventions exist and that full disclosure as to such Inventions has not been made for that reason (collectively, the Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions). A space is provided on Schedule A for such purpose. Except as I have specifically disclosed to the Company in writing, I hereby represent and warrant that the Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions do not relate to the business of the Company (as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted to the extent disclosed to me as of the date of the Agreement) or any Competing Business (as defined below), and none of the Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions were conceived, developed or reduced to practice in connection with any Competing Business. As used herein, all Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions are also Prior Excluded Inventions. I understand that I am to describe any such Prior Excluded Invention in Schedule A at the most specific level possible without violating any such prior agreement. If no disclosure is made on Schedule A, I represent that there are no Prior Excluded Inventions of any kind. I agree that I will not intentionally incorporate, or knowingly permit to be incorporated, Prior Excluded Inventions in any Company Inventions (as defined below) without the Companys express prior written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, in the course of my Service with the Company, I incorporate a Prior Excluded Invention (that I own or have the right to grant rights thereto) into a product, service or Invention of the Company, the Company, as the case may be, is hereby granted and shall have an exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, transferable, worldwide license (with rights to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicensees) to make, have made, modify, use, import, offer to sell, and sell such Prior Excluded Invention in the industries in which the Company is now or in the future engaged (and any industry which would otherwise be deemed a Competing Business).
C. Assignment of Inventions. Subject to Sections II(D) and II(F) below, I hereby assign, and agree to confirm such assignment in the future (when any such Inventions or Proprietary Rights are first reduced to practice or first fixed in a tangible medium, as applicable), to the Company (or its designee) all my right, title and interest in and to any and all Inventions (and all Proprietary Rights with respect thereto) whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, invented, authored, created, made or conceived or reduced to practice or learned by me, either alone or jointly with others, during the period of my Service with the Company. Inventions assigned to the Company, or to a third party as directed by the Company pursuant to this Section II, are hereinafter referred to as Company Inventions. I also hereby waive, and agree to waive, any moral rights I may have in any copyrightable work I create or have created on behalf of the Company.
Exhibit B-3
D. Nonassignable Inventions. Pursuant to California Labor Code §§ 2870-2872, Illinois Employee Patent Act, 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 1060/2, Kansas Code § 44-130 or other applicable law, you are hereby notified that the assignment in Section II(C) above does not apply to any Inventions for which no equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was developed entirely on my own time, unless: (i) the Invention relates at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the Invention (a) to the business of the Company, or (b) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company; or (ii) the Invention results from any work performed by me for the Company. To the extent applicable, at the time of disclosure of an Invention that I believe qualifies under California Labor Code Section 2870, Illinois Employee Patent Act, 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 1060/2, Kansas Code § 44-130 or such other applicable law, if any, I shall provide to the Company, in writing, evidence to substantiate the belief that such Invention so qualifies under such law. I understand that, to the extent this Exhibit B is construed in accordance with the laws of any state which precludes a requirement in an employee or service agreement to assign certain classes of inventions made by an employee or other service provider, Section II(C) above, shall be interpreted not to apply to any Invention that a court rules and/or the Company determines to be within any such class.
E. Obligation to Keep Company Informed. During the period of my Service and for twelve (12) months thereafter, I will promptly and fully disclose to the Company, in writing, all Inventions invented, authored, created, made, conceived or reduced to practice by me, either alone or jointly with others, which would qualify as Company Inventions hereunder. In addition, I will promptly disclose to the Company all patent applications or applications for copyright registration filed by me (or on my behalf), if any, during the twelve (12) months following the termination of my Service with respect to Inventions that would constitute Company Inventions hereunder. At the time of any such disclosure, I will advise the Company, in writing, of any Company Inventions that I believe fully qualify for protection under the provisions of the United States patent laws, copyright laws, or under any analogous laws in a foreign jurisdiction; and I will at that time provide to the Company (or its designee), in writing, all evidence necessary to substantiate that belief.
F. Government or Third Party. I also agree to assign all my right, title and interest in and to any particular Company Invention to a third party, including, without limitation, the United States, as directed by the Company.
G. Works for Hire. I acknowledge that all original works of authorship which are made by me (either alone or jointly with others) within the scope of my Service, which would be considered Company Inventions, and which are protectable by copyright are works made for hire, pursuant to the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. Section 101).
H. Enforcement of Proprietary Rights. I will assist the Company or designees in every proper way to obtain, and from time to time enforce, United States and foreign Proprietary Rights relating to Company Inventions in any and all countries. To that end I will execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, I will execute, verify and deliver assignments or waivers of such Proprietary Rights to the Company (or its designee). My obligation to assist the Company with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Company Inventions in any and all countries shall continue beyond the termination of my Service, but the Company shall compensate me at a reasonable rate after my termination for the time actually spent by me at the request of the Company on such assistance. In the event the Company (or its designee) is unable for any reason, after reasonable effort, to secure my signature on any document needed in connection with the actions specified in the preceding paragraph, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney in fact, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to act for and in my behalf to execute, verify and file any such documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of the preceding paragraph with the same legal force and effect as if executed by me. I hereby waive and quitclaim to the Company (or its designee) any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, which I now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company (or its designee).
Exhibit B-4
III. RECORDS. I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current records (in the form of notes, sketches, drawings and in any other form that may be required by the Company) of all Proprietary Information developed by me and all Company Inventions made by me during the period of my Service at the Company, which records shall be available to and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company at all times.
IV. NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION
A. Non-Solicitation of Personnel. During the term of my Service with the Company and for a period of [___] ([_]) years immediately following the termination of my Service for any reason, I agree to not, directly or indirectly, for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone else:
1. solicit, or attempt to solicit, the employment or engagement (whether as an employee or independent contractor, or other service provider) of any person who is, [or within six (6) months prior to such solicitation or attempted solicitation was,] an employee or independent contractor of the Company;
2. [encourage or induce, or attempt to encourage or induce, any person who is an employee or independent contractor of the Company to cease his or her employment or relationship with the Company or otherwise harm or interfere with the Companys relationship with such persons;] or
3. coordinate with another employee of the Company to leave the employ of the Company.
For the avoidance of doubt, a general job advertisement that does not target the Company or any of their respective employees or independent contractors does not violate the restrictions set forth in this Section IV(A). [Further, the restrictions set forth in this Section IV(A) shall apply to such employees and independent contractors of the Company with whom I worked or had dealings or about whom I acquired information during and as a result of my Services.]7
B. Non-Solicitation of Business Relationships. During the term of my Service with the Company [and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination of my Service for any reason]8, I agree to not, directly or indirectly, for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone else (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of the Company):
1. solicit, divert, or appropriate to, or accept on behalf of, or attempt to solicit, divert, appropriate to or accept on behalf of, any Competing Business, (a) any business from any customer or actively sought prospective customer of the Company with whom I have dealt, whose dealings with the Company have been supervised by me or about whom I have acquired Proprietary Information in the course of my Service with the Company or (b) any investment, funding or financing whatsoever, directly or indirectly, from any Company Investor (as defined below); or
7 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
8 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
Exhibit B-5
2. encourage or induce, or attempt to encourage or induce, any customers, clients, suppliers, vendors, licensees, licensors, distributors or other business relations of the Company to reduce, terminate, or refuse to continue business with the Company or otherwise harm or interfere with the Companys relationship with such customers, clients, suppliers, vendors, licensees, licensors, distributors or other business relations.
C. [Non-Competition. During the term of my Service with the Company [and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination of my Service for any reason], I agree to not, directly or indirectly, for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone else (except with the prior written consent of the Company)[, engage in any business activities in competition with the Company. Following the termination of my Service with the Company, without limiting my obligations in Section I above, I agree to not, directly or indirectly, for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone else, use or disclose any Proprietary Information of the Company to unfairly compete with the Company, to solicit any of the Companys customers, clients, investors or other business relations, or to otherwise negatively interfere with the Companys business relationships; provided, however, that nothing in this Section IV(C) shall be deemed to prohibit me from owning as an investment, directly or indirectly, up to two percent (2%) of the securities of any publicly-traded company, or any portion thereof.]/[:
1. engage in, conduct, or operate, or prepare to engage in, conduct, or operate, a Competing Business, or any portion thereof, in the Geographic Area (as defined below); or
2. whether as a shareholder, bondholder, lender, officer, director, employee, consultant or otherwise, perform services for, invest in, aid or abet or give information or financial assistance to any person or entity engaged in a Competing Business, or any portion thereof, in the Geographic Area, or any portion thereof; provided, however, that nothing in this Section IV(C)(2) shall be deemed to prohibit me from (a) owning as an investment, directly or indirectly, up to two percent (2%) of the securities of any publicly-traded company, or any portion thereof; or (b) rendering services to any person or entity to the extent that such services (i) do not relate and are not similar to any services I performed for the Company during the last two (2) years of my Service with the Company, and (ii) could not reasonably be expected to involve the use or disclosure of Proprietary Information.]
I acknowledge and agree that the restrictions set forth in this Section IV are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company, including their trade secrets and other Proprietary Information, business relations and goodwill.]9
D. Certain Defined Terms. As used herein:
1. Company Investor means (i) any person or entity that has invested in or otherwise provided financing to the Company, (ii) any person or entity with whom the Company have had discussions with regarding a potential investment in the Company or that has received confidential materials regarding any investment in the Company, and (iii) any affiliate of a person or entity described in clauses (i) or (ii) above.
2. Competing Business means any business of temperature controlled logistics and warehousing and related services that compete or could compete with the Company. A Competing Business includes any business, or part thereof, whose efforts involve any research and development, products, services or activities in competition with products, services or activities which are, at any time during the last two (2) years of my Service with the Company, either (x) produced, marketed or otherwise commercially exploited by the Company or (y) in actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development by the Company.
9 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
Exhibit B-6
3. [Geographic Area means any city, state, region, and country in which the Company at any time during my Service or at the end of my Service is then-operating or has firm plans to operate, provided I have knowledge of such plans.]
V. [NON-DISPARAGEMENT. Subject to Section VI below, at all times during my Service with the Company and for the longest period thereafter permitted under applicable law, I will not, directly or indirectly, make (or cause to be made) to any person or entity any false or disparaging statements about the Company (including, without limitation, any of its products, services, employees, agents, officers, members, managers, partners or directors), and I will not make any statement that may impair or otherwise adversely affect the goodwill or reputation of the Company.
VI. PROTECTED CONDUCT. Nothing herein shall prohibit me from (i) [discussing or reporting any good faith allegation of unlawful conduct [to federal, state or local officials for investigation]]/[discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that I have reason to believe is unlawful]; (ii) filing a charge with or participating in a proceeding conducted by any governmental agency; (iii) making any truthful statements or disclosures required by law, regulation or legal process; (iv) requesting or receiving confidential legal advice; or (v) engaging in concerted activity protected by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, if applicable, or other protected conduct, such as communications regarding unlawful acts in the workplace, which by applicable law cannot be [restricted]/[subject to a non-disparagement agreement].]10
VII. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Judicial Modification; Severability. In the event that a court finds that any covenants set forth herein (including any time, territory or other provision of this Exhibit B) is unenforceable or invalid as an unreasonable restriction, the Company and I agree that such court will have the power, and the parties expressly desire that the court exercise such power, to revise this Exhibit B such that such restriction is to be interpreted and enforced to the maximum extent which such court deems reasonable and/or to make any other modifications that the court deems necessary to render such restriction reasonable, valid and enforceable under applicable law, and the court shall enforce such restriction as so judicially modified. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent one or more of the provisions contained herein shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the other provisions of the Agreement (including this Exhibit B), and the Agreement (including this Exhibit B) shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
B. Effect of Termination. The termination of my Service from or with the Company will not release me from any of my covenants hereunder, which shall continue pursuant to their terms in full force and effect.
C. Remedies. I acknowledge that the rights of the Company under this Exhibit B are of a specialized and unique nature and irreparable harm will result to the Company if I violate any of my obligations hereunder and that such harm may be difficult to measure in monetary damages. Accordingly, in the event that I violate any of my obligations hereunder, the Company may obtain an immediate
10 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
Exhibit B-7
injunction or other equitable relief restraining me from violating any of the covenants contained herein, without the need to post a bond or other security and without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy. I acknowledge that each and every entity constituting the Company (as defined herein) is an intended third-party beneficiary of the covenants and other terms and conditions contained herein having full rights to enforce this Exhibit B as if such entity was a signatory hereto.
D. Tolling. If I violate any of the restrictions set forth in Section IV, the applicable post-termination restricted period shall be extended by one (1) day for each day that I am in violation of this Exhibit B, up to a maximum extension equal to the length of the applicable post-termination restricted period, so as to give the Company the full benefit of the bargained-for length of forbearance. This tolling provision shall be in addition to and not in place of any available legal or equitable remedies.
E. Choice of Law. The terms and conditions of this Exhibit B are governed by and are to be interpreted under the laws of the State of [______] without regard to its conflicts of law principles, rules or statutes of any jurisdiction.
F. Arbitration. I acknowledge and agree that I shall remain bound by, and comply with my obligations under, the Companys Mutual Arbitration Policy (or similar policy or program as in effect from time to time) and any arbitration agreement between myself and the Company.
* * * * *
Exhibit B-8
EXHIBIT C
VESTING SCHEDULE
[Part I: Temporal Vesting
Fifty percent (50%) of the Restricted Units shall time vest and become Vested Units pursuant to the following schedule, subject to the Grantees continued Service Relationship with Lineage or any of its Affiliates through the applicable vesting date:
Date |
%Vested* | |||
[_____] |
[___] | % | ||
[_____] |
[___] | % | ||
[_____] |
[___] | % | ||
[_____] |
[___] | % | ||
[_____] |
[___] | % | ||
|
|
|||
Subtotal |
50 | % | ||
|
|
* | Represents percentage of total number of Restricted Units granted hereunder. |
Part II: Performance Vesting
The remaining fifty percent (50%) of the Restricted Units (the Performance Vesting Units) shall be eligible to vest incrementally in the amounts set forth below (each year over a [___]-year period) upon the achievement of certain performance objectives, as set forth below, in each case, subject to the Grantees continued Service Relationship with Lineage or any of its Affiliates through the applicable vesting date:
[A. Individual Performance. [___] percent ([__]%) of the Performance Vesting Units (i.e., [__]% of total Restricted Units) shall be eligible to vest in substantially equal annual installments over a [___]-year period, based on the Grantees achievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each applicable calendar year, as set forth in the table below:]
Year-End |
% Subject to Vest * |
Target | Actual | % Achieved*** |
||||||||||||
Individual Performance (KPI) |
|
|||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[___ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[___ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[___ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[___ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[___ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Subtotal |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
|
|
Exhibit C-1
B. Company Performance. [___] percent ([__]%) of the Performance Vesting Units (i.e., [__]% of total Restricted Units) shall be eligible to vest in substantially equal annual installments over a [___]-year period, if Lineage achieves its EBITDA Target for each applicable calendar year, as set forth in the table below:
Year-End |
% Subject to Vest * |
Target** | Actual | % Achieved |
||||||||||||
Company Performance |
|
|||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[___ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[___ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[___ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[___ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
[_____] |
[___ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Subtotal |
[__ | ]% | ||||||||||||||
|
|
* | Represents percentage of total Restricted Units. |
** | The pre-bonus EBITDA Target for each applicable calendar year will be determined by the Manager and communicated to the Grantee within ninety (90) days following the start of such calendar year. |
*** | Refer to the Grantees annual management compensation letter for the KPI scoring methodology. The KPI score percentage, up to a maximum of 100%, will be applied against the applicable Performance Vesting Units available for vesting in any given year. (Units Granted x 5% Subject to Vesting x % KPI Score = Units Vested per year) |
C. Performance Vesting Units that Fail to Satisfy Performance Vesting Conditions. Any Performance Vesting Units which were eligible to vest in a given year and fail to vest under the terms set forth in this Part II of Exhibit B, shall remain outstanding as Unvested Units, subject to Section 5.1 of the Agreement, and (i) shall vest in full upon the occurrence of a Qualifying Exit Transaction (as defined below) occurring prior to any applicable termination of the Service Relationship under Section 5.1 of the Agreement, and (ii) shall be eligible to vest in whole or in part in the Managers sole discretion, unless and until so terminated in accordance with Section 5.1 of the Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph, Qualifying Exit Transaction means an Exit Transaction which generates net proceeds to the equityholders of the Company, Lineage or any of their respective Affiliates (including, without limitation, BG LLH, LLC), as applicable, in an amount equal to at least $[___] per unit, as determined by the Manager in its sole discretion.]11
11 | Note to Draft: To be included and/or modified as applicable. |
Exhibit C-2
EXHIBIT D
LINEAGE OPERATING AGREEMENT
[See attached]
Exhibit 10.11
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LINEAGE 2024 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
ARTICLE 1.
The purpose of the Amended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan (the Plan) is to promote the success and enhance the value of Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and Lineage OP, LLC a Delaware limited liability company (including any successor thereto, the Operating Partnership), by linking the individual interests of Employees, Consultants and members of the Board to those of the Companys stockholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to the Companys stockholders. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company, the Operating Partnership and their subsidiaries in their ability to motivate, attract, and recognize the services of those individuals upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Companys and the Operating Partnerships operation is largely dependent. As of the Effective Date, the Plan amends and restates in its entirety the Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan previously adopted by the Board on April 24, 2024.
ARTICLE 2.
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.
2.1 Administrator shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Article 9. With reference to the duties of the Administrator under the Plan which have been delegated to one or more persons pursuant to Section 9.6 hereof, or which the Board has assumed, the term Administrator shall refer to such person(s) unless the Committee or the Board has revoked such delegation or the Board has terminated the assumption of such duties.
2.2 Affiliate shall mean the Operating Partnership, any Parent or any Subsidiary.
2.3 Agent means the brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution, entity or person(s), if any, engaged, retained, appointed or authorized to act as the agent of the Company or a Participant with regard to the Plan.
2.4 Applicable Accounting Standards shall mean Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, International Financial Reporting Standards or such other accounting principles or standards as may apply to the Companys financial statements under United States federal securities laws from time to time.
2.5 Applicable Law shall mean any applicable law, including without limitation, (a) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (b) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, state, local or foreign; and (c) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.
1
2.6 Award shall mean an Option, a Restricted Stock award, a Dividend Equivalent award, a Stock Payment award, a Restricted Stock Unit award, a Performance Share award, an Other Incentive Award, an LTIP Unit award or a Stock Appreciation Right, which may be awarded or granted under the Plan.
2.7 Award Agreement shall mean any written notice, agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine, consistent with the Plan.
2.8 Board shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.9 Change in Control shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Shares to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any person or related group of persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, the Operating Partnership or any Subsidiary, an employee benefit plan maintained by any of the foregoing entities or a person that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Companys securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or
(b) During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 2.9(a) or Section 2.9(c) hereof) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or
(c) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Companys assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case, other than a transaction:
(i) Which results in the Companys voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Companys assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the Successor Entity)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entitys outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and
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(ii) After which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 2.9(c)(ii) as beneficially owning 30% or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or
(iii) Approval by the Companys stockholders of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) none of the Companys initial public offering, the consummation of any transaction(s) involving the Company, the Operating Partnership, any Subsidiary or any other entity or person in contemplation thereof or in connection therewith (including any reorganization, restructuring or other transaction intended to prepare for or facilitate an initial public offering) or the implementation of, or any direct or indirect ownership changes pursuant to, a settlement process for direct or indirect legacy pre-initial-public-offering equity of the Company, the Operating Partnership or any of their Affiliates in connection with or following the Companys initial public offering shall constitute a Change in Control, and (B) if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or any portion of an Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A of the Code, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a change in control event (within the meaning of Code Section 409A).
Consistent with the terms of this Section 2.9, the Administrator shall have full and final authority to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control of the Company has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto.
2.10 Closing Date means the date of the closing of the Companys initial public offering of shares of Common Stock.
2.11 Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder, whether issued prior or subsequent to the grant of any Award.
2.12 Committee shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board described in Article 9 hereof.
2.13 Common Stock shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.
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2.14 Company shall mean Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
2.15 Consultant shall mean any consultant or advisor of the Company, the Operating Partnership or any Subsidiary who qualifies as a consultant or advisor under the applicable rules of Form S-8 Registration Statement.
2.16 Director shall mean a member of the Board, as constituted from time to time.
2.17 Dividend Equivalent shall mean a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares, awarded under Section 7.1 hereof.
2.18 DRO shall mean a domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the rules thereunder.
2.19 Effective Date shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.1(a) hereof.
2.20 Eligible Individual shall mean any person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director, as determined by the Administrator.
2.21 Employee shall mean any officer or other employee (within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company, the Operating Partnership or any Subsidiary.
2.22 Equity Restructuring shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Common Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding stock-based Awards.
2.23 Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
2.24 Expiration Date shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.1(a) hereof.
2.25 Fair Market Value shall mean, as of any given date, the value of a Share determined as follows:
(a) If the Common Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Capital Market, the NASDAQ Global Market and the NASDAQ Global Select Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) listed, quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a Share as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a Share on the date in question, the closing sales price for a Share on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
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(b) If the Common Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a Share on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a Share on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(c) If the Common Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator in good faith.
2.26 Greater Than 10% Stockholder shall mean an individual then-owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation (as defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively).
2.27 Incentive Stock Option shall mean an Option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
2.28 Legacy Units shall have the meaning provided in the Partnership Agreement.
2.29 Lineage Holdings OPEUs shall have the meaning provided in the Partnership Agreement.
2.30 LMEP Award shall mean an outstanding award held by an Eligible Individual initially consisting of common units of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or common units of LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, that is redeemable, or has been redeemed by LLH MGMT Profits, LLC or LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, as applicable, in exchange for Partnership Common Units and/or Legacy Units of the Operating Partnership.
2.31 LTIP Unit shall mean, to the extent authorized by the Partnership Agreement, a unit of the Operating Partnership that is granted pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof and is intended to constitute a profits interest within the meaning of the Code.
2.32 Non-Employee Director shall mean a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.
2.33 Non-Employee Director Award Limit shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.3 hereof.
2.34 Non-Qualified Stock Option shall mean an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option or which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but does not meet the applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
2.35 Operating Partnership shall have the meaning provided in Article 1.
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2.36 Option shall mean a right to purchase Shares at a specified exercise price, granted under Article 5 hereof. An Option shall be either a Non-Qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option; provided, however, that Options granted to Non-Employee Directors and Consultants shall only be Non-Qualified Stock Options.
2.37 Organizational Documents shall mean, collectively, (a) the Companys articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other similar organizational documents relating to the creation and governance of the Company, and (b) the Committees charter or other similar organizational documentation relating to the creation and governance of the Committee.
2.38 Other Incentive Award shall mean an award of cash or Shares, or any other award valued wholly or partially by referring to, or otherwise based on, Shares or other property, awarded to a Participant pursuant to Section 7.5 hereof.
2.39 Parent shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities ending with the Company if each of the entities other than the Company beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.
2.40 Participant shall mean an Eligible Individual who has been granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.
2.41 Partnership Agreement shall mean the Sixteenth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Operating Partnership, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from time to time.
2.42 Partnership Common Units shall have the meaning provided in the Partnership Agreement.
2.43 Performance Criteria shall mean the criteria (and adjustments) that the Administrator may select for an Award for purposes of establishing performance goals for a given performance period, which may include (but shall not be limited to) one or more of the following (without limitation): net earnings or adjusted net earnings (in each case, either before or after one or more of the following: interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and non-cash equity-based compensation expense); gross or net sales or revenue or sales or revenue growth; net income (either before or after taxes); adjusted net income; operating earnings or profit (either before or after taxes); cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow and cash flow return on capital); return on assets; return on net assets; return on capital or return on invested capital; return on stockholders equity; stockholder return; return on sales; gross or net profit or operating margin; costs, reductions in costs and cost control measures; funds from operations; adjusted funds from operations; core funds from operations; cash available for distribution; productivity; expenses; margins; working capital; earnings or loss per share; adjusted earnings or loss per share; price per Share or dividends per share (or appreciation in and/or maintenance of such price or dividends); implementation or completion of critical projects; market share; debt levels or reduction; comparisons with other stock market indices; financing and other capital raising transactions; acquisition activity; economic value-added;
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customer satisfaction, earnings as a multiple of interest expense; and total capital invested in assets, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms for the Company or an Affiliate or any operating unit of the Company or an Affiliate or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease, or relative to or as compared to performance of other companies or to market performance indicators or indices.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide that one or more adjustments shall be made to one or more of the performance goals (including any individual component of any of the performance goals) to reflect any items that it deems appropriate, including (but not limited to), items relating to any unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in Applicable Law, accounting principles or business conditions.
2.44 Performance Share shall mean a contractual right awarded under Section 7.4 hereof to receive a number of Shares or the Fair Market Value of such number of Shares in cash based on the attainment of specified Performance Criteria or other criteria determined by the Administrator.
2.45 Permitted Transferee shall mean, with respect to a Participant, any family member of the Participant, as defined under the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act or any successor Form thereto, or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator, after taking into account Applicable Law.
2.46 Plan shall mean this Amended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
2.47 Pricing Date means the date upon which the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the registered underwritten public offering of shares of Common Stock becomes effective.
2.48 Program shall mean any program adopted by the Administrator pursuant to the Plan containing the terms and conditions intended to govern a specified type of Award granted under the Plan and pursuant to which such type of Award may be granted under the Plan.
2.49 REIT shall mean a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.
2.50 Restricted Stock shall mean an award of Shares made under Article 6 hereof that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture.
2.51 Restricted Stock Unit shall mean a contractual right awarded under Section 7.3 hereof to receive in the future a Share or the Fair Market Value of a Share in cash.
2.52 Securities Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2.53 Share Limit shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(a) hereof.
2.54 Shares shall mean shares of Common Stock.
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2.55 Stock Appreciation Right shall mean an Award entitling the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion thereof (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per share of such Award from the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of such Award by the number of Shares with respect to which such Award shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Administrator may impose.
2.56 Stock Payment shall mean a payment in the form of Shares awarded under Section 7.2 hereof.
2.57 Subsidiary shall mean (a) a corporation, association or other business entity of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, the Operating Partnership and/or by one or more Subsidiaries, (b) any partnership or limited liability company of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the equity interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, the Operating Partnership and/or by one or more Subsidiaries, and (c) any other entity not described in clauses (a) or (b) above of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the ownership and the power (whether voting interests or otherwise), pursuant to a written contract or agreement, to direct the policies and management or the financial and the other affairs thereof, are owned or controlled by the Company, the Operating Partnership and/or by one or more Subsidiaries.
2.58 Substitute Award shall mean an Award granted under the Plan in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock, in any case, upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, an outstanding equity award previously granted by a company or other entity that is a party to such transaction; provided, however, that in no event shall the term Substitute Award be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
2.59 Termination of Service shall mean, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator:
(a) As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of a Participant as a Consultant to the Company and its Affiliates is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Consultant simultaneously commences or remains in employment and/or service as an Employee and/or Director with the Company or any Affiliate.
(b) As to a Non-Employee Director, the time when a Participant who is a Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment and/or service as an Employee and/or Consultant with the Company or any Affiliate.
(c) As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Participant and the Company and its Affiliates is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in service as a Consultant and/or Director with the Company or any Affiliate.
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The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to any Termination of Service, including, without limitation, whether a Termination of Service has occurred, whether any Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for cause and whether any particular leave of absence constitutes a Termination of Service; provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, unless the Administrator otherwise provides in the terms of any Program, Award Agreement or otherwise, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, a leave of absence, change in status from an employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Service only if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code. For purposes of the Plan, a Participants employee-employer relationship or consultancy relationship shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Affiliate employing or contracting with such Participant ceases to remain an Affiliate following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off).
ARTICLE 3.
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
3.1 Number of Shares.
(a) Subject to Section 3.1(b) and Section 10.2 hereof, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan is equal to the sum of (i) 12,500,000 Shares plus (ii) an annual increase on the first day of each calendar year beginning on and including January 1, 2025 and ending on and including January 1, 2034, equal to (A) a number of Shares equal to 1% of the sum of (I) the aggregate number of Shares outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, plus (II) the aggregate number of Partnership Common Units (other than Partnership Common Units that are held by the Company and other than any Partnership Common Units resulting from the conversion of LTIP Units) outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, plus (III) the aggregate number of Lineage Holdings OPEUs outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, plus (IV) the aggregate number of Legacy Units outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, or (B) such smaller number of Shares as is determined by the Board (the Share Limit). In order that the applicable regulations under the Code relating to Incentive Stock Options be satisfied, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall be 12,500,000 Shares (or such lesser number as may be available under the Share Limit). Each LTIP Unit issued pursuant to an Award shall count as one Share for purposes of calculating the aggregate number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan as set forth in this Section 3.1(a) and for purposes of calculating the Non-Employee Director Award Limit set forth in Section 3.3 hereof.
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(b) If any Award or Shares subject to an Award are forfeited or expire or such Award is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the Shares subject to such Award shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, again be available for future grants of Awards under the Plan and shall be added back to the Share Limit in the same number of Shares as were debited from the Share Limit in respect of the grant of such Award (as may be adjusted in accordance with Section 10.2 hereof). Further, Shares delivered (either by actual delivery or attestation) to the Company by a Participant to satisfy the applicable exercise or purchase price of an Award and/or to satisfy any applicable tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award (including Shares retained by the Company from the Award being exercised or purchased and/or creating the tax obligation) will, as applicable, become or again be available for Award grants under the Plan, in each case, prior to the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be added back to the Share Limit and will not be available for future grants of Awards: (i) Shares subject to Stock Appreciation Rights that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right on exercise thereof and (ii) Shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of Options. Any Shares repurchased by the Company under Section 6.4 hereof at the same price paid by the Participant such that such Shares are returned to the Company will again be available for Awards. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(b), no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.
(c) Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan, except to the extent required by reason of Section 422 of the Code. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate, or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines, has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by its stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan to the extent that grants of Awards using such available shares are (i) permitted without stockholder approval under the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed and (ii) made only to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.
3.2 Stock Distributed. Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Common Stock or Common Stock purchased on the open market.
3.3 Non-Employee Director Award Limit. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to Section 10.2 hereof, the sum of any cash compensation and the value (determined as of the date of grant under Applicable Accounting Standards) of Awards granted to any Non-Employee Director during any calendar year may not exceed $1,000,000 (the Non-Employee Director Award Limit). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards resulting from the exchange, conversion, settlement, redemption or distribution in respect of LMEP Awards shall not count against the Non-Employee Director Award Limit.
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ARTICLE 4.
GRANTING OF AWARDS
4.1 Participation. The Administrator may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom one or more Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award, which shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Plan. No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.
4.2 Award Agreement. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement stating the terms and conditions applicable to such Award, consistent with the requirements of the Plan and any applicable Program. Award Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
4.3 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, with respect to any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, any applicable Program and the applicable Award Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b 3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule, and such additional limitations shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into such Award to the extent permitted by Applicable Law.
4.4 No Right to Continued Service. Nothing in the Plan or in any Program or Award Agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue as an Employee, Director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or any Affiliate, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, and with or without notice, or to terminate or change all other terms and conditions of any Participants employment or engagement, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate.
4.5 Foreign Participants. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an applicable Program to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Affiliates operate or have Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants, or in order to comply with the requirements of any foreign securities exchange or Applicable Law, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Affiliates shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which Eligible Individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange; (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms, conditions and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable (any such subplans and/or modification shall be attached to the Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the Share Limit or the Non-Employee Director Award Limit contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 hereof, respectively; and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange.
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4.6 Stand-Alone and Tandem Awards. Awards granted pursuant to the Plan may, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted pursuant to the Plan. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.
ARTICLE 5.
OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
5.1 General. The Administrator is authorized to grant Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine which shall not be inconsistent with the Plan. The Administrator will determine the number of Shares covered by each Option and Stock Appreciation Right, the exercise price of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right and the conditions and limitations applicable to the vesting and exercise of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right. A Stock Appreciation Right will entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right) to receive from the Company upon exercise of the exercisable portion of the Stock Appreciation Right an amount determined by multiplying the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price per Share of the Stock Appreciation Right by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, subject to any limitations of the Plan or that the Administrator may impose and payable in cash, Shares valued at Fair Market Value or a combination of the two as the Administrator may determine or provide in the Award Agreement.
5.2 Qualification of Incentive Stock Options. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any person who is not an Employee of the Company or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company (as defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively). No person who qualifies as a Greater Than 10% Stockholder may be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless such Incentive Stock Option conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan may be modified by the Administrator, with the consent of the Participant, to disqualify such Option from treatment as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of stock with respect to which incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under the Plan and all other plans of the Company or any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company (as defined in Section 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code. The rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Incentive Stock Options and options that are intended to be incentive stock options under other plans of the Company into account in the order in which they were granted and the fair market value of stock shall be determined as of the time the respective options were granted. In addition, to the extent that any Options otherwise fail to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. Any interpretations and rules under the Plan with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
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5.3 Option and Stock Appreciation Right Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share subject to each Option and Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, is granted (or, as to Incentive Stock Options, on the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). In addition, in the case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, such price shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per share of the Shares subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the exercise price of any Substitute Award shall be determined in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 424 and 409A of the Code.
5.4 Option and SAR Term. The term of each Option and the term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term shall not be more than ten (10) years from the date the Option or Stock Appreciation Rights, as applicable, is granted, or five (5) years from the date an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder. The Administrator shall determine the time period, including the time period following a Termination of Service, during which the Participant has the right to exercise the vested Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, which time period may not extend beyond the stated term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may determine that in the event that on the last business day of the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right (other than an Incentive Stock Option) (i) the exercise of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right is prohibited by Applicable Law, as determined by the Company, or (ii) Shares may not be purchased or sold by the applicable Participant due to any Company insider trading policy (including blackout periods) or a lock-up agreement undertaken in connection with an issuance of securities by the Company, the term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be extended until the date that is 30 days after the end of the legal prohibition, black-out period or lock-up agreement, as determined by the Company; provided, however, in no event shall the extension last beyond the ten year term of the applicable Option or Stock Appreciation Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws, the Administrator may provide in the terms of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right that if the Participant, prior to the end of the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, violates the non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other similar restrictive covenant provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the right of the Participant and the Participants transferees to exercise any Option or Stock Appreciation Right issued to the Participant shall terminate immediately upon such violation, unless the Company otherwise determines.
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5.5 Exercise and Payment.
(a) Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised by delivering to the Company a written notice of exercise, in a form prescribed by the Administrator (which may be electronic), signed by the person authorized to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, together with, as applicable, payment in full (i) as specified in Section 5.5(b) below for the number of Shares for which the Award is exercised and (ii) as specified in Section 8.2 below for any applicable taxes. Unless the Administrator otherwise determines, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
(b) Subject to any Company insider trading policy (including blackout periods) and Applicable Laws, the exercise price of an Option must be paid by:
(i) cash, wire transfer of immediately available funds or by check payable to the order of the Company, provided that the Company may limit the use of one of the foregoing payment forms if one or more of the payment forms below is permitted;
(ii) if there is a public market for Shares at the time of exercise, unless the Company otherwise determines, (A) delivery (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price, or (B) the Participants delivery to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Administrator;
(iii) to the extent permitted by the Administrator, delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of Shares owned by the Participant valued at their fair market value;
(iv) to the extent permitted by the Administrator, surrendering Shares then issuable upon the Options exercise valued at their fair market value on the exercise date;
(v) to the extent permitted by the Administrator, delivery of a promissory note or any other property that the Administrator determines is good and valuable consideration; or
(vi) to the extent permitted by the Company, any combination of the above payment forms approved by the Administrator.
ARTICLE 6.
RESTRICTED STOCK
6.1 Award of Restricted Stock.
(a) The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Individuals, and shall determine the terms and conditions, including the restrictions applicable to each award of Restricted Stock, which terms and conditions shall not be inconsistent with the Plan or any applicable Program, and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate.
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(b) The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if a purchase price is charged, such purchase price shall be no less than the par value of the Shares to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock to the extent required by Applicable Law.
6.2 Rights as Stockholders. Subject to Section 6.4 hereof, upon issuance of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, all the rights of a stockholder with respect to said shares, subject to the restrictions in the Plan, an applicable Program or in the applicable Award Agreement, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the shares; provided, however, that, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, any extraordinary distributions with respect to the shares may be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.3 hereof. In addition, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, dividends payable on Shares underlying Restricted Stock Awards which are paid prior to vesting shall only be paid out to the Participant to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied.
6.3 Restrictions. All shares of Restricted Stock (including any shares received by Participants thereof with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall be subject to such restrictions and vesting requirements as the Administrator shall provide in the applicable Program or Award Agreement.
6.4 Repurchase or Forfeiture of Restricted Stock. Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, if no purchase price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service, the Participants rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall lapse and be forfeited, and such Restricted Stock shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled without consideration on the date of such Termination of Service. If a purchase price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Participant the unvested Restricted Stock then-subject to restrictions at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the Participant for such Restricted Stock or such other amount as may be specified in an applicable Program or the applicable Award Agreement. The Administrator in its sole discretion may provide that, upon certain events, including without limitation a Change in Control, the Participants death, retirement or disability, any other specified Termination of Service or any other event, the Participants rights in unvested Restricted Stock shall not terminate, such Restricted Stock shall vest and cease to be forfeitable and, if applicable, the Company shall cease to have a right of repurchase.
6.5 Certificates/Book Entries for Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator shall determine. Certificates or book entries evidencing shares of Restricted Stock must include an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company may, in its sole discretion, retain physical possession of any stock certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.
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ARTICLE 7.
DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS; STOCK PAYMENTS; RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS; PERFORMANCE SHARES; OTHER INCENTIVE AWARDS; LTIP UNITS
7.1 Dividend Equivalents.
(a) Subject to Section 7.1(b) hereof, Dividend Equivalents may be granted by the Administrator, either alone or in tandem with another Award, based on dividends declared on the Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between the date the Dividend Equivalents are granted to a Participant (or such other date as may be determined by the Administrator) and the date such Dividend Equivalents terminate or expire, as determined by the Administrator. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Administrator. In addition, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, (i) Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award granted on or after the Effective Date that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such Award shall only be paid out to the Participant to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied, and (ii) no Dividend Equivalents shall be paid with respect to dividends that are paid prior to the Pricing Date or for which the record date occurs prior to the Pricing Date.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
7.2 Stock Payments. The Administrator is authorized to make one or more Stock Payments to any Eligible Individual. The number or value of Shares of any Stock Payment shall be determined by the Administrator and may be based upon one or more Performance Criteria or any other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, determined by the Administrator. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, Stock Payments may, but are not required to be made in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees or other cash compensation otherwise payable to such Eligible Individual. Stock Payments shall include the issuance of Shares to any Eligible Individual in exchange for, upon, or in connection with, the redemption or settlement of LMEP Awards and/or the redemption or settlement of Partnership Common Units or Legacy Units issued in respect of LMEP Awards, in each case, held by such Eligible Individual.
7.3 Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Individual. The number and terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Units shall be determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall become vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate, including conditions based on one or more Performance Criteria or other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, in each case, on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall specify, or may permit the Participant to elect, the conditions and dates upon which the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units shall be issued, which dates shall not be earlier than the date as of which the Restricted Stock Units vest and become nonforfeitable and which conditions and dates shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of Section 409A or an exemption therefrom. On the distribution dates, the Company shall issue to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable Share (or the Fair Market Value of one such Share in cash) for each vested and nonforfeitable Restricted Stock Unit.
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7.4 Performance Share Awards. Any Eligible Individual selected by the Administrator may be granted one or more Performance Share awards which shall be denominated in a number or range of Shares and the vesting of which may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria, other specific performance criteria (in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator) and/or time-vesting or other criteria, as determined by the Administrator.
7.5 Other Incentive Awards. Other Incentive Awards may be granted to Participants, including Awards entitling Participants to receive Shares to be delivered in the future and including annual or other periodic or long-term cash bonus awards (whether based on specified Performance Criteria or otherwise), in each case subject to any conditions and limitations in the Plan. Such Other Incentive Awards will also be available as a payment form in the settlement of other Awards, as standalone payments or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Incentive Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Administrator.
7.6 LTIP Units. The Administrator is authorized to grant LTIP Units in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Administrator; provided, however, that LTIP Units may only be issued to a Participant for the performance of services to or for the benefit of the Operating Partnership (a) in the Participants capacity as a partner of the Operating Partnership, (b) in anticipation of the Participant becoming a partner of the Operating Partnership, or (c) as otherwise determined by the Administrator, provided that the LTIP Units are intended to constitute profits interests within the meaning of the Code, including, to the extent applicable, Revenue Procedure 93-27, 1993-2 C.B. 343 and Revenue Procedure 2001-43, 2001-2 C.B. 191. The Administrator shall specify the conditions and dates upon which the LTIP Units vest and become nonforfeitable. LTIP Units shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement and such other restrictions, including restrictions on transferability, as the Administrator may impose. These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Administrator determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter.
7.7 Other Terms and Conditions. All applicable terms and conditions of each Award described in this Article 7, including without limitation, as applicable, the term, vesting conditions and exercise/purchase price applicable to the Award, shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE 8.
ADDITIONAL TERMS OF AWARDS
8.1 Delivery of Shares. The Administrator shall also determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants.
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8.2 Tax Withholding. The Company and its Affiliates shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company or an Affiliate, including through the Agents electronic platform, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participants social security, Medicare and any other employment tax obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising in connection with any Award. In satisfaction of the foregoing requirement or in satisfaction of any additional tax withholding, the Company may satisfy, or may allow a Participant to satisfy, such obligations by any payment means described in Section 5.5(b) hereof, including, without limitation, by withholding, or allowing such Participant to elect to have the Company or an Affiliate withhold, Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the surrender of Shares). The number of Shares which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of Shares which have a fair market value on the date of withholding or repurchase no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the maximum individual statutory withholding rates in the applicable jurisdiction. The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the Shares, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise involving the sale of Shares to pay the Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.
8.3 Transferability of Awards.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.3(b) or (c) hereof:
(i) No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed;
(ii) No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for or otherwise subject to the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy) unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed, and any attempted disposition of an Award prior to the satisfaction of these conditions shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by clause (i) of this provision; and
(iii) During the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise any exercisable portion of an Award granted to him or her under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO. After the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement, be exercised by his or her personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participants will or under the then-Applicable Laws of descent and distribution.
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(b) Notwithstanding Section 8.3(a) hereof, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant or a Permitted Transferee of such Participant to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option (unless such Incentive Stock Option is to become a Non-Qualified Stock Option) to any one or more Permitted Transferees of such Participant, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee (other than to another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant) other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Participant (other than the ability to further transfer the Award); and (iii) any permitted transfer of an Award hereunder shall be without consideration, except as required by Applicable Law; and (iv) the Participant (or transferring Permitted Transferee) and the Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including without limitation, documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under applicable federal, state and foreign securities laws and (C) evidence the transfer. In addition, and further notwithstanding Section 8.3(a) hereof, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant to transfer Incentive Stock Options to a trust that constitutes a Permitted Transferee if, under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law, the Participant is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Incentive Stock Option while it is held in the trust.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 8.3(a) hereof, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participants death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Program or Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. The Administrator may provide or require that, if the Participant is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under Applicable Law and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participants spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as his or her beneficiary with respect to more than fifty percent (50%) of the Participants interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Participants spouse or domestic partner. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participants will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is delivered to the Administrator in writing prior to the Participants death.
8.4 Conditions to Issuance of Shares.
(a) The Administrator shall determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Company nor its Affiliates shall be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with Applicable Law, and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement, an applicable exemption from registration or an exemption to publish a prospectus under the laws of any jurisdiction. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such Applicable Law.
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(b) All Share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with Applicable Law. The Administrator may place legends on any Share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares.
(c) The Administrator shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.
(d) No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding as determined by the Administrator.
(e) The Company, in its sole discretion, may (i) retain physical possession of any stock certificate evidencing Shares until any restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and/or (ii) require that the stock certificates evidencing such Shares be held in custody by a designated escrow agent (which may but need not be the Company) until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that the Participant deliver a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to such Shares.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by Applicable Law, the Company and/or its Affiliates may, in lieu of delivering to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award, record the issuance of Shares in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).
8.5 Forfeiture and Clawback Provisions.
(a) Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the Plan, the Administrator shall have the right to provide, in the terms of Awards made under the Plan, or to require a Participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument, that: (i) any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award, must be paid to the Company, and (ii) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of the Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (x) a Termination of Service occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, (y) the Participant at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further defined by the Administrator or (z) the Participant incurs a Termination of Service for cause (determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion); and
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(b) All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by a Participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) shall be subject to the applicable provisions of any clawback policy implemented by the Company, whether implemented prior to or after the grant of such Award, including without limitation, the Companys Policy for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation and any other clawback policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such clawback policy and/or in the applicable Award Agreement.
8.6 Prohibition on Repricing. Subject to Section 10.2 hereof, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (a) authorize the amendment of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce its price per share, or (b) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Stock Appreciation Right price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares. Subject to Section 10.2 hereof, the Administrator shall have the authority, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, to amend any outstanding Award to increase the price per share or to cancel and replace an Award with the grant of an Award having a price per share that is greater than or equal to the price per share of the original Award.
8.7 Leave of Absence. Unless the Administrator otherwise determines, (i) the vesting of Awards granted hereunder shall be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence, and (ii) a Participant shall not cease to be considered an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant, as applicable, in the case of any (a) leave of absence approved by the Company, (b) transfer between locations of the Company or between the Company and any of its Affiliates or any successor thereof, or (c) change in status (Employee to Director, Employee to Consultant, etc.), provided that such change does not affect the specific terms applying to the Participants Award.
ARTICLE 9.
ADMINISTRATION
9.1 Administrator. Prior to the Closing Date, the Board shall administer the Plan. On and following the Closing Date, the Committee (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein) and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, from and after the Closing Date shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors of the Company appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is intended to qualify as a non-employee director as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and an independent director under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, in each case, to the extent required under such provision; provided, however, that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 9.1 or otherwise provided in the Organizational Documents. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, Awards granted to
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individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be granted and administered by the full Board or by action solely of two or more non-employee directors as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act. Except as may otherwise be provided in the Organizational Documents, appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment, Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written or electronic notice to the Board, and vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors of the Company and (b) the Board or Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 9.6 hereof.
9.2 Duties and Powers of Administrator. It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and all Programs and Award Agreements, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and any Program as are not inconsistent with the Plan, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend any Program or Award Agreement provided that the rights or obligations of the holder of the Award that is the subject of any such Program or Award Agreement are not materially adversely affected by such amendment, unless the consent of the Participant is obtained or such amendment is otherwise permitted under Section 10.16 hereof. Any such interpretations and rules with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee in its capacity as the Administrator under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b 3 under the Exchange Act or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.
9.3 Action by the Committee. Unless otherwise established by the Board or in the Organizational Documents or as required by Applicable Law, a majority of the Administrator shall constitute a quorum and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by all members of the Administrator in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Administrator. Each member of the Administrator is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Affiliate, the Companys independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.
9.4 Authority of Administrator. Subject to any specific designation in the Plan and Applicable Law, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:
(a) Designate Eligible Individuals to receive Awards;
(b) Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Individual;
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(c) Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;
(d) Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any Performance Criteria, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion determines;
(e) Determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;
(f) Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;
(g) Determine as between the Company, the Operating Partnership and any Subsidiary which entity will make payments with respect to an Award, consistent with applicable securities laws and other Applicable Law;
(h) Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;
(i) Establish, adopt, or revise any Programs, rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;
(j) Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement; and
(k) Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.
9.5 Decisions Binding. The Administrators interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.
9.6 Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Article 9; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (b) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under the Organizational Documents and other Applicable Law. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the
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Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation or that are otherwise included in the applicable Organizational Documents, and the Board or Committee, as applicable, may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 9.6 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and the Board or the Committee may abolish any committee at any time and re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority.
ARTICLE 10.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
10.1 Effectiveness; Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.
(a) The Plan (as amended and restated) will become effective on the date on which it is adopted by the Board (the Effective Date), subject to approval thereof by the Companys stockholders, and will remain in effect until the Expiration Date (as defined below) or such earlier date on which the Plan is terminated by the Board in accordance herewith. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.1, the Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board; provided that, except as provided in Section 10.16 hereof, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Participant, materially impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event may any Award be granted under the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date on which the Plan (as amended and restated) was adopted by the Board or (ii) the date on which the Plan (as amended and restated) was approved by the Companys stockholders (such anniversary, the Expiration Date). Any Awards that are outstanding on the Expiration Date shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 10.1(a), the Administrator may not, except as provided in Section 10.2, take any of the following actions without approval of the Companys stockholders given within twelve (12) months before or after the action by the Administrator: (i) increase the Share Limit or the Non-Employee Director Award Limit, (ii) reduce the price per share of any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan, or (iii) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award in violation of Section 8.6 hereof.
10.2 Changes in Common Stock or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events.
(a) In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of the Companys stock or the share price of the Companys stock other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator may make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to (i) the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the Share Limit and the Non-Employee Director Award Limit); (ii) the number and kind of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and/or (iv) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan.
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(b) In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 10.2(a) hereof or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in Applicable Law or Applicable Accounting Standards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in Applicable Law or Applicable Accounting Standards:
(i) To provide for the termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or other property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participants rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 10.2, the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participants rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment);
(ii) To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and applicable exercise or purchase price;
(iii) To make adjustments in the number and type of securities subject to outstanding Awards and Awards which may be granted in the future and/or in the terms, conditions and criteria included in such Awards (including the grant or exercise price, as applicable);
(iv) To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all securities covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or an applicable Program or Award Agreement;
(v) To replace such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion; and/or
(vi) To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.
(c) In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 10.2(a) and 10.2(b) hereof:
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(i) The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted; and/or
(ii) The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments to the Share Limit and the Non-Employee Director Award Limit).
The adjustments provided under this Section 10.2(c) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company.
(d) Except as may otherwise be provided in any applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement entered into between the Company (or an Affiliate) and a Participant, if a Change in Control occurs and a Participants outstanding Awards are not continued, converted, assumed, or replaced by the surviving or successor entity in such Change in Control, then, immediately prior to the Change in Control, such outstanding Awards, to the extent not continued, converted, assumed, or replaced, shall become fully vested and, as applicable, exercisable, and all forfeiture, repurchase and other restrictions on such Awards shall lapse (with the performance conditions of Awards subject to performance-based vesting deemed satisfied at (A) the actual achievement of applicable performance goals through the date of such Change in Control or (B) if the Administrator determines that such actual achievement set forth in clause (A) hereof cannot reasonably be determined, target level of performance, unless specifically provided otherwise under the applicable Award Agreement), in which case, such Awards will be canceled upon the consummation of the Change in Control in exchange for the right to receive the Change in Control consideration payable to other holders of Common Stock, which may be on such terms and conditions as apply generally to holders of Common Stock under the Change in Control documents (including, without limitation, any escrow, earn-out or other deferred consideration provisions) or such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may provide, and determined by reference to the number of Shares subject to such Awards and net of any applicable exercise price; provided that to the extent that any Awards constitute nonqualified deferred compensation that may not be paid upon the Change in Control under Section 409A without the imposition of taxes thereon under Section 409A, the timing of such payments shall be governed by the applicable Award Agreement (subject to any deferred consideration provisions applicable under the Change in Control documents); and provided, further, that if the amount to which a Participant would be entitled upon the settlement or exercise of such Award at the time of the Change in Control is equal to or less than zero, then such Award may be terminated without payment. Upon, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control, the Administrator may cause any and all Awards outstanding hereunder to terminate at a specific time in the future, including but not limited to the date of such Change in Control, and shall give each Participant the right to exercise such Awards during a period of time as the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine.
(e) The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.
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(f) Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, no adjustment or action described in this Section 10.2 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent it would (i) cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, (ii) result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, or (iii) cause an Award to fail to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A.
(g) The existence of the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and/or any Award granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company, the stockholders of the Company or any Affiliate to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Companys or such Affiliates capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, any issue of stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock, the securities of any Affiliate or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or securities of any Affiliate, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
(h) In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the Shares or the share price of the Common Stock including any Equity Restructuring, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Company in its sole discretion may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of any such transaction.
10.3 Approval of Plan by Stockholders. The Plan (as amended and restated) shall be submitted for the approval of the Companys stockholders within twelve (12) months after the date of the Boards initial adoption of the Plan (as amended and restated). Awards may be granted or awarded under the Plan (as amended and restated) prior to such stockholder approval, provided, however, that such Awards shall not be exercisable, shall not vest and the restrictions thereon shall not lapse and no Shares shall be issued pursuant thereto prior to the time when the Plan (as amended and restated) is approved by the Companys stockholders, and provided, further, that if such approval has not been obtained at the end of such twelve (12)-month period, all such Awards previously granted or awarded under the Plan (as amended and restated) shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void.
10.4 No Stockholders Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein or in an applicable Program or Award Agreement, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record owner of such Shares.
10.5 Paperless Administration. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
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10.6 Section 83(b) Election. No Participant may make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to any Award under the Plan without the consent of the Administrator, which the Administrator may grant (prospectively or retroactively) or withhold in its sole discretion. If, with the consent of the Administrator, a Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Award as of the date of transfer of the Award rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Participant shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service.
10.7 Grant of Awards to Certain Employees or Consultants. The Company, the Operating Partnership or any Subsidiary may provide through the establishment of a formal written policy or otherwise for the method by which Shares or other securities of the Company or the Operating Partnership may be issued and by which such Shares or other securities and/or payment therefor may be exchanged or contributed among such entities, or may be returned upon any forfeiture of Shares or other securities by the Participant.
10.8 REIT Status. The Plan shall be interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the Companys status as a REIT. No Award shall be granted or awarded, and with respect to any Award granted under the Plan, such Award shall not vest, be exercisable or be settled:
(a) to the extent that the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of such Award could cause the Participant or any other person to be in violation of (i) any provision of Article VII of the Companys charter (as amended from time to time), or (ii) following the Companys initial public offering, the Common Stock Ownership Limit or the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit (each as defined in the Companys charter, as amended from time to time); or
(b) if, in the discretion of the Administrator, the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of such Award could impair the Companys status as a REIT.
10.9 Effect of Plan upon Other Compensation Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Affiliate. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any Affiliate: (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any Affiliate or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including without limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.
10.10 Compliance with Laws. The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan, the issuance and delivery of Shares and LTIP Units and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all Applicable Law and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure
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compliance with all Applicable Law. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to effect compliance with Applicable Law, including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such Applicable Law.
10.11 Data Privacy. As a condition to receiving any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this section by and among the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates exclusively for implementing, administering and managing the Participants participation in the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including the Participants name, address and telephone number; birthdate; social security, insurance number or other identification number; salary; nationality; job title(s); any Shares held in the Company or its Subsidiaries and Affiliates; and Award details, to implement, manage and administer the Plan and Awards (the Data). The Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary to implement, administer and manage a Participants participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates may transfer the Data to third parties assisting the Company with Plan implementation, administration and management. These recipients may be located in the Participants country, or elsewhere, and the Participants country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients country. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, to implement, administer and manage the Participants participation in the Plan, including any required Data transfer to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participants participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data that the Company holds regarding such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data regarding such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data regarding the Participant or refuse or withdraw the consents in this Section 10.11 in writing, without cost, by contacting the local human resources representative. The Company may cancel Participants ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Administrators discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents in this Section 10.11. For more information on the consequences of refusing or withdrawing consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.
10.12 Lock-Up Period. The Company may, at the request of any underwriter representative or otherwise, in connection with registering the offering of any Company securities under the Securities Act, prohibit Participants from, directly or indirectly, selling or otherwise transferring any Shares or other Company securities during a period of up to one hundred eighty days following the effective date of a Company registration statement filed under the Securities Act, or such longer period as determined by the underwriter.
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10.13 Restrictions on Shares. Any Shares issued in connection with an Award shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion. Such terms and conditions may, in the Administrators sole discretion, be contained in the Award Agreement with respect to the Award or in such other agreement as the Administrator shall determine and which the Participant hereby agrees to enter into at the request of the Company.
10.14 Titles and Headings, References to Sections of the Code or Exchange Act. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall include any amendment or successor thereto.
10.15 Governing Law. The Plan and any Programs or Award Agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Maryland without regard to conflicts of laws thereof.
10.16 Section 409A. To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A, the Plan, any applicable Program and the Award Agreement covering such Award shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that, following the effectiveness of the Plan, the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan, any applicable Program and the Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of taxes on the Award under Section 409A, either through compliance with the requirements of Section 409A or with an available exemption therefrom. The Company makes no representations or warranties as to the tax treatment of any Award under Section 409A or otherwise. The Company shall have no obligation under this Section 10.16 or otherwise to take any action (whether or not described herein) to avoid the imposition of taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and shall have no liability to any Participant or any other person if any Award, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute non-compliant, nonqualified deferred compensation subject to the imposition of taxes, penalties and/or interest under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or any Award Agreement, any payment(s) of nonqualified deferred compensation required to be made under an Award to a specified employee (as defined under Section 409A and as the Administrator determines) due to his or her separation from service will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, be delayed for the six-month period immediately following such separation from service (or, if earlier, until the specified employees death) and will instead be paid (as set forth in the Award Agreement) on the day immediately following such six-month period or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter (without interest). Any payments of nonqualified deferred compensation under such Award payable more than six months following the Participants separation from service will be paid at the time or times the payments are otherwise scheduled to be made.
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10.17 No Rights to Awards. No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Participants or any other persons uniformly.
10.18 Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.
10.19 Indemnification. To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Law and the Companys charter and bylaws, each member of the Board and any officer or other employee to whom authority to administer any component of the Plan is delegated shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided, however, that he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Organizational Documents, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
10.20 Relationship to other Benefits. No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.
10.21 Expenses. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates.
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Exhibit 10.13
TIME-BASED LTIP UNIT AGREEMENT
This LTIP Unit Agreement (this Agreement), dated as of (the Grant Date), is made by and between Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), Lineage OP, LP, a Maryland limited partnership (the Partnership), and (the Participant).
WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Amended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan (as amended from time to time, the Plan);
WHEREAS, the Company and the Partnership wish to carry out the Plan (the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement);
WHEREAS, Section 7.6 of the Plan provides for the issuance of LTIP Units to Eligible Individuals for the performance of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership in the Eligible Individuals capacity as a partner of the Partnership;
[WHEREAS, the Participant was previously awarded certain common units of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and/or LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC in connection with the Participants service with the Company and its Affiliates (LMEP Awards);]1 and
WHEREAS, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has determined that it would be to the advantage and in the best interest of the Company to issue the Award (as defined below) provided for herein to the Participant in recognition of the Participants service with the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Issuance of Award. Pursuant to the Plan, in consideration of the Participants agreement to provide services to or for the benefit of the Partnership, the Partnership hereby (a) issues to the Participant an award of LTIP Units (the Award) and (b) if not already a Partner, admits the Participant as a Partner of the Partnership on the terms and conditions set forth herein, in the Plan and in the Partnership Agreement. The Partnership and the Participant acknowledge and agree that the LTIP Units are hereby issued to the Participant for the performance of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership in his or her capacity as a Partner or in anticipation of the Participant becoming a Partner. Upon receipt of the Award, the Participant shall, automatically and without further action on his or her part, be deemed to be a party to, signatory of, and bound by the Partnership Agreement. At the request of the Partnership, the Participant shall execute the Partnership Agreement or a joinder or counterpart signature page thereto. The Participant acknowledges that the Partnership may from time to time issue or cancel (or otherwise modify) LTIP Units in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement. The Award shall have the rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption and conversion set forth herein, in the Plan and in the Partnership Agreement. [In addition, in consideration of and as a condition to the Participants receipt of the Award, the Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that all of the Participants unvested LMEP Awards have been and hereby are cancelled and terminated and the Participant shall have no further right, claim, entitlement or interest therein. Further, the Participant fully and irrevocably releases, waives, and discharges the Company and its Affiliates, and each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC (each of whom is intended to be and shall be an intended third-party beneficiary hereof), from any and all claims, obligations and liabilities with respect to such unvested LMEP Awards.]2
1 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included in agreements issued as LMEP replacements awards. |
2 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included in agreements issued as LMEP replacements awards. |
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2. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below. All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan and/or Partnership Agreement, as applicable.
(a) [Cause means (A) Cause as defined in the Participants employment agreement or offer letter with the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary if such agreement exists and contains a definition of Cause, or (B) Cause as defined in the Executive Severance Plan if the Participant is a participant in the Executive Severance Plan. If no such employment agreement or offer letter exists or does not contain a definition of Cause and if the Participant is not a participant in the Executive Severance Plan, then Cause means (i) the Participants commission of and/or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or crime of moral turpitude, (ii) the Participants willful engaging in misconduct in the performance of the Participants duties for the Company or its Affiliates or any successor employer, (iii) the Participants material breach of any written agreement between the Participant and any such entity, (iv) the Participants willful refusal to comply with a lawful and direct order of the Participants supervisor after warning that such refusal will result in a for Cause termination, (v) the Participants breach of any duty owed to the Company or its Affiliates or any successor employer and failure to cure such breach within ten days following a request to cure the same (by way of example and not limitation, such breaches include fraud, embezzlement, or breach of any restrictive covenant) or (vi) the Participants engaging in any other act (including making a public statement) or failure to engage in any act, which the Company determines in good faith to be materially detrimental or damaging to the reputation, operations, finances, prospects or business relations of the Company or its Affiliates or which acts are the subject of any similar determination by a successor employer. The findings and decision of the Company with respect to any Cause determination will be final and binding for all purposes.]3
(b) [Company Nonrenewal means the Companys election not to renew or extend the term of the Participants employment agreement with the Company, provided that the Participant (i) has continued to perform the services contemplated thereby in good faith and in accordance therewith until the completion of such term, and (ii) is willing to continue in employment with the Company on substantially the same terms of employment as in effect immediately prior to such termination.]4
(c) Disability means a disability that qualifies or, had the Participant been a participant, would qualify the Participant to receive long-term disability payments under the Companys group long-term disability insurance plan or program, as it may be amended from time to time.
(d) Executive Severance Plan means the Lineage, Inc. Executive Severance Plan, as may be amended from time to time.
(e) [Family Disability means Family Disability as defined in the Participants employment agreement with the Company.]5
(f) Good Reason means (i) Good Reason as defined in the Participants employment agreement or offer letter with the Company or a Subsidiary if the Participant is a party to such agreement or offer letter and such agreement or offer letter contains a definition of Good Reason, or (ii) Good Reason as defined in the Companys Executive Severance Plan if the Participant is a participant in the Executive Severance Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, if no such employment agreement or offer letter exists or such employment agreement or offer letter does not contain a definition of Good Reason, and Participant is not a participant in the Executive Severance Plan, then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Good Reason shall not be applicable with respect to the LTIP Units granted hereunder (or with respect to any accelerated vesting that would otherwise occur in connection with a termination of employment for Good Reason).
3 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
4 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
5 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
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(g) Qualifying Termination means a Termination of Service by reason of (i) the Participants death, (ii) a termination by the Company or any Subsidiary due to the Participants Disability, (iii) a termination by the Company or any Subsidiary without Cause, (iv) the Participants Retirement, (v) a termination by the Participant for Good Reason[, (vi) a termination by the Participant in the event of a Family Disability, or (vii) a Company Nonrenewal.]6
(h) Retirement means (i) Retirement as defined in the Participants employment agreement or offer letter with the Company or a Subsidiary if the Participant is a party to such agreement or offer letter and such agreement or offer letter contains a definition of Retirement, or (ii) Retirement as defined in the Companys Executive Severance Plan if the Participant is a participant in the Executive Severance Plan. If no such employment agreement or offer letter exists or does not contain a definition of Retirement and if the Participant is not a participant in the Executive Severance Plan, then Retirement means the Participants voluntary retirement as an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary on or after the date on which the Participant has (a) attained at least sixty (60) years of age and (b) completed at least ten (10) years of service with the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that the Participant has provided the Company or such Subsidiary with at least six (6) months advance written notice of the Participants retirement. For avoidance of doubt, if the Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason during such notice period, such termination shall not be deemed to have occurred by reason of the Participants Retirement for purposes of the LTIP Units.
(i) Service Provider means an Employee, Consultant or member of the Board, as applicable.
3. LTIP Units Subject to the Plan and Partnership Agreement; Transfer Restrictions.
(a) The Award and the LTIP Units are subject to the terms of the Plan and the terms of the Partnership Agreement, including, without limitation, the restrictions on transfer of Units (including, without limitation, LTIP Units) set forth in Article 11 and Section 16.6 of the Partnership Agreement. Any permitted transferee of the Award or LTIP Units shall take such Award or LTIP Units subject to the terms of the Plan, this Agreement, and the Partnership Agreement. Any such permitted transferee must, upon the request of the Partnership, agree to be bound by the Plan, the Partnership Agreement, and this Agreement, and shall execute the same on request, and must agree to such other waivers, limitations, and restrictions as the Partnership or the Company may reasonably require. Any Transfer of the Award or LTIP Units which is not made in compliance with the Plan, the Partnership Agreement and this Agreement shall be null and void and of no effect.
(b) Without the consent of the Administrator (which it may give or withhold in its sole discretion), the Participant shall not Transfer any unvested LTIP Units or any portion of the Award attributable to such unvested LTIP Units (or any securities into which such unvested LTIP Units are converted or exchanged), other than by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution (the Transfer Restrictions); provided, however, that the Transfer Restrictions shall not apply to any Transfer of unvested LTIP Units or of the Award to the Partnership or the Company.
4. Vesting. Subject to Section 5 below, the LTIP Units will vest in accordance with and subject to the vesting schedule set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, subject to the Participants continued status as a Service Provider through each applicable vesting date.
6 | Note to Draft: Applicable triggers to be included as appropriate. |
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5. Effect of Termination of Service.
(a) Termination of Service. Subject to Sections 5(b) and 5(c) below, in the event of the Participants Termination of Service for any reason, any and all LTIP Units that have not vested as of the date of such Termination of Service (after taking into account any accelerated vesting that occurs in connection with such termination) will automatically and without further action be cancelled and forfeited without payment of any consideration therefor, and the Participant shall have no further right to or interest in such LTIP Units. No LTIP Units which have not vested as of the date of the Participants Termination of Service shall thereafter become vested.
(b) Qualifying Termination. In the event that the Participant incurs a Qualifying Termination, the LTIP Units (to the extent not then-vested) will thereupon vest with respect to an additional number of LTIP Units equal to the number of LTIP Units that would have vested had the Participant continued as a Service Provider through the first regularly scheduled vesting date following the date of such Qualifying Termination (if any).
6. Execution and Return of Documents and Certificates. At the Companys or the Partnerships request, the Participant hereby agrees to promptly execute, deliver and return to the Partnership any and all documents or certificates that the Company or the Partnership deems necessary or desirable to effectuate the cancellation and forfeiture of the unvested LTIP Units and the portion of the Award attributable to the unvested LTIP Units, or to effectuate the transfer or surrender of such unvested LTIP Units and portion of the Award to the Partnership.
7. Covenants, Representations and Warranties. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that the Participant make such covenants, agreements, and representations with respect to the Award and the LTIP Units as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and/or requirements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Participant hereby represents, warrants, covenants, acknowledges and agrees on behalf of the Participant and his or her spouse, if applicable, that:
(a) Investment. The Participant is holding the Award and the LTIP Units for the Participants own account, and not for the account of any other Person. The Participant is holding the Award and the LTIP Units for investment and not with a view to distribution or resale thereof except in compliance with applicable laws regulating securities.
(b) Relation to the Partnership. The Participant is presently an executive officer and employee of, or consultant to, the Partnership, or is otherwise providing services to or for the benefit of the Partnership, and in such capacity has become personally familiar with the business of the Partnership.
(c) Access to Information. The Participant has had the opportunity to ask questions of, and to receive answers from, the Partnership with respect to the terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and with respect to the business, affairs, financial conditions, and results of operations of the Partnership.
(d) Registration. The Participant understands that the LTIP Units have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and the LTIP Units cannot be transferred by the Participant unless such transfer is registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. The Partnership has made no agreements, covenants or undertakings whatsoever to register the transfer of the LTIP Units under the Securities Act. The Partnership has made no representations, warranties, or covenants whatsoever as to whether any exemption from the Securities Act, including, without limitation, any exemption for limited sales in routine brokers transactions pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act, will be available. If an exemption under Rule 144 is available at all, it will not be available until at least six (6) months from issuance of the Award and then not unless the terms and conditions of Rule 144 have been satisfied.
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(e) Public Trading. None of the Partnerships securities are presently publicly traded, and the Partnership has made no representations, covenants or agreements as to whether there will be a public market for any of its securities.
(f) Tax Advice. Neither the Company nor the Partnership has made any warranties or representations to the Participant with respect to the income tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, with respect to the decision of whether to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code), and the Participant is in no manner relying on the Company, the Partnership or any of their representatives for an assessment of such tax consequences. The Participant is advised to consult with his or her own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of owning and disposing of the LTIP Units.
8. Capital Account. The Participant shall make no contribution of capital to the Partnership in connection with the Award and, as a result, the Participants Capital Account balance in the Partnership immediately after his or her receipt of the LTIP Units shall be equal to zero, unless the Participant was a Partner in the Partnership prior to such issuance, in which case the Participants Capital Account balance shall not be increased as a result of his or her receipt of the LTIP Units.
9. Redemption Rights. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Partnership Agreement, Partnership Units which are acquired upon the conversion of the LTIP Units shall not, without the consent of the Partnership (which may be given or withheld in its sole discretion), be redeemed pursuant to Sections 15.1 and 16.7 of the Partnership Agreement within two (2) years following the date of the issuance of such LTIP Units.
10. Section 83(b) Election. The Participant covenants that the Participant shall make a timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code (and any comparable election in the state of the Participants residence) with respect to the LTIP Units covered by the Award, and the Partnership hereby consents to the making of such election(s). In connection with such election, the Participant and the Participants spouse, if applicable, shall promptly provide a copy of such election to the Partnership. The Participant represents that the Participant has consulted any tax advisor(s) that the Participant deems advisable in connection with the filing of an election under Section 83(b) of the Code and similar state tax provisions. The Participant acknowledges that it is the Participants sole responsibility and not the Companys or the Partnerships to timely file an election under Section 83(b) of the Code (and any comparable state election), even if the Participant requests that the Company, the Partnership or any representative of the Company or the Partnership make such filing on the Participants behalf. The Participant should consult his or her tax advisor to determine if there is a comparable election to file in the state of his or her residence.
11. Ownership Information. The Participant hereby covenants that so long as the Participant holds any LTIP Units, at the request of the Partnership, the Participant shall disclose to the Partnership in writing such information relating to the Participants ownership of the LTIP Units as the Partnership reasonably believes to be necessary or desirable to ascertain in order to comply with the Code or the requirements of any other appropriate taxing authority.
12. Taxes. The Partnership and the Participant intend that (i) the LTIP Units be treated as a profits interest as defined in Internal Revenue Service Revenue Procedure 93-27, as clarified by Revenue Procedure 2001-43, (ii) the issuance and the vesting of the LTIP Units shall not be taxable events to the Partnership or the Participant as provided in such revenue procedure, and (iii) the Partnership Agreement, the Plan and this Agreement be interpreted consistently with such intent. In furtherance of such intent, effective immediately prior to the issuance of the LTIP Units, the Partnership may revalue all Partnership assets to their respective gross fair market values, and make the resulting adjustments to the Capital Accounts (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) of the Partners, in each case as set forth in the Partnership Agreement. The Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary may withhold from the Participants wages, or require the Participant to pay to such entity, any applicable withholding or employment taxes resulting from the issuance of the Award hereunder, from the vesting or lapse of any restrictions imposed on the Award, or from the ownership or disposition of the LTIP Units.
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13. Remedies. The Participant shall be liable to the Partnership for all costs and damages, including incidental and consequential damages, resulting from a disposition of the Award or the LTIP Units which is in violation of the provisions of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Participant agrees that the Partnership shall be entitled to obtain specific performance of the obligations of the Participant under this Agreement and immediate injunctive relief in the event any action or proceeding is brought in equity to enforce the same. The Participant will not urge as a defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.
14. Restrictions on Public Sale by the Participant. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, the Participant agrees not to effect any sale or distribution of the LTIP Units or any similar security of the Company or the Partnership, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, during the fourteen (14) days prior to, and during the up to 180-day period beginning on, the date of the pricing of any public or private debt or equity securities offering by the Company or the Partnership (except as part of such offering), if and to the extent requested in writing by the Partnership or the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public or private offering or if and to the extent requested in writing by the managing underwriter or underwriters (or initial purchaser or initial purchasers, as the case may be) and consented to by the Partnership or the Company, which consent may be given or withheld in the Partnerships or the Companys sole and absolute discretion, in the case of an underwritten public or private offering (such agreement to be in the form of a lock-up agreement provided by the Company, the Partnership, managing underwriter or underwriters, or initial purchaser or initial purchasers, as the case may be).
15. Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including, but not limited to the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, including without limitation the applicable exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or other governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Partnership or the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Award of LTIP Units is made, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan, this Agreement and the Award shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.
16. Code Section 409A. To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the effective date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that following the effective date of this Agreement, the Company or the Partnership determines that the Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the effective date of this Agreement), the Company or the Partnership may adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company or the Partnership determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance; provided, however, that this Section 16 shall not create any obligation on the part of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any right to a series of payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
17. No Right to Continued Service. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue as a Service Provider of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause.
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18. Miscellaneous.
(a) Incorporation of the Plan. This Agreement is made under and subject to and governed by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control. By signing this Agreement, the Participant confirms that he or she has received access to a copy of the Plan and has had an opportunity to review the contents thereof.
(b) Clawback. This Award and the LTIP Units issuable hereunder, and any Partnership Common Units or Shares or other cash or property received with respect to the LTIP Units, shall be subject to any clawback or recoupment policy currently in effect or as may be adopted by the Company or the Partnership, in each case, as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, the Companys Policy for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.
(c) Successors and Assigns. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto, including, without limitation, any business entity that succeeds to the business of the Company or the Partnership.
(d) Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement, together with the Plan and the Partnership Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties. In the event that the provisions of such other agreement conflict or are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. Except as set forth in Section 16 above, this Agreement may not be amended except in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto and approved by the Administrator. No amendment, supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
(e) Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in Section 7 hereof shall survive the later of the date of execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance of the Award.
(f) Severability. If for any reason one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other instrument referred to herein shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, then to the maximum extent permitted by law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any other such instrument.
(g) Titles. The titles, captions or headings of the Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(h) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted by facsimile (including, without limitation, transfer by .pdf), and each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
(i) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland applicable to contracts entered into and wholly to be performed within the State of Maryland by Maryland residents, without regard to any otherwise governing principles of conflicts of law that would choose the law of any state other than the State of Maryland.
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(j) Notices. Any notice to be given by the Participant under the terms of this Agreement shall be addressed to the Legal Department of the Company at the Companys address set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto. Any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to him or her at the Participants then current address on the books and records of the Company. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 18(j), either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to him or her. Any notice which is required to be given to the Participant shall, if the Participant is then deceased, be given to the Participants personal representative if such representative has previously informed the Company of his or her status and address by written notice under this Section 18(j) (and the Company shall be entitled to rely on any such notice provided to it that it in good faith believes to be true and correct, with no duty of inquiry). Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed as set forth above or upon confirmation of delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service.
(k) Spousal Consent. As a condition to the Partnerships, the Companys and their Subsidiaries obligations under this Agreement, the spouse of the Participant, if any, shall execute and deliver to the Partnership the Consent of Spouse attached hereto as Exhibit B.
(l) Fractional Units. For purposes of this Agreement, any fractional LTIP Units that vest or become entitled to distributions pursuant to the Partnership Agreement will be rounded as determined by the Company or the Partnership; provided, however, that in no event shall such rounding cause the aggregate number of LTIP Units that vest or become entitled to such distributions to exceed the total number of LTIP Units set forth in Section 1 of this Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
LINEAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation | ||
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
||
LINEAGE OP, LP, a Maryland limited partnership | ||
By: Lineage, Inc. | ||
Its: General Partner | ||
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title |
The Participant hereby accepts and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. |
[Signature Page to Time-Based LTIP Unit Agreement]
Exhibit A
Vesting Schedule and Notice Address
Vesting Commencement Date: []
Vesting Schedule: []
Company Address
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, MI 48377
A-1
Exhibit B
CONSENT OF SPOUSE
I, ____________________, spouse of [_____], have read and approve the foregoing Time-Based LTIP Unit Agreement (the Agreement) and all exhibits thereto, the Partnership Agreement and the Plan (each as defined in the Agreement). In consideration of the granting to my spouse of the LTIP Units of Lineage OP, LP (the Partnership) as set forth in the Agreement, I hereby appoint my spouse as my attorney-in-fact in respect to the exercise of any rights and taking of all actions under the Agreement and all exhibits thereto and agree to be bound by the provisions of the Agreement and all exhibits thereto insofar as I may have any rights in said Agreement or any exhibits thereto or any securities issued pursuant thereto under the community property laws or similar laws relating to marital property in effect in the state of our residence as of the date of the signing of the foregoing Agreement and exhibits thereto or otherwise. I understand that this Consent of Spouse may not be altered, amended, modified or revoked other than by a writing signed by me, the Partnership and Lineage, Inc.
Grant Date: | ||
By: | ||
Print name: |
||
Dated: |
||
Control: |
If applicable, you must print, complete and return this Consent of Spouse to
Andrew Wright at andwright@onelineage.com. Please only print and return this page.
B-1
Exhibit 10.15
TIME-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
This Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (this Agreement), dated as of (the Grant Date), is made by and between Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and (the Participant).
WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Amended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan (as amended from time to time, the Plan);
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to carry out the Plan (the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement);
WHEREAS, Section 7.3 of the Plan provides for the issuance of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs);
WHEREAS, Section 7.1 of the Plan provides for the issuance of Dividend Equivalent awards;
[WHEREAS, the Participant was previously awarded certain common units of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and/or LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC in connection with the Participants service with the Company and its Affiliates (LMEP Awards);]1/[WHEREAS, the Participant was previously awarded certain value creation units pursuant to the Amended and Restated Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC 2015 Value Creation Unit Plan, the Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC 2021 Value Creation Unit Plan and/or the Lineage Dutch Bidco B.V. Amended and Restated 2017 Value Creation Unit Plan in connection with the Participants service with the Company and its Affiliates (LVCP Awards);]2 and
WHEREAS, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has determined that it would be to the advantage and in the best interest of the Company to issue the RSUs and Dividend Equivalents provided for herein to the Participant in recognition of the Participants service with the Company, Lineage OP, LP (the Partnership) or any Subsidiary.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Issuance of Award of RSUs. Pursuant to the Plan, in consideration of the Participants agreement to provide services to the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary (as applicable), the Company hereby issues to the Participant an award of RSUs. Each RSU that vests shall represent the right to receive payment, in accordance with this Agreement, of one share of the Companys common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Common Stock). Unless and until an RSU vests, the Participant will have no right to payment in respect of any such RSU. Prior to actual payment in respect of any vested RSU, such RSU will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company. [In addition, in consideration of and as a condition to the Participants receipt of the RSUs, the Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that all of the Participants unvested LMEP Awards have been and hereby are cancelled and terminated and the Participant shall have no further right, claim, entitlement or interest therein. Further, the Participant fully and irrevocably releases, waives, and discharges the Company and its Affiliates, and each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC (each of whom is intended to be and shall be an intended third-party beneficiary hereof), from any and all claims, obligations and liabilities with respect to such unvested LMEP Awards.]3/[In addition, in consideration of and as a condition to the Participants receipt of the RSUs, the Participant
1 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included in agreements issued as LMEP replacements awards. |
2 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included in agreements issued as LVCP replacements awards. |
3 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included in agreements issued as LMEP replacements awards. |
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hereby acknowledges and agrees that all of the Participants unvested LVCP Awards have been and hereby are cancelled and terminated and the Participant shall have no further right, claim, entitlement or interest therein. Further, the Participant fully and irrevocably releases, waives, and discharges the Company and its Affiliates, and each of Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC and Lineage Dutch Bidco B.V. (each of whom is intended to be and shall be an intended third-party beneficiary hereof), from any and all claims, obligations and liabilities with respect to such unvested LVCP Awards.]4
2. Dividend Equivalents. Each RSU granted hereunder is hereby granted in tandem with a corresponding Dividend Equivalent, which Dividend Equivalent shall remain outstanding from the Grant Date until the earlier of the payment or forfeiture of the RSU to which it corresponds. With respect to each dividend for which the record date occurs on or after the Grant Date and on or prior to the earlier to occur of the payment or forfeiture of the RSU underlying such Dividend Equivalent, each outstanding Dividend Equivalent shall entitle the Participant to receive payments equal to dividends paid, if any, on the Shares underlying the RSU to which such Dividend Equivalent relates, payable in the same form and amounts as dividends paid to each holder of a Share. Each such payment shall be made no later than sixty (60) days following the applicable dividend payment date, provided that no such payments shall be made with respect to unvested RSUs prior to the date on which such RSU vests, and any Dividend Equivalent payments that would have been made prior to such date had such RSU been vested shall be paid in a single lump sum no later than forty-five (45) days following the date on which such RSU vests. Dividend Equivalents shall not entitle the Participant to any payments relating to dividends for which the record date occurs after the earlier to occur of the payment or forfeiture of the RSU underlying such Dividend Equivalent, and the Participant shall not be entitled to any Dividend Equivalent payment with respect to any RSU that does not vest. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Participants Termination of Service for any reason, the Participant shall not be entitled to any Dividend Equivalent payments with respect to dividends declared but not paid prior to the date of such termination on Shares underlying RSUs which are unvested as of the date of such termination (after taking into account any accelerated vesting that occurs in connection with such termination). Dividend Equivalents and any amounts that may become distributable in respect thereof shall be treated separately from the RSUs and the rights arising in connection therewith for purposes of the designation of time and form of payments required by Section 409A of the Code.
3. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below. All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan.
(a) [Cause means (A) Cause as defined in the Participants employment agreement or offer letter with the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary if such agreement exists and contains a definition of Cause, or (B) Cause as defined in the Executive Severance Plan if the Participant is a participant in the Executive Severance Plan. If no such employment agreement or offer letter exists or does not contain a definition of Cause and if the Participant is not a participant in the Executive Severance Plan, then Cause means (i) the Participants commission of and/or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or crime of moral turpitude, (ii) the Participants willful engaging in misconduct in the performance of the Participants duties for the Company or its Affiliates or any successor employer, (iii) the Participants material breach of any written agreement between the Participant and any such entity, (iv) the Participants willful refusal to comply with a lawful and direct order of the Participants supervisor after warning that such refusal will result in a for Cause termination, (v) the Participants breach of any duty owed to the Company or its Affiliates or any successor employer and failure to cure such breach within ten days following a request to cure the same (by way of example and not limitation, such breaches include fraud, embezzlement, or breach of any restrictive covenant) or (vi) the Participants engaging in any other act (including making a public statement) or failure to engage in any act, which the Company determines in good faith to be materially detrimental or damaging to the reputation, operations, finances, prospects or business relations of the Company or its Affiliates or which acts are the subject of any similar determination by a successor employer. The findings and decision of the Company with respect to any Cause determination will be final and binding for all purposes.]5
4 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included in agreements issued as LVCP replacements awards. |
5 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
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(b) [Company Nonrenewal means the Companys election not to renew or extend the term of the Participants employment agreement with the Company, provided that the Participant (i) has continued to perform the services contemplated thereby in good faith and in accordance therewith until the completion of such term, and (ii) is willing to continue in employment with the Company on substantially the same terms of employment as in effect immediately prior to such termination.]6
(c) Disability means a disability that qualifies or, had the Participant been a participant, would qualify the Participant to receive long-term disability payments under the Companys group long-term disability insurance plan or program, as it may be amended from time to time.
(d) Executive Severance Plan means the Lineage, Inc. Executive Severance Plan, as may be amended from time to time.
(e) [Family Disability means Family Disability as defined in the Participants employment agreement with the Company.]7
(f) [Good Reason means (i) Good Reason as defined in the Participants employment agreement or offer letter with the Company or a Subsidiary if the Participant is a party to such agreement or offer letter and such agreement or offer letter contains a definition of Good Reason, or (ii) Good Reason as defined in the Companys Executive Severance Plan if the Participant is a participant in the Executive Severance Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, if no such employment agreement or offer letter exists or such employment agreement or offer letter does not contain a definition of Good Reason, and Participant is not a participant in the Executive Severance Plan, then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Good Reason shall not be applicable with respect to the RSUs granted hereunder (or with respect to any accelerated vesting that would otherwise occur in connection with a termination of employment for Good Reason).]8
(g) Qualifying Termination means a Termination of Service by reason of (i) the Participants death, (ii) a termination by the Company or any Subsidiary due to the Participants Disability[, (iii) a termination by the Company or any Subsidiary without Cause, (iv) the Participants Retirement, (v) a termination by the Participant for Good Reason, (vi) a termination by the Participant in the event of a Family Disability, or (vii) a Company Nonrenewal.]9
(h) [Retirement means (i) Retirement as defined in the Participants employment agreement or offer letter with the Company or a Subsidiary if the Participant is a party to such agreement or offer letter and such agreement or offer letter contains a definition of Retirement, or (ii) Retirement as defined in the Companys Executive Severance Plan if the Participant is a participant in the Executive Severance Plan. If no such employment agreement or offer letter exists or does not contain a definition of Retirement and if the Participant is not a participant in the Executive Severance Plan, then Retirement means the Participants voluntary retirement as an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary on or after the date on which the Participant has (a) attained at least sixty (60) years of age and (b) completed at least ten (10) years of service with the Company or any Subsidiary;
6 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
7 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
8 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
9 | Note to Draft: Applicable triggers to be included as appropriate. |
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provided that the Participant has provided the Company or such Subsidiary with at least six (6) months advance written notice of the Participants retirement. For avoidance of doubt, if the Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason during such notice period, such termination shall not be deemed to have occurred by reason of the Participants Retirement for purposes of the RSUs.]10
(i) Service Provider means an Employee, Consultant or member of the Board, as applicable.
4. RSUs and Dividend Equivalents Subject to the Plan; Ownership and Transfer Restrictions.
(a) The RSUs and Dividend Equivalents are subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference, including, without limitation, the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 8.3 of the Plan and the REIT restrictions set forth in Section 10.8 of the Plan.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the RSUs and Common Stock issuable with respect thereto shall be subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer set forth in the charter of the Company, as amended and supplemented from time to time.
5. Vesting. Subject to Section 6 below, the RSUs will vest in accordance with and subject to the vesting schedule set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, subject to the Participants continued status as a Service Provider through each applicable vesting date.
6. Effect of Termination of Service.
(a) Termination of Service. Subject to Sections 6(b) and 6(c) below, in the event of the Participants Termination of Service for any reason, any and all RSUs that have not vested as of the date of such Termination of Service (after taking into account any accelerated vesting that occurs in connection with such termination) will automatically and without further action be cancelled and forfeited without payment of any consideration therefor, and the Participant shall have no further right to or interest in such RSUs. No RSUs which have not vested as of the date of the Participants Termination of Service shall thereafter become vested.
(b) Qualifying Termination. In the event that the Participant incurs a Qualifying Termination, the RSUs (to the extent not then-vested) will thereupon vest with respect to an additional number of RSUs equal to the number of RSUs that would have vested had the Participant continued as a Service Provider through the first regularly scheduled vesting date following the date of such Qualifying Termination (if any).
7. Payment. Payments in respect of any RSUs that vest in accordance herewith shall be made to the Participant (or in the event of the Participants death, to his or her estate) in whole Shares, and any fractional Share will be rounded as determined by the Company. In no event shall the aggregate number of RSUs that vest or become payable hereunder exceed the total number of RSUs set forth in Section 1 of this Agreement. The Company shall make such payments within sixty (60) days after such vesting date.
8. Restrictions on New RSUs or Shares. In the event that the RSUs or the Shares underlying the RSUs are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of securities of the Company or of another corporation or other entity by reason of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend or combination of shares, such new or additional or different securities which are issued upon conversion of or in exchange or substitution for RSUs or the Shares underlying the RSUs which are then subject to vesting shall be subject to the same vesting conditions as such RSUs or Shares, as applicable, unless the Administrator provides for the vesting of the RSUs or the Shares underlying the RSUs, as applicable.
10 | Note to Draft: To be included as applicable. |
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9. Conditions to Issuance of Shares. Shares issued as payment for the RSUs will be issued out of the Companys authorized but unissued Shares. Upon issuance, such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be held in book-entry form and no certificates shall be issued therefor. In addition to the other requirements set forth herein, the Shares issued as payment for the RSUs shall be issued only upon the fulfillment of all of the following conditions:
(a) The admission of such Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such class of stock is then listed;
(b) The completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable;
(c) The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable;
(d) The lapse of such reasonable period of time as the Administrator may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience; and
(e) The receipt by the Company of full payment for any applicable withholding or other employment tax or required payments with respect to any such Shares to the Company with respect to the issuance or vesting of such Shares.
In the event that the Company delays a distribution or payment in settlement of RSUs because it reasonably determines that the issuance of Shares in settlement of RSUs will violate federal securities laws or other applicable law, such distribution or payment shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such distribution or payment will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii). The Company shall not delay any payment if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code.
10. Rights as Stockholder. Neither the Participant nor any person claiming under or through the Participant will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until such Shares will have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to the Participant or any person claiming under or through the Participant.
11. Tax Withholding. The Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Participant to remit to such entity, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participants FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting or payment of the RSUs and the Dividend Equivalents. In satisfaction of the foregoing requirement or in satisfaction of any additional tax withholding, the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary may, or the Administrator may in its discretion allow the Participant to elect to have the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary (as applicable), withhold Shares otherwise issuable under such award (or allow the return of Shares) having a fair market value equal to the sums required to be withheld. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, the number of Shares which may be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting or payment of the RSUs and the Dividend Equivalents in order to satisfy the Participants income and payroll tax liabilities with respect thereto shall be limited to the number of shares which have a fair market value on the date of withholding no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the maximum individual statutory withholding rates in the applicable jurisdiction.
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12. Remedies. The Participant shall be liable to the Company for all costs and damages, including incidental and consequential damages, resulting from a disposition of the RSUs which is in violation of the provisions of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Participant agrees that the Company shall be entitled to obtain specific performance of the obligations of the Participant under this Agreement and immediate injunctive relief in the event any action or proceeding is brought in equity to enforce the same. The Participant will not urge as a defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.
13. Restrictions on Public Sale by the Participant. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, the Participant agrees not to effect any sale or distribution of the RSUs or the Shares underlying the RSUs or any similar security of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, during the fourteen (14) days prior to, and during the up to 180-day period beginning on, the date of the pricing of any public or private debt or equity securities offering by the Company (except as part of such offering), if and to the extent requested in writing by the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public or private offering or if and to the extent requested in writing by the managing underwriter or underwriters (or initial purchaser or initial purchasers, as the case may be) and consented to by the Company, which consent may be given or withheld in the Companys sole and absolute discretion, in the case of an underwritten public or private offering (such agreement to be in the form of a lock-up agreement provided by the Company, managing underwriter or underwriters, or initial purchaser or initial purchasers, as the case may be).
14. Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including, but not limited to the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, including without limitation the applicable exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or other governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the RSUs are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan, this Agreement and the RSUs shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that the Participant make such covenants, agreements, and representations with respect to the RSUs, Dividend Equivalents or Shares underlying the RSUs as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and/or requirements.
15. Code Section 409A. To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the effective date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that following the effective date of this Agreement, the Company determines that the RSUs may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the effective date of this Agreement), the Company may adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the RSUs from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the RSUs, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance; provided, however, that this Section 15 shall not create any obligation on the part of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any right to a series of payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
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16. No Right to Continued Service. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue as a Service Provider of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause.
17. Miscellaneous.
(a) Incorporation of the Plan. This Agreement is made under and subject to and governed by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control. By signing this Agreement, the Participant confirms that he or she has received access to a copy of the Plan and has had an opportunity to review the contents thereof.
(b) Clawback. This award, the RSUs and the Shares issuable with respect to the RSUs shall be subject to any clawback or recoupment policy currently in effect or as may be adopted by the Company, as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, the Companys Policy for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.
(c) Successors and Assigns. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto, including, without limitation, any business entity that succeeds to the business of the Company.
(d) Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties. In the event that the provisions of such other agreement conflict or are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. Except as set forth in Section 15 above, this Agreement may not be amended except in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto and approved by the Administrator. No amendment, supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
(e) Severability. If for any reason one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other instrument referred to herein shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, then to the maximum extent permitted by law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any other such instrument.
(f) Titles. The titles, captions or headings of the Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted by facsimile (including, without limitation, transfer by .pdf), and each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
(h) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland applicable to contracts entered into and wholly to be performed within the State of Maryland by Maryland residents, without regard to any otherwise governing principles of conflicts of law that would choose the law of any state other than the State of Maryland.
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(i) Notices. Any notice to be given by the Participant under the terms of this Agreement shall be addressed to the Legal Department of the Company at the Companys address set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto. Any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to him or her at the Participants then current address on the books and records of the Company. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 17(i), either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to him or her. Any notice which is required to be given to the Participant shall, if the Participant is then deceased, be given to the Participants personal representative if such representative has previously informed the Company of his or her status and address by written notice under this Section 17(i) (and the Company shall be entitled to rely on any such notice provided to it that it in good faith believes to be true and correct, with no duty of inquiry). Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed as set forth above or upon confirmation of delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
LINEAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
The Participant hereby accepts and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. | ||
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[Signature Page to Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement]
Exhibit A
Vesting Schedule and Notice Address
Vesting Commencement Date: []
Vesting Schedule: []
Company Address
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, MI 48377
A-1
Exhibit 10.16
STOCK PAYMENT AGREEMENT
This Stock Payment Agreement (this Agreement), dated as of (the Grant Date), is made by and between Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and (the Participant).
WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Amended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan (as amended from time to time, the Plan);
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to carry out the Plan (the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement);
WHEREAS, Section 7.2 of the Plan provides for the issuance of Stock Payments (Stock Payments) in the form of shares of the Companys Common Stock;
[WHEREAS, the Participant was previously awarded certain common units of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and/or LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC in connection with the Participants service with the Company and its Affiliates (LMEP Awards);
WHEREAS, each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and/or LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC (i) contributed its interest in Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC to Lineage OP, LP (the Partnership) in exchange for Legacy Class B OP Units of the Partnership, and (ii) thereafter made a liquidating distribution of such Legacy Class B OP Units to each of its members, including the Participant, in complete satisfaction of the Participants vested LMEP Awards;
WHEREAS, the Legacy Class B OP Units distributed to Participant have been reclassified into Partnership Common Units and Participant has provided an irrevocable notice of its intent to tender its Partnership Common Units for redemption by the Partnership in exchange for a Stock Payment in the form of Shares;
WHEREAS, in connection with the redemption of the Participants Partnership Common Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has determined that it would be to the advantage and in the best interest of the Company to issue the Stock Payment provided for herein to the Participant;]1
[WHEREAS, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has determined that it would be to the advantage and in the best interest of the Company to issue the Stock Payment provided for herein to the Participant in recognition of the Participants service with the Company, Lineage OP, LP (the Partnership) or any Subsidiary;]2 and
WHEREAS, all capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Issuance of Shares. Pursuant to the Plan, the Company hereby issues to the Participant a Stock Payment award of fully vested Shares (the Award). [In consideration of and as a condition to the Participants receipt of the Shares, the Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Shares are being issued in full satisfaction of all of the Participants vested LMEP Awards and the Participant shall have no further right, claim, entitlement or interest in such LMEP Awards. Further, the Participant fully and irrevocably releases, waives, and discharges the Company and its Affiliates, and each of LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC (each of whom is intended to be and shall be an intended third-party beneficiary hereof), from any and all claims, obligations and liabilities with respect to such vested LMEP Awards and the securities issued in exchange or redemption therefor, including the Legacy Class B OP Units, Partnership Common Units and the Award.]3
1 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included for LMEP settlement awards (current employees only). |
2 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included for non-LMEP stock awards. |
3 | Note to Draft: Bracketed language to be included for LMEP settlement awards (current employees only). |
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2. Stock Payment Subject to the Plan; Ownership and Transfer Restrictions.
(a) The Award and the Shares are subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference, including, without limitation, the REIT restrictions set forth in Section 10.8 of the Plan.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the Award and the Shares are subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer set forth in the charter of the Company, as amended and supplemented from time to time.
3. Conditions to Issuance of Shares. Shares issued pursuant to the Award will be issued out of the Companys authorized but unissued Shares. Upon issuance, such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be held in book-entry form and no certificates shall be issued therefor. In addition to the other requirements set forth herein, the Shares issued pursuant to the Award shall be issued only upon the fulfillment of all of the following conditions:
(a) The admission of such Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such class of stock is then listed;
(b) The completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable;
(c) The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable;
(d) The lapse of such reasonable period of time as the Administrator may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience; and
(e) The receipt by the Company of full payment for any applicable withholding or other employment tax or required payments with respect to any such Shares to the Company with respect to the issuance or vesting of such Shares.
In the event that the Company delays the issuance of Shares pursuant to the Award because it reasonably determines that the issuance of such Shares will violate federal securities laws or other applicable law, such issuance shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such issuance will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii). The Company shall not delay any payment if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code.
4. Tax Withholding. The Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Participant to remit to such entity, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participants FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to the issuance of the Shares. In satisfaction of the foregoing requirement or in satisfaction of any additional tax withholding, the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary may, or the Administrator may in its discretion allow the Participant to elect to have the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary (as applicable),
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withhold Shares otherwise issuable under the Award (or allow the return of Shares) having a fair market value equal to the sums required to be withheld. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, the number of Shares which may be so withheld in order to satisfy the Participants income and payroll tax liabilities with respect thereto shall be limited to the number of shares which have a fair market value on the date of withholding no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the maximum individual statutory withholding rates in the applicable jurisdiction.
5. Remedies. The Participant shall be liable to the Company for all costs and damages, including incidental and consequential damages, resulting from a disposition of the Award or Shares which is in violation of the provisions of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Participant agrees that the Company shall be entitled to obtain specific performance of the obligations of the Participant under this Agreement and immediate injunctive relief in the event any action or proceeding is brought in equity to enforce the same. The Participant will not urge as a defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.
6. Restrictions on Public Sale by the Participant. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, the Participant agrees not to effect any sale or distribution of the Shares, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, during the fourteen (14) days prior to, and during the up to 180-day period beginning on, the date of the pricing of any public or private debt or equity securities offering by the Company (except as part of such offering), if and to the extent requested in writing by the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public or private offering or if and to the extent requested in writing by the managing underwriter or underwriters (or initial purchaser or initial purchasers, as the case may be) and consented to by the Company, which consent may be given or withheld in the Companys sole and absolute discretion, in the case of an underwritten public or private offering (such agreement to be in the form of a lock-up agreement provided by the Company, managing underwriter or underwriters, or initial purchaser or initial purchasers, as the case may be).
7. Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including, but not limited to the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, including without limitation the applicable exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or other governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Award is granted, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that the Participant make such covenants, agreements, and representations with respect to the Award and the Shares as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and/or requirements.
8. No Right to Continued Service. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue as an Employee, Consultant or member of the Board, as applicable (a Service Provider) of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause.
9. Miscellaneous.
(a) Incorporation of the Plan. This Agreement is made under and subject to and governed by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control. By signing this Agreement, the Participant confirms that he or she has received access to a copy of the Plan and has had an opportunity to review the contents thereof.
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(b) Clawback. The Award and the Shares shall be subject to any clawback or recoupment policy currently in effect or as may be adopted by the Company, as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, the Companys Policy for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.
(c) Successors and Assigns. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto, including, without limitation, any business entity that succeeds to the business of the Company.
(d) Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties. In the event that the provisions of such other agreement conflict or are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. This Agreement may not be amended except in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto and approved by the Administrator. No amendment, supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
(e) Severability. If for any reason one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other instrument referred to herein shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, then to the maximum extent permitted by law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any other such instrument.
(f) Titles. The titles, captions or headings of the Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted by facsimile (including, without limitation, transfer by .pdf), and each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
(h) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland applicable to contracts entered into and wholly to be performed within the State of Maryland by Maryland residents, without regard to any otherwise governing principles of conflicts of law that would choose the law of any state other than the State of Maryland.
(i) Notices. Any notice to be given by the Participant under the terms of this Agreement shall be addressed to the Legal Department of the Company at the Companys address set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto. Any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to him or her at the Participants then current address on the books and records of the Company. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 9(i), either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to him or her. Any notice which is required to be given to the Participant shall, if the Participant is then deceased, be given to the Participants personal representative if such representative has previously informed the Company of his or her status and address by written notice under this Section 9(i) (and the Company shall be entitled to rely on any such notice provided to it that it in good faith believes to be true and correct, with no duty of inquiry). Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed as set forth above or upon confirmation of delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
LINEAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
The Participant hereby accepts and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. | ||
|
[Signature Page to Stock Payment Agreement]
Exhibit A
Company Address
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, MI 48377
A-1
Exhibit 10.17
(Director Form)
TIME-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
This Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (this Agreement), dated as of (the Grant Date), is made by and between Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and (the Participant).
WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Amended and Restated Lineage 2024 Incentive Award Plan (as amended from time to time, the Plan);
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to carry out the Plan (the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement);
WHEREAS, Section 7.3 of the Plan provides for the issuance of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs);
WHEREAS, Section 7.1 of the Plan provides for the issuance of Dividend Equivalent awards; and
WHEREAS, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has determined that it would be to the advantage and in the best interest of the Company to issue the RSUs and Dividend Equivalents provided for herein to the Participant in recognition of the Participants service with the Company, Lineage OP, LP (the Partnership) or any Subsidiary.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Issuance of Award of RSUs. Pursuant to the Plan, in consideration of the Participants agreement to provide services to the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary (as applicable), the Company hereby issues to the Participant an award of RSUs. Each RSU that vests shall represent the right to receive payment, in accordance with this Agreement, of one share of the Companys common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Common Stock). Unless and until an RSU vests, the Participant will have no right to payment in respect of any such RSU. Prior to actual payment in respect of any vested RSU, such RSU will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company.
2. Dividend Equivalents. Each RSU granted hereunder is hereby granted in tandem with a corresponding Dividend Equivalent, which Dividend Equivalent shall remain outstanding from the Grant Date until the earlier of the payment or forfeiture of the RSU to which it corresponds. With respect to each dividend for which the record date occurs on or after the Grant Date and on or prior to the earlier to occur of the payment or forfeiture of the RSU underlying such Dividend Equivalent, each outstanding Dividend Equivalent shall entitle the Participant to receive payments equal to dividends paid, if any, on the Shares underlying the RSU to which such Dividend Equivalent relates, payable in the same form and amounts as dividends paid to each holder of a Share. Each such payment shall be made no later than sixty (60) days following the applicable dividend payment date, provided that no such payments shall be made with respect to unvested RSUs prior to the date on which such RSU vests, and any Dividend Equivalent payments that would have been made prior to such date had such RSU been vested shall be paid in a single lump sum no later than forty-five (45) days following the date on which such RSU vests. Dividend Equivalents shall not entitle the Participant to any payments relating to dividends for which the record date occurs after the earlier to occur of the payment or forfeiture of the RSU underlying such Dividend Equivalent, and the Participant shall not be entitled to any Dividend Equivalent payment with respect to any RSU that does not vest. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Participants Termination of Service for any reason, the Participant shall not be entitled to any Dividend Equivalent payments with respect to dividends declared but not paid prior to the date of such termination on Shares underlying RSUs which are unvested as of the date of such termination (after taking into account any accelerated vesting that occurs in connection with such termination). Dividend Equivalents and any amounts that may become distributable in respect thereof shall be treated separately from the RSUs and the rights arising in connection therewith for purposes of the designation of time and form of payments required by Section 409A of the Code.
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3. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below. All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan.
(a) Disability means a disability that qualifies or, had the Participant been a participant, would qualify the Participant to receive long-term disability payments under the Companys group long-term disability insurance plan or program, as it may be amended from time to time.
(b) Qualifying Termination means a Termination of Service by reason of (i) the Participants death or (ii) a termination by the Company or any Subsidiary due to the Participants Disability.
(c) Service Provider means an Employee, Consultant or member of the Board, as applicable.
4. RSUs and Dividend Equivalents Subject to the Plan; Ownership and Transfer Restrictions.
(a) The RSUs and Dividend Equivalents are subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference, including, without limitation, the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 8.3 of the Plan and the REIT restrictions set forth in Section 10.8 of the Plan.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the RSUs and Common Stock issuable with respect thereto shall be subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer set forth in the charter of the Company, as amended and supplemented from time to time.
5. Vesting. Subject to Section 6 below, the RSUs will vest in accordance with and subject to the vesting schedule set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, subject to the Participants continued status as a Service Provider through each applicable vesting date.
6. Effect of Termination of Service.
(a) Termination of Service. Subject to Sections 6(b) and 6(c) below, in the event of the Participants Termination of Service for any reason, any and all RSUs that have not vested as of the date of such Termination of Service (after taking into account any accelerated vesting that occurs in connection with such termination) will automatically and without further action be cancelled and forfeited without payment of any consideration therefor, and the Participant shall have no further right to or interest in such RSUs. No RSUs which have not vested as of the date of the Participants Termination of Service shall thereafter become vested.
(b) Qualifying Termination. In the event that the Participant incurs a Qualifying Termination, the RSUs (to the extent not then-vested) will thereupon vest with respect to an additional number of RSUs equal to the number of RSUs that would have vested had the Participant continued as a Service Provider through the first regularly scheduled vesting date following the date of such Qualifying Termination (if any).
7. Payment. Payments in respect of any RSUs that vest in accordance herewith shall be made to the Participant (or in the event of the Participants death, to his or her estate) in whole Shares, and any fractional Share will be rounded as determined by the Company. In no event shall the aggregate number of RSUs that vest or become payable hereunder exceed the total number of RSUs set forth in Section 1 of this Agreement. The Company shall make such payments within sixty (60) days after such vesting date.
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8. Restrictions on New RSUs or Shares. In the event that the RSUs or the Shares underlying the RSUs are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of securities of the Company or of another corporation or other entity by reason of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend or combination of shares, such new or additional or different securities which are issued upon conversion of or in exchange or substitution for RSUs or the Shares underlying the RSUs which are then subject to vesting shall be subject to the same vesting conditions as such RSUs or Shares, as applicable, unless the Administrator provides for the vesting of the RSUs or the Shares underlying the RSUs, as applicable.
9. Conditions to Issuance of Shares. Shares issued as payment for the RSUs will be issued out of the Companys authorized but unissued Shares. Upon issuance, such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be held in book-entry form and no certificates shall be issued therefor. In addition to the other requirements set forth herein, the Shares issued as payment for the RSUs shall be issued only upon the fulfillment of all of the following conditions:
(a) The admission of such Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such class of stock is then listed;
(b) The completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable;
(c) The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable;
(d) The lapse of such reasonable period of time as the Administrator may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience; and
(e) The receipt by the Company of full payment for any applicable withholding or other employment tax or required payments with respect to any such Shares to the Company with respect to the issuance or vesting of such Shares.
In the event that the Company delays a distribution or payment in settlement of RSUs because it reasonably determines that the issuance of Shares in settlement of RSUs will violate federal securities laws or other applicable law, such distribution or payment shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such distribution or payment will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii). The Company shall not delay any payment if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code.
10. Rights as Stockholder. Neither the Participant nor any person claiming under or through the Participant will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until such Shares will have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to the Participant or any person claiming under or through the Participant.
11. Tax Withholding. The Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Participant to remit to such entity, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participants FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting or payment of the RSUs and the Dividend Equivalents. In satisfaction of the foregoing requirement or in satisfaction of any additional tax withholding, the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary may, or the Administrator may in its discretion allow the Participant to elect to have the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary (as applicable), withhold Shares otherwise issuable under such award (or allow the
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return of Shares) having a fair market value equal to the sums required to be withheld. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, the number of Shares which may be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting or payment of the RSUs and the Dividend Equivalents in order to satisfy the Participants income and payroll tax liabilities with respect thereto shall be limited to the number of shares which have a fair market value on the date of withholding no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the maximum individual statutory withholding rates in the applicable jurisdiction.
12. Remedies. The Participant shall be liable to the Company for all costs and damages, including incidental and consequential damages, resulting from a disposition of the RSUs which is in violation of the provisions of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Participant agrees that the Company shall be entitled to obtain specific performance of the obligations of the Participant under this Agreement and immediate injunctive relief in the event any action or proceeding is brought in equity to enforce the same. The Participant will not urge as a defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.
13. Restrictions on Public Sale by the Participant. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, the Participant agrees not to effect any sale or distribution of the RSUs or the Shares underlying the RSUs or any similar security of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, during the fourteen (14) days prior to, and during the up to 180-day period beginning on, the date of the pricing of any public or private debt or equity securities offering by the Company (except as part of such offering), if and to the extent requested in writing by the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public or private offering or if and to the extent requested in writing by the managing underwriter or underwriters (or initial purchaser or initial purchasers, as the case may be) and consented to by the Company, which consent may be given or withheld in the Companys sole and absolute discretion, in the case of an underwritten public or private offering (such agreement to be in the form of a lock-up agreement provided by the Company, managing underwriter or underwriters, or initial purchaser or initial purchasers, as the case may be).
14. Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including, but not limited to the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, including without limitation the applicable exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or other governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the RSUs are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan, this Agreement and the RSUs shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that the Participant make such covenants, agreements, and representations with respect to the RSUs, Dividend Equivalents or Shares underlying the RSUs as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and/or requirements.
15. Code Section 409A. To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the effective date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that following the effective date of this Agreement, the Company determines that the RSUs may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the effective date of this Agreement), the Company may adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the RSUs from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the RSUs, or
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(b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance; provided, however, that this Section 15 shall not create any obligation on the part of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any right to a series of payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
16. No Right to Continued Service. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue as a Service Provider of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company, the Partnership or any Subsidiary, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause.
17. Miscellaneous.
(a) Incorporation of the Plan. This Agreement is made under and subject to and governed by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control. By signing this Agreement, the Participant confirms that he or she has received access to a copy of the Plan and has had an opportunity to review the contents thereof.
(b) Clawback. This award, the RSUs and the Shares issuable with respect to the RSUs shall be subject to any clawback or recoupment policy currently in effect or as may be adopted by the Company, as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, the Companys Policy for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.
(c) Successors and Assigns. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto, including, without limitation, any business entity that succeeds to the business of the Company.
(d) Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties. In the event that the provisions of such other agreement conflict or are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. Except as set forth in Section 15 above, this Agreement may not be amended except in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto and approved by the Administrator. No amendment, supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
(e) Severability. If for any reason one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other instrument referred to herein shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, then to the maximum extent permitted by law, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any other such instrument.
(f) Titles. The titles, captions or headings of the Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted by facsimile (including, without limitation, transfer by .pdf), and each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
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(h) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland applicable to contracts entered into and wholly to be performed within the State of Maryland by Maryland residents, without regard to any otherwise governing principles of conflicts of law that would choose the law of any state other than the State of Maryland.
(i) Notices. Any notice to be given by the Participant under the terms of this Agreement shall be addressed to the Legal Department of the Company at the Companys address set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto. Any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to him or her at the Participants then current address on the books and records of the Company. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 17(i), either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to him or her. Any notice which is required to be given to the Participant shall, if the Participant is then deceased, be given to the Participants personal representative if such representative has previously informed the Company of his or her status and address by written notice under this Section 17(i) (and the Company shall be entitled to rely on any such notice provided to it that it in good faith believes to be true and correct, with no duty of inquiry). Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed as set forth above or upon confirmation of delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
LINEAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
The Participant hereby accepts and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. | ||
|
[Signature Page to Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Director Form)]
Exhibit A
Vesting Schedule and Notice Address
Vesting Schedule: []
Company Address
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, MI 48377
A-1
Exhibit 10.18
LINEAGE, INC.
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PLAN
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE AND PARTICIPATION
Section 1.1. Adoption; Purpose. The Board of Directors (the Board) of Lineage, Inc. (the Company) has adopted this Executive Severance Plan (this Plan) for the purpose of providing severance protections to certain key employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Plan, as set forth herein, is intended to provide severance and change in control protections to a select group of management or highly compensated employees (within the meaning of ERISA (as defined below)) in connection with qualifying terminations of employment.
Section 1.2. Participation. This Plan is only for the benefit of Participants, and no other employees, personnel, consultants or independent contractors shall be eligible to participate in this Plan or to receive any rights or benefits hereunder. Participants are those employees (including new hires) designated by the Compensation Committee as Participants from time to time, subject to, and conditioned upon, such employee executing and delivering to the Company a Participation Agreement.
Section 1.3. Contract of Employment. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed as creating an express or implied contract of employment and nothing herein shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary or limit the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate such Participants employment at any time.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
Section 2.1. Definitions.
Capitalized terms used in this Plan but not otherwise defined herein shall have the following respective meanings:
Accrued Amounts means, with respect to a Participant, the sum of the following: (a) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary of such Participant through the Termination Date; (b) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by such Participant in accordance with the policies of the Company or any Subsidiary through such Participants Termination Date; (c) accrued and unused vacation; and (d) benefits due under any indemnification, insurance or other plan or arrangement to which such Participant may be entitled according to the documents governing such plans or arrangements, including coverage under COBRA to which such Participant or Participants beneficiaries may be entitled under Part 6 of Title I of ERISA and all related state and local laws. Any Accrued Amounts set forth in clauses (a) (c) above that become payable to a Participant pursuant to Article III below shall be paid in a lump-sum cash payment within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date, or on such earlier date as may be required by applicable law.
Affiliate means the Partnership, any Parent or any Subsidiary.
Base Salary means the highest annual base salary paid to a Participant at any time prior to the Participants Termination Date.
Cause means, with respect to a Participant, (a) the Participants commission of, and/or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or crime of moral turpitude; (b) the Participants willful engaging in misconduct in the performance of the Participants duties for the Company or its Affiliates or any successor employer; (c) the Participants material breach of any written agreement between the Participant and any such entity; (d) the Participants willful refusal to comply with a lawful and direct order of the Participants supervisor after warning that such refusal will result in a for Cause termination; (e) the Participants breach of any duty owed to the Company or its Affiliates or any successor employer and failure to cure such breach within ten days following a request to cure the same (by way of example and not limitation, such breaches include fraud, embezzlement, or breach of any restrictive covenant); or (f) the Participants engaging in any other act (including making a public statement) or failure to engage in any act, which the Company determines in good faith to be materially detrimental or damaging to the reputation, operations, finances, prospects or business relations of the Company or its Affiliates or which acts are the subject of any similar determination by a successor employer. The findings and decision of the Company with respect to any Cause determination will be final and binding for all purposes.
Change in Control shall have the meaning set forth in the Incentive Plan.
Change in Control Termination Payment means an amount equal to a Participants Change in Control Termination Payment Multiple multiplied by the sum of (i) such Participants Base Salary and (ii) such Participants Target Annual Bonus.
Change in Control Termination Payment Multiple means a number determined by the Company and set forth in a Participants Participation Agreement used for purposes of calculating such Participants Change in Control Termination Payment.
COBRA means the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Compensation Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board.
Disability means, with respect to a Participant, a disability that qualifies or, had the Participant been a participant, would qualify the Participant to receive long-term disability payments under the group long-term disability insurance plan or program maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, as it may be amended from time to time.
Effective Date means the date of the Companys initial public offering.
Employment Agreement means, with respect to a Participant, such Participants employment agreement or offer letter with the Company or any of its Affiliates.
ERISA means the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Good Reason means, with respect to a Participant, any one or more of the following actions by the Company without the Participants prior written consent: (a) a material reduction in the Participants Base Salary or Target Annual Bonus; (b) a material diminution in the Participants authority, duties or responsibilities to the Company or its Affiliates; or (c) a relocation of the Participants principal place of employment by more than twenty-five (25) miles from the Participants principal place of employment as of the Participation Date (as defined in the Participants Participation Agreement).
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participants termination shall not constitute a termination for Good Reason unless (x) the Participant first provides the Company or its successor with written notice of such event within thirty (30) days after the Participant becomes aware of the occurrence of such event, (y) to the extent correctable, the Company or its successor fails to cure the circumstance or event so identified within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, and (z) the effective date of the Participants termination for Good Reason occurs no later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the Companys cure period.
Incentive Plan means the Lineage, Inc. 2024 Incentive Award Plan, as may be amended or amended and restated from time to time.
Parent means any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities ending with the Company if each of the entities other than the Company beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.
Participants means those employees of the Company or any Subsidiary who: (a) the Compensation Committee from time to time designates as Participants in accordance with Section 1.2; and (b) have entered into a Participation Agreement with the Company.
Participation Agreement means a participation agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (together with any changes approved by the Compensation Committee), executed by the Company and a Participant.
Partnership means Lineage OP, LP, a Maryland limited partnership.
Prior Year Bonus means a Participants annual performance bonus that was earned for the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, to the extent such bonus (if any) remains unpaid as of the Termination Date.
Restrictive Covenants means, with respect to a Participant, those non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disclosure, non-disparagement and other similar restrictive covenants set forth in such Participants Participation Agreement pursuant to this Plan.
Retirement means, with respect to a Participant, such Participants voluntary retirement as an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary on or after the date on which such Participant has (a) attained at least sixty (60) years of age and (b) completed at least ten (10) years of service with the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that such Participant has provided the Company or such Subsidiary with at least six (6) months advance written notice of such Participants retirement. For avoidance of doubt, if the Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason during such notice period, such termination shall not be deemed to have occurred by reason of the Participants Retirement for purposes of the Plan.
Subsidiary means (a) a corporation, association or other business entity of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, the Partnership and/or by one or more Subsidiaries, (b) any partnership or limited liability company of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the equity interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, the Partnership and/or by one or more Subsidiaries, and (c) any other entity not described in clauses (a) or (b) above of which fifty percent (50%) or more of the ownership and the power (whether voting interests or otherwise), pursuant to a written contract or agreement, to direct the policies and management or the financial and the other affairs thereof, are owned or controlled by the Company, the Partnership and/or by one or more Subsidiaries.
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Target Annual Bonus means a Participants target annual performance bonus as in effect on the Effective Date, as may be increased from time to time.
Termination Date means, with respect to a Participant: (a) in the case of such Participants death, his or her date of death; (b) in the case of such Participants voluntary termination, the last day of such Participants employment; and (c) in all other cases, the date specified in the applicable Termination Notice (as defined below).
Termination Payment means an amount equal to a Participants Termination Payment Multiple multiplied by the sum of (i) such Participants Base Salary and (ii) such Participants Target Annual Bonus.
Termination Payment Multiple means a number determined by the Company and set forth in a Participants Participation Agreement used for purposes of calculating such Participants Termination Payment.
Section 2.2. Interpretation. In this Plan, unless a clear contrary intention appears: (a) the words herein, hereof and hereunder refer to this Plan as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; (b) reference to any Article or Section, means such Article or Section hereof; and (c) the words including (and with correlative meaning include) means including, without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term. The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
ARTICLE III
SEVERANCE; TERMINATION OBLIGATIONS
Section 3.1. Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. Subject to Section 3.5, in the event that a Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated (i) by the Company or any Subsidiary without Cause (other than by reason of the death or Disability of such Participant) or (ii) by the Participant for Good Reason, such Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company the Accrued Amounts and:
(a) payment of an amount equal to such Participants Termination Payment, payable in a lump-sum within sixty (60) calendar days following the Termination Date;
(b) payment of any Prior Year Bonus, payable within sixty (60) calendar days following the Termination Date; and
(c) subject to such Participants valid election to continue healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Code, during the period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Termination Date or, if earlier, the date on which Participant becomes eligible for coverage under a subsequent employers group health plan (in any case, the COBRA Period), the Company shall pay to such Participant an amount equal to the cost of coverage under the Companys group health plan (if any) at the same levels and costs in effect on the Termination Date (the COBRA Payment) for such Participants use toward securing continued health insurance (whether through COBRA or otherwise). The COBRA Payment shall be paid to such Participant in substantially equal monthly installments over the COBRA Period and, for the avoidance of doubt, the COBRA Payment shall continue during the COBRA Period if the continuation healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Code expires under its terms.
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Section 3.2. Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason following a Change in Control. Subject to Section 3.5, in the event that a Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated (i) by the Company or any Subsidiary without Cause (other than by reason of the death or Disability of such Participant) or (ii) by the Participant for Good Reason, in any case, on or within eighteen (18) months following a Change in Control, such Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company the Accrued Amounts and:
(a) payment of an amount equal to such Participants Change in Control Termination Payment, payable in a lump-sum within sixty (60) calendar days following the Termination Date;
(b) payment of any Prior Year Bonus, payable within sixty (60) calendar days following the Termination Date; and
(c) subject to such Participants valid election to continue healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Code, during the period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the eighteen (18)-month anniversary of the Termination Date or, if earlier, the date on which Participant becomes eligible for coverage under a subsequent employers group health plan (in any case, the CIC COBRA Period), the Company shall pay to such Participant the COBRA Payment for such Participants use toward securing continued health insurance (whether through COBRA or otherwise). The COBRA Payment shall be paid to such Participant in substantially equal monthly installments over the CIC COBRA Period and, for the avoidance of doubt, the COBRA Payment shall continue during the CIC COBRA Period if the continuation healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Code expires under its terms.
Section 3.3. Termination Due to Death, Disability or Retirement. In the event that a Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated due to (a) such Participants death or Disability or (b) subject to Section 3.4, such Participants Retirement, such Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company (i) the Accrued Amounts and (ii) any Prior Year Bonus, which Prior Year Bonus (if any) shall be paid to such Participant in a lump-sum cash payment within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date (subject to Section 4.2).
Section 3.4. Other Terminations; Accrued Amounts. In the event that a Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated for any reason other than as set forth in Sections 3.1 - 3.3 above, such Participant shall only be entitled to the Accrued Amounts.
Section 3.5. General Release. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Participant shall not be entitled to receive any payments or benefits, other than the Accrued Amounts, pursuant to Sections 3.1 - 3.3 hereof (and such Participant shall forfeit all rights to such payments) unless such Participant has executed, delivered to the Company and not revoked a general release agreement, in a form of agreement generally used by the Company for such purposes, releasing the Company and its Affiliates from any and all claims such Participant may have arising out of such Participants employment or termination thereof (the General Release), and such General Release has become effective no later than fifty-five (55) calendar days following the Termination Date, and such Participant shall be entitled to receive such payments and benefits only for so long as such Participant has not materially breached any of the provisions of the General Release or the Restrictive Covenants. If the General Release is executed and delivered and no longer subject to revocation as provided in the preceding sentence, then any cash payments due to a Participant shall be paid (subject to Section 4.2) in accordance with the provisions of Sections 3.1 - 3.3, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the fifty-five (55) calendar day period begins in one calendar year and ends in another calendar year and all or any portion of such payments constitute non-exempt deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A (as defined below), then none of such payments shall begin until such second calendar year. The General Release shall have no greater obligations or more limiting post-employment restrictions than are expressly set forth in this Plan or in the Participants Participation Agreement.
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Section 3.6. Termination Notices. For purposes of this Plan, any purported termination of a Participants employment by the Company or any Subsidiary or by such Participant (other than due to such Participants death) shall be communicated by written notice to the other party, which notice shall specify the Termination Date (if applicable) (each, a Termination Notice). In the case of a termination of a Participants employment by the Company or a Subsidiary without Cause, the Company or such Subsidiary shall provide at least thirty (30) calendar days advance written notice to such Participant of such termination, with the last day of such Participants employment being the end of such thirty (30)-day notice period. At the Companys option, it may place such Participant on a paid leave of absence for all or part of such notice period. In the case of a termination of a Participants employment by the Participant without Good Reason, the Participant shall provide at least sixty (60) calendar days advance written notice to the Company of such termination, with the last day of such Participants employment being the end of such sixty (60)-day notice period. The Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to have such Participant continue to provide services to the Company during some, all or none of such notice period and may elect, in its sole discretion, whether such services will be performed on or off Company premises.
Section 3.7. Treatment of Equity-Based Awards. In the event that a Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated for any reason, each outstanding Company equity-based award held by such Participant on the Termination Date will be treated in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan document and award agreement governing the outstanding equity award.
Section 3.8. Resignation of Offices and Directorships; Full Settlement. Upon a termination of a Participants employment for any reason, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement between the Participant and the Company, the Participant shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices, directorships and other employment positions then held with the Company or its Subsidiaries and shall take all actions reasonably requested by the Company to effectuate the foregoing. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, the Company shall have no further obligations, and the Participant shall have no further rights or entitlements, in connection with or following the Participants termination of employment.
Section 3.9. Return of Property. Upon the termination of a Participants employment for any reason, the Participant shall return to the Company (i) all keys, files, records (and copies thereof), equipment (including, but not limited to, computer hardware, software and printers, wireless handheld devices, cellular phones and pagers), access or credit cards, Company identification, and any other Company-owned property in the Participants possession or control, and (ii) all documents and copies, including hard and electronic copies, of documents in the Participants possession relating to any Proprietary Information (as defined in the Restrictive Covenants contained in the Participants Participation Agreement) including without limitation, internal and external business forms, manuals, correspondence, notes and computer programs, and Participant shall not make or retain any copy or extract of any of the foregoing.
Section 3.10. No Mitigation. Except as provided in Section 5.3, the Companys obligation to make payments and provide benefits under this Plan and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against a Participant or others. In no event shall a Participant be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to such Participant under any of the provisions of this Plan, and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not such Participant obtains other employment.
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ARTICLE IV
LIMITATIONS ON SEVERANCE AND RELATED TERMINATION BENEFITS
Section 4.1. Parachute Payment Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan (or any other agreement entered into by and between a Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary or any incentive arrangement or plan offered by the Company or any Subsidiary), in the event that any amount or benefit paid or distributed to a Participant pursuant to this Plan, taken together with any amounts or benefits otherwise paid to such Participant by the Company or any Subsidiary (collectively, the Covered Payments), would constitute an excess parachute payment as defined in Section 280G of the Code, and would thereby subject such Participant to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (an Excise Tax), the provisions of this Section 4.1 shall apply. If the aggregate present value (as determined for purposes of Section 280G of the Code) of the Covered Payments exceeds the amount which can be paid to a Participant without such Participant incurring an Excise Tax, then, solely to the extent that such Participant would be better off on an after tax basis by receiving the maximum amount which may be paid hereunder without such Participant becoming subject to the Excise Tax, the amounts payable to such Participant under this Plan (or any other agreement entered into by and between a Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary or any incentive arrangement or plan offered by the Company or any Subsidiary) shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the maximum amount which may be paid hereunder without such Participant becoming subject to the Excise Tax (such reduced payments to be referred to as the Payment Cap). The determination of whether Covered Payments would result in the application of the Excise Tax, and the amount of reduction that is necessary so that no such Excise Tax would be applied, shall be made, at the Companys expense, by the independent accounting firm employed by the Company immediately prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control.
Section 4.2. Compliance with Code Section 409A.
(a) This Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code (Section 409A) or an exemption thereunder. This Plan shall be construed, interpreted and administered to the extent possible in a manner that does not result in the imposition on any Participant of any additional tax, penalty or interest under Section 409A. Any payments under this Plan that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. If any payment or benefit cannot be provided or made at the time specified herein without the imposition on a Participant of any additional tax, penalty or interest under Section 409A, then such benefit or payment shall be provided in full at the earliest time thereafter when such additional tax, penalty or interest will not be imposed. For purposes of Section 409A: (i) any payments to be made under this Plan upon a termination of employment that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A shall only be made if such termination of employment constitutes a separation from service under Section 409A; (ii) each payment made under this Plan shall be treated as a separate payment; and (iii) the right to a series of installment payments under this Plan is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. In no event shall any Participant, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment.
(b) All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Plan shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirements that: (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during a Participants lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Plan); (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year; (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred; and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
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(c) Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the contrary, if, at the time of a Participants separation from service with the Company, the Company has securities which are publicly traded on an established securities market, such Participant is a specified employee (as defined in Section 409A) and it is necessary to delay the commencement of any severance payments otherwise payable pursuant to this Plan as a result of such separation from service to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A, then the Company will delay the commencement of the payment of any such payments or benefits hereunder (without any reduction in such payments or benefits ultimately paid or provided to Participant) that are not otherwise exempt from Section 409A until the first payroll date that occurs after the date that is six (6) months following Participants separation from service with the Company (as determined under Section 409A). If any payments are delayed pursuant to this Section 4.2(c). then such delayed amounts will be paid in a lump sum, without interest, to a Participant on the first payroll date that occurs after the date that is six (6) months following such Participants separation from service with the Company. If a Participant dies during such period prior to the payment of any delayed amount, such amount shall be paid to the personal representative of such Participants estate within sixty (60) days after the date of Participants death.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Plan comply with Section 409A and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by a Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 5.1. Cumulative Benefits; Effect on Other Plans. Except as otherwise set forth herein or otherwise agreed to between the Company and a Participant, the rights and benefits provided to any Participant under this Plan are cumulative of, and are in addition to, all of the other rights and benefits provided to such Participant under any benefit plan of the Company or any agreement between such Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, in the event that a Participant is entitled to severance payments or benefits under any other employment agreement, severance agreement or similar agreement between a Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary, (i) such Participants payments described in Sections 3.1(a) - (c) or in Sections 3.2(a) - (c), as applicable, shall be reduced (but not below $0.00) by the aggregate amount of all similar severance payments due to such Participant under such other agreement; and (ii) the Company subsidies described in Section 3.1(d) or Section 3.2(d), as applicable, shall be provided only during the period beginning on the last day that such Participant is entitled to similar benefits under such other agreement and ending on the date specified in Section 3.1(d) or Section 3.2(d), as applicable.
Section 5.2. Plan Unfunded; Participants Rights Unsecured. This Plan shall be maintained in a manner to be considered unfunded for purposes of ERISA. The Company shall be required to make payments only as benefits become due and payable. No person shall have any right, other than the right of an unsecured general creditor against the Company, with respect to the benefits payable hereunder, or which may be payable hereunder, to any Participant, surviving spouse or beneficiary hereunder. If the Company, acting in its sole discretion, establishes a reserve or other fund associated with this Plan, no person shall have any right to or interest in any specific amount or asset of such reserve or fund by reason of amounts which may be payable to such person under this Plan, nor shall such person have any right to receive any payment under this Plan except as and to the extent expressly provided in this Plan. The assets in any such reserve or fund shall be part of the general assets of the Company, subject to the control of the Company. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or make any other segregation of funds or assets to assure the payment of any benefit hereunder.
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Section 5.3. Recoupment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, the compensation payable hereunder shall be subject to (i) any clawback or recoupment policy of the Company required in order to comply with applicable law, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) any clawback or recoupment policy of the Company approved by the Board or Compensation Committee which applies to the Companys senior executives. This Section 5.3 is not intended to limit any clawback and/or disgorgement of such compensation pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Section 5.4. Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Plan or any Participation Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving person or entity. The failure of any person or entity to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Plan or any Participation Agreement, or the waiver by any person or entity of any breach of this Plan or any Participation Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.
Section 5.5. Amendment; Termination. The Company may amend or terminate this Plan at any time or from time to time for any reason, provided, that Sections 5.12 and 5.13 of this Plan and the Restrictive Covenants set forth in each Participation Agreement shall survive the termination of this Plan. The Company shall provide notice to Participants within fifteen (15) days of any amendment or termination of the Plan. For purposes hereof, an amendment or termination of this Plan shall not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant whose employment was terminated for any reason or no reason prior to the date of such amendment or termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (a) a Participants right to receive payments and benefits pursuant to the Plan upon a termination of the Participants employment shall not be adversely affected without such Participants written consent by an amendment or termination of the Plan made within twelve (12) months prior to such termination of employment; and (b) a Participants right to receive payments and benefits pursuant to this Plan in connection with a termination of the Participants employment occurring within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control shall not be adversely affected without such Participants consent by an amendment or termination of this Plan occurring within twelve (12) months before or after such Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Plan shall terminate without further action when all of the obligations to Participants hereunder have been satisfied in full.
Section 5.6. Administration.
(a) The Compensation Committee shall have full and final authority to make determinations with respect to the administration of this Plan, to construe and interpret its provisions and to take all other actions deemed necessary or advisable for the proper administration of this Plan, but such authority shall be subject to the provisions of this Plan; provided, however, that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Compensation Committee may from time to time delegate such administrative authority to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company, except that in no event shall any such administrative authority be delegated to an officer with respect to such officers status as a Participant. No discretionary action by the Compensation Committee shall amend or supersede the express provisions of this Plan.
(b) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Compensation Committee against any and all expenses and liabilities arising out of his or her administrative functions or fiduciary responsibilities, including any expenses and liabilities that are caused by or result from an act or omission constituting the negligence of such member in the performance of such functions or responsibilities to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Expenses against which such member shall be indemnified hereunder shall include, without limitation, the amounts of any settlement or judgment, costs, counsel fees and related charges reasonably incurred in connection with a claim asserted or a proceeding brought or settlement thereof.
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Section 5.7. Certain Corporate Transactions. In the event of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction, nothing herein shall relieve the Company from any of the obligations set forth in this Plan; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 5.7 shall prevent an acquirer of or successor to the Company from assuming the Companys obligations hereunder (or any portion thereof) pursuant to the terms of this Plan.
Section 5.8. Successors and Assigns. This Plan shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns. This Plan and all rights of each Participant shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, each such Participant and such Participants personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators and heirs. If any Participant should die following such Participants termination of employment but prior to all amounts due and payable to such Participant hereunder being paid, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Plan to such Participants beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to such Participants death (or to such Participants estate, if a Participant fails to make such designation). No payments, benefits or rights arising under this Plan may be assigned or pledged by any Participant, except under the laws of descent and distribution.
Section 5.9. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under this Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally, by e-mail transmission, by reputable overnight courier service or by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
(a) | if to the Company, to: |
Lineage, Inc.
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, Michigan 48377
Attention: Chairperson of the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Attention: General Counsel
(b) if to any Participant, to such Participants residence address on the records of the Company or to such other address as such Participant may have designated to the Company in writing for purposes hereof.
Each of the Company and a Participant, by notice given to the other in accordance with this Section 5.9, may designate another address or person for receipt of notices delivered pursuant to this Section 5.9.
Section 5.10. Withholding. The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment or benefit provided pursuant to this Plan all federal, state and local taxes and any other amounts which are required by applicable law to be withheld therefrom.
Section 5.11. Severability. The provisions of this Plan and each Participation Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Restrictive Covenants) shall be regarded as divisible and separate, and if any provision of this Plan or any Participation Agreement is, becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, then the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Plan and applicable Participation Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
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Section 5.12. Claims Procedure.
(a) Generally, Participants are not required to present a formal claim in order to receive benefits under the Plan. If, however, any person (the Claimant) believes that benefits are being denied improperly, that this Plan is not being operated properly, that fiduciaries of this Plan have breached their duties, or that the Claimants legal rights are being violated with respect to this Plan, the Claimant must file a formal claim, in writing, with the Compensation Committee.
This requirement applies to all claims that any Claimant has with respect to this Plan, including claims against fiduciaries and former fiduciaries, except to the extent the Compensation Committee determines, in its sole discretion that it does not have the power to grant all relief reasonably being sought by the Claimant. A formal claim must be filed within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the date the Claimant first knew or should have known of the facts on which the claim is based, unless the Compensation Committee consents otherwise in writing. The Compensation Committee shall provide a Claimant, on request, with a copy of the claims procedures established under Section 5.12(b).
(b) The Compensation Committee has adopted procedures for considering claims (which are set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto), which it may amend or modify from time to time, as it sees fit. These procedures shall comply with all applicable legal requirements. These procedures may provide that final and binding arbitration shall be the ultimate means of contesting a denied claim (even if the Compensation Committee or its delegates have failed to follow the prescribed procedures with respect to the claim). The right to receive benefits under this Plan is contingent on a Claimant using the prescribed claims and arbitration procedures to resolve any claim.
Section 5.13. Governing Law. The Plan is intended to be an unfunded top-hat welfare plan, within the meaning of U.S. Department of Labor Regulation Section 2520.104-24, and shall be interpreted, administered, and enforced in accordance with ERISA. It is expressly intended that ERISA preempt the application of state laws to this Plan and each Participation Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Restrictive Covenants) to the maximum extent permitted by Section 514 of ERISA. To the extent that state law is applicable, the statutes and common laws of the State of Maryland (excluding its choice of laws principles) shall apply.
Section 5.14. Arbitration. Subject to Section 5.12 hereof and subject to the provisions of any Participation Agreement regarding the Companys entitlement to seek equitable relief under the Plan or such Participation Agreement, each Participant shall remain bound by, and comply with such Participants obligations under, the Mutual Arbitration Policy of the Company or its Subsidiaries (or similar policy or program as in effect from time to time) and any arbitration agreement between such Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and as conclusive evidence of the Boards adoption of this Plan, the Company has caused this Plan to be duly executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized officer as of the Effective Date.
LINEAGE, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Executive Severance Plan]
EXHIBIT A
Form of Participation Agreement
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Dear [ ]:
We are pleased to inform you that the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), has determined that, effective as of [ ] (the Participation Date), you are eligible to participate in the Companys Executive Severance Plan (the Plan) as a Participant thereunder, subject to your execution and delivery of this Participation Agreement to the Company and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Participation Agreement. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Plan.
The terms of the Plan are set forth in the copy of the Plan that is attached as Annex A to this Participation Agreement, and those terms are incorporated in and made a part of this Participation Agreement. As described in more detail in the Plan, the Plan entitles you to certain severance payments and benefits in the event that your employment with the Company or any Subsidiary terminates under certain circumstances. By signing this Participation Agreement, and as a condition of your eligibility to receive the payments and benefits set forth in the Plan, you agree to comply with the provisions of the Plan and this Participation Agreement (including, without limitation, the Restrictive Covenants set forth on Annex B attached hereto, which Restrictive Covenants are hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein) during your employment with the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the extent required by the Restrictive Covenants, after the termination of your employment regardless of the reason for such termination.
Your Termination Payment Multiple shall be [one (1.0)].
Your Change in Control Termination Payment Multiple shall be [one and one-half (1.5)].
This Participation Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement between you and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and, as of the Participation Date, shall supersede in all respects any and all prior agreements between you and the Company and any Subsidiary concerning such subject matter, including any and all Employment Agreements. As of the Participation Date, any Employment Agreement between you and the Company or any Subsidiary shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.
By signing below, you agree to the terms and conditions set forth herein, including without limitation, the Restrictive Covenants, and acknowledge: (a) your participation in the Plan as of the Participation Date; (b) that you have received and read a copy of the Plan; (c) that you agree that any severance payments and benefits provided for in the Plan are subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and you agree to such terms and conditions; (d) that the Company may amend or terminate the Plan at any time subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan; and (e) that the Restrictive Covenants shall survive and continue to apply in accordance with their terms notwithstanding any termination of the Plan or your employment in the future.
[Signature Page Follows]
Exhibit A-1
COMPANY: | ||
LINEAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED |
Name: [ ] |
Exhibit A-2
Annex A to Participation Agreement
Executive Severance Control Plan
[See Attached]
Annex B to Participation Agreement
Restrictive Covenants
In consideration of my participation in the Lineage, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (the Plan) and the severance benefits that may become payable to me under the Plan (the Severance Benefits), and for other good and valuable consideration, which I hereby acknowledge and agree is valid and sufficient consideration to make the covenants set forth in this Annex B, and further as a material inducement for the Company to enter into the Participation Agreement to which this Annex B is attached (the Agreement) with me and to grant me the Severance Benefits, I hereby acknowledge and agree to be bound by the restrictive covenants and other terms and conditions set forth in this Annex B. For purposes of this Annex B, (i) all references to I, me, my, myself and other words of similar import shall refer to the you, as such term is used in the Agreement to which this Annex B is attached; and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, all references to the Company herein shall refer to Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and their respective successors or assigns.
I. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
A. Recognition of Companys Rights. I recognize that the Company is engaged in a continuous program of research and development respecting its business, present and future, including fields generally related to its business and that the Company possesses and will continue to possess information that has been created, discovered, developed or otherwise become known to the Company (including, without limitation, information created, discovered or developed by, or made known to, me during the period of or arising out of my employment or service with the Company (Service)) and/or in which property rights have been assigned, licensed or otherwise conveyed to the Company, which information has commercial value in the business in which the Company is engaged.
B. Nondisclosure. Subject to Section VI below, at all times during and after my Service with the Company, I will hold in strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, disclose, use, distribute or publish any Proprietary Information (as defined below) that I may produce or otherwise acquire or have access to during the course of my Service, except as expressly provided herein. I further agree not to reproduce or in any way allow any Proprietary Information to be delivered to or used by any third party without specific written direction or written consent of a duly authorized representative of the Company. I hereby assign to Lineage, Inc.(or, if my employment or engagement transfers to an affiliate, successor or assign of Lineage, Inc., such affiliate, successor or assign) any rights I may have or acquire in the Proprietary Information and recognize that all Proprietary Information shall be the sole and exclusive property of Lineage, Inc., or if applicable, its affiliate, successor or assign.
C. Proprietary Information. The term Proprietary Information shall mean any and all confidential and/or proprietary knowledge, data or information of the Company, including, without limitation, the information described in the first paragraph of Section I(A) above. By way of illustration but not limitation, Proprietary Information includes (i) trade secrets, inventions, products, devices, mask works, ideas, processes, procedures, methods, formulas, source and object codes, design, data, algorithms, programs, network and system architecture, trading methods, models and programs, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, other works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments, designs, techniques, composition or process, unique or novel device, or the like, in each case whether or not patentable or copyrightable (hereinafter collectively referred to as Inventions); (ii) information regarding
Exhibit A-4
plans for research, development, products, trading, investing, marketing and selling business plans, budgets and unpublished financial statements, licenses, prices and costs, suppliers and customers; and (iii) information regarding the skills, functions and compensation of other employees, in each case, of the Company. The term Proprietary Information does not include any knowledge, data or information which: (a) is generally known by the public, generally known by persons with training and experience comparable to my own or common knowledge in the industry in which the Company operates, in each case, other than as a result of disclosure by me or others who owe a duty of confidentiality to the Company or any third party; or (b) is or becomes rightfully known by me (other than as a result of, or in connection with, my Service with, or work for, the Company, or disclosure by others who owe a duty of confidentiality to the Company or any third party).
D. Third Party Information. I understand that the Company has received (and, in the future, will receive) from third parties confidential or proprietary information (Third Party Information), subject to the Companys duty to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. During the term of my Service and at all times thereafter, I will hold all Third Party Information in the strictest confidence and will not disclose to anyone (other than Company personnel or agents who need to know such information in connection with their work for the Company or as may be required by applicable law or civil process) or use, except in connection with my work for the Company, any Third Party Information unless expressly authorized by duly authorized representative of the Company in writing.
E. No Improper Use of Information of Prior Employers and Others. During my Service with the Company, I will not improperly use or disclose any Proprietary Information or other confidential information or trade secrets, if any, of any former employer or any other person to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality, and I will not bring onto the premises of the Company any unpublished documents or any property belonging to any former employer or any other person to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality unless consented to in writing by that former employer or person. I will use in the performance of my duties only information which is generally known and used by persons with training and experience comparable to my own, which is common knowledge in the industry or otherwise legally in the public domain, or which is otherwise provided or developed by the Company. I am aware and understand that theft, misappropriation and improper use of trade secrets of a former employer or any other person is a serious matter, and in fact, is a federal criminal offense under the U.S. Economic Espionage Act of 1996.
F. Defend Trade Secrets Act Disclaimer. I acknowledge receipt of the immunity notice under the Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, which states: (i) an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (x) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal, and (ii) an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual (A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal and (B) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
Exhibit A-5
II. ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS
A. Definitions. The term Proprietary Rights shall mean all trade secret, patent, copyright, trademark, trade name, service mark, mask work and other intellectual property rights throughout the world. For purposes of this Section II, the term Company shall mean Lineage Logistics Services, LLC or, if I become employed by or engaged with any affiliate, successor or assign of Lineage Logistics Services, LLC, such affiliate, successor or assign.
B. Prior Excluded Inventions. All Inventions, if any, patented or unpatented, and whether or not registrable under copyright or similar statute, which I made prior to the commencement of my Service with the Company are excluded from the scope of this Annex B. To preclude any possible uncertainty, I have set forth on Schedule A attached hereto a complete list of all Inventions that I have, alone or jointly with others, conceived, developed or reduced to practice or caused to be conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to the commencement of my Service with the Company, that I consider to be my property or the property of third parties and that I wish to have excluded from the scope of this Annex B (collectively, the Prior Excluded Inventions). If disclosure of any such Prior Excluded Invention would cause me to violate any prior confidentiality agreement, I understand that I am not to list such Prior Excluded Inventions on Schedule A hereto but am only to disclose that confidential Prior Excluded Inventions exist and that full disclosure as to such Inventions has not been made for that reason (collectively, the Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions). A space is provided on Schedule A for such purpose. Except as I have specifically disclosed to the Company in writing, I hereby represent and warrant that the Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions do not relate to the business of the Company (as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted to the extent disclosed to me as of the date of the Agreement) or any Competing Business (as defined below), and none of the Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions were conceived, developed or reduced to practice in connection with any Competing Business. As used herein, all Confidential Prior Excluded Inventions are also Prior Excluded Inventions. I understand that I am to describe any such Prior Excluded Invention in Schedule A at the most specific level possible without violating any such prior agreement. If no disclosure is made on Schedule A, I represent that there are no Prior Excluded Inventions of any kind. I agree that I will not intentionally incorporate, or knowingly permit to be incorporated, Prior Excluded Inventions in any Company Inventions (as defined below) without the Companys express prior written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, in the course of my Service with the Company, I incorporate a Prior Excluded Invention (that I own or have the right to grant rights thereto) into a product, service or Invention of the Company, the Company, as the case may be, is hereby granted and shall have an exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, transferable, worldwide license (with rights to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicensees) to make, have made, modify, use, import, offer to sell, and sell such Prior Excluded Invention in the industries in which the Company is now or in the future engaged (and any industry which would otherwise be deemed a Competing Business).
C. Assignment of Inventions. Subject to Sections II(D) and II(F) below, I hereby assign, and agree to confirm such assignment in the future (when any such Inventions or Proprietary Rights are first reduced to practice or first fixed in a tangible medium, as applicable), to the Company (or its designee) all my right, title and interest in and to any and all Inventions (and all Proprietary Rights with respect thereto) whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, invented, authored, created, made or conceived or reduced to practice or learned by me, either alone or jointly with others, during the period of my Service with the Company. Inventions assigned to the Company, or to a third party as directed by the Company pursuant to this Section II, are hereinafter referred to as Company Inventions. I also hereby waive, and agree to waive, any moral rights I may have in any copyrightable work I create or have created on behalf of the Company.
Exhibit A-6
D. Nonassignable Inventions. Pursuant to California Labor Code §§ 2870-2872, Illinois Employee Patent Act, 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 1060/2, Kansas Code § 44-130 or other applicable law, you are hereby notified that the assignment in Section II(C) above does not apply to any Inventions for which no equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was developed entirely on my own time, unless: (i) the Invention relates at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the Invention (a) to the business of the Company, or (b) to the actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company; or (ii) the Invention results from any work performed by me for the Company. To the extent applicable, at the time of disclosure of an Invention that I believe qualifies under California Labor Code Section 2870, Illinois Employee Patent Act, 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 1060/2, Kansas Code § 44-130 or such other applicable law, if any, I shall provide to the Company, in writing, evidence to substantiate the belief that such Invention so qualifies under such law. I understand that, to the extent this Annex B is construed in accordance with the laws of any state which precludes a requirement in an employee or service agreement to assign certain classes of inventions made by an employee or other service provider, Section II(C) above, shall be interpreted not to apply to any Invention that a court rules and/or the Company determines to be within any such class.
E. Obligation to Keep Company Informed. During the period of my Service and for twelve (12) months thereafter, I will promptly and fully disclose to the Company, in writing, all Inventions invented, authored, created, made, conceived or reduced to practice by me, either alone or jointly with others, which would qualify as Company Inventions hereunder. In addition, I will promptly disclose to the Company all patent applications or applications for copyright registration filed by me (or on my behalf), if any, during the twelve (12) months following the termination of my Service with respect to Inventions that would constitute Company Inventions hereunder. At the time of any such disclosure, I will advise the Company, in writing, of any Company Inventions that I believe fully qualify for protection under the provisions of the United States patent laws, copyright laws, or under any analogous laws in a foreign jurisdiction; and I will at that time provide to the Company (or its designee), in writing, all evidence necessary to substantiate that belief.
F. Government or Third Party. I also agree to assign all my right, title and interest in and to any particular Company Invention to a third party, including, without limitation, the United States, as directed by the Company.
G. Works for Hire. I acknowledge that all original works of authorship which are made by me (either alone or jointly with others) within the scope of my Service, which would be considered Company Inventions, and which are protectable by copyright are works made for hire, pursuant to the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. Section 101).
H. Enforcement of Proprietary Rights. I will assist the Company or designees in every proper way to obtain, and from time to time enforce, United States and foreign Proprietary Rights relating to Company Inventions in any and all countries. To that end I will execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, I will execute, verify and deliver assignments or waivers of such Proprietary Rights to the Company (or its designee). My obligation to assist the Company with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Company Inventions in any and all countries shall continue beyond the termination of my Service, but the Company shall compensate me at a reasonable rate after my termination for the time actually spent by me at the request of the Company on such assistance. In the event the
Exhibit A-7
Company (or its designee) is unable for any reason, after reasonable effort, to secure my signature on any document needed in connection with the actions specified in the preceding paragraph, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney in fact, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to act for and in my behalf to execute, verify and file any such documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of the preceding paragraph with the same legal force and effect as if executed by me. I hereby waive and quitclaim to the Company (or its designee) any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, which I now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company (or its designee).
III. RECORDS. I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current records (in the form of notes, sketches, drawings and in any other form that may be required by the Company) of all Proprietary Information developed by me and all Company Inventions made by me during the period of my Service at the Company, which records shall be available to and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company at all times.
IV. NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION
A. Non-Solicitation of Personnel. During the term of my Service with the Company and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination of my Service for any reason, I agree to not, directly or indirectly, for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone else:
1. solicit, or attempt to solicit, the employment or engagement (whether as an employee or independent contractor, or other service provider) of any person who is, or within six (6) months prior to such solicitation or attempted solicitation was, an employee or independent contractor of the Company;
2. encourage or induce, or attempt to encourage or induce, any person who is an employee or independent contractor of the Company to cease his or her employment or relationship with the Company or otherwise harm or interfere with the Companys relationship with such persons; or
3. coordinate with another employee of the Company to leave the employ of the Company.
For the avoidance of doubt, a general job advertisement that does not target the Company or any of their respective employees or independent contractors does not violate the restrictions set forth in this Section IV(A).
B. Non-Solicitation of Business Relationships. During the term of my Service with the Company and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination of my Service for any reason, I agree to not, directly or indirectly, for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone else (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of the Company):
1. solicit, divert, or appropriate to, or accept on behalf of, or attempt to solicit, divert, appropriate to or accept on behalf of, any Competing Business, (a) any business from any customer or actively sought prospective customer of the Company with whom I have dealt, whose dealings with the Company have been supervised by me or about whom I have acquired Proprietary Information in the course of my Service with the Company or (b) any investment, funding or financing whatsoever, directly or indirectly, from any Company Investor (as defined below); or
Exhibit A-8
2. encourage or induce, or attempt to encourage or induce, any customers, clients, suppliers, vendors, licensees, licensors, distributors or other business relations of the Company to reduce, terminate, or refuse to continue business with the Company or otherwise harm or interfere with the Companys relationship with such customers, clients, suppliers, vendors, licensees, licensors, distributors or other business relations.
C. Non-Competition. During the term of my Service with the Company and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination of my Service for any reason, I agree to not, directly or indirectly, for my own benefit or the benefit of anyone else (except with the prior written consent of the Company):
1. engage in, conduct, or operate, or prepare to engage in, conduct, or operate, a Competing Business, or any portion thereof, in the Geographic Area (as defined below); or
2. whether as a shareholder, bondholder, lender, officer, director, employee, consultant or otherwise, perform services for, invest in, aid or abet or give information or financial assistance to any person or entity engaged in a Competing Business, or any portion thereof, in the Geographic Area, or any portion thereof; provided, however, that nothing in this Section IV(C)(2) shall be deemed to prohibit me from (a) owning as an investment, directly or indirectly, up to two percent (2%) of the securities of any publicly-traded company, or any portion thereof; or (b) rendering services to any person or entity to the extent that such services (i) do not relate and are not similar to any services I performed for the Company during the last two (2) years of my Service with the Company, and (ii) could not reasonably be expected to involve the use or disclosure of Proprietary Information.
I acknowledge and agree that the restrictions set forth in this Section IV are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company, including their trade secrets and other Proprietary Information, business relations and goodwill.
D. Certain Defined Terms. As used herein:
1. Company Investor means (i) any person or entity that has invested in or otherwise provided financing to the Company, (ii) any person or entity with whom the Company have had discussions with regarding a potential investment in the Company or that has received confidential materials regarding any investment in the Company, and (iii) any affiliate of a person or entity described in clauses (i) or (ii) above.
2. Competing Business means any business of temperature controlled logistics and warehousing and related services that compete or could compete with the Company. A Competing Business includes any business, or part thereof, whose efforts involve any research and development, products, services or activities in competition with products, services or activities which are, at any time during the last two (2) years of my Service with the Company, either (x) produced, marketed or otherwise commercially exploited by the Company or (y) in actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development by the Company.
3. Geographic Area means any city, state, region, and country in which the Company at any time during my Service or at the end of my Service is then-operating or has firm plans to operate, provided I have knowledge of such plans.
Exhibit A-9
V. NON-DISPARAGEMENT. Subject to Section VI below, at all times during my Service with the Company and for the longest period thereafter permitted under applicable law, I will not, directly or indirectly, make (or cause to be made) to any person or entity any false or disparaging statements about the Company (including, without limitation, any of its products, services, employees, agents, officers, members, managers, partners or directors), and I will not make any statement that may impair or otherwise adversely affect the goodwill or reputation of the Company.
VI. PROTECTED CONDUCT. Nothing herein shall prohibit me from (i) discussing or reporting any good faith allegation of unlawful conduct; (ii) filing a charge with or participating in a proceeding conducted by any governmental agency; (iii) making any truthful statements or disclosures required by law, regulation or legal process; (iv) requesting or receiving confidential legal advice; or (v) engaging in concerted activity protected by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act or other protected conduct which by applicable law cannot be restricted.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Judicial Modification; Severability. In the event that a court finds that any covenants set forth herein (including any time, territory or other provision of this Annex B) is unenforceable or invalid as an unreasonable restriction, the Company and I agree that such court will have the power, and the parties expressly desire that the court exercise such power, to revise this Annex B such that such restriction is to be interpreted and enforced to the maximum extent which such court deems reasonable and/or to make any other modifications that the court deems necessary to render such restriction reasonable, valid and enforceable under applicable law, and the court shall enforce such restriction as so judicially modified. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent one or more of the provisions contained herein shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the other provisions of the Agreement (including this Annex B), and the Agreement (including this Annex B) shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
B. Effect of Termination. The termination of my Service from or with the Company will not release me from any of my covenants hereunder, which shall continue pursuant to their terms in full force and effect.
C. Remedies. I acknowledge that the rights of the Company under this Annex B are of a specialized and unique nature and irreparable harm will result to the Company if I violate any of my obligations hereunder and that such harm may be difficult to measure in monetary damages. Accordingly, in the event that I violate any of my obligations hereunder, the Company may obtain an immediate injunction or other equitable relief restraining me from violating any of the covenants contained herein, without the need to post a bond or other security and without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy. I acknowledge that each and every entity constituting the Company (as defined herein) is an intended third-party beneficiary of the covenants and other terms and conditions contained herein having full rights to enforce this Annex B as if such entity was a signatory hereto.
D. Tolling. If I violate any of the restrictions set forth in Section IV, the applicable post-termination restricted period shall be extended by one (1) day for each day that I am in violation of this Annex B, up to a maximum extension equal to the length of the applicable post-termination restricted period, so as to give the Company the full benefit of the bargained-for length of forbearance. This tolling provision shall be in addition to and not in place of any available legal or equitable remedies.
* * * * *
Exhibit A-10
Schedule A
Prior Excluded Inventions
[____]
Exhibit A-11
EXHIBIT B
Detailed Claims and Arbitration Procedures
1. Claims Procedure
Initial Claims. All claims will be presented to the Compensation Committee in writing. Within ninety (90) days after receiving a claim, a claims official appointed by the Compensation Committee will consider the claim and issue his or her determination thereon in writing. The claims official may extend the determination period for up to an additional ninety (90) days by giving the Claimant written notice. The initial claim determination period can be extended further with the consent of the Claimant. Any claims that the Claimant does not pursue in good faith through the initial claims stage will be treated as having been irrevocably waived.
Claims Decisions. If the claim is granted, the benefits or relief the Claimant seeks will be provided. If the claim is wholly or partially denied, the claims official will, within ninety (90) days (or a longer period, as described above), provide the Claimant with written notice of the denial, setting forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant: (i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial; (ii) specific references to the provisions on which the denial is based; (iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim, together with an explanation of why the material or information is necessary; and (iv) appropriate information as to the steps to be taken if the Claimant wishes to submit his or her claim for review, including the time limits applicable to such procedures, and a statement of the Claimants right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse decision upon review. If the Claimant can establish that the claims official has failed to respond to the claim in a timely manner, the Claimant may treat the claim as having been denied by the claims official.
Appeals of Denied Claims. Each Claimant will have the opportunity to appeal the claims officials denial of a claim in writing to an appeals official appointed by the Compensation Committee (which may be a person, committee, or other entity). A Claimant must appeal a denied claim within sixty (60) days after receipt of written notice of denial of the claim, or within sixty (60) days after it was due if the Claimant did not receive it by its due date. The Claimant (or his or her duly authorized representative) may review pertinent documents in connection with the appeals proceeding and may present issues, comments and documents in writing relating to the claim. The review will take into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit claim determination. Any claims that the Claimant does not pursue in good faith through the appeals stage, such as by failing to file a timely appeal request, will be treated as having been irrevocably waived.
Appeals Decisions. The decision by the appeals official will be made not later than sixty (60) days after the written appeal is received by the Compensation Committee, unless special circumstances require an extension of time, in which case a decision will be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than one-hundred and twenty (120) days after the appeal was filed, unless the Claimant agrees to a further extension of time. The appeal decision will be in writing, will be set forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant, and will include specific reasons for the decision, specific references to the provisions on which the decision is based, if applicable, a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive upon request and free of charge reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimants claim for benefits, as well as a statement of the Claimants right to bring an action under Section 502(a) of ERISA. If a Claimant does not receive the appeal decision by the date it is due, the Claimant may deem his or her appeal to have been denied.
Exhibit B-1
Procedures. The Compensation Committee will adopt procedures by which initial claims will be considered and appeals will be resolved; different procedures may be established for different claims. All procedures will be designed to afford a Claimant full and fair consideration of his or her claim.
Arbitration of Rejected Appeals. If a Claimant has pursued a claim through the appeal stage of these claims procedures, the Claimant may contest the actual or deemed denial of that claim through arbitration, as described below and in Section 5.14 of the Plan. In no event shall any denied claim be subject to resolution by any means (such as in a court of law) other than arbitration in accordance with the following provisions.
2. Arbitration procedure
Request for Arbitration. A Claimant must submit a request for binding arbitration to the Compensation Committee within sixty (60) days after receipt of the written denial of an appeal (or within sixty (60) days after he or she should have received the determination). The Claimant or the Compensation Committee may bring an action in any court of appropriate jurisdiction to compel arbitration in accordance with these procedures; provided, however, that nothing in this Plan shall require arbitration of any claims which, by law, cannot be the subject of a compulsory arbitration agreement.
Terms and Conditions of Arbitration. All claims shall be resolved exclusively by arbitration in accordance with Section 5.14 of the Plan.
The procedures set forth herein are intended to comply with United States Department of Labor Regulation Section 2560.503-1 and should be construed in accordance with such regulation. In no event shall the foregoing claims procedure be interpreted as expanding the rights of any Claimant beyond what is required by United States Department of Labor Regulation Section 2560.503-1.
Exhibit B-2
Exhibit 10.19
LINEAGE, INC.
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAM
This Lineage, Inc. (the Company) Non-Employee Director Compensation Program (this Program) shall be effective as of date of the closing of the Companys initial public offering (the Effective Date).
Cash Compensation
Annual retainers will be paid in the following amounts to non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) (other than individuals designated by Stonepeak or BentallGreenOak) (Eligible Directors). For the avoidance of doubt, Eligible Directors shall not include any executive director or Executive Chairman.
Eligible Director: |
$ | 120,000 | ||
Chair of Audit Committee: |
$ | 30,000 | ||
Chair of Compensation Committee: |
$ | 25,000 | ||
Chair of Corporate Governance / Nominating Committee: |
$ | 20,000 | ||
Chair of Investment Committee: |
$ | 25,000 | ||
Chair of Other Committees: |
$ | 25,000 | ||
Non-Chair Audit Committee Member: |
$ | 15,000 | ||
Non-Chair Compensation Committee Member: |
$ | 15,000 | ||
Non-Chair Corporate Governance / Nominating Committee Member: |
$ | 10,000 | ||
Non-Chair Investment Committee Member: |
$ | 10,000 | ||
Non-Chair Committee Member of Other Committees: |
$ | 10,000 |
All annual retainers will be paid in cash quarterly in advance. In the event that an Eligible Director does not serve as a director, or in the applicable positions described above, for an entire calendar quarter, the retainer paid to such Eligible Director shall be prorated for the portion of such calendar quarter actually served as a director, or in such position, as applicable.
Equity Compensation
IPO Award: | Each Eligible Director listed on Exhibit A attached hereto serving on the Board as of the Effective Date will be granted an award of Restricted Stock Units (as defined in the Incentive Award Plan (as defined below)) with a value as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto (each, an IPO Award). Each IPO Award will automatically be granted on the Effective |
Date immediately following the effectiveness of the Form S-8 with respect to the Companys Common Stock (as defined in the Incentive Award Plan) issuable under the Incentive Award Plan. Each IPO Award shall vest in full on April 1, 2025, subject to the Eligible Directors continued service through the applicable vesting date. | ||
Initial Award: | Each Eligible Director who is initially elected or appointed to serve on the Board after the Effective Date shall automatically be granted on the effective date of such initial election or appointment an award of Restricted Stock Units with a value equal to $200,000 (each, an Initial Award), provided, that if such initial election or appointment does not occur at an annual meeting of the Companys stockholders, the value of the Initial Award shall equal the product of (i) $200,000 multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of full calendar months from the effective date of such election or appointment through the first anniversary of the most recent annual meeting of the Companys stockholders (or, if none, the first anniversary of the Effective Date) and the denominator of which equals twelve (12). Each Initial Award shall vest in full on the earlier to occur of (i) the one-year anniversary of the applicable grant date and (ii) the date of the next annual meeting of the Companys stockholders following the grant date, subject to the Eligible Directors continued service through the applicable vesting date. | |
Annual Award: | Each Eligible Director who is serving on the Board as of the date of each annual meeting of the Companys stockholders and who is re-elected or otherwise continues as an Eligible Director at such annual meeting shall, on the date of such annual meeting, automatically be granted an award of Restricted Stock Units with a value of $200,000 (each, an Annual Award and, together with the IPO Awards and the Initial Awards, the Awards). Each Annual Award shall vest in full on the earlier to occur of (i) the one-year anniversary of the applicable grant date and (ii) the date of the next annual meeting of the Companys stockholders following the grant date, subject to the Eligible Directors continued service through the applicable vesting date. |
Business Expenses
The Company shall reimburse each member of the Board for reasonable business expenses (up to a maximum amount of $30,000 per year) incurred by such individual in connection with his or her services to the Company pursuant to the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.
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Miscellaneous
For purposes of determining the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each Initial Award and each Annual Award, the dollar value of such grant shall be divided by the market closing price of a share of Common Stock on the date of such grant (or, in the event that the date of grant is not a trading day, then on the immediately preceding trading day), and shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share of Common Stock. For purposes of determining the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each IPO Award, the dollar value of such grant shall be divided by the midpoint of the price range set forth on the front cover of the prospectus filed with the Securities Exchange Commission for the Companys initial public offering, and shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share of Common Stock.
Awards granted under this Program shall be subject to the Companys Amended and Restated 2024 Incentive Award Plan or any other applicable Company equity incentive plan under which the grant is made (such plan, as may be amended from time to time, the Incentive Award Plan) and, to the extent determined by the Company, the terms set forth in a written agreement in a form prescribed by the Board or a committee designated by the Board.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Program, all cash compensation payable and Awards that may be granted under this Program will be subject to any non-employee director compensation limits set forth in the Incentive Award Plan, as in effect from time to time.
Effectiveness, Amendment, Modification and Termination
This Program shall become effective as of the Effective Date, and as of the Effective Date shall replace and supersede all previous director compensation programs of the Company. This Program may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board at any time and from time to time in its sole discretion.
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EXHIBIT A
IPO AWARDS
ELIGIBLE DIRECTOR |
IPO AWARD VALUE | |||
Shellye Archambeau |
$ | 200,000 | ||
Joy Falotico |
$ | 87,500 | ||
Michael Turner |
$ | 200,000 | ||
Lynn Wentworth |
$ | 137,500 |
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Exhibit 10.20
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated and effective as of January 1, 2020 (the Effective Date), is entered into by and between Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC (the Company), and W. Gregory Lehmkuhl (Executive).
WHEREAS, Executive currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2015 and effective as of July 20, 2015 (as amended, the Prior Employment Agreement); and
WHEREAS, effective as of the Effective Date, the Company and Executive mutually desire to continue Executives employment as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and to replace and supersede the Prior Employment Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Term. Subject to the provisions for earlier termination hereinafter provided, Executives employment with the Company under this Agreement shall be for a term (the Term) commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the day prior to the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Date. Following the expiration of the Term, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Executives employment relationship with the Company (if any) shall remain at-will but will cease to be governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement or as otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties; provided, however, that the provisions of Section 7 and Section 9 below shall survive the expiration or termination of the Term in accordance with their terms.
2. Position and Duties. During the Term, Executive shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and shall serve in such other or additional positions as the Company may determine from time to time. Executive shall report to the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board), and shall perform such duties as are usual and customary for Executives position including, without limitation, maintaining ultimate executive responsibility for all operations of the Company. In addition, in the event the Company becomes a publicly-listed Company, then, in connection with the Companys initial public offering (an IPO) and thereafter as each director term expires, Executive will be nominated to serve as a member of the Board, provided, that such nomination would not result in a breach of any fiduciary duty by the Board or any member thereof at such time. Executive shall devote Executives best efforts and full business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and its affiliates, as directed by the Board, on a basis consistent with the level of services that are usual and customary for Executives position, and Executive shall not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity during the Term. Executive may engage in charitable, civic and industry-related activities provided that such activities are not competitive with the Company and its subsidiaries and do not interfere with Executives duties hereunder. Executive agrees to observe and comply with the rules and policies of the Company, as in effect from time to time, including, and without limitation, any rules and policies relating to Executives obligations to the Company and its members (or stockholders) upon a termination of employment.
3. Principal Location. During the Term, Executive shall perform the services required by this Agreement principally at the Companys Novi, Michigan office except for travel to other locations as may be necessary or appropriate to fulfill Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder.
4. Compensation and Benefits; Expenses; Perquisites.
(a) Base Salary. During the Term, Executive shall receive a base salary (the Base Salary) of $1,000,000 per year. The Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board and may be increased (but not reduced) from time to time by the Board in its sole discretion. Any such increase (if any) shall thereafter be Executives Base Salary for all purposes of this Agreement. The Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Companys customary payroll practices, as in effect from time to time, but no less often than monthly.
(b) Equity Acceleration. In connection with the parties entry into this Agreement and Executives continued employment with the Company, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Prior Employment Agreement or any award agreement evidencing the Existing Equity Awards (as defined below), effective as of the Effective Date:
(i) all Existing Equity Awards set forth on Schedule A attached hereto shall (x) to the extent that any performance-based vesting conditions applicable to such award have not been satisfied as of immediately prior to the Effective Date, thereupon be deemed to satisfy such performance-based vesting conditions with respect to 100% of the units subject thereto and (y) continue to be subject to any time-based vesting conditions in accordance with the applicable award agreement evidencing such award; and
(ii) all Existing Equity Awards set forth on Schedule B attached hereto shall thereupon become fully vested and nonforfeitable in all respects.
For purposes of this Agreement, Existing Equity Awards shall mean, collectively, those equity awards held by Executive that are set forth on Schedule A and Schedule B attached hereto and which are outstanding and unvested as of immediately prior to the Effective Date.
(c) Annual Cash Bonus. For each fiscal year of the Company ending during the Term, commencing with fiscal year 2020, Executive shall be eligible to earn a cash performance bonus (the Annual Cash Bonus) based on the attainment of Company, individual and/or other performance objectives as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, provided that such performance objectives shall initially include, without limitation, EBITDA targets. Executives target Annual Cash Bonus shall equal one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of Executives Base Salary (the Target Cash Bonus), and Executives maximum Annual Cash Bonus shall equal two hundred and fifty percent (250%) of Executives Base Salary (the Maximum Cash Bonus); provided that the Target Cash Bonus and/or Maximum Cash Bonus may be increased (but not reduced) from time to time by the Board in its sole discretion and any such increase (if any) shall thereafter be Executives Target Cash Bonus or Maximum Cash Bonus, as applicable, for all purposes of this Agreement. The actual amount of any Annual Cash Bonus payable to Executive (if any) shall be determined by reference to the attainment of the applicable performance objectives, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, and may be
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less than, or greater than (up to the aforementioned Maximum Cash Bonus), the Target Cash Bonus (and may equal zero). Any Annual Cash Bonus shall be paid to Executive on the date on which annual bonuses are paid generally by the Company to its senior executives with respect to the year in which the Annual Cash Bonus was earned, subject to and conditioned upon Executives continued employment with the Company through the applicable payment date (except as otherwise provided in Section 6 below).
(d) Restricted Unit Purchase.
(i) Purchases. On or as soon as practicable following the Effective Date, the Company shall cause BG LLH, LLC (BG) to sell to Executive, and Executive shall purchase from BG for an aggregate purchase price of $1.00, 65,217.4 un-promoted Restricted Class B Preferred Units of BG (Restricted Units) (the Initial Purchase). In addition, no later than sixty (60) days after each of December 31, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 (respectively, the 2021 Purchase, the 2022 Purchase, the 2023 Purchase and the 2024 Purchase, and such purchases, collectively, the Subsequent Purchases), the Company shall cause BG to sell to Executive, and Executive shall purchase from BG for an aggregate purchase price per sale of $1.00, additional Restricted Units, having an aggregate fair market value (as determined by the Company) as of the December 31st immediately preceding the applicable purchase date per sale of $3,000,000, subject to and conditioned upon, in each case, Executives continued employment through the applicable purchase date.
(ii) Vesting. Each of the Initial Purchase, the 2021 Purchase and 2022 Purchase shall vest in three (3) substantially equal annual installments on December 31 of the year in which the applicable grant date occurs and on each of the first (1st) and second (2nd) anniversaries thereof, in each case, subject to Executives continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date. The 2023 Purchase shall vest in two (2) substantially equal annual installments on December 31 of the year in which the grant date occurs and on the first (1st) anniversary thereof, subject to Executives continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date. The 2024 Purchase shall vest in full on December 31 of the year in which the applicable grant date occurs, subject to Executives continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date.
(iii) Purchase Agreements. Each purchase of Restricted Units shall be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions set forth in a purchase agreement to be entered into between BG and Executive, in a form prescribed by the Company, which shall evidence the issuance of such Restricted Units and which shall contain terms and conditions consistent with this Section 4(d) (each, a Restricted Unit Purchase Agreement).
(iv) Tax Loans. With respect to each initial income tax recognition event arising for Executive with respect to Restricted Units purchased under this Section 4(d) (whether due to vesting or due to an earlier election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) with respect to such Restricted Units), BG will make available to Executive, no later than the date on which the Company is required to withhold income and employment taxes with respect to such income recognition event, a loan in an amount equal to the lesser of forty percent (40%) of the fair market value of the Restricted Units that first become taxable to Executive upon such recognition event or the net taxes actually required to be withheld
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by the Company in respect of such Restricted Unit recognition event (each, a Tax Loan). Each Tax Loan shall be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions set forth in a written promissory note between BG and Executive which shall evidence the Tax Loan, contain market terms and conditions determined by the Board (but interest at the minimum rate to avoid imputed income to Executive), include full recourse on principal and interest and be secured by all Company equity interests held by Executive, including any proceeds received in respect thereof (in addition to the offset provisions described in Section 6 below); provided, that in the event of Executives termination of employment by the Company without Cause, by Executive with Good Reason or due to Executives death or Disability (each as defined below), BG will (unless prohibited by law or any financing or other covenant) exercise its option to repurchase a number of then-vested Restricted Units having a fair market value at least equal to the amount of principal and accrued interest then payable on the Tax Loan(s) (or such lesser number of Restricted Units as are then-vested) (the Call Obligation), provided, that (A) the foregoing shall not limit BGs ability to exercise, in its sole discretion, any option that BG may have to repurchase any greater number of then-vested Restricted Units, and (B) the Call Obligation shall terminate upon any liquidity transaction in which the repurchase right underlying the Call Obligation lapses.
(v) Repurchase Rights.
(A) In the event of a termination of Executives employment for any reason, BG shall have the option to repurchase any unvested Restricted Units for a price per Restricted Unit equal to the lesser of their original purchase price or their fair market value as of the Date of Termination (as defined below).
(B) In the event of a termination of Executives employment by the Company for Cause, (x) BG shall have the option to repurchase up to ten percent (10%) of any vested Restricted Units for a price per Restricted Unit equal to the lesser of their original purchase price or their fair market value as of the Date of Termination, and (y) BG shall have the option to repurchase up to ninety percent (90%) of any vested Restricted Units at a price per Restricted Unit equal to their fair market value as of the Date of Termination (the Purchase Price). The Purchase Price under clause (y) of this Section 4(d)(v)(B) may, at BGs discretion, be paid (without interest) over a period not to exceed ten (10) years following such Date of Termination. Executives right to receive the Purchase Price shall be subject to his execution and non-revocation of the Release (as defined below).
(C) In the event of a termination of Executives employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, BG shall have the option to repurchase any vested Restricted Units at a Purchase Price equal to their fair market value as of such Date of Termination. The Purchase Price under this Section 4(d)(v)(C), with respect to up to fifty percent (50%) of such Restricted Units may, at BGs discretion, be paid over a period not to exceed three (3) years following such Date of Termination and the Purchase Price with respect to up to fifty percent (50%) of such Restricted Units may, at BGs discretion, be paid on the earlier to occur of (x) an IPO of the Company (or any successor entity thereof), and (y) the sixth (6th) anniversary of such Date of Termination. The Purchase Price under this Section 4(d)(v)(C) shall be paid together with interest at a rate of not less than five percent (5%) per annum. Executives right to receive such Purchase Price shall be subject to his execution and non-revocation of the Release.
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(vi) Additional Grants. Not later than the calendar year 2024, the Board shall begin evaluating in good faith additional grants and/or sales of equity compensation to Executive for future calendar years.
(e) Profits Interests.
(i) Generally. On or as soon as practicable following the Effective Date, the Company will cause LLH MGMT Profits LLC (LLH) to grant to Executive 1,878,750 Class C-10 Profits Interests in LLH (the Profits Interests). The Profits Interests will vest as follows: (i) fifty percent (50%) of the Profits Interests will vest in five (5) substantially equal annual installments on the December 31 of the year in which the applicable grant date occurs and on each of the first four (4) anniversaries thereof; and (ii) fifty percent (50%) of the Profits Interests will vest based on the attainment of EBITDA targets and other performance goals established by Board over the Term, in each case, subject to Executives continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date and in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in an award agreement, in a form prescribed by the Company, to be entered into between Executive and LLH, which shall evidence the grant of the Profits Interests and which shall contain terms and conditions consistent with this Section 4(e) (the Profits Interest Award Agreement). The Profits Interests shall be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions set forth in the Profits Interest Award Agreement and the LLH operating agreement.
(ii) Forfeiture; Repurchase Rights.
(A) In the event of a termination of Executives employment for any reason, any unvested Profits Interests shall automatically and immediately be forfeited without any compensation, credit or other benefit to Executive.
(B) In the event of a termination of Executives employment by the Company for Cause, (x) ten percent (10%) of any vested Profits Interests shall automatically and immediately be forfeited without any compensation, credit or other benefit to Executive, and (y) LLH shall have the option to repurchase up to ninety percent (90%) of any vested Profits Interests at a price per Profits Interest equal to their fair market value as of the Date of Termination (the LLH Purchase Price). The LLH Purchase Price under clause (y) of this Section 4(e)(ii)(B) may, at LLHs discretion, be paid (without interest) over a period not to exceed ten (10) years following such Date of Termination. Executives right to receive the LLH Purchase Price shall be subject to his execution and non-revocation of the Release.
(C) In the event of a termination of Executives employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, LLH shall have the option to repurchase any vested Profits Interests at a LLH Purchase Price equal to their fair market value as of such Date of Termination. The LLH Purchase Price under this Section 4(e)(ii)(C), with respect to up to fifty percent (50%) of such Profits Interests may, at LLHs discretion, be paid over a period not to exceed three (3) years following such Date of Termination and the LLH Purchase Price, with respect to up to fifty percent (50%) of such Profits Interests may, at LLHs discretion, be paid on the earlier to occur of (x) an IPO of the Company (or any successor entity thereof) and (y) the sixth (6th) anniversary of such Date of Termination. The LLH Purchase Price under this Section 4(e)(ii)(C) shall be paid together with interest at a rate of not less than five percent (5%) per annum. Executives right to receive such LLH Purchase Price shall be subject to his execution and non-revocation of the Release.
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(f) Benefits. During the Term, Executive will be eligible to participate in the health, welfare and retirement benefit plans, policies and programs (including, as applicable, medical, dental, disability, life and accidental death insurance plans and programs) maintained by the Company for the benefit of its senior executive officers as may be in effect from time to time. Nothing contained in this Section 4(f) shall create or be deemed to create any obligation on the part of the Company to adopt or maintain any health, welfare, retirement, fringe or other benefit plan(s) or program(s) at any time.
(g) Vacation. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to accrue and use five (5) weeks of paid vacation per calendar year (pro-rated for any partial year of service) (the Accrual Limit), provided, however, that Executive shall not accrue any vacation time in excess of the Accrual Limit and shall cease accruing vacation time if Executives accrued vacation reaches the Accrual Limit until such time as Executives accrued vacation drops below the Accrual Limit.
(h) Expenses. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for (i) all reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executives services hereunder and (ii) the cost of reasonable dues and expenses incurred by Executive as a result of Executives membership in the Young Presidents Organization (the YPO Expenses), in each case, in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures generally applicable to senior executives of the Company, as in effect from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall be solely liable for any taxes arising in connection with the YPO Expenses, if any.
(i) Perquisite Allowance. During the Term, Executive shall further be entitled to receive a perquisite allowance equal to $2,500 per month (the Perquisite Allowance). The Perquisite Allowance shall be paid in accordance with the Companys customary payroll practices, as in effect from time to time, but no less often than monthly.
5. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. Executives employment shall terminate automatically upon Executives death during the Term. Either the Company or Executive may terminate Executives employment in the event of Executives Disability during the Term. For purposes of this Agreement, Disability shall mean that Executive is first entitled to receive cash benefits under the Companys long-term disability benefit plan in which Executive is a participant.
(b) Cause. Executives employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for Cause or without Cause, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following:
(i) the commission by Executive of any act of fraud, material dishonesty or embezzlement against the Company or any of its affiliates or otherwise in connection with the performance of Executives services under this Agreement;
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(ii) Executives commission of, or pleading guilty or no contest to, (A) a felony or (B) any crime involving moral turpitude that is or would reasonably be expected to be become materially injurious to the reputation or financial interests of the Company or its affiliates;
(iii) Executives willful performance of acts of misconduct which are or would reasonably be expected to become materially injurious to the reputation or financial interests of the Company or its affiliates, including without limitation, unlawful discrimination against or sexual or racial harassment of employees or other service providers of the Company, its affiliates or any of their respective customers or clients, or of any other persons engaged in business with the Company or any of its affiliates;
(iv) Executives material breach of this Agreement, any other written agreement between Executive and the Company or its affiliates, or any applicable Company policy, including, without limitation, policies addressing confidentiality, non-solicitation or non-competition and Executives failure to correct the same (if capable of correction) within ten (10) days following Executives receipt of written notice thereof;
(v) Executives willful failure to substantially perform or gross neglect of Executives duties hereunder (including, but not limited to, Executives failure to follow lawful instructions of the Board after having received prior written notice of such failure), and Executives failure to correct the same (if capable of correction) within ten (10) days following Executives receipt of written notice thereof; or
(vi) Executives use of alcohol or illicit drugs in the workplace or otherwise in a manner that has a material detrimental effect on Executives performance, Executives duties to the Company, or the reputation of the Company or its affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no act or omission by Executive shall be deemed willful for purposes of the definition of Cause if such act or omission is conducted in good faith or with a reasonable believe that such act or omission was in the best interests of the Company.
(c) Good Reason. Executive may terminate Executives employment at any time for Good Reason or without Good Reason, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason shall mean the occurrence, without the Executives prior written consent, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) A material reduction in Executives Base Salary; or
(ii) The assignment to Executive of any duties materially and adversely inconsistent with Executives position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, which results in a material and adverse change in Executives title and duties contemplated hereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executives termination shall not constitute a termination for Good Reason as a result of any event in (i) or (ii) above unless (A) Executive first provides the Company with written notice thereof within thirty (30) days after the first occurrence of such event, (B) to the extent curable, the Company fails to cure the circumstance or event so identified within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, and (C) the effective date of Executives termination for Good Reason occurs no later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the Companys cure period.
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6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) General. In the event that Executives employment under this Agreement terminates during the Term for any reason, upon such termination, the Company shall pay to Executive (or Executives estate) in a single lump sum payment, within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination, or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law, the aggregate amount of (i) any earned but unpaid Base Salary, (ii) any accrued, but unused vacation owed to Executive in accordance with Section 4(g) above and (iii) unreimbursed business expenses incurred prior to the Date of Termination that are reimbursable in accordance with Section 4(h) above (together, the Accrued Obligations). Vested benefits (if any) under any employee benefit plans shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. In addition, upon a termination of Executives employment during the Term for any reason, any then-outstanding Restricted Units and/or Profits Interests shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable Restricted Unit Purchase Agreement and Profits Interest Award Agreement (including, without limitation, any applicable vesting or forfeiture provisions and/or repurchase rights set forth therein and in Section 4 above), and Executive shall promptly (but in no event more than thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination) repay to the Company the outstanding balance of any Tax Loans previously received by Executive in respect of Restricted Units; provided, however, that in the event that BG exercises its repurchase right(s) under Section 4(d)(v) above to repurchase Restricted Units, Executive shall, during any given year, only be obligated to repay a portion of Executives outstanding Tax Loan balance (if any) equal to the ratio of the portion of the applicable Purchase Price payable to Executive during such year, with respect to such repurchase right(s), over the aggregate Purchase Price.
(b) Termination by the Company Without Cause or Resignation by Executive For Good Reason. If, during the Term, the Company terminates Executives employment without Cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason, then, in either case, upon Executives separation from service from the Company (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) (a Separation from Service and the date of any such Separation from Service, the Date of Termination), subject to and conditioned upon Executives timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the Release) and Executives continued compliance with the provisions of Section 7 below (the Restrictions), then Executive shall be entitled to receive the payments and benefits set forth below:
(i) The Company shall pay to Executive an amount in cash equal to the sum of (a) twenty-four (24) months of Executives Base Salary plus (b) two (2) times Executives Target Cash Bonus (collectively, the Cash Severance). The Company shall pay the Cash Severance in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Companys customary payroll practices during the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the twenty-four (24)-month anniversary thereof (the Severance Period); provided, that if the aggregate period during which Executive is entitled to consider and/or revoke the Release spans two (2) calendar years, no payments under this Section 6(b)(i) shall be made prior to the beginning of the second (2nd) such calendar year.
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(ii) The Company shall pay to Executive, if an Annual Cash Bonus would, absent Executives termination, become payable to Executive in accordance with Section 4(c) above with respect to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs as a result of the achievement of the applicable performance objectives for such year, a pro-rated portion of such Annual Cash Bonus (the Pro-Rated Annual Cash Bonus) determined by multiplying (a) the actual Annual Cash Bonus that would have been paid to Executive for such year if had Executives employment not terminated (if any) by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in such year through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365. The Company shall pay the Pro-Rated Annual Cash Bonus (if any) to Executive on the date on which annual bonuses are paid generally by the Company to its senior executives with respect to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, but in no event later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the Date of Termination occurs.
(iii) Subject to Executives valid election to continue healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Code, during the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the twenty-four (24)-month anniversary of the Date of Termination or, if earlier, the date on which Executive becomes eligible for coverage under a subsequent employers group health plan (in any case, the COBRA Period), the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to the cost of coverage under the Companys group health plan (if any) at the same levels and costs in effect on the Date of Termination (the COBRA Payment) for Executives use toward securing continued health insurance (whether through COBRA or otherwise). The COBRA Payment shall be paid to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments over the COBRA Period.
(iv) Accelerated vesting of a pro rata portion of the tranche of any then-outstanding Profits Interests that would, absent such termination, have vested on the next subsequent vesting date to occur following the Date of Termination, determined by multiplying the number of Profits Interest in the tranche by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of days elapsed between the vesting date immediately preceding the Date of Termination and the Date of Termination and the denominator of which shall be 365.
(c) Termination due to Executives Death or Disability. If, during the Term, Executives employment terminates due to his death or Disability, then, in either case, upon Executives Separation from Service, subject to and conditioned upon Executives or Executives estates, as applicable, timely execution and non-revocation of the Release, (i) Executive (or Executives estate) shall be entitled to receive the payments set forth in Section 6(b)(ii) above on the terms and conditions provided therein and (ii) each then-outstanding Profits Interest award held by Executive shall be vested with respect to an aggregate number of Profits Interests equal to the sum of (x) the number of Profits Interests subject to such award that would have vested prior to such termination had twenty percent (20%) of the total Profits Interests subject to such award vested on each anniversary of the applicable grant date occurring on or prior to the Date of Termination, plus (y) twenty percent (20%) of the total Profits Interests subject to such award, plus (z) the product obtained by multiplying twenty percent (20%) of the total Profits Interests subject to such award by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed from the latest anniversary of such grant date to have occurred prior to such termination (or if no such anniversary has occurred, such grant date), and the denominator of which is 365 (or such lesser number of Profits Interests subject to such award which then-remain as unvested), it being understood that in no event shall the foregoing clause (ii) result in greater than one-hundred percent (100%) of the total number of Profits Interests subject to each such award becoming vested.
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(d) Other Terminations. If Executives employment is terminated for any reason not described in Sections 6(b) or (c) above (including, without limitation, due to a termination by the Company for Cause, a resignation by Executive without Good Reason, or following the expiration of the Term), the Company will pay Executive only the Accrued Obligations within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (or such earlier date as may be required under applicable law), subject to Sections 4(d) and 4(e) above. Vested benefits (if any) under any employee benefit plans shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.
(e) Mitigation; Offset. Executive will have no duty to mitigate the amount of any compensation and benefits received by Executive under the Agreement and, except as otherwise set forth in this Section 6(e), the amount of any compensation or benefits provided for pursuant to this Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation earned as a result of Executives other employment or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company may, to the maximum extent permitted by law, offset any compensation and benefits paid or payable to Executive hereunder by the outstanding balance of any Tax Loans previously received by Executive in respect of Restricted Units that Executive is required to repay to the Company under Section 6(a) above.
(f) Termination of Offices and Directorships; Full Settlement. Upon termination of Executives employment for any reason, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement between Executive and the Company, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices, directorships and other employment positions then held with the Company or its affiliates and shall take all actions reasonably requested by the Company to effectuate the foregoing. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Company shall have no further obligations, and Executive shall have no further rights or entitlements, in connection with or following Executives termination of employment.
(g) Return of Property. Upon termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive shall return to the Company (i) all keys, files, records (and copies thereof), equipment (including, but not limited to, computer hardware, software and printers, wireless handheld devices, cellular phones and pagers), access or credit cards, Company identification, and any other Company-owned property in Executives possession or control, and (ii) all documents and copies, including hard and electronic copies, of documents in Executives possession relating to any Confidential Information (as defined below) including without limitation, internal and external business forms, manuals, correspondence, notes and computer programs, and Executive shall not make or retain any copy or extract of any of the foregoing.
7. Confidential Information; Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation. To protect the trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Company and its customers and clients that have been and will be entrusted to Executive, the business goodwill of the Company and its subsidiaries that will be developed in and through Executive and the business opportunities that will be disclosed
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or entrusted to Executive by the Company and its subsidiaries, and as an additional incentive for the Company to enter into this Agreement, Executive agrees as follows:
(a) Nondisclosure of Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that it is the policy of the Company to maintain as secret and confidential (i) all valuable and unique information, (ii) other information heretofore or hereafter acquired by the Company, or any affiliated entity and deemed by it to be confidential, and (iii) information developed or used by the Company or any affiliated entity relating to the business, operations, employees and/or customers of the Company or any affiliated entity including, but not limited to, any employee information (all such information described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, other than information which is (x) known to the public or becomes known to the public through no fault of Executive or (y) received by Executive on a non-confidential basis from a person that is not bound by an obligation of confidentiality to the Company or its affiliates, is hereinafter referred to as Confidential Information). The parties recognize that the services to be performed by Executive pursuant to this Agreement are special and unique and that by reason of Executives employment by the Company, Executive has acquired and will acquire Confidential Information. Executive recognizes that all such Confidential Information is the property of the Company. Accordingly, Executive shall not, at any time during or after the Term, except in the proper performance of Executives duties under this Agreement, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company, disclose to any Person (as defined below) other than the Company, whether or not such Person is a competitor of the Company, and shall use Executives best efforts to prevent the publication or disclosure of any Confidential Information obtained by, or which has come to the knowledge of, Executive prior or subsequent to the date hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congress, and any Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law or regulation. For purposes of this Agreement, Person shall mean any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, firm or other business of whatever nature.
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(b) Non-Competition.
(i) During the Term and during the period beginning on the Date of Termination and ending on the two (2)-year anniversary thereof (together with the Term, the Restricted Period), Executive shall not become (A) engaged in any manner, directly or indirectly, either alone or with any Person now existing or hereafter created, that is engaged in or preparing to engage in, the Business (as defined below), or any portion thereof, in any region in which the Company or any of its affiliates is then operating or has firm plans to operate (the Geographic Area), or (B) directly or indirectly, as a shareholder, bondholder, lender, officer, director, employee, consultant or otherwise, perform services for, invest in, aid or abet or give information or financial assistance to any Person engaged in the Business, or any portion thereof, in the Geographic Area, or any portion thereof; provided, however, that this Section 7(b) shall not be deemed to prohibit Executive from owning as an investment, directly or indirectly, up to two percent (2%) of the securities of any publicly-traded company, or any portion thereof, in the Geographic Area, or any portion thereof. For purposes of this Agreement, Business shall mean the current business of the Company and its subsidiaries, including temperature-controlled warehousing (which include facility automation, design and construction), transportation, logistics, and supply chain management as well as temperature-controlled fruit and vegetable processing, high pressure pasteurization, redistribution, bread manufacturing, and any future business of the Company and its subsidiaries entered into prior to the Date of Termination.
(ii) Notwithstanding the forgoing, in connection with any repurchase of Executives Restricted Units and/or Profits Interests under Section 4(d)(v) and/or Section 4(e)(ii) hereof, in addition to the restrictions set forth in Section 7(b)(i) above, Executive shall not engage in any of the activities described in Section 7(b)(i) above during any period during which the Purchase Price and/or the LLH Purchase Price is being paid or remains payable to Executive. In the event of a breach by Executive of the provisions set forth in this Section 7(b), in addition to any other remedies available to BG, LLH, the Company or their affiliates, Executive shall forfeit and have no further right to receive any unpaid portion of the Purchase Price or the LLH Purchase Price otherwise payable to Executive under Section 4(d)(v) and Section 4(e)(ii), and neither BG nor LLH nor any of their affiliates shall have any further obligation to pay such portion of the Purchase Price to Executive.
(c) Non-Solicitation of Customers and Suppliers. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit or influence or attempt to solicit or influence any customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its affiliates to terminate or limit their relationship as customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its affiliates, or to divert their purchases, sales, supplies or other activities with respect to the Business to any other Person.
(d) Non-Solicitation of Employees. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, either directly or indirectly (i) solicit for employment by any Person any employees of the Company or any of its affiliates or (ii) solicit, canvass, induce or encourage any employee or consultant of the Company or any of its affiliates to leave the employment or consulting of or cease providing services to the Company or any of its affiliates; provided, however, that the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply to a general advertisement or solicitation (or any hiring pursuant to such advertisement or solicitation) that is not specifically targeted to such employees or consultants.
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(e) Continuing Operation; Survival. If the covenants set forth in Section 7(b) are determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its extending for too great of a period of time or over too great a Geographic Area, or by reason of its being too extensive in any other respect, such covenant shall be interpreted to provide for the longest period of time, over the greatest Geographic Area and/or the broadest scope of activities and to otherwise have the broadest application, as shall be enforceable by applicable law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, which shall continue in full force and effect. Without limiting the foregoing, the covenants contained herein shall be construed as separate covenants, covering their respective subject matters, with respect to each of the separate cities, counties and states of the United States, and each other country, and political subdivision thereof, in which the Business is being conducted none of the termination of Executives employment, the Term or this Agreement, in any case, will have any effect on the continuing operation of this Section 7, and this Section 7 shall continue to apply in accordance with its terms during and after Executives employment with the Company, whether or not any other provisions of this Agreement remain in effect at such time.
(f) Remedies. Executive acknowledges and understands that Section 7 and the other provisions of this Agreement are of a special and unique nature, the breach of which cannot be adequately compensated for in damages by an action at law, and that any breach or threatened breach of such provisions would cause the Company irreparable harm. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Executive of the provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to an injunction restraining him from such breach without the need to post bond therefor. Nothing contained in this Section 7 shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing, or limiting the Companys ability to pursue, any other remedies available for any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement by Executive. The provisions of Section 8 below relating to arbitration of disputes shall not be applicable to the Company to the extent it seeks an injunction or other equitable relief in any court to restrain Executive from violating Section 7 hereof.
8. Arbitration.
(a) Any controversy or dispute that establishes a legal or equitable cause of action (Arbitration Claim), between any two or more Persons Subject to Arbitration (as defined below), including without limitation, any controversy or dispute, whether based on contract, common law, or federal, state or local statute or regulation, arising out of, or relating to Executives employment or the termination thereof, shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration as the sole and exclusive remedy for such controversy or dispute. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall not require any Person Subject to Arbitration to arbitrate pursuant to this Agreement any claims: (i) under a Company benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended; (ii) any Arbitration Claim as to which applicable law not preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act prohibits resolution by binding arbitration hereof; or (iii) any controversy or dispute brought by the Company pursuant to Section 7 hereof. Either party hereto may seek provisional non-monetary remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction to the extent that such remedies are not available or not available in a timely fashion through arbitration. It is the parties intent that issues of arbitrability of any dispute shall be decided by the arbitrator.
(b) Persons Subject to Arbitration means, individually and collectively, (i) Executive, (ii) any person in privity with or claiming through, on behalf of or in the right of
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Executive, (iii) the Company, (iv) any past, present or future affiliate, employee, officer, director or agent of the Company, and/or (v) any person or entity alleged to be acting in concert with or to be jointly liable with any of the foregoing.
(c) The arbitration shall take place before a single neutral arbitrator at the JAMS office in Orange County, California. Such arbitrator shall be provided through JAMS by mutual agreement of the parties to the arbitration; provided that, absent such agreement, the arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules of JAMS then in effect. The arbitrator shall permit reasonable discovery. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the JAMS rules applicable to employment disputes in effect at the time of the arbitration. The award or decision of the arbitrator shall be rendered in writing; shall be final and binding on the parties; and may be enforced by judgment or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(d) In the event of arbitration relating to this Agreement, the non-prevailing party shall reimburse the prevailing party for all costs incurred by the prevailing party in connection with such arbitration (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees in connection with such arbitration, including any litigation or appeal therefrom).
(e) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OR COURT. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY UNDERSTAND THAT BY AGREEING TO ARBITRATE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM, THEY WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM DECIDED BY A JURY OR A COURT, BUT SHALL INSTEAD HAVE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM DECIDED THROUGH ARBITRATION.
(f) WAIVER OF OTHER RIGHTS. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY WAIVE ANY CONSTITUTIONAL OR OTHER RIGHT TO BRING CLAIMS COVERED BY THIS AGREEMENT OTHER THAN IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES. EXCEPT AS MAY BE PROHIBITED BY LAW, THIS WAIVER INCLUDES THE ABILITY TO ASSERT CLAIMS AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
(g) Severability; Conformance to Applicable Law. This Section 8 shall be interpreted to conform to any applicable law concerning the terms and enforcement of agreements to arbitrate employment disputes. To the extent any terms or conditions of this Section 8 would preclude its enforcement, such terms shall be severed or interpreted in a manner to allow for the enforcement of this Section 8. To the extent applicable law imposes additional requirements to allow enforcement of this Section 8, this Agreement shall be interpreted to include such terms or conditions.
9. Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance. During Executives employment with the Company (or any affiliate) during the Term and thereafter, Executive shall be entitled to indemnification by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Companys bylaws, limited liability company agreement or other applicable charter or governance documents (and to the same extent as applicable to Managers (as defined thereunder)). In addition, during Executives employment with the Company (or any affiliate) during the Term and thereafter, the Company shall provide Executive with coverage under the directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by the Company for the benefit of the members of
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the Board and the Companys officers, to the same extent as such coverage is provided to members of the Board and senior executive officers of the Company generally, provided, that the foregoing shall not obligate the Company to acquire or maintain any particular insurance policy at any time.
10. Successors. This Agreement is personal to Executive and, without the prior written consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
11. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered either personally, by reputable overnight courier or by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to Executive:
At Executives last known address
evidenced on the Companys
payroll records.
If to the Company:
Attn: General Counsel
Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC
1 Park Plaza, Suite 550
Irvine, California 92614
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with this Agreement, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
12. Section 409A.
(a) To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretative guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other such guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date (collectively, Section 409A). Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date, the Company determines that any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement may be subject to Section 409A, the Company may adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies or procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the compensation and benefits payable hereunder, including without limitation actions intended to (i) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement from Section 409A, and/or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A, provided, however, that this Section 13 does not, and shall not be construed so as to, create any obligation on the part of the Company to adopt any such amendments, policies or procedures or to take any other such actions or to create any liability on the part of the Company for any failure to do so. Executive shall be solely liable for any taxes imposed on him under or by operation of Section 409A.
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(b) Any right to a series of installment payments pursuant to this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no compensation or benefits, including without limitation any severance payments under Section 6 hereof, shall be paid to Executive during the six (6)-month period following Executives Separation from Service if the Company determines that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this Agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then on the first business day following the end of such six (6)-month period (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A of the Code without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of Executives death), the Company shall pay Executive a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to Executive during such period (without interest).
(d) To the extent that any payments or reimbursements provided to Executive under this Agreement are deemed to constitute compensation to which Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) would apply, such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive reasonably promptly, but not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of any such payments eligible for reimbursement in one year shall not affect the payments or expenses that are eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other taxable year, and Executives right to such payments or reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit. Executive acknowledges and agrees that it is Executives sole responsibility to timely substantiate any such expenses in order to ensure timely payment in accordance with the foregoing and the applicable requirements of Section 409A.
13. Withholding. All payments hereunder will be subject to any required withholding of federal, state and local taxes pursuant to any applicable law or regulation and the Company shall be entitled to withhold any and all such taxes from amounts payable hereunder.
14. Amendment; Waiver; Survival. No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, or waived unless agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by a duly authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either party of any breach by the other party of any condition or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. The respective rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall survive Executives termination of employment and the termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary for the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
15. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan without regard to its conflicts of law principles.
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16. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect.
17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
18. Section Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and they form no part of this Agreement and will not affect its interpretation.
19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with any applicable equity award agreements between Executive and the Company or its affiliates and any agreements between Executive and the Company or its affiliates), sets forth the final and entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by the Company and Executive, or any representative of the Company or Executive, with respect to the subject matter hereof (including, without limitation, the Prior Employment Agreement). As of the Effective Date, the Prior Employment Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.
20. Further Assurances. The parties hereby agree, without further consideration, to execute and deliver such other instruments and to take such other action as may reasonably be required to effectuate the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]
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Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (a) Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that the performance of Executives obligations hereunder will not violate any agreement between Executive and any other person, firm, organization or other entity, and (b) Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or other party that would be violated by Executives entering into this Agreement and/or providing services to the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
COMPANY | ||
Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC | ||
By: BG LLH, LLC | ||
Its: Managing Member | ||
By: Bay Grove Management Company, LLC | ||
Its: Manager | ||
By: | /s/ Adam Forste | |
Name: Adam Forste | ||
Its: Manager | ||
EXECUTIVE | ||
/s/ W. Gregory Lehmkuhl | ||
Name: W. Gregory Lehmkuhl |
[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]
Schedule A
Existing LMEP Awards
Award |
Number of Securities | Unvested Performance Units |
Date of Grant | |||||||
C-5 Common Units of LLH |
2,394,235 | 598,559 | 7/27/2015 | |||||||
C-6 Common Units of LLH |
2,154,303 | 646,291 | 3/31/2016 | |||||||
C-7 Common Units of LLH |
2,360,000 | 1,180,000 | 4/28/2017 |
Schedule B
Existing Restricted Unit Awards
Award |
Number of Securities | Unvested Units | Date of Grant | |||||||
Restricted Class B Preferred Units of BG |
160,799 | 0 | 7/20/2015 | |||||||
Restricted Class B Preferred Units of BG |
64,279 | 0 | 12/31/2016 | |||||||
Restricted Class B Preferred Units of BG |
47,169 | 15,723 | 12/31/2017 | |||||||
Restricted Class B Preferred Units of BG |
29,412 | 19,608 | 12/31/2018 |
Exhibit A
General Release
For valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned does hereby release and forever discharge the Releasees hereunder, consisting of Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC (the Company), and its partners, subsidiaries, associates, affiliates, successors, heirs, assigns, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives, lawyers, insurers, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of and from any and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in law or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises, liability, claims, demands, damages, losses, costs, attorneys fees or expenses, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent (hereinafter called Claims), which the undersigned now has or may hereafter have against the Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof.
The Claims released herein include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Claims in any way arising out of, based upon, or related to the employment or termination of employment of the undersigned by the Releasees, or any of them; any alleged breach of any express or implied contract of employment; any alleged torts or other alleged legal restrictions on Releasees right to terminate the employment of the undersigned; and any alleged violation of any federal, state or local statute or ordinance including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination In Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as each may have been amended from time to time, and any other applicable state law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this general release (the Release) shall not operate to release any rights or claims of the undersigned (i) to payments or benefits under Section 6 of that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2020, by and between the undersigned and the Company (the Employment Agreement) which payments and benefits (among other good and valuable consideration) are provided in exchange for this Release, (ii) to any Claims for indemnification arising under any applicable indemnification obligation of the Company (including Section 9 of the Employment Agreement), (iii) to any Claims which cannot be waived by an employee under applicable law, or (iv) to any Claims the undersigned may have solely in the undersigneds capacity as a equityholder of the Company.
THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS BEEN ADVISED BY LEGAL COUNSEL AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
THE UNDERSIGNED, BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS THE UNDERSIGNED MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT OF 1990, THE UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED AS FOLLOWS:
A. | THE UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS RELEASE; |
B. | THE UNDERSIGNED HAS AT LEAST [TWENTY-ONE (21)]1 DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS RELEASE BEFORE SIGNING IT. IF THE UNDERSIGNED SIGNS THIS RELEASE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE [TWENTY-ONE (21)] DAY PERIOD, THE UNDERSIGNED WAIVES THE REMAINDER OF THAT PERIOD. UNDERSIGNED WAIVES THE RESTARTING OF THE [TWENTY-ONE (21)] DAY PERIOD IN THE EVENT OF ANY MODIFICATION OF THIS RELEASE, WHETHER OR NOT MATERIAL; AND |
C. | THE UNDERSIGNED HAS SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER SIGNING THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE THIS RELEASE, AND THIS RELEASE WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON THE EXPIRATION OF THAT REVOCATION PERIOD. |
If the undersigned wishes to revoke this Release, the undersigned must deliver written notice (which may be by email), stating the undersigneds intent to revoke to [ ], at [ ], on or before 5:00 p.m. (PST) on the seventh (7th) day after the date on which the undersigned signs this Release. The undersigned acknowledges that if the undersigned revokes this Release, the undersigned will not receive any payments or benefits pursuant to Section 6(b) or (c) of the Employment Agreement.
The undersigned represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any Claim which the undersigned may have against Releasees, or any of them, and the undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold Releasees, and each of them, harmless from any liability, Claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and attorneys fees incurred by Releasees, or any of them, as the result of any such assignment or transfer or any rights or Claims under any such assignment or transfer. It is the intention of the parties that this indemnity does not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery by the Releasees against the undersigned under this indemnity.
The undersigned agrees that if the undersigned hereafter commences any suit arising out of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder or in any manner asserts against Releasees, or any of them, any of the Claims released hereunder, then the undersigned agrees to pay to Releasees, and each of them, in addition to any other damages caused to Releasees thereby, all attorneys fees incurred by Releasees in defending or otherwise responding to said suit or Claim.
1 | If multiple terminations are contemplated at the time of termination, this may need to be increased to 45 days. |
The undersigned further understands and agrees that neither the payment of any sum of money nor the execution of this Release shall constitute or be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Releasees, or any of them, who have consistently taken the position that they have no liability whatsoever to the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Release this day of 20 .
|
W. Gregory Lehmkuhl |
Exhibit 10.21
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of [_____], 2024 and effective as of the Effective Date (as defined below), is entered into by and between Lineage, Inc. (the REIT), Lineage Logistics Services, LLC (the Employer, and together with the REIT, the Company), Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC (LLH) and W. Gregory Lehmkuhl (Executive). This Agreement amends and restates in its entirety that certain Employment Agreement, dated and effective as of January 1, 2020, by and between LLH and Executive (the Prior Employment Agreement).
WHEREAS, Executive currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of LLH and the Employer pursuant to the Prior Employment Agreement; and
WHEREAS, effective as of the Effective Date, the Company and Executive mutually desire to continue Executives employment as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and to amend and restate in its entirety the Prior Employment Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon and as of the date of the closing of the IPO (as defined below) (the Effective Date). In the event that the closing of the IPO does not occur on or prior to December 31, 2024, this Agreement shall automatically, and without further action by any party, thereupon terminate without any obligation by any party, the provisions of this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect, and the Prior Employment Agreement shall remain in effect.
2. Term. Subject to the provisions for earlier termination hereinafter provided, Executives employment with the Company under this Agreement shall be for a term (the Term) commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the day prior to the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Effective Date (the Initial Termination Date). If not previously terminated, the Term of this Agreement shall be automatically extended for one (1) additional year on each of (a) the Initial Termination Date and (ii) on each anniversary thereof; provided, however, that either party hereto may elect not to extend the Term by giving written notice to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior to end of the then-current Term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executives employment hereunder may be earlier terminated in accordance with Section 6; provided, however, that the provisions of Section 8 and Section 10 below shall survive the expiration or termination of the Term in accordance with their terms. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination of Executives employment hereunder shall be referred to herein as the Term.
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3. Position and Duties. During the Term, Executive shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the REIT and the Employer, and shall serve in such other or additional positions as the Company may determine from time to time. Executive shall report to the Board of Directors of the REIT (the Board), and shall perform such duties as are usual and customary for Executives position including, without limitation, maintaining ultimate executive responsibility for all operations of the Company. In addition, in the event that the REIT becomes a publicly-listed company, then, in connection with the REITs initial public offering (an IPO) and thereafter during the Term, provided that Executive is then-serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the REIT, at any meeting of stockholders of the REIT during which any such election is held and Executives term as director will expire if he is not reelected, the REIT shall cause Executive to be nominated to serve as a member of the Board, provided, however, that the REIT shall not be obligated to cause such nomination if any of the events constituting Cause (as defined below) have occurred or if such nomination would result in a breach of any fiduciary duty by the Board or any member thereof at such time. Executive shall devote Executives best efforts and full business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and its affiliates, as directed by the Board, on a basis consistent with the level of services that are usual and customary for Executives position, and Executive shall not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity during the Term. Executive may engage in charitable, civic and industry-related activities provided that such activities are not competitive with the Company and its subsidiaries and do not interfere with Executives duties hereunder. Executive agrees to observe and comply with the written rules and written policies of the Company, as in effect from time to time, including, and without limitation, any written rules and written policies relating to Executives obligations to the Company and its members (or stockholders) upon a termination of employment.
4. Principal Location. During the Term, Executive shall perform the services required by this Agreement principally at the Companys Novi, Michigan office except for reasonable travel obligations to other locations as may be necessary or appropriate to fulfill Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder.
5. Compensation and Benefits; Expenses; Perquisites.
(a) Base Salary. During the Term, Executive shall receive a base salary (the Base Salary) of $1,200,000 per year. The Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the Compensation Committee) and may be increased (but not reduced) from time to time by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. Any such increase (if any) shall thereafter be Executives Base Salary for all purposes of this Agreement. The Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Companys customary payroll practices, as in effect from time to time, but no less often than monthly.
(b) Annual Cash Bonus. For each fiscal year of the Company ending during the Term, commencing with fiscal year 2024, Executive shall be eligible to earn a cash performance bonus (the Annual Cash Bonus) based on the attainment of Company, individual and/or other performance objectives as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion after consultation with Executive. Executives target Annual Cash Bonus shall equal one hundred and seventy-five percent (175%) of Executives Base Salary (the Target Cash Bonus), and Executives maximum Annual Cash Bonus shall equal three hundred and fifty percent (350%) of Executives Base Salary (the Maximum Cash Bonus); provided that the Target Cash Bonus and/or Maximum Cash Bonus shall be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and may be increased (but not reduced) from time to time by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion and any such increase (if any) shall thereafter be Executives
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Target Cash Bonus or Maximum Cash Bonus, as applicable, for all purposes of this Agreement. The actual amount of any Annual Cash Bonus payable to Executive (if any) shall be determined by reference to the attainment of the applicable performance objectives, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, and may be less than, or greater than (up to the aforementioned Maximum Cash Bonus), the Target Cash Bonus (and may equal zero). Any Annual Cash Bonus shall be paid to Executive on the date on which annual bonuses are paid generally by the Company to its senior executives with respect to the year in which the Annual Cash Bonus was earned, subject to and conditioned upon Executives continued employment with the Company through the applicable payment date (except as otherwise provided in Section 7 below).
(c) Equity-Based Awards. During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive annual equity-based awards under the Companys long-term incentive plan based on the Companys established market-based compensation review and reward process, subject to vesting and other conditions determined by the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive acknowledges that it is currently contemplated that the annual equity-based awards granted to Executive in 2024 at or following the IPO shall represent three (3) years of annual equity-based awards to Executive. The form, amount and terms of any such equity awards, if any, shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion in accordance with the terms and conditions of plans as in effect from time to time.
(d) Benefits. During the Term, Executive will be eligible to participate in the health, welfare and retirement benefit plans, policies and programs (including, as applicable, medical, dental, disability, life and accidental death insurance plans and programs) maintained by the Company for the benefit of its senior executive officers as may be in effect from time to time. Nothing contained in this Section 5(d) shall create or be deemed to create any obligation on the part of the Company to adopt or maintain any health, welfare, retirement, fringe or other benefit plan(s) or program(s) at any time.
(e) Vacation. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to accrue and use seven (7) weeks of paid vacation per calendar year (pro-rated for any partial year of service) (the Accrual Limit), provided, however, that Executive shall not accrue any vacation time in excess of the Accrual Limit and shall cease accruing vacation time if Executives accrued vacation reaches the Accrual Limit until such time as Executives accrued vacation drops below the Accrual Limit.
(f) Expenses. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executives services hereunder in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures generally applicable to senior executives of the Company, as in effect from time to time.
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6. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. Executives employment shall terminate automatically upon Executives death during the Term. Either the Company or Executive may terminate Executives employment in the event of Executives Disability during the Term, and Executive may terminate Executives employment in the event of a Family Disability during the Term. For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) Disability shall mean that Executive is first entitled to receive cash benefits under the Companys long-term disability benefit plan in which Executive is a participant.
(ii) Family Disability shall mean a life-threatening illness or condition of Executives immediate family member as certified by a board certified physician; provided, that, (i) Executive has provided the Company with at least sixty (60) days advance written notice (which the Board may shorten in its good faith discretion) of Executives intent to terminate his employment due to Family Disability and (ii) the Board determines that Executive and the Company have adequately planned the transition of Executives duties and responsibilities, with all parties acting in good faith.
(b) Cause. Executives employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for Cause or, upon forty-five (45) days advance written notice, without Cause, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following:
(i) the commission by Executive of any act of fraud, material dishonesty or embezzlement against the Company or any of its affiliates or otherwise in connection with the performance of Executives services under this Agreement;
(ii) Executives indictment or conviction of, or pleading guilty or no contest to, (A) a felony or (B) any crime involving moral turpitude that is or would reasonably be expected to be become materially injurious to the reputation or financial interests of the Company or its affiliates;
(iii) Executives willful performance of acts of misconduct which are or would reasonably be expected to become materially injurious to the reputation or financial interests of the Company or its affiliates, including without limitation, unlawful discrimination against or sexual or racial harassment of employees or other service providers of the Company, its affiliates or any of their respective customers or clients, or of any other persons engaged in business with the Company or any of its affiliates;
(iv) Executives material breach of this Agreement, any other written material agreement between Executive and the Company or its affiliates, or any applicable Company written policy, including, without limitation, written policies addressing confidentiality, non-solicitation or non-competition;
(v) Executives willful failure to substantially perform or gross neglect of Executives duties hereunder (including, but not limited to, Executives failure to follow lawful instructions of the Board that is also within the scope Executives duties and responsibilities after having received prior written notice of such failure); or
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(vi) Executives use of illicit drugs or use of alcohol in the workplace or otherwise repeatedly in a manner that has a material detrimental effect on Executives performance, Executives duties to the Company, or the reputation of the Company or its affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executives acts or failures to act will not be considered willful unless Executive acts, or fails to act, in bad faith or without a good faith belief that the action or failure to act was in the best interests of Company. Executives actions, or failures to act, based upon express authority given pursuant to direction or a resolution duly adopted by the Board, or upon the advice of counsel for the Company or the Board, will be conclusively presumed to be in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. Any determination of Cause by the Company will be made by a resolution approved by a majority of the members of the Board (excluding Executive), provided that no such determination of Cause as a result of any event in clause (iv) or (v) above may be made until Executive has been given written notice detailing the specific Cause event and a period of thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice to cure such event (if susceptible to cure) to the satisfaction of the Board, or, if such event is not so cured, an opportunity on at least five (5) days advance written notice to appear (with legal counsel) before the full Board to discuss the specific circumstances alleged to constitute a Cause event.
(c) Good Reason. Executive may terminate Executives employment at any time for Good Reason or without Good Reason, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason shall mean the occurrence, without Executives prior written consent, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) A material reduction in Executives Base Salary or Target Bonus opportunity;
(ii) During the eighteen (18) month period following a Change in Control, a material reduction in Executives most recent aggregate target annual equity award value prior to the Change in Control;
(iii) A relocation of Executives primary work location by more than twenty-five (25) miles from its then current location;
(iv) Material diminution in Executives duties, reporting relationship, authorities, title or responsibilities (other than temporarily while physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law), including failing to be the Chief Executive Officer of the parent company of the surviving entity following a Change in Control; or
(v) A material breach of this Agreement by the Company or its affiliates, or a material breach by the Company or its affiliates of any other written material agreement between Executive and the Company or its affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executives termination shall not constitute a termination for Good Reason as a result of any event in (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above unless (A) Executive first provides the Company with written notice thereof within sixty (60) days after the later of the first occurrence of such event or when Executive is first aware of the occurrence of such event, (B) to the extent curable, the Company fails to cure the circumstance or event so identified within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, and (C) the effective date of Executives termination for Good Reason occurs no later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the Companys cure period.
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(d) Expiration; Nonrenewal. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in no event shall the expiration of the Term (as may subsequently be extended or renewed) or the Companys election not to renew or extend the Term or Executives employment with the Company constitute a termination of Executives employment by the Company without Cause.
(e) Retirement. Executive may terminate Executives employment due to Executives Retirement (as defined below), in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, Retirement means Executives voluntary retirement as an employee of the Company on or after the date on which Executive has (a) attained at least fifty-five (55) years of age and (b) completed at least ten (10) years of service with the Company; provided that Executive has provided the Company with at least six (6) months advance written notice of Executives retirement and the Board determines that Executive and the Company have adequately planned the transition of Executives duties and responsibilities, with all parties acting in good faith. For avoidance of doubt, if Executive incurs a termination of employment for any reason during such notice period, such termination shall not be deemed to have occurred by reason of Executives Retirement for purposes of this Agreement, provided that Executive shall be treated as having terminated due to Executives Retirement if Executive initiates the process to terminate for Retirement during the Term in accordance herewith and Executive incurs a termination of employment prior to such Retirement due to Companys election not to renew or extend the Term pursuant to Section 2 above.
7. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) General. In the event that Executives employment under this Agreement terminates during the Term for any reason, upon such termination, the Company shall pay to Executive (or Executives estate) in a single lump sum payment, within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination, or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law, the aggregate amount of (i) any earned but unpaid Base Salary, (ii) any accrued, but unused vacation owed to Executive in accordance with Section 5(e) above and (iii) any unreimbursed business expenses incurred prior to the Date of Termination that are reimbursable in accordance with Section 5(f) above (together, the Accrued Obligations). Vested benefits (if any) under any employee benefit plans shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. In addition, upon a termination of Executives employment during the Term for any reason, any then-outstanding equity-based awards in the REIT, Lineage OP, LP or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates held by Executive as of such Date of Termination shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable plan and award agreement(s).
(b) Termination by the Company Without Cause or Resignation by Executive For Good Reason. If, during the Term, the Company terminates Executives employment without Cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason, then, in either case, upon Executives separation from service from the Company (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code)) (a Separation from Service and the date of any such Separation from Service, the Date of Termination), subject to and conditioned upon Executives timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the Release) and Executives continued compliance with the provisions of Section 8 below (the Restrictions), then Executive shall be entitled to receive the payments and benefits set forth below:
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(i) The Company shall pay to Executive an amount in cash equal to the sum of (a) twenty-four (24) months (or in the case of a Change in Control Termination, thirty-six (36) months), of Executives Base Salary plus (b) two (2) times (or in the case of a Change in Control Termination, three (3) times) Executives Target Cash Bonus (collectively, the Cash Severance). The Company shall pay the Cash Severance in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Companys customary payroll practices during the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the twenty-four (24)-month anniversary (or in the case of a Change in Control Termination, thirty-six (36)-month anniversary) thereof (the Severance Period); provided, that if the aggregate period during which Executive is entitled to consider and/or revoke the Release spans two (2) calendar years, no payments under this Section 7(b)(i) shall be made prior to the beginning of the second (2nd) such calendar year. For purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control Termination, means a termination of Executives employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, in either case, on or within eighteen (18) months following a Change in Control (as defined in the Companys 2024 Incentive Award Plan, as may be amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereto).
(ii) The Company shall pay to Executive any unpaid Annual Cash Bonus for any prior completed year and, if an Annual Cash Bonus would, absent Executives termination, become payable to Executive in accordance with Section 5(b) above with respect to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs as a result of the achievement of the applicable performance objectives for such year, a pro-rated portion of such Annual Cash Bonus (the Pro-Rated Annual Cash Bonus) determined by multiplying (a) the actual Annual Cash Bonus that would have been paid to Executive for such year had Executives employment not terminated (if any) by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in such year through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365. The Company shall pay the unpaid Annual Cash Bonus for the prior completed year (if any) and Pro-Rated Annual Cash Bonus (if any) to Executive on the date on which annual bonuses are paid generally by the Company to its senior executives with respect to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, but in no event later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the Date of Termination occurs.
(iii) Subject to Executives valid election to continue healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Code, during the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the twenty-four (24)-month anniversary (or in the case of a Change in Control Termination, the thirty-six (36)-month anniversary) of the Date of Termination or, if earlier, the date on which Executive becomes eligible for coverage under a subsequent employers group health plan (in any case, the COBRA Period), the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to the cost of coverage under the Companys group health plan (if any) at the same levels and costs in effect on the Date of Termination (the COBRA Payment) for Executives use toward securing continued health insurance (whether through COBRA or otherwise). The COBRA Payment shall be paid to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments over the COBRA Period and, for the avoidance of doubt, the COBRA Payment shall continue during the COBRA Period if the continuation healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Code expires under its terms.
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(c) Termination due to Executives Death, Disability, Family Disability or Retirement. If, during the Term, Executives employment terminates due to his death, Disability, Family Disability or Retirement, then, in either case, upon Executives Separation from Service, subject to and conditioned upon Executives or Executives estates, as applicable, timely execution and non-revocation of the Release, Executive (or Executives estate) shall be entitled to receive the payments set forth in Section 7(b)(ii) above on the terms and conditions provided therein.
(d) Other Terminations. If Executives employment is terminated for any reason not described in Sections 7(b) or (c) above (including, without limitation, due to a termination by the Company for Cause, a resignation by Executive without Good Reason, or following the expiration of the Term), the Company will pay Executive only the Accrued Obligations within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (or such earlier date as may be required under applicable law). Vested benefits (if any) under any employee benefit plans shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.
(e) Mitigation; Offset. Executive will have no duty to mitigate the amount of any compensation and benefits received by Executive under the Agreement and, except as otherwise set forth in this Section 7(e), the amount of any compensation or benefits provided for pursuant to this Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation earned as a result of Executives other employment or otherwise.
(f) Termination of Offices and Directorships; Full Settlement. Upon a termination of Executives employment for any reason, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement between Executive and the Company, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices, directorships and other employment positions then held with the REIT, Lineage OP, LP, the Employer or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates (the Lineage Group) and shall take all actions reasonably requested by the Company to effectuate the foregoing. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Company shall have no further obligations, and Executive shall have no further rights or entitlements, in connection with or following Executives termination of employment.
(g) Return of Property. Upon termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive shall return to the Company (i) all keys, files, records (and copies thereof), equipment (including, but not limited to, computer hardware, software and printers, wireless handheld devices, cellular phones and pagers), access or credit cards, Company identification, and any other Company-owned property in Executives possession or control, and (ii) all documents and copies, including hard and electronic copies, of documents in Executives possession relating to any Confidential Information (as defined below) including without limitation, internal and external business forms, manuals, correspondence, notes and computer programs, and Executive shall not make or retain any copy or extract of any of the foregoing.
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8. Confidential Information; Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation. To protect the trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Lineage Group and their customers and clients that have been and will be entrusted to Executive, the business goodwill of the Lineage Group that will be developed in and through Executive and the business opportunities that will be disclosed or entrusted to Executive by the Lineage Group, and as an additional incentive for the Company to enter into this Agreement, Executive agrees as follows:
(a) Nondisclosure of Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that it is the policy of the Lineage Group to maintain as secret and confidential (i) all valuable and unique information, (ii) other information heretofore or hereafter acquired by the Lineage Group and deemed by it to be confidential, and (iii) information developed or used by the Lineage Group relating to the business, operations, employees and/or customers of the Lineage Group including, but not limited to, any employee information (all such information described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, other than information which is (x) known to the public or becomes known to the public through no fault of Executive or (y) received by Executive on a non-confidential basis from a person that is not bound by an obligation of confidentiality to the Lineage Group, is hereinafter referred to as Confidential Information). The parties recognize that the services to be performed by Executive pursuant to this Agreement are special and unique and that by reason of Executives employment by the Company, Executive has acquired and will acquire Confidential Information. Executive recognizes that all such Confidential Information is the property of the Lineage Group. Accordingly, Executive shall not, at any time during or after the Term, except in the proper performance of Executives duties under this Agreement, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company, disclose to any Person (as defined below) other than the Lineage Group, whether or not such Person is a competitor of the Lineage Group, and shall use Executives best efforts to prevent the publication or disclosure of any Confidential Information obtained by, or which has come to the knowledge of, Executive prior or subsequent to the Effective Date hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall prohibit Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congress, and any Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law or regulation. Further, Executive acknowledges receipt of the following notice of immunity rights under the Defend Trade Secrets Act, which states: (1) an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal; and (2) an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose a trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual (A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and (B) does not disclose a trade secret, except pursuant to court order. For purposes of this Agreement, Person shall mean any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, firm or other business of whatever nature.
(b) Non-Competition. During the Term and during the period beginning on the Date of Termination and ending on the two (2)-year anniversary thereof (together with the Term, the Restricted Period), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for Executives own benefit or the benefit of any other Person, anywhere in the Geographic Area (as defined below) (except with the prior written consent of the Company): (A) engage in, conduct, or operate, or prepare to engage in, conduct, or operate a Competing Business (as defined below), or any portion thereof, or (B) whether as a shareholder, bondholder, lender, officer, director, employee, consultant or
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otherwise, perform services for, invest in, aid or abet or give information or financial assistance to any Person engaged in a Competing Business, or any portion thereof; provided, however, that this Section 8(b) shall not be deemed to prohibit Executive from owning as an investment, directly or indirectly, up to two percent (2%) of the securities of any publicly-traded company, or any portion thereof. For purposes of this Agreement, Competing Business shall mean the business of temperature-controlled logistics and warehousing and related material services that competes or could compete with such business or related material service of the Lineage Group conducted as of, or at any time within the three (3) years prior to, the Date of Termination or which the Lineage Group has firm plans to conduct as of the Date of Termination; and Geographic Area shall mean any city, state, region, and country in which the Lineage Group operates during the Term or has firm plans to operate as of the Date of Termination.
(c) Non-Solicitation of Customers and Suppliers. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit or influence or attempt to solicit or influence any customers or suppliers of the Lineage Group to terminate or limit their relationship as customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its affiliates, or to divert their purchases, sales, supplies or other activities to any other Person.
(d) Non-Solicitation of Employees. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly (i) solicit for employment or hire by any Person any employee of the Lineage Group or (ii) solicit, canvass, induce or encourage any employee or consultant of the Lineage Group to leave the employment or consulting of, or cease providing services to, the Lineage Group; provided, however, that the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply to a general advertisement or solicitation (or any hiring pursuant to such advertisement or solicitation) that is not specifically targeted to such employees or consultants.
(e) Continuing Operation; Survival. If the covenants set forth in Section 8 are determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its extending for too great of a period of time or over too great a geographic area, or by reason of its being too extensive in any other respect, such covenant shall be interpreted to provide for the longest period of time, over the greatest Geographic Area and/or the broadest scope of activities and to otherwise have the broadest application, as shall be enforceable by applicable law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, which shall continue in full force and effect. Without limiting the foregoing, the covenants contained herein shall be construed as separate covenants, covering their respective subject matters, with respect to each of the separate cities, counties and states of the United States, and each other country, and political subdivision thereof, in which the Lineage Group conducts business, none of the termination of Executives employment, the Term or this Agreement, in any case, will have any effect on the continuing operation of this Section 8, and this Section 8 shall continue to apply in accordance with its terms during and after Executives employment with the Company, whether or not any other provisions of this Agreement remain in effect at such time.
(f) Remedies. Executive acknowledges and understands that Section 8 and the other provisions of this Agreement are of a special and unique nature, the breach of which cannot be adequately compensated for in damages by an action at law, and that any breach or threatened breach of such provisions would cause the Company irreparable harm. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Executive of the provisions of this Agreement, the Restricted Period shall be
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tolled, one day for each day that Executive is in breach of such provisions, so as to give the Company the bargained-for benefit of this Agreement, and the Company shall be entitled to an injunction restraining him from such breach without the need to post bond therefor. Nothing contained in this Section 8 shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing, or limiting the Companys ability to pursue, any other remedies available for any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement by Executive. The provisions of Section 9 below relating to arbitration of disputes shall not be applicable to the Company to the extent it seeks an injunction or other equitable relief in any court to restrain Executive from violating Section 8 hereof.
9. Arbitration.
(a) Any controversy or dispute that establishes a legal or equitable cause of action (Arbitration Claim), between any two or more Persons Subject to Arbitration (as defined below), including without limitation, any controversy or dispute, whether based on contract, common law, or federal, state or local statute or regulation, arising out of, or relating to Executives employment or the termination thereof, shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration as the sole and exclusive remedy for such controversy or dispute. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall not require any Person Subject to Arbitration to arbitrate pursuant to this Agreement any claims: (i) under a Company benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended; (ii) for unemployment or workers compensation benefits; (iii) of sexual harassment or sexual assault arising under federal, state, local, or tribal law, unless Executive elects to arbitrate such disputes; (iv) brought before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or similar state or local agency, if Executive is required to exhaust Executives administrative remedies; provided, that any appeal from an award or denial of an award by any such agency or any further action upon receipt of a right-to-sue letter shall be arbitrated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (v) as to which applicable law not preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act prohibits resolution by binding arbitration hereof; or (vi) brought by the Company pursuant to Section 8 hereof. Either party hereto may seek provisional non-monetary remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction to the extent that such remedies are not available or not available in a timely fashion through arbitration. It is the parties intent that issues of arbitrability of any dispute shall be decided by the arbitrator.
(b) Persons Subject to Arbitration means, individually and collectively, (i) Executive, (ii) any person in privity with or claiming through, on behalf of or in the right of Executive, (iii) the Company, (iv) any past, present or future affiliate, employee, officer, director or agent of the Company, and/or (v) any person or entity alleged to be acting in concert with or to be jointly liable with any of the foregoing.
(c) The arbitration shall take place before a single neutral arbitrator at the JAMS office in Detroit, Michigan, pursuant to JAMSs Employment Arbitration Rules & Procedures, available at https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/English. Such arbitrator shall be provided through JAMS by mutual agreement of the parties to the arbitration; provided that, absent such agreement, the arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules of JAMS then in effect. The arbitrator shall permit reasonable discovery. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the JAMS rules applicable to employment disputes in effect at the time of the arbitration. The award or decision of the arbitrator shall be rendered in writing; shall be final and binding on the parties; and may be enforced by judgment or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
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(d) In the event of arbitration relating to this Agreement, the non-prevailing party shall reimburse the prevailing party for all costs incurred by the prevailing party in connection with such arbitration (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees in connection with such arbitration, including any litigation or appeal therefrom).
(e) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OR COURT. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY UNDERSTAND THAT BY AGREEING TO ARBITRATE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM, THEY WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM DECIDED BY A JURY OR A COURT, BUT SHALL INSTEAD HAVE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM DECIDED THROUGH ARBITRATION.
(f) WAIVER OF OTHER RIGHTS. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY WAIVE ANY CONSTITUTIONAL OR OTHER RIGHT TO BRING CLAIMS COVERED BY THIS AGREEMENT OTHER THAN IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES. EXCEPT AS MAY BE PROHIBITED BY LAW, THIS WAIVER INCLUDES THE ABILITY TO ASSERT CLAIMS AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
(g) Severability; Conformance to Applicable Law. This Section 9 shall be interpreted to conform to any applicable law concerning the terms and enforcement of agreements to arbitrate employment disputes. To the extent any terms or conditions of this Section 9 would preclude its enforcement, such terms shall be severed or interpreted in a manner to allow for the enforcement of this Section 9. To the extent applicable law imposes additional requirements to allow enforcement of this Section 9, this Agreement shall be interpreted to include such terms or conditions.
10. Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance. During Executives employment with the Company (or any affiliate) during the Term and thereafter, Executive shall be entitled to indemnification by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the Companys bylaws, articles of incorporation or other applicable charter or governance documents (and to the same extent as applicable to officers and directors of the Company) and under the bylaws, articles of incorporation, limited liability company agreement(s) or other applicable charter or governance documents of any subsidiary of the Company (and to the same extent as applicable to officers and directors of members of any such subsidiary). In addition, during Executives employment with the Company (or any affiliate) during the Term and thereafter, the Company shall provide Executive with coverage under the directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by the Company for the benefit of the members of the Board and the Companys officers, to the same extent as such coverage is provided to members of the Board and senior executive officers of the Company generally, provided, that the foregoing shall not obligate the Company to acquire or maintain any particular insurance policy at any time.
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11. Section 280G Best Pay Cap.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by Executive (including any payment or benefit received in connection with a termination of Executives employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits, including the payments and benefits under Section 7 of this Agreement, the Total Payments) would be subject (in whole or part) to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the Excise Tax), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, Executives remaining Total Payments shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax, but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes applicable to such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments).
(b) For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax, (i) no portion of the Total Payments, the receipt or retention of which Executive has waived at such time and in such manner so as not to constitute a payment within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code, will be taken into account; (ii) no portion of the Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the written opinion of an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm (the Independent Advisors) selected by the Company, does not constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the opinion of Independent Advisors, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the base amount (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) allocable to such reasonable compensation; and (iii) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Independent Advisors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from presenting to the Company any calculations, analyses or other materials prepared by an advisor selected and engaged by Executive (at Executives sole expense) with respect to the calculations under this Section 11, and if so presented, the Company shall consider such calculations, analyses and materials in good faith.
12. Clawback Policy. Executive acknowledges and agrees that any and all amounts payable under this Agreement shall be subject to any written compensation recovery or written clawback policy of the Company in effect on the Effective Date or as may be adopted or maintained by the Company following the Effective Date, including any such written policy adopted or maintained pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
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13. Successors. This Agreement is personal to Executive and, without the prior written consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
14. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered either personally, by e-mail transmission, by reputable overnight courier or by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to Executive:
At Executives last known address and/or e-mail address evidenced on the Companys records.
If to the Company:
Lineage, Inc.
1 Park Plaza, Suite 550
Irvine, California 92614
Attn: Chairman of the Board of Directors
e-mail: adam@bay-grove.com
Attn: General Counsel
e-mail: nmatsler@onelineage.com
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with this Agreement, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
15. Section 409A.
(a) To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretative guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other such guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date (collectively, Section 409A). Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date, the Company determines that any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement may be subject to Section 409A, the Company may adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies or procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the compensation and benefits payable hereunder, including without limitation actions intended to (i) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement from Section 409A, and/or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A, provided, however, that any change to the material terms of this Agreement shall remain subject to Executives written consent and that this Section 15 does not, and shall not be construed so as to, create any obligation on the part of the Company to adopt any such amendments, policies or procedures or to take any other such actions or to create any liability on the part of the Company for any failure to do so. Executive shall be solely liable for any taxes imposed on him under or by operation of Section 409A.
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(b) Any right to a series of installment payments pursuant to this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no compensation or benefits, including without limitation any severance payments under Section 7 hereof, shall be paid to Executive during the six (6)-month period following Executives Separation from Service if the Company determines that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this Agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then on the first business day following the end of such six (6)-month period (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A of the Code without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of Executives death), the Company shall pay Executive a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to Executive during such period (without interest).
(d) To the extent that any payments or reimbursements provided to Executive under this Agreement are deemed to constitute compensation to which Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) would apply, such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive reasonably promptly, but not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of any such payments eligible for reimbursement in one year shall not affect the payments or expenses that are eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other taxable year, and Executives right to such payments or reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit. Executive acknowledges and agrees that it is Executives sole responsibility to timely substantiate any such expenses in order to ensure timely payment in accordance with the foregoing and the applicable requirements of Section 409A.
16. Withholding. All payments hereunder will be subject to any required withholding of federal, state and local taxes pursuant to any applicable law or regulation and the Company shall be entitled to withhold any and all such taxes from amounts payable hereunder.
17. Amendment; Waiver; Survival. No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, or waived unless agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by a duly authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either party of any breach by the other party of any condition or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. The respective rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall survive Executives termination of employment and the termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary for the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
18. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan without regard to its conflicts of law principles.
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19. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
21. Section Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and they form no part of this Agreement and will not affect its interpretation.
22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with any applicable equity award agreements between Executive and the Company or its affiliates), sets forth the final and entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by the Company and Executive, or any representative of the Company or Executive, with respect to the subject matter hereof (including, without limitation, the Prior Employment Agreement).
23. Further Assurances. The parties hereby agree, without further consideration, to execute and deliver such other instruments and to take such other action as may reasonably be required to effectuate the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]
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Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (a) Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that the performance of Executives obligations hereunder will not violate any agreement between Executive and any other person, firm, organization or other entity, and (b) Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or other party that would be violated by Executives entering into this Agreement and/or providing services to the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
REIT | ||
Lineage, Inc. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: Adam Forste | ||
Its: Co-Executive Chairman | ||
EMPLOYER | ||
Lineage Logistics Services, LLC | ||
By: | LLH Topco Holdings TRS, LLC | |
Its: | Sole Member | |
By: | Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC | |
Its: | Manager | |
By: | Lineage OP, LLC | |
Its: | Managing Member | |
By: | Lineage, Inc. | |
Its: | Managing Member | |
By: |
| |
Name: Adam Forste | ||
Title: Co-Executive Chairman | ||
LLH | ||
Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC | ||
By: | Lineage OP, LP | |
Its: | Managing Member | |
By: | Lineage, Inc. | |
Its: | Managing Member | |
By: |
| |
Name: Adam Forste | ||
Its: Co-Executive Chairman |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement]
EXECUTIVE |
|
Name: W. Gregory Lehmkuhl |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement]
Exhibit A
General Release
For valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned does hereby release and forever discharge the Releasees hereunder, consisting of Lineage, Inc. (the REIT), Lineage Logistics Services, LLC (the Employer, together with the REIT, the Company), Lineage OP, LP and their respective partners, subsidiaries, associates, affiliates, successors, heirs, assigns, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives, lawyers, insurers, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of and from any and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in law or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises, liability, claims, demands, damages, losses, costs, attorneys fees or expenses, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent (hereinafter called Claims), which the undersigned now has or may hereafter have against the Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof.
The Claims released herein include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Claims in any way arising out of, based upon, or related to the employment or termination of employment of the undersigned by the Releasees, or any of them; any alleged breach of any express or implied contract of employment; any alleged torts or other alleged legal restrictions on Releasees right to terminate the employment of the undersigned; and any alleged violation of any federal, state or local statute or ordinance including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination In Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Michigan Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, the Michigan Persons With Disabilities Civil Rights Act, the Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act, and the Michigan Payment of Wages and Fringe Benefits Act, as each may have been amended from time to time, and any other applicable federal, state or local law, including any order, statute, regulation, constitution, ordinance, and common law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this general release (the Release) shall not operate to release any rights or claims of the undersigned (i) to payments or benefits under Section 7 of that certain Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of [_____], 2024, by and between the undersigned and the Company (the Employment Agreement), which payments and benefits (among other good and valuable consideration) are provided in exchange for this Release, (ii) to any Claims for indemnification arising under any applicable indemnification obligation of the Company (including Section 10 of the Employment Agreement), (iii) to report to, provide information to, cooperate in any investigation or other proceeding conducted by, or receive a whistleblower award from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Department of Justice, or any other federal, state or local governmental or regulatory body or official; (iv) file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or analogous state or local governmental agency (the EEOC); provided, however, Executive releases Executives right to receive damages or other relief awarded in any such proceeding by or before the EEOC; (v) to any Claims for unemployment benefits or workers compensation benefits or which cannot be waived by an employee under applicable law, or (vi) to any Claims the undersigned may have solely in the undersigneds capacity as a equityholder of the Company.
THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS BEEN ADVISED BY LEGAL COUNSEL AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASING PARTY.
THE UNDERSIGNED, BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS THE UNDERSIGNED MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OWBPA, THE UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED AS FOLLOWS:
A. | THE UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS RELEASE; |
B. | THE UNDERSIGNED HAS AT LEAST [TWENTY-ONE (21)]1 DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS RELEASE BEFORE SIGNING IT. IF THE UNDERSIGNED SIGNS THIS RELEASE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE [TWENTY-ONE (21)] DAY PERIOD, THE UNDERSIGNED WAIVES THE REMAINDER OF THAT PERIOD. UNDERSIGNED WAIVES THE RESTARTING OF THE [TWENTY-ONE (21)] DAY PERIOD IN THE EVENT OF ANY MODIFICATION OF THIS RELEASE, WHETHER OR NOT MATERIAL; AND |
C. | THE UNDERSIGNED HAS SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER SIGNING THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE THIS RELEASE, AND, PROVIDED THE UNDERSIGNED DOES NOT SO REVOKE THIS RELEASE, THIS RELEASE WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON THE EIGHTH (8TH) DAY AFTER THE UNDERSIGNED EXECUTES THIS RELEASE. |
If the undersigned wishes to revoke this Release, the undersigned must deliver written notice (which may be by email), stating the undersigneds intent to revoke to [______], at [_______], on or before 11:59 p.m. (Central time) on the seventh (7th) day after the date on which the undersigned signs this Release. The undersigned acknowledges that if the undersigned fails to timely execute and deliver the Release to the Company or timely revokes this Release, the undersigned will not receive any payments or benefits pursuant to Section 7(b) or (c) of the Employment Agreement.
1 | If at least one other termination is contemplated at the time of the undersigneds termination, this may need to be increased to 45 days and additional disclosure under the OWBPA may be needed. |
The undersigned represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any Claim which the undersigned may have against Releasees, or any of them, and the undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold Releasees, and each of them, harmless from any liability, Claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and attorneys fees incurred by Releasees, or any of them, as the result of any such assignment or transfer or any rights or Claims under any such assignment or transfer. It is the intention of the parties that this indemnity does not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery by the Releasees against the undersigned under this indemnity.
The undersigned agrees that if the undersigned hereafter commences any suit arising out of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder or in any manner asserts against Releasees, or any of them, any of the Claims released hereunder, then the undersigned agrees to pay to Releasees, and each of them, in addition to any other damages caused to Releasees thereby, all attorneys fees incurred by Releasees in defending or otherwise responding to said suit or Claim; provided, nothing herein shall restrict the undersigned from challenging the knowing and voluntary nature of this Release under the ADEA before a court of competent jurisdiction or the EEOC; provided, further, nothing herein shall limit such courts or the EEOCs ability to offset any compensation awarded to the undersigned upon such a challenge by the amount of consideration received under Section 7(b) or (c) of the Employment Agreement.
The undersigned further understands and agrees that neither the payment of any sum of money nor the execution of this Release shall constitute or be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Releasees, or any of them, who have consistently taken the position that they have no liability whatsoever to the undersigned.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Release this ____ day of ___________________ 20__.
|
W. Gregory Lehmkuhl |
Exhibit 10.22
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of April 12, 2023, is entered into by and between Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), and Rob Crisci (Executive).
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company are parties to that certain Offer Letter, dated as of March 31, 2023 and countersigned by Executive prior to the parties execution and delivery of this Agreement (the Offer Letter), pursuant to which the Company has offered, and Executive has accepted, employment with the Company as its Chief Financial Officer;
WHEREAS, effective as of April 19, 2023 (or such other date as may be mutually agreed by the parties hereto, the Effective Date), the Company desires to employ Executive, and Executive desires to accept such employment, with the Company, upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, and to formalize the parties agreement with respect to Executives employment by the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment Period. Subject to the provisions for earlier termination hereinafter provided, Executives employment with the Company under this Agreement shall be for a period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the date that is three (3) years following the Effective Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (in any case, the Employment Period). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Executives employment hereunder is terminable at will by the Company or by the Executive at any time (for any reason or for no reason), subject to the provisions of Section 4 hereof.
2. Position, Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) Position. During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and shall serve in such other or additional positions and on such terms as the Company may determine from time to time. Executive shall report to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (currently, Greg Lehmkuhl), and shall perform such duties as are usual and customary for Executives position. At the Companys request, Executive shall serve the Company and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates in such other capacities, consistent with Executives title, as the Company shall reasonably designate (without additional compensation). Executive agrees to observe and comply with applicable law and the rules and policies of the Company, as in effect from time to time, including, and without limitation, any rules and policies relating to Executives obligations to the Company and its members (or stockholders) upon a termination of employment.
(b) Exclusivity. During the Employment Period, Executive shall devote Executives best efforts and full business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and shall not (i) serve as an employee or consultant for any other entity, (ii) serve on the board of directors or similar body of any other entity, or (iii) engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business activity (whether or not pursued for pecuniary advantage) that is or may be competitive with, or that might place Executive in a competing position to, that of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to (x) serve on the boards of directors of non-profit, civic or charitable organizations or (y) manage Executives personal investments, in each case, to the extent that such activities do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially interfere with the performance of
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Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder or directly or indirectly compete or conflict with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything herein to the contrary, Executive may (A) from the Effective Date until no later than January 31, 2025, devote up to seven (7) hours per week on average to the performance of services to Roper Technologies, Inc. consistent with the type and level of such services being provided by Executive over the period commencing on February 1, 2023 to the Effective Date, provided that the performance of such services does not conflict or materially interfere with Executives performance of duties hereunder, and (B) continue to serve as a director on the board of directors of MasterBrand, Inc., to the extent that such service as a director (or on any committee of such board) does not conflict or materially interfere with the performance of Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder.
(c) Principal Location. During the Employment Period, Executive shall perform the services required by this Agreement from one or more of the Companys offices in Florida; provided, that Executive shall be permitted to work remotely as may be agreed between the Company and Executive in accordance with applicable Company policy, except for travel to other locations as may be necessary from time to time to fulfill Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder, including to the Companys principal offices, currently located in Novi, Michigan. Executive acknowledges that the Companys primary finance function which Executive shall oversee in connection with his duties and responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer of the Company (and a substantial number of the Companys employees employed thereby) is based at the Companys principal offices in Novi, Michigan, and, without limiting the foregoing, Executive shall consequently spend a meaningful amount of time working in the Companys offices in Novi, Michigan in order to fulfill Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder.
3. Compensation and Benefits; Expenses.
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive a base salary of $700,000 per year (the Base Salary), pro-rated for any partial year of employment. The Company shall review Executives Base Salary at least annually, and may, in its sole discretion, from time to time increase the then-applicable Base Salary. For avoidance of doubt, the Base Salary as so increased and in effect from time to time shall be referred to herein as the Base Salary. The Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Companys customary payroll practices, as in effect from time to time, but no less often than monthly.
(b) Annual Bonus. For each fiscal year of the Company ending during the Employment Period, commencing with and pro-rated for the Companys fiscal year 2023, Executive shall be eligible to earn a cash performance bonus (the Annual Bonus), based on the attainment of Company, divisional, individual and/or other performance objectives determined by the Company in its sole discretion, in accordance with the applicable bonus plan or program maintained by the Company (or any of its affiliates). Executives target Annual Bonus shall equal 125% of Executives Base Salary (the Target Bonus). The actual amount of any Annual Bonus (if any) shall be determined by reference to the attainment of the applicable performance objectives (and may equal zero if applicable objectives are not attained). Any Annual Bonus shall be paid to Executive on the date on which annual bonuses are paid generally by the Company (or, as applicable, any of its affiliates) to its similarly situated executives with respect to the year in which the Annual Bonus was earned, subject to and conditioned upon Executives continued employment with the Company through the applicable payment date, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 5(b) or 5(c), as applicable.
(c) Equity Incentives.
(i) Incentive Units. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date, the Company will cause LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC (LMEP) to grant to
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Executive 2,191,000 Class C-14 Common Units of LMEP (the Incentive Units). The Incentive Units will be structured in a manner intended to constitute profits interests for United States federal income tax purposes and will be subject to such terms and conditions (including vesting conditions) as are set forth in a restricted unit grant agreement prescribed by the Company (the Award Agreement), to be entered into between Executive and LMEP, in the form previously provided to Executive, which shall evidence the grant of the Incentive Units. The Incentive Units shall be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions (including vesting and lock-up conditions) set forth in the Award Agreement and the LMEP operating agreement, including any restrictive covenants contained therein.
(ii) Restricted Preferred Units. On or as soon as practicable following the Effective Date, the Company shall cause BG LLH, LLC (BG) to grant to Executive 111,111 restricted Class B Units of BG (Restricted Units). The Restricted Units will be subject to such terms and conditions (including vesting and lock-up conditions) as are set forth in a restricted unit grant agreement prescribed by the Company (each, a Grant Agreement), to be entered into between Executive and BG, in the form previously provided to Executive, which shall evidence such grant. The Restricted Units will be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Grant Agreement and the BG operating agreement, including any restrictive covenants contained therein.
(iii) During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to receive equity grants and awards in LMEP (beyond the Incentive Units described in the foregoing clause (i)) and other equity incentive and similar plans and arrangements of the Company and its affiliates, in which similarly situated executives of the Company and its affiliates are participants or offered an opportunity to become participants. Nothing contained in this clause (iii) shall create or be deemed to create any obligation on the part of the Company (or any of its affiliates) to grant any such awards (which shall be in the sole and absolute discretion of the Company) or to adopt or maintain any equity incentive plan or similar arrangement at any time or limit the right of the Company (or any of its affiliates) to amend or terminate any such plans or arrangements.
(d) Benefits. During the Employment Period, Executive will be eligible to participate in the health, welfare and retirement benefit plans, policies and programs (including, as applicable, medical, dental, disability, life and accidental death insurance plans and programs) and, subject to Section 3(e) below, any leave of absence, holiday, vacation or paid-time-off policies and programs, in each case, maintained by the Company (or any of its affiliates) for the benefit of its similarly situated executives from time to time. Nothing contained in this Section 3(d) shall create or be deemed to create any obligation on the part of the Company (or any of its affiliates) to adopt or maintain any health, welfare, retirement, fringe or other benefit plan(s) or program(s) at any time or limit the right of the Company (or any of its affiliates) to amend or terminate any such benefit plan(s) or program(s).
(e) Vacation. During the Employment Period, commencing on the ninety-first (91st) day following the Effective Date, Executive will be entitled to accrue and use twenty-seven (27) days of paid vacation per calendar year (pro-rated for any partial year of service); provided, however, that Executive will not accrue any vacation time in excess of 320 hours (the Accrual Limit) and will cease accruing vacation time if Executives accrued vacation reaches the Accrual Limit until such time as Executives accrued vacation drops below the Accrual Limit.
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(f) Expenses. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executives services hereunder and substantiated in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Company (or any of its affiliates), including without limitation, the Companys Travel and Expense Policies and Code of Business Conduct, in any case, as may be in effect from time to time.
4. Termination of Employment. Executives employment hereunder shall be terminated, or may be terminated, as the case may be, under the following circumstances (including as set forth in Section 1, above):
(a) Death or Disability. Executives employment shall terminate automatically upon Executives death during the Employment Period and the Company may terminate Executives employment on account of Executives Disability (as defined below). Disability means (i) Executive is entitled to receive long-term disability benefits under the Companys or its affiliates applicable long-term disability plan or (ii) the inability, or failure, of Executive to perform the essential functions of Executives job for one hundred twenty (120) days out of any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period or ninety (90) consecutive days, with or without reasonable accommodation, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment.
(b) Cause. Executives employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for Cause (as defined below) or without Cause, in any case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following:
(i) the commission by Executive of any act of fraud, material dishonesty or embezzlement against the Company or any of its affiliates or otherwise in connection with the performance of Executives services under this Agreement or otherwise involving the Company or any such affiliate;
(ii) Executives commission of, or pleading guilty or no contest to, a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude;
(iii) Executives performance of acts which are or could reasonably be expected to become materially detrimental to the Company or any of its affiliates;
(iv) Executives breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Executive and the Company or its affiliates and Executives failure to cure the same, to the extent capable of cure, within fifteen (15) days after receiving written notice from the Company (other than by reason of Executives Disability);
(v) Executives commission of a violation of any applicable Company policy, including, without limitation, policies addressing confidentiality, non-solicitation or non-competition, and Executives failure to cure the same, to the extent capable of cure, within fifteen (15) days after receiving written notice from the Company;
(vi) Executives willful failure to substantially perform or gross neglect of Executives duties (including, but not limited to, Executives failure to follow any lawful directive from the Company (or any of its affiliates) within the reasonable scope of Executives duties) and Executives failure to correct the same (if capable of correction) within fifteen (15) days following Executives receipt of written notice thereof (provided, however, that for avoidance of doubt, such failure shall not be measured by economic performance, productivity or a similar measure of the performance of Company or its affiliates or any unit or division thereof), in any case, other than as a result of Disability; or
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(vii) Executives use of alcohol or illicit drugs in a manner that has or may reasonably be expected to have a detrimental effect on Executives performance, Executives duties to the Company (or any of its affiliates), or the reputation of the Company or its affiliates.
(c) Good Reason. Executive may voluntarily terminate Executives employment hereunder for Good Reason (as defined below) in accordance with this Section 4(c). For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason shall mean any one or more of the following actions by the Company without Executives prior written consent: (i) a material reduction in Executives Base Salary by the Company; (ii) a material diminution in Executives authority, duties or responsibilities hereunder; (iii) a requirement to report to any corporate officer or employee other than the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer; or (iv) a relocation of Executives principal place of employment by more than twenty-five (25) miles from Executives current principal place of employment in Sarasota, Florida. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executives termination shall not constitute a termination for Good Reason unless (x) Executive first provides the Company or its successor with written notice of such event within thirty (30) days after Executive becomes aware of the occurrence of such event, (y) to the extent correctable, the Company or its successor fails to cure the circumstance or event so identified within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, and (z) the effective date of Executives termination for Good Reason occurs no later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the Companys cure period.
(d) Other Terminations. Executive may voluntarily terminate Executives employment with the Company hereunder without Good Reason at any time for any reason by delivery of a written notice of resignation to the Company setting forth the date of resignation and giving at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of such resignation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Executive terminates his/her employment without Good Reason, the Company may, in its sole discretion, waive all or any portion of Executives resignation notice period (without payment in lieu thereof).
5. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) General. In the event that Executives employment under this Agreement terminates during the Employment Period for any reason, upon such termination, the Company shall pay to Executive (or Executives estate) in a single lump sum payment, within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (as defined below), or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law, the aggregate amount (in each case, if any) of (i) any earned but unpaid Base Salary, (ii) any accrued, but unused vacation and (iii) unreimbursed business expenses incurred prior to the Date of Termination that are reimbursable in accordance with Section 3(f) above and which have been properly substantiated in accordance with applicable Company policy as of the Date of Termination (together, the Accrued Obligations). Vested benefits (if any) under any employee benefit plans shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable plans, and the Incentive Units and Restricted Units shall be governed in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement or Grant Agreement, respectively.
(b) Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason. If, during the Employment Period, the Company terminates Executives employment without Cause or Executive resigns his employment for Good Reason (it being understood that in no event shall a termination of Executives employment upon or following the expiration of the Employment Period constitute a termination of Executives employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason), then, in either case, upon Executives separation from service from the Company (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code)) (a Separation from Service and the date of any such Separation from Service, the Date of Termination), subject to and conditioned upon
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Executives timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the Release) and Executives continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenants Agreements (as defined below), the Company shall pay or provide to Executive, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, a cash amount (the Severance) equal to the sum of (x) twelve (12) months of Executives Base Salary and (y) Executives Target Bonus, in each case, based on Executives Base Salary and Target Bonus in effect as of the Date of Termination. The Company shall pay the Severance in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Companys customary payroll practices during the twelve (12)-month period following the Date of Termination.
(c) Termination at Expiration. If Executives employment hereunder terminates upon expiration of the Employment Period, then, in such case, upon such termination, subject to and conditioned upon Executives timely execution and non-revocation of Release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and Executives continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenants Agreements, the Company shall pay or provide to Executive, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, a cash amount equal to the Annual Bonus (if any) for the fiscal year immediately preceding the year in which the Employment Period expires if the attainment of Company, divisional, individual and/or other performance objectives have been achieved by the Company and/or Executive in accordance with the applicable bonus plan or program maintained by the Company, and such Annual Bonus remains unpaid as of the Date of Termination. Such Annual Bonus, if any, shall also be referred to as Severance if this paragraph is operative rather than the foregoing paragraph (b). The Company shall pay the Severance in one lump sum as promptly as practical after the Release becomes effective and irrevocable (subject to the hanging paragraph below), but in no event later than March 15 of the calendar year immediately following the year in which such termination occurs.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Severance payments or benefits under Sections 5(b) or (c) shall be made prior to the date on which the Release becomes effective and irrevocable, and amounts otherwise payable prior to such first payroll date shall be paid on such date without interest thereon (ii) if the aggregate period during which Executive is entitled to consider and/or revoke the Release spans two (2) calendar years, no Severance payments or benefits under Sections 5(b) or (c) shall be made prior to the beginning of the second (2nd) such calendar year (and any payments otherwise payable prior thereto (if any)) shall instead be paid on the first regularly scheduled Company payroll date occurring in the latter such calendar year (or if later, the first regularly scheduled Company payroll date following Release effectiveness) and (iii) upon any breach by Executive of the Restrictive Covenants Agreements on or following the Date of Termination, (A) any unpaid portion of the Severance payments or benefits (as applicable) shall cease to be payable and shall be forfeited by Executive upon such breach, and (B) any Severance payments or benefits paid to Executive on or after the date of any such breach shall be repaid by Executive to the Company immediately upon demand therefor.
(d) Other Terminations. If Executives employment is terminated by for any reason not described in Section 5(b) or (c) above (including, without limitation, due to Executives death or Disability, a termination by the Company for Cause, or a resignation by Executive without Good Reason or any termination after the expiration of the Employment Period), the Company will pay Executive only the Accrued Obligations within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (or such earlier date as may be required under applicable law). Vested benefits (if any) under any employee benefit plans shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable plans, and the Incentive Units and Restricted Units shall be governed in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement or Grant Agreement, respectively.
(e) Termination of Offices and Directorships; Full Settlement. Upon termination of Executives employment for any reason, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement between Executive and the Company, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices, directorships,
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and other employment positions then held with the Company or its affiliates and shall take all actions reasonably requested by the Company to effectuate the foregoing. Except for any indemnification rights that Executive may have under the Companys D&O policy or governance documents or as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Company shall have no further obligations, and Executive shall have no further rights or entitlements, in connection with or following Executives termination of employment.
(f) Return of Property. Upon termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive shall return to the Company (or, as applicable, any of its affiliates): (i) all keys, files, records (and copies thereof), equipment (including, but not limited to, computer hardware, software and printers, wireless handheld devices, cellular phones and pagers), access or credit cards, Company identification, and any other Company-owned property in Executives possession or control, and (ii) all documents and copies, including hard and electronic copies, of documents in Executives possession relating to any Confidential Information (as defined in the applicable Restrictive Covenants Agreement) including without limitation, internal and external business forms, manuals, correspondence, notes and computer programs, and Executive shall not make or retain any copy or extract of any of the foregoing.
6. Restrictive Covenants. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive is, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, entering into (i) a Proprietary Information, Inventions, Non-Solicitation Agreement and (ii) a Confidentiality Agreement, each with the Company or its affiliates (together, the Restrictive Covenants Agreements). Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive shall be bound by, and comply with Executives obligations under, the Restrictive Covenants Agreements.
7. Arbitration.
(a) Any controversy or dispute that establishes a legal or equitable cause of action (Arbitration Claim), between any two or more Persons Subject to Arbitration (as defined below), including without limitation any controversy or dispute, whether based on contract, common law, or federal, state or local statute or regulation, arising out of, or relating to Executives employment or the termination thereof, shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration as the sole and exclusive remedy for such controversy or dispute. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall not require any Person Subject to Arbitration to arbitrate pursuant to this Agreement any claims: (i) under a Company benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended; (ii) any Arbitration Claim as to which applicable law not preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act prohibits resolution by binding arbitration hereof; or (iii) any controversy or dispute brought by the Company pursuant to Section 6 hereof (or under the agreements referenced therein). Either party may seek provisional non-monetary remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction to the extent that such remedies are not available or not available in a timely fashion through arbitration. It is the parties intent that issues of arbitrability of any dispute shall be decided by the arbitrator.
(b) Persons Subject to Arbitration means, individually and collectively, (i) Executive, (ii) any person in privity with or claiming through, on behalf of or in the right of Executive, (iii) the Company, (iv) any past, present or future affiliate, employee, officer, director or agent of the Company, and/or (v) any person or entity alleged to be acting in concert with or to be jointly liable with any of the foregoing.
(c) The arbitration shall take place before a single neutral arbitrator at the JAMS office in Miami, Florida. Such arbitrator shall be provided through JAMS by mutual agreement of the parties to the arbitration; provided that, absent such agreement, the arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules of JAMS then in effect. The arbitrator shall permit reasonable discovery. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the JAMS rules applicable to employment disputes in effect at the time of the arbitration. The award or decision of the arbitrator shall be rendered in writing; shall be final and binding on the parties; and may be enforced by judgment or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
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(d) In the event of arbitration relating to this Agreement, the non-prevailing party shall reimburse the prevailing party for all costs incurred by the prevailing party in connection with such arbitration (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees in connection with such arbitration, including any litigation or appeal therefrom).
(e) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OR COURT. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY UNDERSTAND THAT BY AGREEING TO ARBITRATE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM, THEY WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM DECIDED BY A JURY OR A COURT, BUT SHALL INSTEAD HAVE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM DECIDED THROUGH ARBITRATION.
(f) WAIVER OF OTHER RIGHTS. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY WAIVE ANY CONSTITUTIONAL OR OTHER RIGHT TO BRING CLAIMS COVERED BY THIS AGREEMENT OTHER THAN IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES. EXCEPT AS MAY BE PROHIBITED BY LAW, THIS WAIVER INCLUDES THE ABILITY TO ASSERT CLAIMS AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
(g) Severability; Conformance to Applicable Law. This Section 7 shall be interpreted to conform to any applicable law concerning the terms and enforcement of agreements to arbitrate employment disputes. To the extent any terms or conditions of this Section 7 would preclude its enforcement, such terms shall be severed or interpreted in a manner to allow for the enforcement of this Section 7. To the extent applicable law imposes additional requirements to allow enforcement of this Section 7, this Agreement shall be interpreted to include such terms or conditions.
8. Assignment. Neither the Company nor Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other; provided, however, that the Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the consent of Executive in the event that the Company shall hereafter effect a reorganization, consolidate with, or merge into, any person or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any person. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and Executive, their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs and permitted assigns.
9. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered either personally, by reputable overnight courier or by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to Executive:
At Executives last known address
evidenced on the Companys
payroll records.
If to the Company:
Attn: General Counsel
Lineage Logistics, LLC
1 Park Plaza, Suite 550
Irvine, California 92614
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or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with this Agreement, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
10. Section 409A.
(a) To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretative guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other such guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date (collectively, Section 409A). Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date, the Company determines that any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement may be subject to Section 409A, the Company may adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies or procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the compensation and benefits payable hereunder, including without limitation actions intended to (i) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement from Section 409A, and/or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A, provided, however, that this Section 10 does not, and shall not be construed so as to, create any obligation on the part of the Company to adopt any such amendments, policies or procedures or to take any other such actions or to create any liability on the part of the Company for any failure to do so. Executive shall be solely liable for any taxes imposed on him under or by operation of Section 409A.
(b) Any right to a series of installment payments pursuant to this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no compensation or benefits, including without limitation any Severance payments under Section 5 hereof, shall be paid to Executive during the six (6)-month period following Executives Separation from Service if the Company determines that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this Agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then on the first business day following the end of such six (6)-month period (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A of the Code without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of Executives death), the Company shall pay Executive a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to Executive during such period (without interest).
11. Withholding. All payments hereunder will be subject to any required withholding of federal, state and local taxes pursuant to any applicable law or regulation and the Company shall be entitled to withhold any and all such taxes from amounts payable hereunder.
12. Amendment; Waiver; Survival. No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, or waived unless agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by a duly authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either party of any breach by the other party of any condition or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. The respective rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall survive Executives termination of employment and the termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary for the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
13. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida without regard to its conflicts of law principles. Executive represents and warrants that Executive is in fact individually represented by legal counsel in negotiating the terms of this Agreement to designate either the venue or forum in which a controversy arising from this Agreement may be adjudicated or the choice of law to be applied.
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14. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect.
15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed manually or electronically in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted by facsimile or email (including portable document format (.PDF) and any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g. www.docusign.com), and each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
16. Section Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and they form no part of this Agreement and will not affect its interpretation.
17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any Award Agreement and the Restrictive Covenants Agreements, sets forth the final and entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by the Company or its affiliates and Executive, or any representative of the Company (or its affiliates) or Executive, with respect to the subject matter hereof (including, without limitation, the Offer Letter). Executive hereby agrees that as of the Effective Date the Offer Letter is hereby terminated and shall be of no further force or effect.
18. Further Assurances. The parties hereby agree, without further consideration, to execute and deliver such other instruments and to take such other action as may reasonably be required to effectuate the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]
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Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (a) Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that the performance of Executives obligations hereunder will not violate any agreement between Executive and any other person, firm, organization or other entity, and (b) Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or other party that would be violated by Executives entering into this Agreement and/or providing services to the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing representations and warranties by Executive, the Company acknowledges that Executive has notified the Company of the restrictive covenants by which Executive remains bound in favor of Roper Technologies, Inc.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the Effective Date.
COMPANY | ||
Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Sean Vanderelzen | |
Name: Sean Vanderelzen | ||
Title: Chief Human Resources Officer |
EXECUTIVE | ||
/s/ Rob Crisci | ||
Rob Crisci |
[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]
Exhibit A
General Release
For valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned does hereby release and forever discharge the Releasees hereunder, consisting of Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC (the Company), and its partners, subsidiaries, associates, affiliates, successors, heirs, assigns, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives, lawyers, insurers, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of and from any and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in law or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises, liability, claims, demands, damages, losses, costs, attorneys fees or expenses, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent (hereinafter called Claims), which the undersigned now has or may hereafter have against the Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof.
The Claims released herein include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Claims in any way arising out of, based upon, or related to the employment or termination of employment of the undersigned by the Releasees, or any of them; any alleged breach of any express or implied contract of employment; any alleged torts or other alleged legal restrictions on Releasees right to terminate the employment of the undersigned; and any alleged violation of any federal, state or local statute or ordinance including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, [ ,]1 as each may have been amended from time to time, and any other applicable state law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this general release (the Release) shall not operate to release any rights or claims of the undersigned (i) to payments or benefits under Section 5[(b)]/[(c)]2 of that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2023, by and between the undersigned and the Company (the Employment Agreement), which payments and benefits (among other good and valuable consideration) are provided in exchange for this Release, (ii) to any Claims for indemnification arising under any applicable indemnification obligation of the Company, (iii) to any Claims which cannot be waived by an employee under applicable law, (iv) to any Claims the undersigned may have solely in the undersigneds capacity as an equityholder of the Company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, members, successors or assigns (including, for avoidance of doubt, as holder of Restricted Units or Incentive Units); or (v) vested benefits (if any) under any employee benefit plans of the Company or its affiliates.
THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS BEEN ADVISED BY LEGAL COUNSEL AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.
1 | Local law references to be added, as applicable. |
2 | To be updated. |
Exhibit A
THE UNDERSIGNED, BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS THE UNDERSIGNED MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT OF 1990, THE UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED AS FOLLOWS:
A. | THE UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS RELEASE; |
B. | THE UNDERSIGNED HAS AT LEAST [TWENTY-ONE (21)]3 DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS RELEASE BEFORE SIGNING IT. IF THE UNDERSIGNED SIGNS THIS RELEASE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE [TWENTY-ONE (21)] DAY PERIOD, THE UNDERSIGNED WAIVES THE REMAINDER OF THAT PERIOD. UNDERSIGNED WAIVES THE RESTARTING OF THE [TWENTY-ONE (21)] DAY PERIOD IN THE EVENT OF ANY MODIFICATION OF THIS RELEASE, WHETHER OR NOT MATERIAL; AND |
C. | THE UNDERSIGNED HAS SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER SIGNING THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE THIS RELEASE, AND THIS RELEASE WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON THE EXPIRATION OF THAT REVOCATION PERIOD. |
If the undersigned wishes to revoke this Release, the undersigned must deliver written notice (which may be by email), stating the undersigneds intent to revoke to [ ], at [ ], on or before 5:00 p.m. (ET) on the seventh (7th) day after the date on which the undersigned signs this Release. The undersigned acknowledges that if the undersigned revokes this Release, the undersigned will not receive any payments or benefits pursuant to the Employment Agreement.
The undersigned represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any Claim which the undersigned may have against Releasees, or any of them, and the undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold Releasees, and each of them, harmless from any liability, Claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and attorneys fees incurred by Releasees, or any of them, as the result of any such assignment or transfer or any rights or Claims under any such assignment or transfer. It is the intention of the parties that this indemnity does not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery by the Releasees against the undersigned under this indemnity.
The undersigned agrees that if the undersigned hereafter commences any suit arising out of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder or in any manner asserts against Releasees, or any of them, any of the Claims released hereunder, then the undersigned agrees to pay to Releasees, and each of them, in addition to any other damages caused to Releasees thereby, all attorneys fees incurred by Releasees in defending or otherwise responding to said suit or Claim.
The undersigned further understands and agrees that neither the payment of any sum of money nor the execution of this Release shall constitute or be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Releasees, or any of them, who have consistently taken the position that they have no liability whatsoever to the undersigned.
3 | To be increased to 45 days if required by applicable law. |
Exhibit A
* * * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Release this day of 20 .
|
Rob Crisci |
Exhibit A
Exhibit 10.23
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of [_____], 2024 and effective as of the Effective Date (as defined below), is entered into by and between Lineage, Inc. (the REIT), Lineage Logistics Services, LLC (the Employer, and together with the REIT, the Company), Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC (LLH) and Rob Crisci (Executive). This Agreement amends and restates in its entirety that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2023 and effective as of April 19, 2023 (the Original Effective Date), by and between LLH and Executive (the Prior Employment Agreement).
WHEREAS, Executive currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of LLH and the Employer pursuant to the Prior Employment Agreement; and
WHEREAS, effective as of the Effective Date, the Company and Executive mutually desire to continue Executives employment as Chief Financial Officer of the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and to amend and restate in its entirety the Prior Employment Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon and as of the date of the closing of the IPO (as defined below) (the Effective Date). In the event that the closing of the IPO does not occur on or prior to December 31, 2024, this Agreement shall automatically, and without further action by any party hereto, thereupon terminate without any obligation by any party, the provisions of this Agreement shall be null and void and of no force or effect, and the Prior Employment Agreement shall remain in effect.
2. Employment Period. Subject to the provisions for earlier termination hereinafter provided, Executives employment with the Company under this Agreement shall be for a period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the date that is three (3) years following the Original Effective Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (in any case, the Employment Period). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Executives employment hereunder is terminable at will by the Company or by the Executive at any time (for any reason or for no reason), subject to the provisions of Section 5 hereof.
3. Position, Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) Position. During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as Chief Financial Officer of the REIT and the Employer, and shall serve in such other or additional positions and on such terms as the Company may determine from time to time. Executive shall report to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (currently, Greg Lehmkuhl), and shall perform such duties as are usual and customary for Executives position. At the Companys request, Executive shall serve the Company and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates in such other capacities, consistent with Executives title, as the Company shall reasonably designate (without additional compensation). Executive agrees to observe and comply with applicable law and the rules and policies of the Company, as in effect from time to time, including, and without limitation, any rules and policies relating to Executives obligations to the Company and its members (or stockholders) upon a termination of employment.
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(b) Exclusivity. During the Employment Period, Executive shall devote Executives best efforts and full business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and shall not (i) serve as an employee or consultant for any other entity, (ii) serve on the board of directors or similar body of any other entity, or (iii) engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business activity (whether or not pursued for pecuniary advantage) that is or may be competitive with, or that might place Executive in a competing position to, that of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to (x) serve on the boards of directors of non-profit, civic or charitable organizations or (y) manage Executives personal investments, in each case, to the extent that such activities do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially interfere with the performance of Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder or directly or indirectly compete or conflict with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything herein to the contrary, Executive may (A) from the Original Effective Date until no later than January 31, 2025, devote up to seven (7) hours per week on average to the performance of services to Roper Technologies, Inc. consistent with the type and level of such services being provided by Executive over the period commencing on February 1, 2023 to the Original Effective Date, provided that the performance of such services does not conflict or materially interfere with Executives performance of duties hereunder, and (B) continue to serve as a director on the board of directors of MasterBrand, Inc., to the extent that such service as a director (or on any committee of such board) does not conflict or materially interfere with the performance of Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder.
(c) Principal Location. During the Employment Period, Executive shall perform the services required by this Agreement from one or more of the Companys offices in Florida; provided, that Executive shall be permitted to work remotely as may be agreed between the Company and Executive in accordance with applicable Company policy, except for travel to other locations as may be necessary from time to time to fulfill Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder, including to the Companys principal offices, currently located in Novi, Michigan. Executive acknowledges that the Companys primary finance function which Executive shall oversee in connection with his duties and responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer of the Company (and a substantial number of the Companys employees employed thereby) is based at the Companys principal offices in Novi, Michigan, and, without limiting the foregoing, Executive shall consequently spend a meaningful amount of time working in the Companys offices in Novi, Michigan in order to fulfill Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder.
4. Compensation and Benefits; Expenses.
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive a base salary of $700,000 per year (the Base Salary), pro-rated for any partial year of employment. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the REIT (the Compensation Committee) shall review Executives Base Salary at least annually, and may, in its sole discretion, from time to time increase the then-applicable Base Salary. For avoidance of doubt, the Base Salary as so increased and in effect from time to time shall be referred to herein as the Base Salary. The Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Companys customary payroll practices, as in effect from time to time, but no less often than monthly.
(b) Annual Bonus. For each fiscal year of the Company ending during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to earn a cash performance bonus (the Annual Bonus), based on the attainment of Company, divisional, individual and/or other performance objectives determined by the Company in its sole discretion, in accordance with the applicable bonus plan or program maintained by the Company (or any of its affiliates). Executives target Annual Bonus shall equal 125% of Executives Base Salary (the Target Bonus). The actual amount of any Annual Bonus (if any) shall be determined by reference to the attainment of the applicable performance objectives (and may equal zero if applicable objectives are not attained). Any Annual Bonus shall be paid to Executive on the date on which annual bonuses are paid generally by the Company (or, as applicable, any of its affiliates) to its similarly situated executives with respect to the year in which the Annual Bonus was earned, subject to and conditioned upon Executives continued employment with the Company through the applicable payment date, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 6(b) or 6(c), as applicable.
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(c) Equity-Based Awards. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to be granted equity-based awards under the Companys long-term incentive plan, subject to vesting and other conditions determined by the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion. The form, amount and terms of any such equity awards, if any, shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion in accordance with the terms and conditions of plans as in effect from time to time.
(d) Benefits. During the Employment Period, Executive will be eligible to participate in the health, welfare and retirement benefit plans, policies and programs (including, as applicable, medical, dental, disability, life and accidental death insurance plans and programs) and, subject to Section 4(e) below, any leave of absence, holiday, vacation or paid-time-off policies and programs, in each case, maintained by the Company (or any of its affiliates) for the benefit of its similarly situated executives from time to time. Nothing contained in this Section 4(d) shall create or be deemed to create any obligation on the part of the Company (or any of its affiliates) to adopt or maintain any health, welfare, retirement, fringe or other benefit plan(s) or program(s) at any time or limit the right of the Company (or any of its affiliates) to amend or terminate any such benefit plan(s) or program(s).
(e) Vacation. During the Employment Period, Executive will be entitled to accrue and use twenty-seven (27) days of paid vacation per calendar year (pro-rated for any partial year of service); provided, however, that Executive will not accrue any vacation time in excess of 320 hours (the Accrual Limit) and will cease accruing vacation time if Executives accrued vacation reaches the Accrual Limit until such time as Executives accrued vacation drops below the Accrual Limit.
(f) Expenses. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executives services hereunder and substantiated in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Company (or any of its affiliates), including without limitation, the Companys Travel and Expense Policies and Code of Business Conduct, in any case, as may be in effect from time to time.
5. Termination of Employment. Executives employment hereunder shall be terminated, or may be terminated, as the case may be, under the following circumstances (including as set forth in Section 2, above):
(a) Death or Disability. Executives employment shall terminate automatically upon Executives death during the Employment Period and the Company may terminate Executives employment on account of Executives Disability (as defined below). Disability means (i) Executive is entitled to receive long-term disability benefits under the Companys or its affiliates applicable long-term disability plan or (ii) the inability, or failure, of Executive to perform the essential functions of Executives job for one hundred twenty (120) days out of any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period or ninety (90) consecutive days, with or without reasonable accommodation, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment.
(b) Cause. Executives employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for Cause (as defined below) or without Cause, in any case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following:
(i) the commission by Executive of any act of fraud, material dishonesty or embezzlement against the Company or any of its affiliates or otherwise in connection with the performance of Executives services under this Agreement or otherwise involving the Company or any such affiliate;
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(ii) Executives commission of, or pleading guilty or no contest to, a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude;
(iii) Executives performance of acts which are or could reasonably be expected to become materially detrimental to the Company or any of its affiliates;
(iv) Executives breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Executive and the Company or its affiliates and Executives failure to cure the same, to the extent capable of cure, within fifteen (15) days after receiving written notice from the Company (other than by reason of Executives Disability);
(v) Executives commission of a violation of any applicable Company policy, including, without limitation, policies addressing confidentiality, non-solicitation or non-competition, and Executives failure to cure the same, to the extent capable of cure, within fifteen (15) days after receiving written notice from the Company;
(vi) Executives willful failure to substantially perform or gross neglect of Executives duties (including, but not limited to, Executives failure to follow any lawful directive from the Company (or any of its affiliates) within the reasonable scope of Executives duties) and Executives failure to correct the same (if capable of correction) within fifteen (15) days following Executives receipt of written notice thereof (provided, however, that for avoidance of doubt, such failure shall not be measured by economic performance, productivity or a similar measure of the performance of Company or its affiliates or any unit or division thereof), in any case, other than as a result of Disability; or
(vii) Executives use of alcohol or illicit drugs in a manner that has or may reasonably be expected to have a detrimental effect on Executives performance, Executives duties to the Company (or any of its affiliates), or the reputation of the Company or its affiliates.
(c) Good Reason. Executive may voluntarily terminate Executives employment hereunder for Good Reason (as defined below) in accordance with this Section 5(c). For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason shall mean any one or more of the following actions by the Company without Executives prior written consent: (i) a material reduction in Executives Base Salary by the Company; (ii) a material diminution in Executives authority, duties or responsibilities hereunder; (iii) a requirement to report to any corporate officer or employee other than the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer; or (iv) a relocation of Executives principal place of employment by more than twenty-five (25) miles from Executives current principal place of employment in Sarasota, Florida. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executives termination shall not constitute a termination for Good Reason unless (x) Executive first provides the Company or its successor with written notice of such event within thirty (30) days after Executive becomes aware of the occurrence of such event, (y) to the extent correctable, the Company or its successor fails to cure the circumstance or event so identified within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, and (z) the effective date of Executives termination for Good Reason occurs no later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the Companys cure period.
(d) Expiration; Nonrenewal. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in no event shall the expiration of the Employment Period (as may subsequently be extended or renewed) or the Companys election not to renew or extend the Employment Period or Executives employment with the Company constitute a termination of Executives employment by the Company without Cause.
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(e) Other Terminations. Executive may voluntarily terminate Executives employment with the Company hereunder without Good Reason at any time for any reason by delivery of a written notice of resignation to the Company setting forth the date of resignation and giving at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of such resignation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Executive terminates his/her employment without Good Reason, the Company may, in its sole discretion, waive all or any portion of Executives resignation notice period (without payment in lieu thereof). In addition, Executive may voluntarily terminate Executives employment with the Company hereunder upon Executives Retirement. For purposes of this Agreement, Retirement shall mean Executives voluntary retirement as an employee of the Company on or after the date on which Executive has (a) attained at least sixty (60) years of age and (b) completed at least ten (10) years of service with the Company or any subsidiary; provided that Executive has provided the Company with at least six (6) months advance written notice of Executives retirement. For avoidance of doubt, if Executives employment with the Company terminates for any reason during such notice period, such termination shall not be deemed to have occurred by reason of Executives Retirement for purposes of this Agreement.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) General. In the event that Executives employment under this Agreement terminates during the Employment Period for any reason, upon such termination, the Company shall pay to Executive (or Executives estate) in a single lump sum payment, within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (as defined below), or such earlier date as may be required by applicable law, the aggregate amount (in each case, if any) of (i) any earned but unpaid Base Salary, (ii) any accrued, but unused vacation and (iii) unreimbursed business expenses incurred prior to the Date of Termination that are reimbursable in accordance with Section 4(f) above and which have been properly substantiated in accordance with applicable Company policy as of the Date of Termination (together, the Accrued Obligations). In addition, upon a termination of Executives employment during the Employment Period for any reason, vested benefits (if any) under any employee benefit plans and any then-outstanding equity-based awards in the REIT, Lineage OP, LP, or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates held by Executive as of such Date of Termination shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable plan and award agreement(s).
(b) Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason. If, during the Employment Period, the Company terminates Executives employment without Cause or Executive resigns his employment for Good Reason (it being understood that in no event shall a termination of Executives employment upon or following the expiration of the Employment Period constitute a termination of Executives employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason), then, in either case, upon Executives separation from service from the Company (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code)) (a Separation from Service and the date of any such Separation from Service, the Date of Termination), subject to and conditioned upon Executives timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the Release) and Executives continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenants Agreements (as defined below), the Company shall pay or provide to Executive, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, the following (the Severance):
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(i) a cash amount equal to the sum of (x) twelve (12) months (or in the case of a Change in Control Termination (as defined below), eighteen (18) months) of Executives Base Salary and (y) one (1) times (or in the case of a Change in Control Termination, one and one-half (1.5) times) Executives Target Bonus, in each case, based on Executives Base Salary and Target Bonus in effect as of the Date of Termination, payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Companys customary payroll practices during the twelve (12)-month (or in the case of a Change in Control Termination, eighteen (18)-month) period following the Date of Termination;
(ii) any unpaid Annual Bonus (if any) for the fiscal year immediately preceding the year during which such termination occurs to the extent that the attainment of Company, divisional, individual and/or other performance objectives have been achieved by the Company and/or Executive in accordance with the applicable bonus plan or program maintained by the Company, (the Prior Year Bonus), payable in one lump sum as promptly as practical after the Release becomes effective and irrevocable (subject to the hanging paragraph below), but in no event later than sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination; and
(iii) subject to Executives valid election to continue healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Code, during the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the twelve (12)-month (or in the case of a Change in Control Termination, eighteen (18)-month) anniversary of the Date of Termination or, if earlier, the date on which Executive becomes eligible for coverage under a subsequent employers group health plan (in any case, the COBRA Period), the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to the cost of coverage under the Companys group health plan (if any) at the same levels and costs in effect on the Date of Termination (the COBRA Payment) for Executives use toward securing continued health insurance (whether through COBRA or otherwise). The COBRA Payment shall be paid to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments over the COBRA Period and the COBRA Payment shall continue during the COBRA Period if the continuation healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Code expires under its terms.
For purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control Termination, means a termination of Executives employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, in either case, on or within eighteen (18) months following a Change in Control (as defined in the Companys 2024 Incentive Award Plan, as may be amended from time to time, or any successor plan thereto).
(c) Termination at Expiration; Death, Disability, Retirement. If Executives employment hereunder terminates upon expiration of the Employment Period (as may subsequently be extended or renewed) or due to Executives death, Disability or Retirement, then, in such case, upon such termination, subject to and conditioned upon Executives timely execution and non-revocation of Release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and Executives continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenants Agreements, the Company shall pay or provide to Executive, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, the Prior Year Bonus (if any), payable in one lump sum as promptly as practical after the Release becomes effective and irrevocable (subject to the hanging paragraph below), but in no event later than sixty (60) days following the Date of Termination. Such Prior Year Bonus, if any, shall also be referred to as Severance if this paragraph is operative rather than the foregoing paragraph (b).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Severance payments or benefits under Sections 6(b) or (c) shall be made prior to the date on which the Release becomes effective and irrevocable, and amounts otherwise payable prior to such first payroll date shall be paid on such date without interest thereon (ii) if the aggregate period during which Executive is entitled to consider and/or revoke the Release spans two
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(2) calendar years, no Severance payments or benefits under Sections 6(b) or (c) shall be made prior to the beginning of the second (2nd) such calendar year (and any payments otherwise payable prior thereto (if any)) shall instead be paid on the first regularly scheduled Company payroll date occurring in the latter such calendar year (or if later, the first regularly scheduled Company payroll date following Release effectiveness) and (iii) upon any breach by Executive of the Restrictive Covenants Agreements on or following the Date of Termination, (A) any unpaid portion of the Severance payments or benefits (as applicable) shall cease to be payable and shall be forfeited by Executive upon such breach, and (B) any Severance payments or benefits paid to Executive on or after the date of any such breach shall be repaid by Executive to the Company immediately upon demand therefor.
(d) Other Terminations. If Executives employment is terminated for any reason not described in Sections 6(b) or (c) above (including, without limitation, due to Executives death or Disability, a termination by the Company for Cause, or a resignation by Executive without Good Reason or any termination after the expiration of the Employment Period), the Company will pay Executive only the Accrued Obligations within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (or such earlier date as may be required under applicable law). Vested benefits (if any) under any employee benefit plans shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.
(e) Termination of Offices and Directorships; Full Settlement. Upon termination of Executives employment for any reason, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement between Executive and the Company, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices, directorships, and other employment positions then held with the Company or its affiliates and shall take all actions reasonably requested by the Company to effectuate the foregoing. Except for any indemnification rights that Executive may have under the Companys D&O policy or governance documents or as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Company shall have no further obligations, and Executive shall have no further rights or entitlements, in connection with or following Executives termination of employment.
(f) Return of Property. Upon termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive shall return to the Company (or, as applicable, any of its affiliates): (i) all keys, files, records (and copies thereof), equipment (including, but not limited to, computer hardware, software and printers, wireless handheld devices, cellular phones and pagers), access or credit cards, Company identification, and any other Company-owned property in Executives possession or control, and (ii) all documents and copies, including hard and electronic copies, of documents in Executives possession relating to any Confidential Information (as defined in the applicable Restrictive Covenants Agreement) including without limitation, internal and external business forms, manuals, correspondence, notes and computer programs, and Executive shall not make or retain any copy or extract of any of the foregoing.
7. Restrictive Covenants. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive has entered into (i) that certain Proprietary Information, Inventions, Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated April 18, 2023 and (ii) that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated April 19, 2023, each with the Company or its affiliates (together, the Restrictive Covenants Agreements). Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive shall be bound by, and comply with Executives obligations under, the Restrictive Covenants Agreements.
8. Arbitration.
(a) Any controversy or dispute that establishes a legal or equitable cause of action (Arbitration Claim), between any two or more Persons Subject to Arbitration (as defined below), including without limitation, any controversy or dispute, whether based on contract, common law, or federal, state or local statute or regulation, arising out of, or relating to Executives employment or the termination thereof, shall be submitted to final and binding arbitration as the sole and exclusive remedy for
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such controversy or dispute. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall not require any Person Subject to Arbitration to arbitrate pursuant to this Agreement any claims: (i) under a Company benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended; (ii) for unemployment or workers compensation benefits; (iii) of sexual harassment or sexual assault arising under federal, state, local, or tribal law, unless Executive elects to arbitrate such disputes; (iv) brought before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or similar state or local agency, if Executive is required to exhaust Executives administrative remedies; provided, that any appeal from an award or denial of an award by any such agency or any further action upon receipt of a right-to-sue letter shall be arbitrated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (v) as to which applicable law not preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act prohibits resolution by binding arbitration hereof; or (vi) brought by the Company pursuant to Section 7 hereof (or under the agreements referenced therein). Either party hereto may seek provisional non-monetary remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction to the extent that such remedies are not available or not available in a timely fashion through arbitration. It is the parties intent that issues of arbitrability of any dispute shall be decided by the arbitrator.
(b) Persons Subject to Arbitration means, individually and collectively, (i) Executive, (ii) any person in privity with or claiming through, on behalf of or in the right of Executive, (iii) the Company, (iv) any past, present or future affiliate, employee, officer, director or agent of the Company, and/or (v) any person or entity alleged to be acting in concert with or to be jointly liable with any of the foregoing.
(c) The arbitration shall take place before a single neutral arbitrator at the JAMS office in Miami, Florida, pursuant to JAMSs Employment Arbitration Rules & Procedures, available at https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/English. Such arbitrator shall be provided through JAMS by mutual agreement of the parties to the arbitration; provided that, absent such agreement, the arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules of JAMS then in effect. The arbitrator shall permit reasonable discovery. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the JAMS rules applicable to employment disputes in effect at the time of the arbitration. The award or decision of the arbitrator shall be rendered in writing; shall be final and binding on the parties; and may be enforced by judgment or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(d) In the event of arbitration relating to this Agreement, the non-prevailing party shall reimburse the prevailing party for all costs incurred by the prevailing party in connection with such arbitration (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees in connection with such arbitration, including any litigation or appeal therefrom).
(e) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OR COURT. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY UNDERSTAND THAT BY AGREEING TO ARBITRATE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM, THEY WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM DECIDED BY A JURY OR A COURT, BUT SHALL INSTEAD HAVE ANY ARBITRATION CLAIM DECIDED THROUGH ARBITRATION.
(f) WAIVER OF OTHER RIGHTS. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY WAIVE ANY CONSTITUTIONAL OR OTHER RIGHT TO BRING CLAIMS COVERED BY THIS AGREEMENT OTHER THAN IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES. EXCEPT AS MAY BE PROHIBITED BY LAW, THIS WAIVER INCLUDES THE ABILITY TO ASSERT CLAIMS AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
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(g) Severability; Conformance to Applicable Law. This Section 8 shall be interpreted to conform to any applicable law concerning the terms and enforcement of agreements to arbitrate employment disputes. To the extent any terms or conditions of this Section 8 would preclude its enforcement, such terms shall be severed or interpreted in a manner to allow for the enforcement of this Section 8. To the extent applicable law imposes additional requirements to allow enforcement of this Section 8, this Agreement shall be interpreted to include such terms or conditions.
9. Section 280G Best Pay Cap.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by Executive (including any payment or benefit received in connection with a termination of Executives employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits, including the payments and benefits under Section 6 of this Agreement, the Total Payments) would be subject (in whole or part) to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the Excise Tax), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, Executives remaining Total Payments shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax, but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes applicable to such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments).
(b) For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax, (i) no portion of the Total Payments, the receipt or retention of which Executive has waived at such time and in such manner so as not to constitute a payment within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code, will be taken into account; (ii) no portion of the Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the written opinion of an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm (the Independent Advisors) selected by the Company, does not constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the opinion of Independent Advisors, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the base amount (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) allocable to such reasonable compensation; and (iii) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Independent Advisors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
10. Assignment. Neither the Company nor Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other; provided, however, that the Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the consent of Executive in the event that the Company shall hereafter effect a reorganization, consolidate with, or merge into, any person or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any person. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and Executive, their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs and permitted assigns.
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11. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered either personally, by e-mail transmission, by reputable overnight courier or by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to Executive:
At Executives last known address and/or e-mail address evidenced on the Companys records.
If to the Company:
Lineage, Inc.
1 Park Plaza, Suite 550
Irvine, California 92614
Attn: Chairman of the Board of Directors
e-mail: adam@bay-grove.com
Attn: General Counsel
e-mail: nmatsler@onelineage.com
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with this Agreement, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
12. Section 409A.
(a) To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretative guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other such guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date (collectively, Section 409A). Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date, the Company determines that any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement may be subject to Section 409A, the Company may adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies or procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the compensation and benefits payable hereunder, including without limitation actions intended to (i) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement from Section 409A, and/or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A, provided, however, that this Section 12 does not, and shall not be construed so as to, create any obligation on the part of the Company to adopt any such amendments, policies or procedures or to take any other such actions or to create any liability on the part of the Company for any failure to do so. Executive shall be solely liable for any taxes imposed on him under or by operation of Section 409A.
(b) Any right to a series of installment payments pursuant to this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no compensation or benefits, including without limitation any Severance payments under Section 6 hereof, shall be paid to Executive during the six (6)-month period following Executives Separation from Service if the Company determines that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this Agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then on the first business day following the end of such six (6)-month period (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A of the Code without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of Executives death), the Company shall pay Executive a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to Executive during such period (without interest).
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(d) To the extent that any payments or reimbursements provided to Executive under this Agreement are deemed to constitute compensation to which Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) would apply, such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive reasonably promptly, but not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of any such payments eligible for reimbursement in one year shall not affect the payments or expenses that are eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other taxable year, and Executives right to such payments or reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit. Executive acknowledges and agrees that it is Executives sole responsibility to timely substantiate any such expenses in order to ensure timely payment in accordance with the foregoing and the applicable requirements of Section 409A.
13. Withholding. All payments hereunder will be subject to any required withholding of federal, state and local taxes pursuant to any applicable law or regulation and the Company shall be entitled to withhold any and all such taxes from amounts payable hereunder.
14. Amendment; Waiver; Survival. No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, or waived unless agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by a duly authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either party of any breach by the other party of any condition or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. The respective rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall survive Executives termination of employment and the termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary for the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
15. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida without regard to its conflicts of law principles. Executive represents and warrants that Executive is in fact individually represented by legal counsel in negotiating the terms of this Agreement to designate either the venue or forum in which a controversy arising from this Agreement may be adjudicated or the choice of law to be applied.
16. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect.
17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed manually or electronically in any number of counterparts, any of which may be executed and transmitted by facsimile or email (including portable document format (.PDF) and any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g. www.docusign.com), and each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
18. Section Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and they form no part of this Agreement and will not affect its interpretation.
19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with any applicable equity award agreements between Executive and the Company or its affiliates and the Restrictive Covenants Agreements), sets forth the final and entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by the Company or its affiliates and Executive, or any representative of the Company (or its affiliates) or Executive, with respect to the subject matter hereof (including, without limitation, the Prior Employment Agreement).
20. Further Assurances. The parties hereby agree, without further consideration, to execute and deliver such other instruments and to take such other action as may reasonably be required to effectuate the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]
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Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (a) Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that the performance of Executives obligations hereunder will not violate any agreement between Executive and any other person, firm, organization or other entity, and (b) Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or other party that would be violated by Executives entering into this Agreement and/or providing services to the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing representations and warranties by Executive, the Company acknowledges that Executive has notified the Company of the restrictive covenants by which Executive remains bound in favor of Roper Technologies, Inc.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the Effective Date.
REIT | ||
Lineage, Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: Adam Forste | ||
Its: Co-Executive Chairman | ||
EMPLOYER | ||
Lineage Logistics Services, LLC | ||
By: LLH Topco Holdings TRS, LLC | ||
Its: Sole Member | ||
By: Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC | ||
Its: Manager | ||
By: Lineage OP, LLC | ||
Its: Managing Member | ||
By: Lineage, Inc. | ||
Its: Managing Member | ||
By: | ||
Name: Adam Forste | ||
Title: Co-Executive Chairman | ||
LLH | ||
Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC | ||
By: Lineage OP, LP | ||
Its: Managing Member | ||
By: Lineage, Inc. | ||
Its: Managing Member | ||
By: | ||
Name: Adam Forste | ||
Its: Co-Executive Chairman |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement]
EXECUTIVE | ||
Name: Rob Crisci |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement]
Exhibit A
General Release
For valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned does hereby release and forever discharge the Releasees hereunder, consisting of Lineage, Inc. (the REIT), Lineage Logistics Services, LLC (the Employer, together with the REIT, the Company), Lineage OP, LP and their respective partners, subsidiaries, associates, affiliates, successors, heirs, assigns, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives, lawyers, insurers, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of and from any and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in law or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises, liability, claims, demands, damages, losses, costs, attorneys fees or expenses, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent (hereinafter called Claims), which the undersigned now has or may hereafter have against the Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof.
The Claims released herein include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Claims in any way arising out of, based upon, or related to the employment or termination of employment of the undersigned by the Releasees, or any of them; any alleged breach of any express or implied contract of employment; any alleged torts or other alleged legal restrictions on Releasees right to terminate the employment of the undersigned; and any alleged violation of any federal, state or local statute or ordinance including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, [_______________,]1 as each may have been amended from time to time, and any other applicable federal, state or local law, including any order, statute, regulation, constitution, ordinance, and common law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this general release (the Release) shall not operate to release any rights or claims of the undersigned (i) to payments or benefits under Section 6[(b)]/[(c)]2 of that certain Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of [____], 2024, by and between the undersigned and the Company (the Employment Agreement), which payments and benefits (among other good and valuable consideration) are provided in exchange for this Release, (ii) to any Claims for indemnification arising under any applicable indemnification obligation of the Company, (iii) to report to, provide information to, cooperate in any investigation or other proceeding conducted by, or receive a whistleblower award from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Department of Justice, or any other federal, state or local governmental or regulatory body or official; (iv) file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or analogous state or local governmental agency (the EEOC); provided, however, Executive releases Executives right to receive damages or other relief awarded in any such proceeding by or before the EEOC; (v) to any Claims for unemployment benefits or workers compensation benefits or which cannot be waived by an employee under applicable law, or (vi) to any Claims the undersigned may have solely in the undersigneds capacity as an equityholder of the Company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, members, successors or assigns; or (v) vested benefits (if any) under any employee benefit plans of the Company or its affiliates.
1 | Local law references to be added, as applicable. |
2 | To be updated. |
Exhibit A
THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS BEEN ADVISED BY LEGAL COUNSEL AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.
THE UNDERSIGNED, BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS THE UNDERSIGNED MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT OF 1990, THE UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED AS FOLLOWS:
A. | THE UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS RELEASE; |
B. | THE UNDERSIGNED HAS AT LEAST [TWENTY-ONE (21)]3 DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS RELEASE BEFORE SIGNING IT. IF THE UNDERSIGNED SIGNS THIS RELEASE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE [TWENTY-ONE (21)] DAY PERIOD, THE UNDERSIGNED WAIVES THE REMAINDER OF THAT PERIOD. UNDERSIGNED WAIVES THE RESTARTING OF THE [TWENTY-ONE (21)] DAY PERIOD IN THE EVENT OF ANY MODIFICATION OF THIS RELEASE, WHETHER OR NOT MATERIAL; AND |
C. | THE UNDERSIGNED HAS SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER SIGNING THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE THIS RELEASE, AND, PROVIDED THE UNDERSIGNED DOES NOT SO REVOKE THIS RELEASE, THIS RELEASE WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON THE EIGHTH (8TH) DAY AFTER THE UNDERSIGNED EXECUTES THIS RELEASE. |
If the undersigned wishes to revoke this Release, the undersigned must deliver written notice (which may be by email), stating the undersigneds intent to revoke to [______], at [_______], on or before 5:00 p.m. (ET) on the seventh (7th) day after the date on which the undersigned signs this Release. The undersigned acknowledges that if the undersigned fails to timely execute and deliver the Release to the Company or timely revokes this Release, the undersigned will not receive any payments or benefits pursuant to Section 6[(b)]/[(c)] of the Employment Agreement.
The undersigned represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any Claim which the undersigned may have against Releasees, or any of them, and the undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold Releasees, and each of them, harmless from any liability, Claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and attorneys fees incurred by Releasees, or any of them, as the result of any such assignment or transfer or any rights or Claims under any such assignment or transfer. It is the intention of the parties that this indemnity does not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery by the Releasees against the undersigned under this indemnity.
3 | If at least one other termination is contemplated at the time of the undersigneds termination, this may need to be increased to 45 days and additional disclosure under the OWBPA may be needed. |
Exhibit A
The undersigned agrees that if the undersigned hereafter commences any suit arising out of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder or in any manner asserts against Releasees, or any of them, any of the Claims released hereunder, then the undersigned agrees to pay to Releasees, and each of them, in addition to any other damages caused to Releasees thereby, all attorneys fees incurred by Releasees in defending or otherwise responding to said suit or Claim; provided, nothing herein shall restrict the undersigned from challenging the knowing and voluntary nature of this Release under the ADEA before a court of competent jurisdiction or the EEOC; provided, further, nothing herein shall limit such courts or the EEOCs ability to offset any compensation awarded to the undersigned upon such a challenge by the amount of consideration received under Section 6[(b)]/[(c)] of the Employment Agreement.
The undersigned further understands and agrees that neither the payment of any sum of money nor the execution of this Release shall constitute or be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Releasees, or any of them, who have consistently taken the position that they have no liability whatsoever to the undersigned.
* * * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Release this ____ day of ___________________ 20__.
Rob Crisci |
Exhibit A
Exhibit 10.24
BG LLH, LLC
801 Montgomery Street, Floor 5
San Francisco, CA 94133
April 12, 2023
Rob Crisci
Re: | Class B Units in BG LLH, LLC |
Dear Rob,
You are acquiring 111,111 Class B Units of BG LLH, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company, and such units, the Class B Units), in connection with your employment with Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (LLH), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Companys governing limited liability company agreement, as amended or as otherwise modified from time to time (the LLC Agreement), and a Restricted Unit Issuance Agreement between you and the Company (the Grant Agreement).
In connection with the Companys issuance to you of the Class B Units, the Company agrees to work with you in good faith to help you find a way to meet your future tax liabilities with respect to the Class B Units as they vest, subject to compliance with applicable law and compliance with the policies of the Company, LLH and their respective affiliates, in each case as may be amended from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this letter shall obligate the Company to take any action, or any specific action, with respect to your tax liabilities in respect of the Class B Units.
The foregoing supplements the terms applicable to the Class B Units as set forth in the LLC Agreement and the Grant Agreement and only supplements such terms as between you and the Company and as specifically set forth in this letter. The foregoing is solely undertaken by the Company and does not modify or override any terms set forth in your employment agreement with LLH or the Grant Agreement (including any terms applicable to the Class B Units or the vesting thereof) or any other agreement between you and LLH or any other person or entity.
BG LLH, LLC | ||
By: | Bay Grove Management Company, LLC, its Manager | |
By: | /s/ Adam Forste | |
Name: | Adam Forste | |
Title: | Manager |
Exhibit 10.25
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CORPORATE OFFICE 21700 Barton Road Colton, CA 92324
(909) 433-3100
|
February 19, 2012
Sudarsan V. Thattai
2624 Palos Verdes Drive
Palos Verdes, California 90274
(803) 404-0458
Re: | Offer of Employment |
Dear Sudarsan:
We are pleased and excited to offer you the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC (Lineage or Company), with a starting date as early as March 1, 2013. We would like to work with you to ensure a successful transition to the Lineage team. This letter outlines important aspects of employment with the Company.
As CIO, you will report to Bill Hendricksen and will work at our headquarters, currently located in Colton, California. Your starting salary will be $245,000 per annum, which will be paid to you using our customary payroll practice. Except as provided in this letter your title, reporting relationships, location, responsibilities and compensation may change at the discretion of the Company. You will be expected to comply with all rules, policies and procedures of the Company as modified from time to time.
You will also be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus program representing up to 35% of your base salary, which will be in line with the program set out for other senior managers. This bonus will be determined by your achievement of certain KPis to be determined as well as the overall performance of the business. Given the nature of your work, your bonus will be more heavily weighted towards your individual KPIs than other team members with P&L control. Achievement of your full bonus potential would result in annual compensation of $330,750. Your initial bonus would correspond to the 2013 fiscal year and would be pro-rated for the days you are with the company in 2013.
In 2013 you will also be eligible for a special bonus of $25,000 based on your performance and in helping Lineage meet its near-term technology objectives (to be determined). Upon your achievement of such near-term objectives, the special bonus will be paid to you retroactively on a pro-rated basis for 2013. Furthermore, this bonus (on an annualized basis) will be added to your base pay in 2014 and thereafter, meaning your base salary can increase to $270,000.
You will also become a participant in our management long-term incentive plan which will include a grant of common units effective as of your start date. These common
LINEAGE LOGISTICS: 423 Washington Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 1(800) 678-7271
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CORPORATE OFFICE 21700 Barton Road Colton, CA 92324
(909) 433-3100
|
units represent a profits interest in the Company which will allow you to participate in the value appreciation of the Company above an accruing threshold, subject to certain vesting and other restrictions. We expect the value of this equity, if fully vested, to be worth approximately $1,000,000 in five years under our base case, though the ultimate value may range significantly up or down from this expectation. We will provide you with more details of this plan upon your acceptance of this offer. We expect the units to qualify for long-term capital gains.
We understand that you plan to move closer to our headquarters during your transition period. During your initial six months of employment with us, the Company will pay for you to stay at a hotel near headquarters once a week if you are working late and will reimburse you for mileage to assist with the cost of the commute. Lineage will also reimburse you for hard out of pocket moving costs up to $5,000 through the Companys expense program with the provision of receipts.
Your position will be based at our headquarters in Colton, CA and is classified as exempt, meaning that you are not eligible for additional compensation based on the number of hours you work each week.
The Company maintains a number of benefit plans and arrangements that are generally available to Company employees, including paid time off, health care insurance and other typical benefit programs. You will participate in these plans in the same manner as other Company employees, subject to meeting eligibility requirements. We encourage you to review the Companys Employee Handbook for a detailed explanation of certain of these benefits. Allen Merrill will be glad to provide additional information about our benefit programs. Please note that to meet business needs, the Company may modify or eliminate any or all of these benefits at times of its choosing.
The employment relationship between you and the Company will be at-will. This means that the employment relationship is for no specific term and may be terminated by either you or the Company at any time for any reason, with or without cause or advance notice. That being said, we understand you are making a long term commitment to our organization and as such we are willing to offer you conditional severance of six months base salary, including benefits. If it is your decision to terminate, we expect that you will continue to support the Company during the six month severance period. If it is your decision to terminate and you accept another job before the end of your severance period, the Lineage severance payments will end upon your acceptance of your new position. If you are terminated for cause, you will not be entitled to any such severance payment. We expect to finalize the terms of this severance arrangement and the language for cause with you in writing prior to your employment.
The Companys business and activities require a degree of confidentiality. All employees are required as a condition of employment to sign our standard Employee
LINEAGE LOGISTICS: 423 Washington Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 1(800) 678-7271
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CORPORATE OFFICE 21700 Barton Road Colton, CA 92324
(909) 433-3100
|
Confidentiality and Assignment of Intellectual Property Agreement. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions before signing. We require that you not obtain, keep, use for our benefit or disclose to us any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information that belongs to others, unless the party who has the rights to the information expressly consents in writing in advance. Also, by signing below you affirm that you are not a party to any agreements that would limit your ability to perform your duties for us.
This offer and your start date also are contingent on obtaining appropriate documentation establishing your right to work and satisfactory completion of a criminal background check. In particular, we will want to better understand your permanent residency status and what Lineage needs to do to help you through that process.
This letter and the attached agreement contain our entire agreement regarding your employment, and the Company has made no other promises or representations to you on that subject. The terms and conditions stated in this letter, including the at-will relationship, may be modified only if such changes are agreed to in writing by you and an officer of the Company.
If the understandings in this letter are agreeable to you, please sign this letter below and return this letter and the enclosed agreement to me.
We are looking forward to having you join our team.
Sincerely,
Bill Hendricksen | ||||
Employee Acceptance: | ||||
Signature: | /s/ Sudarsan V. Thattai |
Date: 02/19/2013 | ||
Name: Sudarsan V. Thattai |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS: 423 Washington Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 1(800) 678-7271
Exhibit 10.26
April 5, 2022
Jeffrey Rivera
44669 Spring Hill
Northville, MI 48168
Dear Jeffrey,
This letter serves as confirmation of your job change. This new position will be effective 04/03/2022 and you will report to Greg Lehmkuhl.
It is our expectation that you will be able to transition your current duties within a reasonable timeframe. You will retain your current seniority status relative to accruals, health and welfare, 401(k) and other company sponsored employee programs.
The details of the position are listed below for your review and consideration:
Position Title: Chief Operating Officer
Effective Date: 04/03/2022
Reports To: Greg Lehmkuhl
Salary Wage: $630,000.00 annually / Exempt Status (Overtime wages will not be applicable or applied to the base annual salary).
There will be no change to your current benefit enrollment selections.
The employment relationship between you and Lineage Logistics remains at-will. This means that the employment relationship is for no specific term and may be terminated by either you or the Company at any time for any reason, with or without cause or advance notice.
If the terms in this letter are agreeable to you, please confirm your understanding and acceptance of this offer by acknowledging this document.
If you have any questions regarding this offer, please contact Shelley Richardson.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Lineage.
Sincerely,
Joanna Murphy
Director, Human Resources Services
248.563.3396
jmurphy@lineagelogistics.com
Exhibit 10.27
November 1, 2015
Sean Vanderelzen
2346 Silver Pointe Drive
Waterford, MI 48328
Via email: sean.vanderelzen@comcast.net
Dear Sean,
It was such a pleasure speaking with you regarding the opportunities at Lineage Logistics! I very much enjoyed our discussion and exchange of ideas regarding the vision and development plans for our field services support function. As discussed during the selection process, we are at critical point in our service delivery system and are confident that your background and experience can contribute to Lineages development. I am very pleased to offer you the position of Vice President, Field Services Support.
This conditional job offer is contingent upon receipt of results of a satisfactory pre-employment background screening. The employment relationship between you and the Company will be at-will. This means that the employment relationship is for no specific term and may be terminated by either you or the Company at any time for any reason, with or without cause or advance notice. If you are terminated for cause, you will not be entitled to any such severance payment.
The Companys business and activities require a degree of confidentiality. All employees are required as a condition of employment to sign our standard Employee Confidentiality Agreement, Assignment of Intellectual Property and Non-solicitation Agreement and our Arbitration Agreement. These documents will be sent to you upon your acceptance of this employment offer. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions before signing these agreements. We require that you not obtain, keep, use for our benefit or disclose to us any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information that belongs to others, unless the party who has the rights to the information expressly consents in writing in advance. Employment is subject to the terms of Lineages employee handbook and arbitration agreement copies. Also, by signing below you affirm that you are not a party to any agreements that would limit your ability to perform your duties for us.
The details of the position are listed below for your review and consideration:
Position Title: | Vice President, Field Services & Talent Management | |
Planned Starting Date: | TBD | |
Salary Wage: | $251,000.00 annually / Exempt Status (Overtime wages will not be applicable or applied to the base annual salary) | |
Reports To: | Patricia Gaudin, SVP Human Resources |
Health & Welfare | There are several available options for you to review. This data will be sent under separate cover. The Company offers full major medical, dental and supplementation health and welfare benefits. Eligibility following 60 days of employment. | |
Vacation: | 5 weeks of vacation days , 6 sick days and 6 holidays per calendar year | |
401K Plan: | You will be eligible to enroll in the Companys 401(k) plan the first of the month after 6-months of employment. Please note, however, that the current 401(k) plan will be changed effective 1/1/2016 to a Safe Harbor Plan. The Company will make a matching contribution to your amount equal to 100% of the first 3% of deferrals and 50% of the next 2% of deferrals. | |
Performance Evaluation: | Performance Evaluations will be conducted after the initial 90-days of employment and on an annual basis thereafter. You will be eligible for an incentive bonus payment of 30% of your base annual salary. The Key Performance Indicators to be developed within your 90-days of employment. You will also be eligible for participation in the Lineage Long Term Incentive Plan. Documents to be provided under separate cover. |
You will also become a participant in our management long-term incentive plan which will include a grant of common units effective as of your start date. These common units represent a profits interest in the Company which will allow you to participate in the value appreciation of the Company above an accruing threshold, subject to a 5 year vesting schedule and other restrictions. These profit interests would vest completely in the event of an exit transaction. We expect the value of this equity, if fully vested, to be worth approximately $700,000.00 in five years under our capital raise case, though the ultimate value may range significantly up or down from this expectation. We expect the units to qualify for long-term capital gains.
As discussed, you are approved to work remotely unless the business needs necessitates your being in one of the Companys offices/divisions. Please note that we anticipate the need for travel to be approx. 30%. This letter shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the state of California and contains our entire agreement regarding your potential employment, and the Company has made no other promises or representations to you on that subject. The terms and conditions stated in this letter, including the at-will relationship, may be modified only if such changes are agreed to in writing by you and an officer of the Company.
If the terms in this letter are agreeable to you, please sign this letter below and return this letter and the enclosed agreement to me.
We are looking forward to having you join our team!
If you have any questions regarding this offer, please feel free to contact me directly at (949) 247-5282.
Sincerely,
Patricia Gaudin
SVP Human Resources
Please sign below if you accept the offer of employment as of the date referenced above.
Signature: | /s/ Sean R. Vanderelzen | |
Print name: | Sean R. Vanderelzen | |
Date: | 11/10/2015 |
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Exhibit 10.29
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
by and among
LINEAGE, INC.
and
the other parties hereto
Dated as of [ ], 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||||
Section 1.1 |
Certain Definitions | 1 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Other Definitional Provisions; Interpretation | 5 | ||||
ARTICLE 2 REGISTRATION RIGHTS |
6 | |||||
Section 2.1 |
Shelf Registration | 6 | ||||
Section 2.2 |
Notification and Distribution of Materials | 6 | ||||
Section 2.3 |
Effectiveness | 6 | ||||
Section 2.4 |
Registration Procedures | 6 | ||||
Section 2.5 |
Costs and Expenses | 9 | ||||
Section 2.6 |
Notice of Certain Events | 9 | ||||
Section 2.7 |
Covenants Relating to Rule 144 | 9 | ||||
Section 2.8 |
No Conflicting Agreements | 10 | ||||
Section 2.9 |
Holders Become Party to Agreement | 10 | ||||
ARTICLE 3 SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS; SALES RESTRICTIONS |
10 | |||||
Section 3.1 |
Suspension of Registration Requirements | 10 | ||||
Section 3.2 |
Restriction on Sales | 11 | ||||
ARTICLE 4 INDEMNIFICATION |
11 | |||||
Section 4.1 |
Indemnification by the Company | 11 | ||||
Section 4.2 |
Indemnification by the Holder | 12 | ||||
Section 4.3 |
Notices of Claims, etc. | 12 | ||||
Section 4.4 |
Contribution | 13 | ||||
Section 4.5 |
Other Indemnification | 14 | ||||
Section 4.6 |
Non-Exclusivity | 14 | ||||
ARTICLE 5 OTHER |
14 | |||||
Section 5.1 |
Notices | 14 | ||||
Section 5.2 |
Assignment | 15 | ||||
Section 5.3 |
Amendments; Waiver | 15 | ||||
Section 5.4 |
Third Parties | 16 | ||||
Section 5.5 |
Governing Law | 16 | ||||
Section 5.6 |
Consent to Jurisdiction | 16 | ||||
Section 5.7 |
Mutual Waiver of Jury Trial | 16 | ||||
Section 5.8 |
Specific Performance | 16 | ||||
Section 5.9 |
Entire Agreement | 17 | ||||
Section 5.10 |
Severability | 17 |
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Section 5.11 |
Counterparts | 17 | ||||
Section 5.12 |
Effectiveness | 17 | ||||
Section 5.13 |
No Recourse | 17 | ||||
Section 5.14 |
Independent Nature of the Rights and Obligations of Holders | 17 | ||||
Section 5.15 |
Termination as to a Holder | 18 |
ii
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is dated as of [___________], 2024 and is by and among Lineage, Inc. (the Company), and the Holders (as defined below) from time to time party hereto.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company is effecting an underwritten initial public offering (IPO) of shares of its Common Stock (as defined below);
WHEREAS, from time to time following the IPO, certain Holders will receive shares of Common Stock (as defined below) from BG Lineage Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (BGLH), in connection with the settlement of their respective existing interests in BGLH (each such event, a Settlement);
WHEREAS, from time to time following the IPO, certain Holders will receive OP Units (as defined below), in connection with the reclassification of their respective existing interests in Lineage OP, LP, a Maryland limited partnership (the OP) (each such event, a Reclassification); and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant registration rights to the Holders on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement:
Affiliate has the meaning ascribed thereto in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date hereof.
Agreement has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Automatic Shelf Registration Statement means an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
BGLH has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Business Day means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, federal or New York State holiday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by Law to close.
Closing Date means the initial closing date of the IPO.
Common Stock means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, and any Securities issued in respect thereof, or in substitution therefor, in connection with any stock split, dividend or combination, or into which it may be converted or exchanged pursuant to any reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, sale of all or any part of its assets, corporate conversion or other extraordinary transaction of the Company.
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Company has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Company Offering has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(b).
Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.
Governmental Authority means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
Holder means the entities listed on Schedule I hereto or any Transferee of such Person to whom registration rights are assigned pursuant to Section 4.2.
Indemnified Party and Indemnified Parties have the meanings set forth in Section 4.1.
IPO has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Law means any statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, injunction, order, decree, governmental approval, directive, requirement, or other governmental restriction or any similar form of decision of, or determination by, or any interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental Authority.
Non-Recourse Party has the meaning set forth in Section 5.13.
Notice and Questionnaire means a written notice, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B, delivered by a Holder to the Company (i) notifying the Company of such Holders desire to include Registrable Securities held by it in a Registration Statement, (ii) containing all information about such Holder required to be included in such registration statement in accordance with applicable law, including Item 507 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, and (iii) pursuant to which such Holder agrees to bound by the terms and conditions hereof.
Offering Blackout Period has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(b).
OP has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
OP Agreement means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of OP, dated on or about the date hereof, among the Company and the other persons parties thereto from time to time, as amended and in effect from time to time.
OP Units means common units of partnership interest in OP.
Person means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, a cooperative, an unincorporated organization, or other form of business organization, whether or not regarded as a legal entity under applicable Law, or any Governmental Authority or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
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Proceeding has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
Prospectus means any prospectus or prospectuses included in, or relating to, any Registration Statement (including without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A or Rule 430B promulgated under the Securities Act, as the case may be, and any term sheet filed pursuant to Rule 433 under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and by 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 or prospectuses.
Reclassification has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Registrable Securities means all shares of Common Stock held by a Holder, whether now held or hereafter received in a Settlement, and including any such Common Stock received by a Holder upon the conversion or exchange of, or pursuant to such a transaction with respect to, other Securities held by such Holder, including such Common Stock received by a Holder upon exchange of OP Units in accordance with the OP Agreement, whether now held or hereafter received in a Reclassification. As to any Registrable Securities, such Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities without further act of the Company or a Holder when:
(a) a registration statement covering such Registrable Securities has been declared effective and such Registrable Securities have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement;
(b) such Registrable Securities shall have been sold pursuant to Section 4(a)(1), Rule 144 or 145 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act;
(c) such Registrable Securities shall have been Transferred in a private transaction in which the Transferors registration rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the Transferee of the Securities;
(d) such Registrable Securities cease to be outstanding; or
(e) all such Registrable Securities held by such Holder may be sold in one transaction pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act without limitation thereunder on volume or manner of sale.
Registration Expenses means any and all expenses incurred in connection with the performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including:
(a) all SEC, stock exchange, or FINRA registration and filing fees;
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(b) all fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky Laws;
(c) all printing, messenger and delivery expenses;
(d) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange or FINRA and all rating agency fees;
(e) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of its independent public accountants; and
(f) any other fees and disbursements customarily paid by the issuers of securities;
provided, however, that Registration Expenses shall not include, and the Company shall not have any obligation to pay, any underwriting fees, discounts, commissions, or taxes (including transfer taxes) attributable to the sale of securities by a Holder, or any legal fees and expenses of counsel to a Holder and any underwriter engaged by a Holder or any other expenses incurred in connection with the performance by a Holder of their obligations under the terms of this Agreement.
Registration Statement means any registration statement of the Company filed with the SEC under the Securities Act which permits the public offering of any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including any Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all materials incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement.
SEC means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities means capital stock, limited partnership interests, limited liability company interests, beneficial interests, warrants, options, notes, bonds, debentures, and other securities, equity interests, ownership interests and similar obligations of every kind and nature of any Person.
Securities Act means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.
Selling Holder means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to the terms hereof.
Settlement has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Specified Holder means each Person listed on the signature pages hereto under the heading Specified Holders and any Transferee of such Person to whom registration rights are assigned pursuant to Section 5.2.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other 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, representatives or trustees thereof is at the time owned or
4
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, a majority of the total voting power of stock (or equivalent ownership interest) of the limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity 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 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 be or Control the managing director or general partner of such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity.
Suspension Event has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).
Transfer (including its correlative meanings, Transferor, Transferee and Transferred) shall mean, with respect to any security, directly or indirectly, to sell, contract to sell, give, assign, hypothecate, pledge, encumber, grant a security interest in, offer, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any economic, voting or other rights in or to such security. When used as a noun, Transfer shall have such correlative meaning as the context may require.
Section 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions; Interpretation.
(a) The words hereof, herein, and hereunder and words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The word including and words of similar import when used in this Agreement mean including, without limitation, unless otherwise specified. References in this Agreement to a designated Article or Section refer to an Article or Section of this Agreement unless otherwise specified and references to clauses without a cross-reference to a Section or subsection are references to clauses within the same Section or, if more specific, subsection. The word extent in the phrase to the extent means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends and such phrase shall not mean simply if. References to day means a calendar day unless otherwise indicated as a Business Day.
(b) The headings in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and do not limit or otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(c) The meanings given to terms defined herein are equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
(d) When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period is excluded. If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question ends on the next succeeding Business Day.
5
ARTICLE 2
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 2.1 Shelf Registration. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to file, as promptly as practicable on or after the date that is 365 days after the Closing Date, with the SEC a shelf Registration Statement on an appropriate form (which shall be, if the Company is then eligible, an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement) providing for the registration of, and the sale by each Holder of, all of the Registrable Securities held by such Holder at the time of such filing on a continuous or delayed basis by each Holder, from time to time in accordance with Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable after the filing thereof. To the extent that the Company has an effective shelf registration statement on file and it is effective with the SEC at the time the Company is going to file a Registration Statement hereunder, the Company may (but will not be required to) instead file a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment, as applicable, to include in such shelf registration statement the Registrable Securities to be registered pursuant to this Agreement (in such a case, such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment together with the previously filed shelf registration statement will be considered the Registration Statement).
Section 2.2 Notification and Distribution of Materials. At the time the Registration Statement is declared effective, each Holder that has delivered a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to the date ten (10) Business Days prior to such time of effectiveness shall be named as a selling securityholder in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable Law.
Section 2.3 Effectiveness. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Registration Statement continuously effective (or in the event the Registration Statement expires pursuant to Rule 415(a)(5) under the Securities Act, file a replacement Registration Statement (or prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment, as applicable, pursuant to the last sentence of Section 2.3) and keep such replacement Registration Statement effective) for the period beginning on the date on which the Registration Statement is declared or becomes effective and ending on the date that no Registrable Securities remain as Registrable Securities.
Section 2.4 Registration Procedures. The Company shall:
(a) during the period that the Registration Statement is effective, use its reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC from time to time such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement and Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to (i) keep such Registration Statement (or a successor Registration Statement filed with respect to such Registrable Securities) effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of the Registrable Securities covered thereby and (ii), not less than once a quarter (subject to Section 3(b)), (x) name as selling securityholders therein any Holder and (y) add Registrable Securities to the Registration Statement as a result of the receipt by any Holder of additional Registrable Securities pursuant to a Settlement or Reclassification, in either case, who provides the Company a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire on or prior to the
6
date ten (10) Business Days prior to such filing; provided that the Companys obligation under clause (ii) with respect to any quarter shall be deemed satisfied with no further action of the Company if the Company does not receive a single duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire during such quarter; provided further that before filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto (other than any reports or other documents filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act), the Company shall (i) furnish to counsel for the sellers of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement copies of all documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel, and such other documents reasonably requested by such counsel, including any comment letter from the SEC, (ii) fairly and in good faith consider such changes in any such documents prior to or after the filing thereof as the counsel to the Holders of Registrable Securities being sold may reasonably request, and (iii) make such representatives of the Company as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders of the Registrable Securities being sold available for discussion of such documents; provided further that, in addition to the Notice and Questionnaire, each Holder agrees to deliver such notices, questionnaires and other information as the Company may reasonably request in writing, if any, to the Company within ten (10) Business Days after such request;
(b) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities being registered such number of copies of such Registration Statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits filed therewith, including any documents incorporated by reference), such number of copies of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus and summary prospectus), in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such Holder may reasonably request, without charge, in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities by such Holder (it being understood that, subject to the requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, the Company consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each Holder in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement of which such Prospectus, amendment or supplement is a part);
(c) use its reasonable best efforts to promptly notify each Holder of any such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, at any time when the Prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the Companys becoming aware that the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing, and at the request of any such Holder, use its reasonable best efforts to prepare and furnish to such Holder a reasonable number of copies of an amended or supplemental Prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such Prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing;
(d) use its reasonable best efforts to (i) list such Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which other Securities of the Company are then listed if such Registrable Securities are not already so listed and if such listing is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, and (ii) provide a transfer agent and registrar and CUSIP number for such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement;
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(e) use its reasonable best efforts to notify counsel for the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, immediately, and confirm the notice in writing: (i) when the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, shall have become effective, or any supplement to the prospectus or any amendment to any prospectus shall have been filed; provided, however, that this clause (i) shall not apply to (A) an amendment or supplement relating solely to securities other than the Registrable Securities or (B) an amendment or supplement by means of an Annual Report on Form 10-K, a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, a Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, a Current Report on Form 8-K or a Registration Statement on Form 8-A or any amendments thereto filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act and incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus; (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the SEC; (iii) of any request of the SEC to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the prospectus or for additional information; and (iv) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Registration Statement for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the institution or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes;
(f) take every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Prospectus and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible moment;
(g) use its reasonable best efforts to register and qualify (unless an exemption from the registration or qualification exists) the Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereof to (i) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 2.4(g), (ii) subject itself to general taxation in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be so subject but for this Section 2.4(g), or (iii) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdictions;
(h) use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing Securities to be sold under the Registration Statement, and enable such Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders may request; and
(i) use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA.
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Section 2.5 Costs and Expenses. The Company shall bear all Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement and the Companys performance of its other obligations under the terms of this Agreement. All other costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby will be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses, whether or not any of the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated.
Section 2.6 Notice of Certain Events. Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the occurrence of an event as set forth in clauses (ii)-(iv) of Section 2.4(e), the Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities until the Holders receipt of written notice from the Company that the use of the Registration Statement may be resumed. Each Holder also agrees that it will treat as strictly confidential the receipt of any notice from the Company of the occurrence of an event as set forth above and shall not disclose or use the information contained in such notice without the prior written consent of the Company, unless required by law or subpoena, until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes available to the public generally, other than as a result of disclosure by such Holder in breach of the terms of this Agreement.
Section 2.7 Covenants Relating to Rule 144. For so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder. If the Company ceases to be so required to file such reports, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to, upon the request of the Holder of Registrable Securities, (a) make publicly available such information as is necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, (b) deliver such information to a prospective purchaser as is necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and it will take such further action as a Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, and (c) take such further action that is reasonable in the circumstances, in each case to the extent required from time to time to enable a Holder to sell its Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, (ii) Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or (iii) any similar rules or regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of a Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to deliver to the Holders a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual and quarterly report(s) of the Company, and such other reports, documents or stockholder communications of the Company, and take such further actions consistent with this Section 2.8, as a Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the SEC allowing such Holder to sell any such Registrable Securities without registration. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if a Holder holds Registrable Securities that are eligible to be resold without restriction under Rule 144 or pursuant to an effective Registration Statement, then, at such Holders request, accompanied by such additional representations and other documentation as the Company shall reasonably request, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Companys transfer agent to remove any restrictive legend set forth on the Registrable Securities held by such Holder in connection with any sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 or the effective Registration Statement, as applicable (including, if required by the Companys transfer agent, by delivering to the Companys transfer agent a direction letter and opinion of counsel).
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Section 2.8 No Conflicting Agreements. The Company hereby represents and warrants that the Company has not entered into and the Company will not after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement that conflicts with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 2.9 Holders Become Party to Agreement. Each Holder acknowledges that by participating in its registration rights pursuant to this Agreement, such Holder will be deemed a party to this Agreement and will be bound by its terms, notwithstanding such Holders failure to deliver a Notice and Questionnaire; provided that any Holder that has not delivered a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire shall not be entitled to be named as a Selling Holder in, or have the Registrable Securities held by it covered by, a Registration Statement.
ARTICLE 3
SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS; SALES RESTRICTIONS
Section 3.1 Suspension of Registration Requirements.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the Companys obligation under this Agreement to file, amend or supplement a Registration Statement, or to cause a Registration Statement, or any filings under any state securities Laws, to become or remain effective shall be suspended, as the Company may reasonably determine necessary and advisable (but in no event more than three times in any rolling 12-month period commencing on the date of this Agreement or more than 60 consecutive days, except as a result of a refusal by the SEC to declare any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement effective after the Company has used its reasonable best efforts to cause the post-effective amendment to be declared effective by the SEC, in which case, the Company must terminate the black-out period immediately following the effective date of the post-effective amendment) (i) if such filing, amendment or supplement would render the Company unable to comply with any lockup or similar agreement between the managing underwriter or underwriters and the Company in an underwritten offering or (ii) in the event of pending negotiations relating to, or consummation of, a material transaction or the occurrence of a material event that would (A) require additional disclosure of material non-public information by the Company in the Registration Statement or such filing, amendment or supplement, as to which the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving confidentiality, and the premature disclosure of which would adversely affect the Company, or (B) render the Company unable to comply with SEC requirements (any such circumstances being hereinafter referred to as a Suspension Event). The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to notify the Holders of the existence of any Suspension Event by promptly delivering to the Holders a certificate signed by an executive officer of the Company stating that a Suspension Event has occurred and is continuing; provided that any such certificate shall not include details of the circumstances giving rise to the Suspension Event. Each Holder agrees that it will treat as strictly confidential the receipt of any notice from the Company of the occurrence of an event as set forth above and shall not disclose or use the information contained in such notice without the prior written consent of the Company, unless otherwise required by law or subpoena, until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes available to the public generally, other than as a result of disclosure by such Holder in breach of the terms of this Agreement.
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Section 3.2 Restriction on Sales.
(a) Each Holder agrees that, following the effectiveness of any Registration Statement relating to its Registrable Securities, the Holder will not effect any dispositions of any of its Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement or any filings under any state securities Laws at any time after the Holder has received notice from the Company to suspend dispositions as a result of the occurrence or existence of any Suspension Event or so that the Company may correct or update the Registration Statement or such filing. Each Holder will maintain the strict confidentiality of any information included in the written notice delivered by the Company unless otherwise required by Law or subpoena. Each Holder may recommence effecting dispositions of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or such filings, and all other obligations which are suspended as a result of a Suspension Event shall no longer be so suspended, following further notice to such effect from the Company, which notice shall be given by the Company promptly after the conclusion of any such Suspension Event.
(b) Each Holder of Registrable Securities further agrees, if requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in a Company-initiated underwritten offering (each, a Company Offering), not to effect any disposition of any of the Registrable Securities during the period (the Offering Blackout Period) beginning upon receipt by the Holder of written notice from the Company, but in any event no earlier than the fifteenth (15th) day preceding the anticipated date of pricing of such Company Offering, and ending no later than ninety (90) days after the closing date of such Company Offering. Such Offering Blackout Period notice shall be in writing in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the managing underwriter or underwriters. Each Holder will maintain the strict confidentiality of any information included in such notice delivered by the Company unless otherwise required by Law or subpoena. Such Offering Blackout Period notice shall only be effective if (i) all executive officers subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act and directors of the Company are similarly bound and (ii) such Offering Blackout Period notice provides that any release from such notice shall only be effective if it is granted pro rata to all Holders.
ARTICLE 4
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 4.1 Indemnification by the Company. The Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, each Affiliate of such Holder and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, equityholders, managers, accountants, attorneys and agents (and the directors, officers, employees, partners, equityholders, managers, accountants, attorneys, agents and controlling Persons of any of the foregoing) and each other Person, if any, who controls such Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each, and Indemnified Party and collectively, the Indemnified Parties), against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, actions or proceedings (whether commenced or threatened) and reasonable and documented expenses and to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto) arise out of or are based upon: (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which such Securities were registered under
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the Securities Act, any Prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, any other such disclosure document (including reports and other documents filed under the Exchange Act and any document incorporated by reference therein) or related document or report; (b) 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, in the case of a Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances when they were made; or (c) any violation or alleged violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any federal, state, foreign or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and relating to action or inaction in connection with any such registration, disclosure document or related document or report, and the Company shall reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding; provided that the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified Party in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action or proceeding in respect thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, in any such Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Indemnified Party furnished to the Company by such Indemnified Party expressly for use in the preparation thereof. Such indemnity will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Holder or any Indemnified Party and will survive the Transfer of such Securities by such Holder or any termination of this Agreement.
Section 4.2 Indemnification by the Holder. Each Holder severally, and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in Section 4.1) the Company, all other Holders and any of their respective Affiliates, their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, equityholders, managers, accountants, attorneys and agents (and the directors, officers, employees, partners, equityholders, managers, accountants, attorneys, agents and controlling Persons of any of the foregoing) and each other Person, if any, who controls any of the foregoing Persons within the meaning of the Securities Act or Exchange Act, with respect to any untrue statement in or omission from such Registration Statement, any Prospectus contained therein, any amendment or supplement, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue or alleged untrue statement is contained in, or such omission or alleged omission is required to be contained in, any information which (i) relates solely to such Holders individual ownership of the Registrable Securities, and (ii) if such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information with respect to such Holder furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the preparation of such Registration Statement, Prospectus or amendment or supplement or a document incorporated by reference into any of the foregoing. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any of the Holders, or any of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers or controlling Persons and shall survive the Transfer of such Securities by such Holder.
Section 4.3 Notices of Claims, etc. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party hereunder of written notice of the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation or written threat thereof with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this Article 4 (each, a Proceeding), such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the commencement
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of such Proceeding; provided that the failure of the Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein will not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under Section 4.1 or 4.2, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually and materially prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such Proceeding is brought against an Indemnified Party, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel selected by the indemnifying party and reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, at the indemnifying partys expense, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. If, in such Indemnified Partys reasonable judgment, having common counsel would result in a conflict of interest between the interests of such indemnified and indemnifying parties, then such Indemnified Party may employ separate counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnifying party to represent or defend such Indemnified Party in such Proceeding, it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such Indemnified Parties (and not more than one separate firm of local counsel at any time for all such Indemnified Parties) in such action unless (i) the indemnifying party agrees to pay such fees and expenses; (ii) the indemnifying party or parties fail promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding or fail to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or parties; or (iii) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleading parties) include both such indemnified party or parties and the indemnifying parties or an Affiliate of an indemnifying party or indemnified party, and there may be one or more defenses available to such indemnified party or parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or parties, in which case, if such indemnified party or parties notifies the indemnifying party or parties in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expenses of the indemnifying party or parties, the indemnifying party or parties shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party or parties. No indemnifying party shall consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which (x) provides for other than monetary damages without the consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or (y) does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation.
Section 4.4 Contribution. If the indemnification provided for hereunder from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an Indemnified Party hereunder in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to herein for reasons other than those described in the proviso in the first sentence of Section 4.1, then the 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, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties 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 by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or Indemnified Parties, and the parties
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relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party under this Section 4.4 as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds actually received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation. Any obligation of Holders to contribute pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be several in the same proportion that the dollar amount of the proceeds actually received by each such Holder bears to the total dollar amount of the proceeds received by all Holders and not joint.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. 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.
If indemnification is available under Section 4.1, the indemnifying parties shall indemnify each Indemnified Party to the full extent provided in Section 4.1 without regard to the relative fault of said indemnifying party or Indemnified Party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this Section 4.4.
Section 4.5 Other Indemnification. Indemnification similar to that specified in this Article 4 (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the Company with respect to any required registration or other qualification of Securities under any Law or with any Governmental Authority other than as required by the Securities Act.
Section 4.6 Non-Exclusivity. The obligations of the parties under this Article 4 shall be in addition to any liability which any party may otherwise have to any other party.
ARTICLE 5
OTHER
Section 5.1 Notices. Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party hereto to another party hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) when delivered personally, (b) five (5) Business Days after being sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (c) one (1) Business Day after being sent by Federal Express or other nationally recognized overnight courier, or (d) if transmitted by e-mail or other electronic communication, if confirmed within 24 hours thereafter by a signed original sent in the manner provided in clause (a), (b) or (c) to parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by prior written notice from such party).
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If to the Company:
Lineage, Inc.
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, Michigan 48377
Attention: General Counsel
E-mail:
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
355 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90071
Attention: Julian Kleindorfer; Lewis Kneib
If to any Holder:
Initially to the address indicated in such Holders Notice and Questionnaire or, if no Notice and Questionnaire has been delivered:
c/o Lineage, Inc.
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, Michigan 48377
Attention: General Counsel
E-mail:
or to such other address and to such other Persons as any Holder may hereafter specify in writing.
Section 5.2 Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned without the express prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment, without such consents, shall be null and void; provided, however, that, without the prior written consent of any other party hereto, a Holder may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any Transferee of Registrable Securities so long as such Transferee, if not already a party to this Agreement, executes and delivers to the Company a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A, and upon such Transfer such transferee shall be deemed a Holder hereunder.
Section 5.3 Amendments; Waiver. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified only by a written instrument executed by the Company and the Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Holders; provided that no such amendment, supplement or other modification shall materially adversely affect the rights of any Holder hereunder disproportionately to other Holders without the written consent of Holders that hold a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Holders so affected; provided, further, that no such amendment, supplement or other modification shall materially adversely affect the rights of any Specified Holders hereunder without the written consent of Specified Holders that hold a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Specified Holders so affected. No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the party so waiving. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, no action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any covenants or agreements contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.
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Section 5.4 Third Parties. This Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any person that is not a party hereto nor create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto.
Section 5.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Section 5.6 Consent to Jurisdiction. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF VIA OVERNIGHT COURIER, TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN THIS AGREEMENT, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE FOURTEEN CALENDAR DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL IN ANY WAY BE DEEMED TO LIMIT THE ABILITY OF EITHER PARTY HERETO TO SERVE ANY SUCH LEGAL PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR TO OBTAIN JURISDICTION OVER OR TO BRING ACTIONS, SUITS OR PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY HERETO IN SUCH OTHER JURISDICTIONS, AND IN SUCH MANNER, AS MAY BE PERMITTED BY ANY APPLICABLE LAW.
Section 5.7 Mutual Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.
Section 5.8 Specific Performance. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement by any of them, the non-breaching party would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. Each party accordingly agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and that the parties, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to compel specific performance of this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be entitled to specific performance for any breach by the Holders of the provisions of Section 3.2(b).
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Section 5.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no agreements, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those expressly set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
Section 5.10 Severability. If one or more of the provisions, paragraphs, words, clauses, phrases or sentences contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision, paragraph, word, clause, phrase or sentence in every other respect and of the remaining provisions, paragraphs, words, clauses, phrases or sentences hereof shall not be in any way impaired, it being intended that all rights, powers and privileges of the parties hereto shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law.
Section 5.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
Section 5.12 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective, as to any Holder, as of the date signed by the Company and countersigned by such Holder.
Section 5.13 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, the transactions contemplated hereby or the subject matter hereof may only be made against the 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 or any past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, stockholder, agent, attorney or representative of any of the foregoing (each, a Non-Recourse Party) 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. Without limiting the rights of any party against the other parties hereto, in no event shall any party or any of its Affiliates seek to enforce this Agreement against, make any claims for breach of this Agreement against, or seek to recover monetary damages from, any Non-Recourse Party.
Section 5.14 Independent Nature of the Rights and Obligations of Holders. The rights and obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any Holder, and no Holder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder. The decision of each Holder to enter into this Agreement has been made by such Holder independently of any 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 and the Company acknowledges that the Holders are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Company will not assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.
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Section 5.15 Termination as to a Holder. Any Person who ceases to hold any Registrable Securities, or who has forfeited, in writing, its rights hereunder with respect to such Registrable Securities, shall cease to be a Holder and shall have no further rights or obligations under this Agreement (except with respect to any indemnification or contribution rights or obligations under Article 4, which shall survive).
[Signature Page Follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY: | ||
LINEAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation | ||
By: |
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
||
SPECIFIED HOLDERS: | ||
[SIGNATURE BLOCKS TO COME] | ||
HOLDERS LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO: | ||
[SIGNATURE BLOCKS TO COME] |
Schedule I
Specified Holders
[ ]
Holders
[ ]
Exhibit A
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND JOINDER
[ ], 20[ ]
Reference is made to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2024, by and among Lineage, Inc. (the Company) and the Holders (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto (the Registration Rights Agreement). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Registration Rights Agreement, [ ] (the Assignor) in its capacity as a Holder hereby assigns [in part][or: in full] its rights and obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement to each of [ ], [ ] and [ ] (each, an Assignee and collectively, the Assignees). [For the avoidance of doubt, the Assignor shall remain a party to the Registration Rights Agreement following the assignment as part of its rights and obligations thereunder to the undersigned Assignees.]
Each undersigned Assignee hereby agrees to and does become party to the Registration Rights Agreement as a Holder. This assignment and joinder shall serve as a counterpart signature page to the Registration Rights Agreement and by executing below each undersigned Assignee is deemed to have executed the Registration Rights Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named a party thereto and each Assignees shares of Common Stock shall be included as Registrable Securities under the Registration Rights Agreement.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank.]
Exhibit A-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this assignment and joinder as of date first set forth above.
ASSIGNOR: | ||
[ ] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
ASSIGNEES: | ||
[ ] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
Exhibit A-2
Exhibit B
LINEAGE, INC.
FORM OF NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE
The undersigned beneficial holder of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (Common Stock), of Lineage, Inc. (the Company) and/or common units of partnership interests (OP Units and, together with the Common Stock, the Registrable Securities) of Lineage OP, LP (the OP), understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) one or more registration statements (collectively, the Registration Statement) for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated [ ], 2024, among the Company and the Holders (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto (the Registration Rights Agreement). A copy of the Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Each beneficial owner of Registrable Securities is entitled to the benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement. In order to sell or otherwise dispose of any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement, a beneficial owner of Registrable Securities generally will be required to be named as a selling security holder in the related Prospectus, deliver a Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities and be bound by those provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement applicable to such beneficial owner (including certain indemnification provisions as described below). To be included in the Registration Statement, this Notice and Questionnaire must be completed, executed and delivered to the Company at the address set forth herein on or prior to the tenth (10th) Business Day before the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. We will give notice of the filing and effectiveness of the initial Registration Statement by issuing a press release and by mailing a notice to the holders at their addresses set forth in the register of the registrar.
Beneficial owners that do not complete this Notice and Questionnaire and deliver it to the Company as provided below will not be named as selling security holders in the Prospectus and therefore will not be permitted to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement. Beneficial owners are encouraged to complete and deliver this Notice and Questionnaire prior to the effectiveness of the initial Registration Statement so that such beneficial owners may be named as selling security holders in the related Prospectus at the time of effectiveness. Upon receipt of a completed Notice and Questionnaire from a beneficial owner following the effectiveness of the initial Registration Statement, in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will file such amendments to the initial Registration Statement or additional shelf registration statements or supplements to the related Prospectus as are necessary to permit such holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as selling security holders in the Registration Statement and the related Prospectus. Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being named as a selling security holder in the Registration Statement and the related Prospectus.
Exhibit B-1
NOTICE
The undersigned beneficial owner (the Selling Security Holder) of Registrable Securities hereby elects to include in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it and listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under Item 3). The undersigned, by signing and returning this Notice and Questionnaire, understands that it will be bound by the terms and conditions of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Registration Rights Agreement.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the undersigned has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, all other Holders and any of their respective Affiliates, their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, equityholders, managers, accountants, attorneys and agents (and the directors, officers, employees, partners, equityholders, managers, accountants, attorneys, agents and controlling Persons of any of the foregoing) and each other Person, if any, who controls any of the foregoing Persons within the meaning of the Securities Act or Exchange Act, from and against certain losses arising in connection with statements concerning the undersigned made in the Registration Statement or the related Prospectus in reliance upon the information provided in this Notice and Questionnaire.
The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants to the Company that such information is accurate and complete:
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. | (a) Full Legal Name of Selling Security Holder: |
(b) | Full Legal Name of registered holder (if not the same as (a) above) through which Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) below are held: |
(c) | Full Legal Name of DTC Participant (if applicable and if not the same as (b) above) through which Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) below are held: |
(d) | List below the individual or individuals who exercise voting and/or dispositive powers with respect to the Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) below: |
Exhibit B-2
2. | Address for Notices to Selling Security Holder: |
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail address:
Contact Person:
3. | Beneficial Ownership of Registrable Securities: |
Type of Registrable Securities beneficially owned, and number of shares of Common Stock and/or OP Units, as the case may be, beneficially owned:
4. | Beneficial Ownership of Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling Security Holder: |
Except as set forth below in this Item (4), the undersigned is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company, other than the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (3).
Type and amount of other securities beneficially owned by the Selling Security Holder:
5. | Relationship with the Company |
Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (5% or more) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.
State any exceptions here:
6. | Plan of Distribution |
Except as set forth below, the undersigned (including its donees or pledgees) intends to distribute the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (3) pursuant to the Registration Statement only as follows and will not be offering any of such Registrable Securities pursuant to an agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into with a broker or dealer prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement. Such Registrable Securities may be sold from time to time directly by the undersigned or,
Exhibit B-3
alternatively, through broker-dealers or agents. If the Registrable Securities are sold through broker-dealers, the Selling Security Holder will be responsible for broker-dealers discounts or commissions or agents commissions. Such Registrable Securities may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. Such sales may be effected in transactions (which may involve crosses or block transactions)
(i) on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the Registrable Securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;
(ii) in the over-the-counter market;
(iii) in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market; or
(iv) through the writing of options.
In connection with sales of the Registrable Securities or otherwise, the undersigned may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the Registrable Securities and deliver Registrable Securities to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge Registrable Securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such securities.
State any exceptions here:
Note: | In no event may such method(s) of distribution take the form of an underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities without the prior written agreement of the Company. |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The undersigned acknowledges that it understands its obligation to comply with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder relating to stock manipulation, particularly Regulation M thereunder (or any successor rules or regulations), in connection with any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. The undersigned agrees that neither it nor any person acting on its behalf will engage in any transaction in violation of such provisions.
The Selling Security Holder hereby acknowledges its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement to indemnify and hold harmless certain persons set forth therein. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed under certain circumstances to indemnify the Selling Security Holders against certain liabilities.
Exhibit B-4
In accordance with the undersigneds obligation under the Registration Rights Agreement to provide such information as may be required by law for inclusion in the Registration Statement, the undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Registration Statement remains effective. All notices hereunder and pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement shall be made in writing at the address set forth below.
In the event that the undersigned transfers all or any portion of the Registrable Securities listed in Item 3 above after the date on which such information is provided to the Company, and such securities remain Registrable Securities following such transfer, the undersigned agrees to notify the transferee(s) at the time of transfer of its rights and obligations under this Notice and Questionnaire and the Registration Rights Agreement.
By signing this Notice and Questionnaire, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items (1) through (6) above and the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement and the related Prospectus. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement and the related Prospectus.
Once this Notice and Questionnaire is executed by the Selling Security Holder and received by the Company, the terms of this Notice and Questionnaire and the representations and warranties contained herein shall be binding on, shall insure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the respective successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns of the Company and the Selling Security Holder with respect to the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by such Selling Security Holder and listed in Item 3 above.
This Notice and Questionnaire shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.
Beneficial Owner | ||
By: |
|
Name: |
||
Title: |
Dated:
Please return the completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire to:
Lineage, Inc.
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, Michigan 48377
Attention: General Counsel
E-mail:
Exhibit B-5
Exhibit 10.31
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Expense Reimbursement and Indemnification Agreement (this Agreement), dated as of [ ], 2024, is entered into by and among Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Lineage), on the one hand, and BG Lineage Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (BGLH), BG Lineage Holdings LHR, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (LHR), and Bay Grove Management Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (BGMC and, together with BGLH and LHR, the BG Parties), on the other. Lineage, BGLH, LHR and BGMC are each referred to herein individually as a Party and, collectively, as the Parties.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, in connection with and as a condition to consummating the initial public offering of Lineage, Inc. (Lineage REIT), the Parties have agreed that Lineage will assume the obligations set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the BG Persons (as defined below) and the BG Indemnitees (as defined below) in relation to Lineage REIT and any of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (each, a Lineage Entity and collectively, the Lineage Entities).
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the covenants and conditions herein set forth, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Reimbursement of Lineage Expenses.
(a) As between Lineage, on the one hand, and any BG Person on the other hand, Lineage shall be solely responsible for and shall bear all Lineage Expenses. Lineage shall promptly upon the written request of any BG Person, reimburse the BG Persons for, pay directly on a BG Persons behalf, or advance to a BG Person the amounts necessary to pay, all Lineage Expenses. Certain BG Persons have other obligations as among them in respect of Lineage Expenses, which obligations, solely as among the BG Persons, are not altered by this Agreement; however, if any BG Person bears Lineage Expenses on behalf of, for the benefit of or incurred by any other BG Person, Lineage shall in any event remain responsible for all such Lineage Expenses borne by any BG Person, and Lineage shall reimburse the applicable BG Person that has actually paid or borne such Lineage Expenses.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) Affiliate of any person or entity means a person or entity that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the first mentioned person or entity. A person or entity shall be deemed to control another person or entity if such first person or entity possesses directly or indirectly the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management and policies of the second person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of BGLH, LHR or any Lineage Entity shall be deemed an Affiliate of any Bay Grove Person or of any Bay Grove Persons Affiliates, or vice versa.
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(ii) Bay Grove Expenses means the costs and expenses incurred by BGMC and its Affiliates in providing for their normal operating overhead, such as salaries and bonuses of their employees, and rent and other expenses incurred by BGMC and its Affiliates in maintaining their places of business, but not including costs, fees, expenses and liabilities that in the good faith judgment of BGMC are attributable to the operation or activities of BGLH or any Lineage Entity or are incurred by or arise out of the operation and activities of or otherwise are related to BGLH or any Lineage Entity (including those incurred by any BG Persons on behalf of or allocable to BGLH, LHR or any Lineage Entity).
(iii) Bay Grove Persons means BGMC, each entity within the Bay Grove brand, any of the ultimate owners of Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, and each other Affiliate of any of the foregoing (but excluding BGLH, LHR, Lineage REIT and Lineage REITs direct and indirect subsidiaries).
(iv) BG Persons means each BG Party, each Bay Grove Person and each other Affiliate of any of the foregoing (but excluding Lineage REIT and its direct and indirect subsidiaries). For the avoidance of doubt, BG Persons do not include the members of BGLH that are not Bay Grove Persons.
(v) LHR Indemnified Taxes means any taxes, fees or similar charges incurred by LHR, including any taxes, fees or similar charges incurred as a result of payments made hereunder.
(vi) Lineage Expenses means:
(A) All obligations, costs, fees, expenses and liabilities of any kind whatsoever that are incurred or paid by BGLH or LHR to any person or entity at any time (whether incurred and/or paid prior to, on or at any time after the date of this Agreement, and including any LHR Indemnified Taxes), other than Excluded Taxes (as defined below) of BGLH and obligations of BGLH to make distributions to its members (including redemption distributions, where applicable) from the assets of BGLH; and
(B) All obligations, costs, fees, expenses and liabilities of any kind whatsoever that are incurred or paid by any Bay Grove Person at any time (whether incurred and/or paid prior to, on or at any time after the date of this Agreement) in connection with or in any way relating to (1) any Lineage Entity, (2) BGLH or LHR, (3) any BG Persons provision of any services to any Lineage Entity or to BGLH or LHR, (4) the conduct of business by any Lineage Entity or by BGLH or LHR, (5) the initial public offering of Lineage REIT or any subsequent offering of interests in Lineage REIT or in any other Lineage Entity, (6) any restructuring transactions relating to any Lineage Entity or to BGLH or LHR in contemplation of, or in order to effect, the initial public offering of Lineage REIT or any subsequent offering of interests in Lineage REIT or in any other Lineage Entity, (7) the creation and maintenance of LHR and the maintenance of BGLH, and any taxes imposed on BGLH or LHR, (8) any settlement, sale, distribution or other
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disposition of any interests in BGLH, LHR or any Lineage Entity, or (9) any dissolution, winding up, termination or post-termination liability in respect of BGLH, LHR or any Lineage Entity; in case of each of the foregoing clauses (1) through (9), other than obligations, costs, fees, expenses and liabilities that are (I) Bay Grove Expenses, (II) separately reimbursed or covered pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement between Lineage and BGMC, dated as of [ ], 2024 (the TSA), (III) Excluded Taxes, or (IV) the result of any act, alleged act, omission or alleged omission that constitutes actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of a Bay Grove Person, as determined by a final, non-appealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) All reimbursements for, payments of, or advances for Lineage Expenses shall be made promptly upon presentation by any BG Person to Lineage of an invoice in connection therewith.
(d) No BG Person is obligated to make any advance to, or for the account of, any Lineage Entity, nor to pay any sums to any person or entity other than from amounts provided by a Lineage Entity.
(e) No BG Person is obligated to incur any liability or obligation for the account of any Lineage Entity without the assurance that the necessary funds for the discharge of the liability or obligation will be provided by a Lineage Entity.
Section 2. Indemnification of BG Persons.
(a) Lineage agrees to indemnify, defend, exonerate and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, (1) each BG Person and (2) each Bay Grove Persons respective former, current or future partners, members, stockholders, Affiliates, associates, officers, directors, employees, controlling persons, agents or representatives, or any former, current or future partners, members, stockholders, Affiliates, associates, officers, directors, employees, controlling persons, agents or representatives of the foregoing (together with the BG Persons, the BG Indemnitees) from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, claims or threatened claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented attorneys, accountants and consultants fees, expenses and disbursements), but excluding any Excluded Taxes, incurred by the BG Indemnitees or any of them before, on or after the date of this Agreement, arising out of, incurred in connection with or as a result of, or in any way relating to, (i) this Agreement, any transaction to which Lineage REIT, any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, BGLH or LHR is a party or any other circumstances with respect to Lineage REIT, any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, BGLH, LHR or the conduct of the business of Lineage REIT, any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, BGLH or LHR, (ii) any Lineage Expenses or any matter that gives rise to any obligations, costs, fees, expenses or liabilities of any kind that would constitute Lineage Expenses, or (iii) the exercise, enforcement or preservation of any rights or remedies under this Agreement (collectively, the Indemnified Liabilities); provided that the foregoing indemnification rights will not be available to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines by final non-appealable judgment or order that such Indemnified Liabilities arose on account of such BG Indemnitees actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct; and
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provided, further, that if and to the extent that the foregoing right to indemnification may be unavailable or unenforceable for any reason (other than the actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the applicable BG Indemnitee), Lineage hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. Lineage shall be obligated to pay in cash promptly, and in any event within fifteen (15) days, all expenses and other costs incident to any actual or threatened claim, lawsuit or other proceeding, including those incurred in defending any civil or criminal action arising out of or relating to any event or circumstance to which this Section 2 shall apply, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the applicable BG Indemnitee to repay such amount if it be later determined in accordance with this Section 2 that such BG Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification (whether hereunder or otherwise).
(b) Lineage will reimburse each BG Indemnitee for all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses and any other litigation-related expenses) as they are incurred in connection with investigating, preparing, pursuing, defending or assisting in the defense of any action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding for which the BG Indemnitee would be entitled to indemnification under the terms of Section 2(a), or any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such BG Indemnitee is a formal party thereto. Lineage agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the BG Indemnitee, settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action or proceeding relating to the matters contemplated hereby (if any BG Indemnitee is a party thereto or has been threatened to be made a party thereto) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of the BG Indemnitee from all liability, without future obligation or prohibition on the part of the BG Indemnitee, arising or that may arise out of such claim, action or proceeding, and does not contain an admission of guilt or liability on the part of the BG Indemnitee.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lineage shall not be liable to any BG Indemnitee in respect of any Indemnified Liabilities (or any related costs and expenses) to a BG Indemnitee to the extent the same is determined, in a final non-appealable judgment by a court having jurisdiction, to have resulted from the actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such BG Indemnitee. An adverse judgment or plea of nolo contendere shall not, of itself, create a presumption that any BG Indemnitee committed actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct.
(d) The rights of any BG Indemnitee to indemnification hereunder will be in addition to any other rights any such person may have under any other agreement or instrument referenced above or any other agreement or instrument to which such BG Indemnitee is or becomes a party or is or otherwise becomes a beneficiary or under law or regulation. Lineage hereby acknowledges that each BG Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more persons or entities with whom or which such BG Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any other BG Indemnitee). Lineage hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) Lineage shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any Indemnified Liability, (ii) Lineage shall be primarily liable for all Indemnified Liabilities and any indemnification afforded to any BG Indemnitee in respect of any Indemnified Liabilities, whether created by law, organizational or constituent documents, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise, (iii) any obligation of any other person or entity with whom or which any BG Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, or any BG Indemnitee) to
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indemnify such BG Indemnitee and/or advance expenses to such BG Indemnitee in respect of any proceeding shall be secondary to the obligations of Lineage hereunder, (iv) Lineage shall be required to indemnify each BG Indemnitee and advance expenses to each BG Indemnitee hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights such BG Indemnitee may have against any other person or entity with whom or which such BG Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any other BG Indemnitee) or insurer of any such person or entity and (v) Lineage (on behalf of itself and its insurers) irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any other person or entity with whom or which any BG Indemnitee may be associated from any claim of contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by Lineage hereunder. In the event any other person or entity with whom or which any BG Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any other BG Indemnitee) or their insurers advances or extinguishes any liability or loss which is the subject of any Indemnified Liability owed by Lineage or payable under any insurance policy provided under this Agreement, the payor shall have a right of subrogation against Lineage or its insurer or insurers for all amounts so paid which would otherwise be payable by Lineage or its insurer or insurers under this Agreement. In no event will payment of an Indemnified Liability under this Agreement by any other person or entity with whom or which any BG Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, other BG Indemnitees) or their insurers affect the obligations of Lineage hereunder or shift primary liability for any Indemnified Liability to any other person or entity with whom or which such BG Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any other BG Indemnitee).
(e) The indemnity rights provided to the BG Indemnitees under this Agreement are cumulative with, and do not supersede any other indemnification rights such BG Indemnitees would have at common law or under any other agreement or arrangement and shall remain in full force and effect following any termination of this Agreement.
(f) If for any reason (other than the actual fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of a BG Indemnitee referred to above) the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to any BG Indemnitee or insufficient to hold it harmless as and to the extent contemplated by Section 2(a), then Lineage shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the liabilities of each BG Indemnitee which is permissible under applicable law.
Section 3. Term and Termination.
(a) Term. This Agreement will be effective from the date hereof and will terminate on the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 3(b). The first date on which this Agreement has been terminated is referred to herein as the Termination Date.
(b) Termination of Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated at any time only by the mutual written consent of each BG Party and Lineage.
(c) Effect of Termination. Upon the Termination Date, all rights and obligations of each of Lineage and the BG Persons shall immediately cease and terminate, and no Party shall have any further obligation to the other Party with respect to this Agreement, except that (i) the rights and obligations in Section 2 of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement with respect to matters arising before or after such termination without regard to the termination of this Agreement; and (ii) the termination of this Agreement will not relieve any Party from liability for any breach of this Agreement at or prior to such termination.
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Section 4. Taxes. (a) Any and all payments required to be made to any BG Person or any BG Indemnitee (each, a Recipient) hereunder shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction for, any federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes, duties and assessments in the nature of a tax imposed by a governmental entity or tax authority (Taxes), other than any (A) Taxes imposed with respect to the Recipients net income or branch profits (x) in any jurisdiction in which the Recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located, or (y) as a result of any other present or former connection between the Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes, (B) property taxes and (C) employment/social security taxes (such Taxes described in clauses (A) through (C), collectively, Excluded Taxes); provided, however, that, if Lineage shall be required by applicable law to deduct any Taxes from any payment hereunder, (i) to the extent such Taxes are not Excluded Taxes, such payment shall be increased as necessary so that, after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section 4), the Recipient receives payments equal to the amount it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) Lineage shall make such deductions and (iii) Lineage shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant governmental authority in accordance with applicable law. Each Recipient shall provide to Lineage an IRS Form W-9 or applicable IRS Form W-8 prior to or simultaneously with any payments to be made hereunder and at such other times reasonably requested by Lineage.
Section 5. Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, or consent to any departure by either Party from any such provision, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by each Party to this Agreement, and, in any case, such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. The waiver by any Party of any breach of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver by such Party of any subsequent breach.
Section 6. Assignment; Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the rights of the Parties hereunder may not be assigned without the prior written consent of each of the Parties hereto. Subject to the foregoing, the provisions of this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Subject to the next sentence, no person or party other than the Parties hereto and their respective successors or permitted assigns is intended to be a beneficiary of this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge and agree that each of the BG Persons and BG Indemnitees shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement, in each case entitled to enforce this Agreement as though each such BG Person and BG Indemnitee were a party to this Agreement.
Section 7. Notices. Any and all notices hereunder shall be deemed duly given when delivered by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid), email, overnight courier or hand delivery to the Parties at the following addresses (or such different addresses as are specified by a Party for itself by notice to the other Party in accordance with this Section 7):
If to BGMC: |
Bay Grove Management Company, LLC 801 Montgomery Street, Floor 5 San Francisco, California 94133 Attention: David Brandes and Kristina Hentschel Email: |
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If to BGLH or LHR: |
BG Lineage Holdings, LLC c/o Bay Grove Management Company, LLC 801 Montgomery Street, Floor 5 San Francisco, California 94133 Attention: David Brandes and Kristina Hentschel Email: | |
If to Lineage: |
Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC 46500 Humboldt Drive Novi, Michigan 48377 Attention: Legal Department Email: |
Section 8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall supersede all previous oral and written (and all contemporaneous oral) negotiations, commitments, agreements and understandings among the Parties relating hereto, but expressly excluding the TSA, which shall remain in full force and effect in its entirety in accordance with its terms.
Section 9. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
(b) Consent to Jurisdiction. Each of the Parties hereto consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court located within the State of New York and irrevocably agrees that all actions or proceedings relating to this Agreement shall be litigated in such courts. Each of the Parties hereto accepts for itself and in connection with its respective properties, generally and unconditionally, the exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and waives any defense of forum non conveniens, and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any final and nonappealable judgment rendered thereby in connection with this Agreement. Each of the Parties hereto further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof via overnight courier, to such Party at the address specified in this Agreement, such service to become effective fourteen calendar days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability of any Party hereto to serve any such legal process, summons, notices and documents in any other manner permitted by applicable law or to obtain jurisdiction over or to bring actions, suits or proceedings against the other Party hereto in such other jurisdictions, and in such manner, as may be permitted by any applicable law.
(c) Waiver of Jury Trial. The Parties hereto waive all rights to trial by jury in any action, suit or proceeding brought to enforce or defend any rights or remedies under this Agreement.
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Section 10. Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, and by different Parties on separate counterparts. Each set of counterparts showing execution by all Parties shall be deemed an original, and shall constitute one and the same instrument. The words execution, signed, signature, and words of like import in this Agreement shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by electronic format (including, without limitation, pdf, tif or jpg) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.
Section 11. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
[Signature Page Follows]
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers or agents as of the date first referenced above as set forth below.
BAY GROVE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
BG LINEAGE HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
BG LINEAGE HOLDINGS LHR, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Signature Page to Expense Reimbursement and Indemnification Agreement
Exhibit 10.32
AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT
among
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC,
as Borrower Representative
THE BORROWERS PARTY HERETO
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC
as Holdings
LINEAGE OP, LLC,
as Lineage OP
LINEAGE, INC.,
as Parent Company
the Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties Hereto
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as Syndication Agent
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC,
MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
COÖPERATIEVE RABOBANK U.A., NEW YORK BRANCH, TRUIST BANK,
CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
MIZUHO BANK, LTD and THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK,
as Documentation Agents
COÖPERATIEVE RABOBANK U.A., NEW YORK BRANCH,
as Sustainability Agent
Dated as of February 15, 2024
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. and WELLS FARGO SECURITIES LLC, as Joint Lead
Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
BOFA SECURITIES, INC., GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC,
MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., COÖPERATIEVE RABOBANK U.A.,
NEW YORK BRANCH, TRUIST SECURITIES, INC., CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and MIZUHO BANK, LTD,
as Joint Lead Arrangers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1. |
DEFINITIONS | 1 | ||||
1.1 |
Defined Terms | 1 | ||||
1.2 |
Other Definitional Provisions | 80 | ||||
1.3 |
Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents | 81 | ||||
1.4 |
Additional Alternative Currencies | 81 | ||||
1.5 |
Change of Currency | 82 | ||||
1.6 |
Times of Day | 83 | ||||
1.7 |
Letter of Credit Amounts | 83 | ||||
1.8 |
Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification | 83 | ||||
1.9 |
Divisions | 83 | ||||
1.10 |
Limited Condition Transactions | 84 | ||||
1.11 |
Foreign Terms | 84 | ||||
SECTION 2. |
AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS | 91 | ||||
2.1 |
Term Commitments | 91 | ||||
2.1 |
Term Commitments | 91 | ||||
2.2 |
Procedure for U.S. Term Loan Borrowing | 91 | ||||
2.3 |
[Reserved] | 92 | ||||
2.4 |
Revolving Commitments | 92 | ||||
2.5 |
Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing | 93 | ||||
2.6 |
Swingline Loans | 95 | ||||
2.7 |
[Reserved] | 97 | ||||
2.8 |
Commitment Fees, Facility Fees, etc. | 97 | ||||
2.9 |
Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments | 98 | ||||
2.10 |
Prepayments | 99 | ||||
2.11 |
Repayment of Loans | 100 | ||||
2.12 |
Conversion and Continuation Options | 101 | ||||
2.13 |
Limitations on Term Benchmark Tranches | 102 | ||||
2.14 |
Interest Rates and Payment Dates | 102 | ||||
2.15 |
Computation of Interest and Fees | 103 | ||||
2.16 |
Alternate Rate of Interest | 103 | ||||
2.17 |
Pro Rata Treatment and Payments | 108 | ||||
2.18 |
Requirements of Law | 110 |
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
2.19 |
Taxes | 111 | ||||
2.20 |
Indemnity | 119 | ||||
2.21 |
Change of Lending Office | 120 | ||||
2.22 |
Replacement of Lenders | 121 | ||||
2.23 |
Incremental Commitments | 121 | ||||
2.24 |
Defaulting Lenders | 124 | ||||
2.25 |
Extension of Revolving Termination Date | 126 | ||||
2.26 |
Cash Management Services and Swap Agreements | 126 | ||||
2.27 |
Joint and Several Liability | 126 | ||||
2.28 |
Sustainability Adjustments Amendment | 132 | ||||
SECTION 3. |
LETTERS OF CREDIT | 134 | ||||
3.1 |
L/C Commitment | 134 | ||||
3.2 |
Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit | 135 | ||||
3.3 |
Fees and Other Charges | 136 | ||||
3.4 |
L/C Participations | 136 | ||||
3.5 |
Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers | 137 | ||||
3.6 |
Obligations Absolute | 138 | ||||
3.7 |
Letter of Credit Payments | 139 | ||||
3.8 |
Applications | 139 | ||||
3.9 |
Replacement of the Issuing Lender | 139 | ||||
SECTION 4. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 140 | ||||
4.1 |
Financial Condition | 140 | ||||
4.2 |
No Change | 140 | ||||
4.3 |
Existence; Compliance with Law | 140 | ||||
4.4 |
Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations | 140 | ||||
4.5 |
No Legal Bar | 141 | ||||
4.6 |
Litigation | 141 | ||||
4.7 |
No Default | 141 | ||||
4.8 |
Ownership of Property; Liens; Qualified Assets; Casualty | 141 | ||||
4.9 |
Intellectual Property | 142 | ||||
4.10 |
Taxes | 142 |
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
4.11 |
Federal Regulations | 142 | ||||
4.12 |
[Reserved] | 143 | ||||
4.13 |
ERISA; Foreign Pension Plans | 143 | ||||
4.14 |
Investment Company Act; Other Regulations | 143 | ||||
4.15 |
Subsidiaries | 143 | ||||
4.16 |
[Reserved] | 143 | ||||
4.17 |
Environmental Matters | 143 | ||||
4.18 |
Accuracy of Information, etc. | 144 | ||||
4.19 |
Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions | 145 | ||||
4.20 |
Solvency | 145 | ||||
4.21 |
Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions | 145 | ||||
4.22 |
REIT Status | 146 | ||||
4.23 |
[Reserved] | 146 | ||||
4.24 |
Affected Financial Institutions | 146 | ||||
4.25 |
COMI | 146 | ||||
4.26 |
Domiciliation and Sectorial Laws | 146 | ||||
SECTION 5. |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 146 | ||||
5.1 |
Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit | 146 | ||||
5.2 |
Conditions to Each Extension of Credit | 149 | ||||
SECTION 6. |
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | 150 | ||||
6.1 |
Financial Statements | 150 | ||||
6.2 |
Certificates; Other Information | 151 | ||||
6.3 |
[Reserved] | 153 | ||||
6.4 |
Taxes | 153 | ||||
6.5 |
Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Law | 153 | ||||
6.6 |
Maintenance of Property; Insurance | 153 | ||||
6.7 |
Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions | 154 | ||||
6.8 |
Notices | 154 | ||||
6.9 |
Environmental Laws | 155 | ||||
6.10 |
[Reserved] | 156 | ||||
6.11 |
Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit | 156 |
-iii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
6.12 |
Know Your Customer | 156 | ||||
6.13 |
Maintenance of REIT Status; Further Assurances | 156 | ||||
6.14 |
[Reserved] | 156 | ||||
6.16 |
Accuracy of Information | 157 | ||||
SECTION 7. |
NEGATIVE COVENANTS | 157 | ||||
7.1 |
Financial Covenants | 157 | ||||
7.2 |
Indebtedness | 158 | ||||
7.3 |
Liens | 157 | ||||
7.4 |
Fundamental Changes | 158 | ||||
7.5 |
Disposition of Property | 159 | ||||
7.6 |
Restricted Payments | 160 | ||||
7.7 |
[Reserved] | 162 | ||||
7.8 |
Investments | 162 | ||||
7.9 |
Amendments to Governing Documents | 162 | ||||
7.10 |
Transactions with Affiliates | 163 | ||||
7.11 |
[Reserved] | 165 | ||||
7.12 |
Swap Agreements | 165 | ||||
7.13 |
[Reserved] | 165 | ||||
7.14 |
Negative Pledge Clauses | 165 | ||||
7.15 |
Payments of Subordinate Debt | 166 | ||||
7.16 |
Lines of Business | 166 | ||||
SECTION 8. |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 167 | ||||
SECTION 9. |
THE AGENTS | 171 | ||||
9.1 |
Authorization and Action | 171 | ||||
9.2 |
Administrative Agents Reliance, Limitation of Liability, Etc. | 175 | ||||
9.3 |
Posting of Communications | 177 | ||||
9.4 |
The Administrative Agent Individually | 179 | ||||
9.5 |
Successor Administrative Agent | 179 | ||||
9.6 |
Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Lenders | 180 | ||||
9.7 |
Guarantee and Collateral Matters | 182 | ||||
9.8 |
[Reserved] | 183 |
-iv-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
9.9 |
Certain ERISA Matters | 183 | ||||
9.10 |
[Reserved] | 184 | ||||
9.11 |
Parallel Debt | 184 | ||||
SECTION 10. |
MISCELLANEOUS | 186 | ||||
10.1 |
Notices | 186 | ||||
10.2 |
Waivers; Amendments | 188 | ||||
10.3 |
Expenses; Limitation of Liability; Indemnity; Etc. | 190 | ||||
10.4 |
Successors and Assigns | 192 | ||||
10.5 |
Survival | 197 | ||||
10.6 |
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution | 197 | ||||
10.7 |
Severability | 198 | ||||
10.8 |
Right of Setoff | 199 | ||||
10.9 |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process | 199 | ||||
10.10 |
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 200 | ||||
10.11 |
Headings | 201 | ||||
10.12 |
Confidentiality | 201 | ||||
10.13 |
Material Non-Public Information | 202 | ||||
10.14 |
Interest Rate Limitation | 202 | ||||
10.15 |
No Fiduciary Duty, etc. | 203 | ||||
10.16 |
USA PATRIOT Act | 204 | ||||
10.17 |
Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions | 204 | ||||
10.18 |
Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs | 204 | ||||
10.19 |
Designated Borrowers | 205 | ||||
10.20 |
Australian Banking Code of Practice | 208 | ||||
10.21 |
Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Legislation | 208 | ||||
10.22 |
Personal Data Protection under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 of Singapore | 208 | ||||
10.23 |
Judgment Currency | 209 | ||||
10.24 |
Transitional Arrangements | 209 | ||||
SECTION 11. |
THE BORROWER REPRESENTATIVE | 210 | ||||
11.1 |
Appointment; Nature of Relationship | 210 |
-v-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
SCHEDULES:
1.1A | Loan Commitments | |
1.1B | Issuing Lender Commitments | |
1.1C | Closing Date U.S. Borrowers | |
1.1D | Closing Date Foreign Borrowers and Post-Closing Foreign Borrowers | |
1.1E | Ground Leases | |
1.1G | Swingline Commitments | |
3.1(a) | Existing Letters of Credit | |
4.15 | Subsidiaries | |
6.1(b) | Company Website | |
7.2 | Existing Indebtedness | |
7.3 | Existing Liens | |
7.8 | Existing Investments | |
7.10 | Affiliate Transactions |
EXHIBITS:
A | Form of Guarantee Agreement | |
B | Form of Compliance Certificate | |
C | Form of Assignment and Assumption | |
D | Form of Borrowing Request | |
E | [Reserved] | |
F | Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates | |
G | Form of Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement | |
H | Form of Designated Borrower Notice | |
I | Form of Borrower Termination Notice | |
J | Form of Intercreditor Agreement |
-vii-
AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of February 15, 2024, among LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), each Person listed on Schedule 1.1C as a U.S. Borrower as of the Closing Date, each Person listed on Schedule 1.1D as a Foreign Borrower as of the Closing Date, each Subsidiary of Parent Company that becomes a party hereto as a Borrower, LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Holdings), LINEAGE OP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Lineage OP), LINEAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation (Parent Company), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this Agreement (the Lenders), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as syndication agent (in such capacity, the Syndication Agent), the Documentation Agents and Sustainability Agent listed on the cover to this Agreement, and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent.
WHEREAS, the Company, the other Borrowers, Holdings, certain of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and other agents are party to the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of December 22, 2020, as amended to date (the Existing Credit Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Company, the other Borrowers, Holdings, Lineage OP, Parent Company, the Lenders party hereto, the Administrative Agent and the other agents party hereto wish to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement and agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.1.
ABR: for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 1⁄2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for a one month Interest Period as published two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day (or if such day is not a U.S. Government Business Day, the immediately preceding U.S. Government Business Day) plus 1%; provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for any day shall be based on the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m. Chicago time on such day (or any amended publication time for the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as specified by the CME Term SOFR Administrator in the Term SOFR Reference Rate methodology). Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, respectively. If the ABR is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.16 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until the Benchmark Replacement has been determined pursuant to Section 2.16(b)), then the ABR shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above. For the avoidance of doubt, if the ABR as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be less than 1.0%, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.0% for purposes of this Agreement.
ABR Borrowing: a Borrowing denominated in Dollars the rate of interest applicable to which is based on the ABR.
ABR Loans: Loans denominated in Dollars the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the ABR.
Additional Credit Extension Amendment: an amendment to this Agreement providing for any Incremental Commitments which shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of this Agreement relating to such Incremental Commitments and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.
Adjusted Daily Simple RFR: (i) with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in Sterling, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Daily Simple RFR for Sterling, plus (b) 0.03260%, (ii) with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in CHF, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Daily Simple RFR for CHF, minus (b) 0.05710%, (iii) with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in SGD, an interest rate per annum equal to the Daily Simple RFR for SGD, (iv) with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in CAD, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Daily Simple RFR for CAD, plus (b) 0.29547% and (v) with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Daily Simple RFR for Dollars, plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
Adjusted EURIBOR Rate: with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Euros for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the EURIBOR Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate; provided that if the Adjusted EURIBOR Rate as so determined would be less than 0%, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to 0% for purposes of this Agreement.
Adjusted Term CORRA Rate: for purposes of any calculation, the rate per annum equal to (a) Term CORRA for such calculation plus (b) 0.29547% for a one month interest period or 0.32138% for a three month interest period; provided that if Adjusted Term CORRA Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
Adjusted Term SOFR Rate: with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Term SOFR Rate for such Interest Period, plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
Administrative Agent: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., together with its affiliates and branches, as the administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with any of its successors.
Administrative Questionnaire: an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
2
Affected Financial Institution: (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
Affiliate: as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 25% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.
Agency Site: the Electronic System established by the Administrative Agent to administer this Agreement.
Aggregate Exposure: with respect to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to (a) until the Funding Date, the aggregate amount of such Lenders Commitments at such time and (b) thereafter, the sum of (i) the aggregate then unpaid principal amount of such Lenders Term Loans and (ii) the amount of such Lenders Revolving Commitment then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the amount of such Lenders Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
Aggregate Exposure Percentage: with respect to any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lenders Aggregate Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposures of all Lenders at such time.
Agreed Currencies: Dollars and each Alternative Currency.
Agreement: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Alternative Currencies: each of the following currencies: AUD, Euro, CAD, Sterling, NZD, DKK, NOK, PLN, SEK, CHF, SGD and Mexican Pesos, together with each other currency that is approved in accordance with Section 1.4.
Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitment: as to any Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender, the obligation of such Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender, if any, to make Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitment opposite such Alternative Currency Tranche One Lenders name on Schedule 1.1A or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender became a party hereto, as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof, including Section 2.23. The amount of the Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitments as of the Closing Date is $1,570,000,000.
Alternative Currency Tranche One Currencies: each of the following currencies: Dollars, AUD, Euro, CAD and Sterling, together with each other currency that is approved by the Alternative Currency Tranche One Lenders in accordance with Section 1.4.
Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit: as to any Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender at any time, an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans held by such Lender then outstanding and such Lenders Swingline Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
3
Alternative Currency Tranche One Facility: the Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitments and the Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans and extensions of credit made thereunder.
Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender: each Lender that has an Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitment or that holds Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans.
Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans: as defined in Section 2.4(a).
Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitment: as to any Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender, the obligation of such Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender, if any, to make Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitment opposite such Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lenders name on Schedule 1.1A or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender became a party hereto, as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof, including Section 2.23. The amount of the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitments as of the Closing Date is $555,000,000.
Alternative Currency Tranche Two Currencies: each of the following currencies: Dollars, AUD, Euro, CAD, Sterling, NZD, DKK, NOK, PLN, SEK, CHF, SGD and Mexican Pesos, together with each other currency that is approved by the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lenders in accordance with Section 1.4.
Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit: as to any Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender at any time, an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans held by such Lender then outstanding and such Lenders Swingline Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
Alternative Currency Tranche Two Facility: the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitments and the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans and extensions of credit made thereunder.
Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender: each Lender that has an Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitment or that holds Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans.
Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans: as defined in Section 2.4(b).
Ancillary Document: has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.8(b).
Anti-Corruption Laws: the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and all laws, rules and regulations of any other jurisdiction applicable to Parent Company and its respective Subsidiaries concerning or relating to bribery or corruption including the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) and the Prevention of Corruption Act 1960 of Singapore.
4
Anti-Terrorism Laws: any Requirement of Law related to terrorism financing, economic sanctions or money laundering, including: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957; The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5332 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820b and 1951-1959), as amended by the Patriot Act, and their implementing regulations; the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., as amended), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq., as amended), Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001), and their implementing regulations and including Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation.
Applicable EBITDA: with respect to any Real Property that is (x) owned or ground leased by Parent Company or any Subsidiary or (y) a Leased Asset, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA attributable to such Real Property for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters.
Applicable Margin: for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan, RFR Loan, Swingline Loan or Term Benchmark Loan, or with respect to the facility fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum determined as set forth below.
(a) From and after the Closing Date and until the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date:
(i) for Revolving Loans (including under each Tranche thereof), the Applicable Margin for Term Benchmark Loans, RFR Loans, Swingline Loans or ABR Loans, as the case may be, shall be determined by the range into which the Total Leverage Ratio falls in the table below:
RATIO LEVEL |
TOTAL LEVERAGE RATIO |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR TERM BENCHMARK LOANS OR RFR LOANS |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR ABR LOANS OR SWINGLINE LOANS |
|||||||
Level I |
< 50% | 1.60 | % | 0.60 | % | |||||
Level II |
≥ 50% and < 55% | 1.80 | % | 0.80 | % | |||||
Level III |
≥ 55% and < 60% | 2.00 | % | 1.00 | % | |||||
Level IV |
> 60% | 2.20 | % | 1.20 | % |
(ii) for Term Loans, the Applicable Margin for Term Benchmark Loans, RFR Loans or ABR Loans, as the case may be, shall be determined by the range into which the Total Leverage Ratio falls in the table below:
RATIO LEVEL |
TOTAL LEVERAGE RATIO |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR TERM BENCHMARK LOANS OR RFR LOANS |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR ABR LOANS |
|||||||
Level I |
< 50% | 1.60 | % | 0.60 | % | |||||
Level II |
≥ 50% and < 55% | 1.80 | % | 0.80 | % | |||||
Level III |
≥ 55% and < 60% | 2.00 | % | 1.00 | % | |||||
Level IV |
≥ 60% | 2.20 | % | 1.20 | % |
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For purposes of this clause (a), any increase or decrease in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a compliance certificate is delivered in accordance with Section 6.2(a); provided, however, that if such compliance certificate is not delivered within three (3) Business Days of the date when due in accordance with Section 6.2(a), then the Applicable Margin shall be the percentage that would apply to the Level IV Ratio and it shall apply as of the fourth (4th) Business Day after the date on which such compliance certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until such compliance certificate is delivered. The Applicable Margin from the Closing Date until the delivery of the compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2023 shall be based on Level I.
If at any time the financial statements upon which the Applicable Margin was determined were incorrect (whether based on a restatement, fraud or otherwise), the Borrower shall be required to retroactively pay any additional amount that the Borrower would have been required to pay if such financial statements had been accurate at the time they were delivered.
(b) From and after the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date:
(i) For Revolving Loans, the Applicable Margin for Term Benchmark Loans, RFR Loans, Swingline Loans or ABR Loans, or the Facility Fee Rate, as the case may be, shall be determined solely by the Debt Ratings in the table below:
RATINGS |
MOODYS/ S&P/FITCH DEBT RATING |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR TERM BENCHMARK LOANS OR RFR LOANS |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR ABR LOANS OR SWINGLINE LOANS |
FACILITY FEE RATE |
||||||||||
Level I Rating |
A3/A- or higher | 0.725 | % | 0 | % | 0.125 | % | |||||||
Level II Rating |
Baa1/BBB+ | 0.775 | % | 0 | % | 0.15 | % | |||||||
Level III Rating |
Baa2/BBB | 0.85 | % | 0 | % | 0.20 | % | |||||||
Level IV Rating |
Baa3/BBB- | 1.05 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.25 | % | |||||||
Level V Rating |
Below Baa3/BBB- or unrated | 1.40 | % | 0.40 | % | 0.30 | % |
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(ii) For Term Loans, the Applicable Margin for Term Benchmark Loans, RFR Loans or ABR Loans, as the case may be, shall be determined solely by the Debt Ratings in the table below:
RATINGS |
MOODYS/ S&P/FITCH DEBT RATING |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR TERM BENCHMARK LOANS OR RFR LOANS |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR ABR LOANS |
|||||||
Level I Rating |
A3/A- or higher | 0.85 | % | 0 | % | |||||
Level II Rating |
Baa1/BBB+ | 0.925 | % | 0 | % | |||||
Level III Rating |
Baa2/BBB | 1.05 | % | 0.05 | % | |||||
Level IV Rating |
Baa3/BBB- | 1.30 | % | 0.30 | % | |||||
Level V Rating |
Below Baa3/BBB- or unrated | 1.70 | % | 0.70 | % |
For purposes of this clause (b), if at any time Parent Company or another Guarantor has two (2) Debt Ratings, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum applicable to the highest Debt Rating; provided that if the highest Debt Rating and the lowest Debt Rating are more than one ratings category apart, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum applicable to Debt Rating that is one ratings category below the highest Debt Rating. If at any time Parent Company or another Guarantor has three (3) Debt Ratings, and such Debt Ratings are split, then: (A) if the difference between the highest and the lowest such Debt Ratings is one ratings category (e.g. Baa2 by Moodys and BBB- by S&P or Fitch), the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the highest of the Debt Ratings were used; and (B) if the difference between such Debt Ratings is two ratings categories (e.g. Baa1 by Moodys and BBB- by S&P or Fitch) or more, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the average of the two (2) highest Debt Ratings were used, provided that if such average is not a recognized rating category, then the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the second highest Debt Rating of the three were used. If at any time Parent Company or another Guarantor has only one Debt Rating (and such Debt Rating is from Moodys or S&P), the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum applicable to such Debt Rating. If Parent Company or another Guarantor neither has an Debt Rating from Moodys nor S&P, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum applicable to an Debt Rating of below BBB-/Baa3 or unrated in the tables above.
Each change in the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. If the rating system of Moodys, S&P or Fitch shall change, or if such rating agency shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee Rate shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation.
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Applicable Time: with respect to any borrowings and payments in any Alternative Currency, the local time in the place of settlement for such Alternative Currency as may be determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, to be necessary for timely settlement on the relevant date in accordance with normal banking procedures in the place of payment.
Applicant Borrower: as defined in Section 10.19.
Application: an application, in such form as the Issuing Lender may specify from time to time, requesting the Issuing Lender to issue a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with Section 3.1 of this Agreement), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit.
Approved Fund: 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 of its business 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.
Arrangers: the financial institutions listed as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners on the cover page to this Agreement.
Assignment and Assumption: an Assignment and Assumption, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
AUD: the lawful currency of the Commonwealth of Australia.
AUD Screen Rate: with respect to any Interest Period, Australian Bank Bill Swap Reference Rate (bid) as administered by ASX Benchmarks Pty Limited (ACN 616 075 417) (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for Australian dollar bills of exchange with a tenor equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on page BBSY of the Reuters screen (or, in the event such rate does not appear on such Reuters page, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion) at or about the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period. If the AUD Screen Rate shall be less than 0%, the AUD Screen Rate shall be deemed to be 0% for purposes of this Agreement.
Australian Corporations Act: the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia.
Australian Loan Party: any Loan Party that is incorporated under the laws of Australia.
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Australian PPSA: the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) of Australia.
Available Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitment: as to any Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Alternative Currency Tranche One Lenders Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitment then in effect over (b) such Alternative Currency Tranche One Lenders Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
Available Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitment: as to any Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lenders Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitment then in effect over (b) such Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lenders Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
Available Dollar Tranche Commitment: as to any Dollar Tranche Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Dollar Tranche Lenders Dollar Tranche Commitment then in effect over (b) such Dollar Tranche Lenders Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
Available Tenor: as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark for any Agreed Currency, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of Interest Period pursuant to clause (e) of Section 2.16.
Bail-In Action: means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
Bail-In Legislation: means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
Bankruptcy Code: the provisions of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 USC §§ 101 et seq., as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
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Bankruptcy Event: with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy, concurso mercantil or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, liquidator, monitor, supervisor, interim liquidator, statutory manager, judicial manager, interim judicial manager, nominee (which has the meaning given under section 273(1) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 of Singapore), conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, conciliador, sindico, interventor, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.
Belgian Civil Code: the Belgian oud Burgerlijk Wetboek/ancient Code Civil of 21 March 1804 as amended from time to time and, with effect from its applicable effective date, the Belgian new Burgerlijk Wetboek/Code Civil introduced pursuant to the law of 13 April 2019 introducing a Civil Code and inserting book 8 Evidence in the Civil Code.
Belgian Code of Companies and Associations: the Belgian Wetboek van vennootschappen en verenigingen/Code des sociétés et des associations dated 23 March 2019, as amended from time to time.
Belgian Loan Party: a Loan Party having its statutory seat in Belgium.
Belgian Mobilisation Law: the Belgian mobilisation law of 3 August 2012 on various measures to facilitate the mobilisation of receivables in the financial sector, as amended from time to time.
Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction: a tax haven country, a low-tax jurisdiction or a non-cooperative jurisdiction, within the meaning of Article 307, §1/2 of the Belgian Income Tax Code 1992 or any successor provision.
Belgian Qualifying Lender: a Lender that is entitled to a full exemption from Belgian withholding tax on interest, either on the basis of Belgian domestic tax laws or tax treaties concluded by Belgium (subject to completion of the necessary formalities, if any).
Benchmark: initially, with respect to any (i) RFR Loan in any Agreed Currency, the applicable Relevant Rate for such Agreed Currency or (ii) Term Benchmark Loan, the Relevant Rate for such Agreed Currency; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event or a Term CORRA Reelection Event, and the related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the applicable Relevant Rate or the then-current Benchmark for such Agreed Currency, then Benchmark means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to clause (b) of Section 2.16.
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Benchmark Replacement: for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date; provided that, in the case of any Loan denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency (other than any Term Benchmark Loan denominated in CAD), Benchmark Replacement shall mean the alternative set forth in (2) below:
(1) in the case of any Term Benchmark Loan denominated in CAD, the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for CAD; or
(2) the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable Agreed Currency at such time in the United States and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Term CORRA Reelection Event, and the delivery of a Term CORRA Notice, on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date the Benchmark Replacement shall revert to and shall be deemed to be the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate.
If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to the above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Benchmark Replacement Adjustment: with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable Agreed Currency at such time.
Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes: with respect to any Benchmark Replacement and/or any Term Benchmark Loan denominated in Dollars or CAD, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of ABR, the definition of Canadian Prime Rate, the definition of Business Day, the definition of U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the definition of RFR Business Day, the definition of Interest Period, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides in its reasonable discretion may be appropriate to reflect the
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adoption and implementation of such Benchmark and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides in its reasonable discretion is necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
Benchmark Replacement Date: with respect to any Benchmark, the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of Benchmark Transition Event, the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of Benchmark Transition Event, the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided, that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date; or
(3) in the case of a Term CORRA Reelection Event, the date that is thirty (30) days after the date a Term CORRA Notice (if any) is provided to the Lenders and the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.16(c).
For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
Benchmark Transition Event: with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(1) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
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(2) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, the SORA Administrator, the central bank for the Agreed Currency applicable to such Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), in each case, which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(3) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative.
For the avoidance of doubt, a Benchmark Transition Event will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
Benchmark Unavailability Period: with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (1) or (2) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.16 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.16.
Beneficial Ownership Certification: a certification regarding beneficial ownership or control as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
Beneficial Ownership Regulation: means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
Benefit Plan: any of (a) an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a plan as defined in Section 4975 of the Code to which Section 4975 of the Code applies, and (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such employee benefit plan or plan.
BHC Act Affiliate of a party: an affiliate (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
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BKBM Screen Rate: with respect to any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent which is equal to the average bank bill reference rate as administered by the New Zealand Financial Benchmark Facility (or any other person that takes over the administration of such rate) for bills of exchange with a tenor equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on page BKBM of the Reuters screen (or, in the event such rate does not appear on such page, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion) at or about 11:00 a.m. (Wellington, New Zealand time) on the first day of such Interest Period. If the BKBM Screen Rate shall be less than 0%, the BKBM Screen Rate shall be deemed to be 0% for purposes of this Agreement.
Board: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).
Borrowers: each U.S. Borrower and each Foreign Borrower, including each Designated Borrower; provided, Borrowers shall not include any Borrower for whom a Borrower Termination Notice has been submitted and is effective in accordance with Section 10.19(d) hereof.
Borrower Materials as defined in Section 6.2.
Borrower Representative: as defined in Section 11.1.
Borrower Termination Notice: as defined in Section 10.19.
Borrowing: (a) Loans of the same Type, Class and Tranche made, converted or continued on the same date, and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, or (b) a Swingline Loan.
Borrowing Date: any Business Day specified by the Borrower as a date on which the Borrower requests the relevant Lenders to make Loans hereunder.
Business: as defined in Section 4.17(b).
Business Day: any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in New York City; provided that, in addition to the foregoing, a Business Day shall be (a) in relation to Loans denominated in Euros and in relation to the calculation or computation of EURIBOR, any day which is a TARGET Day, (b) in relation to RFR Loans and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such RFR Loan, or any other dealings in the applicable Agreed Currency of such RFR Loan, any such day that is only an RFR Business Day, (c) in relation to Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate and any interest rate settings, funding, disbursement, settlements or payments of any such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or any other dealings of such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, any such date that is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, (d) in relation to any Non-Quoted Currency, any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in the principal financial center of the country of that currency, (e) in relation to Loans to a Singapore Borrower, a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a gazette public holiday or a bank holiday) on which banks are open for general business in Singapore, and (f) in relation to Loans denominated in CAD and in relation to the computation of CORRA or the Canadian Prime Rate, any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in Canada.
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CAD: the lawful currency of Canada.
Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation means, collectively, Parts II.1 and XII.2 of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, the Proceeds of Crime Act and the United Nations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. U-2 or any similar Canadian legislation, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto including, without limitation, the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on the Suppression of Terrorism and the United Nations Al Qaida and Taliban Regulations promulgated under the United Nations Act.
Canadian Blocked Person: any Person that is a designated person, politically exposed foreign person or terrorist group as described in any Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws.
Canadian Defined Benefit Plan: a pension plan for the purposes of any applicable pension benefits standards statute or regulation in Canada, which contains a defined benefit provision, as defined in subsection 147.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws: any Canadian laws, regulations or orders governing transactions in controlled goods or technologies or dealings with countries, entities, organizations, or individuals subject to economic sanctions and similar measures, including the Special Economic Measures Act (Canada), the United Nations Act (Canada), the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Canada), Part II.1 of the Criminal Code (Canada) and the Export and Import Permits Act (Canada), and any related regulations.
Canadian Pension Event: (a) the whole or partial withdrawal of a Loan Party from a Canadian Pension Plan during a plan year; or (b) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate in whole or in part a Canadian Pension Plan or the treatment of a Canadian Pension Plan amendment as a termination or partial termination; or (c) the institution of proceedings by any Governmental Authority to terminate in whole or in part or have a trustee appointed to administer a Canadian Pension Plan; or (d) any other event or condition which might constitute grounds for the termination of, winding up or partial termination of winding up or the appointment of trustee to administer, any Canadian Pension Plan.
Canadian Pension Plan: a pension plan that is covered by the applicable pension standards laws of any jurisdiction in Canada including the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario) and the Income Tax Act (Canada) and that is either (a) maintained or sponsored by a Loan Party for employees or (b) maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, or other arrangement under which more than one employer makes contributions and to which such Loan Party is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or has within the preceding five years made or accrued such contributions.
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Canadian Prime Rate: on any day, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate equal to the PRIMCAN Index rate that appears on the Bloomberg screen at 10:15 a.m. Toronto time on such day (or, in the event that the PRIMCAN Index is not published by Bloomberg, any other information services that publishes such index from time to time, as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided, that if any the above rates shall be less than 0%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0% for purposes of this Agreement. Any change in the Canadian Prime Rate due to a change in the PRIMCAN Index shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the PRIMCAN Index.
Canadian PPSA: the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario), including the regulations thereto, provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any Lien created hereunder on any collateral is governed by the personal property security legislation or other applicable legislation with respect to personal property security, in effect in a jurisdiction other than Ontario, PPSA means the Personal Property Security Act or such other applicable legislation (including the Civil Code of Quebec) in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for the purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.
Capitalization Rate: (a) 6.5% for Real Property that is owned or subject to a ground lease and (b) 8.5% for Real Property that is a Leased Asset.
Capital Lease Obligations: as to any Person, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as finance leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.
Captive Insurance Subsidiary: any Subsidiary of Parent Company that is subject to regulation as an insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereof).
Cash Equivalents: (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the government of the United States, Canada or England and Wales or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, Canada or England and Wales, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers acceptances having maturities of 180 days or less from the date of acquisition issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof, or the laws of England and Wales having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000; (c) commercial paper of an issuer maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or Moodys; and (d) fully collateralized repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities described in clause (a) above; (e) money market funds that (x) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (y) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moodys and (z) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; or (f) solely with respect to any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, any investment that a Captive Insurance Subsidiary is not prohibited to make in accordance with applicable law.
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Cash Management Banks: (a) a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent at the time such services are entered into or (b) any financial institution or commercial bank that notifies the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.26 hereof.
Cash Management Services: any of the following provided to a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party by a Cash Management Bank; provided Cash Management Services provided by a Cash Management Bank pursuant to clause (b) of the definition thereof, shall not exceed in the aggregate $25,000,000 at any time outstanding: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, commercial credit cards and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts, cash pooling services and interstate depository network services), (e) bank guarantees and letters of credit, and (f) other cash management services.
CBR Loan: a Loan that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Central Bank Rate.
CBR Spread: the Applicable Margin applicable to such Loan that is replaced by a CBR Loan.
Central Bank Rate: the greater of (I)(A) for any Loan denominated in (a) Sterling, the Bank of England (or any successor thereto)s Bank Rate as published by the Bank of England (or any successor thereto) from time to time, (b) Euro, one of the following three rates as may be selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion: (1) the fixed rate for the main refinancing operations of the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto), or, if that rate is not published, the minimum bid rate for the main refinancing operations of the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto), each as published by the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto) from time to time, (2) the rate for the marginal lending facility of the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto), as published by the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto) from time to time or (3) the rate for the deposit facility of the central banking system of the Participating Member States, as published by the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto) from time to time, (c) CHF, the policy rate of the Swiss National Bank (or any successor thereto) as published by the Swiss National Bank (or any successor thereto) from time to time and (d) any other Alternative Currency determined after the Closing Date, a central bank rate as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion; plus (B) the applicable Central Bank Rate Adjustment, and (II) 0.0%.
Central Bank Rate Adjustment: for any day, for any Loan denominated in (a) Euro, a rate equal to the difference (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) of (i) the average of the Adjusted EURIBOR Rate for the five most recent Business Days preceding such day for which the EURIBOR Screen Rate was available (excluding, from such averaging, the highest and the lowest Adjusted EURIBOR Rate applicable during such period of five Business Days) minus (ii) the Central Bank Rate in respect of Euro in effect on the last Business Day in such period, (b) Sterling, a rate equal to the difference (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) of (i) the average of Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Sterling Borrowings for the five most recent RFR
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Business Days preceding such day for which Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Sterling Borrowings was available (excluding, from such averaging, the highest and the lowest such Adjusted Daily Simple RFR applicable during such period of five RFR Business Days) minus (ii) the Central Bank Rate in respect of Sterling in effect on the last RFR Business Day in such period, (c) CHF, a rate equal to the difference (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) of (i) the average of Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for CHF Borrowings for the five most recent RFR Business Days preceding such day for which SARON was available (excluding, from such averaging, the highest and the lowest such Adjusted Daily Simple RFR applicable during such period of five RFR Business Days) minus (ii) the Central Bank Rate in respect of CHF in effect on the last RFR Business Day in such period, and (d) any other Alternative Currency, a Central Bank Rate Adjustment as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion. For purposes of this definition, (x) the term Central Bank Rate shall be determined disregarding clause (B) of the definition of such term and (y) the EURIBOR Rate on any day shall be based on the EURIBOR Screen Rate on such day at approximately the time referred to in the definition of such term for deposits in the applicable Agreed Currency for a maturity of one month.
Change in Control: shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(a) at any time prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO, the Investor shall, directly or indirectly, at any time collectively fail to own beneficially, directly or indirectly, voting Equity Interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Parent Company (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested); or
(b) at any time after the consummation of a Qualified IPO, any person or group (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person and its subsidiaries and any Person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Investor, acquires beneficial ownership of voting Equity Interests of the Parent Company representing (A) more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Parent Company (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested) and (B) more than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power that is at the time beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Investor, taken together (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested); or
(c) the Parent Company ceases to be sole managing member or general partner (as applicable) of Lineage OP or the Parent Company ceases to own and control at least 60% of the voting Equity Interests in Lineage OP;
(d) at any time prior to the merger or consolidation of Holdings with or into Lineage OP, Lineage OP cease to be the sole managing member or general partner (as applicable) of Holdings or Lineage OP ceases to own and control at least 60% of the voting Equity Interests in Holdings;
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(e) at any time prior to the merger or consolidation of Holdings with or into Lineage OP, Holdings ceases to own, beneficially and of record, one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of (x) the Company and (y) each of the other Borrowers except (in case of clause (y)) pursuant to a transaction or designation permitted under this Agreement; and at any time after the merger or consolidation of Holdings with or into Lineage OP, Lineage OP ceases to own, beneficially and of record, one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of (x) the Company and (y) each of the other Borrowers except (in case of clause (y)) pursuant to a transaction or designation permitted under this Agreement.
Change in Law: the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following: (a) the adoption of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.18(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall be deemed to be a Change in Law regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
CHF: the lawful currency of Switzerland.
CIBOR Screen Rate: with respect to any Interest Period, the Copenhagen interbank offered rate published by the Danish Financial Benchmark Facility ApS (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for Danish Kroner with a tenor equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on page CIBOR of the Reuters screen (or, in the event such rate does not appear on such Reuters page on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion) as of 11:00 a.m. London time two business days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period. If the CIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than 0%, the CIBOR Screen Rate shall be deemed to be 0% for purposes of this Agreement.
Class, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans or Term Loans.
Closing Date: the date hereof.
Closing Date Excluded Borrower: as defined in Section 10.19(e).
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CMBS Financing: any loans or notes incurred by or issued to Parent Company or any of its Subsidiaries as borrowers under commercial mortgage-backed securities financing transactions from time to time.
Code: the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
Commitment Fee Rate: for any calendar quarter (a) 0.15% per annum if the daily unused amount of the Revolving Commitment of the applicable Tranche is less than 50% and (b) 0.25% per annum if the daily unused amount of the Revolving Commitment of the applicable Tranche is greater than or equal to 50%; provided, for the avoidance of doubt the unused amount shall be determined on a Tranche by Tranche basis.
Commitments: as to any Lender, the Revolving Commitment and Term Commitments of such Lender.
Commodity Exchange Act: the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
Communications: as defined in Section 9.3(c).
Company: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Compliance Certificate: a certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
Connection Income Taxes: Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
Contractual Obligation: as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any legally binding contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, loan, instrument, lease, conditional sales contract, mortgage, license, franchise agreement, binding commitment or other arrangement, whether written or oral, to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound other than the Obligations.
CORRA: the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average administered and published by the Bank of Canada (or any successor administrator).
CORRA Administrator: the Bank of Canada (or any successor administrator).
CORRA Determination Date: as defined in the definition of Daily Simple CORRA.
CORRA Rate Day: as defined in the definition of Daily Simple CORRA.
Corresponding Tenor: with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.
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Covered Entity: any of the following:
(a) a covered entity as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(b) a covered bank as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R § 47.3(b); or
(c) a covered FSI as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
Credit Party: the (a) Administrative Agent, (b) any Issuing Lender, (c) the Swingline Lender, (d) any other Lender, (e) each Cash Management Bank, (f) each counterparty to any Lender Swap Agreement, to the extent the obligations thereunder constitute Secured Obligations, (g) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document, and (h) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.
CRR: the Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012.
CTA: the United Kingdom Corporation Tax Act 2009.
Daily Effective SOFR: for any day (a SOFR Rate Day), a rate per annum equal to SOFR for the day (such day SOFR Determination Date) that is (i) if such SOFR Rate Day is an RFR Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (ii) if such SOFR Rate Day is not an RFR Business Day, the RFR Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrators Website. Any change in Daily Effective SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Borrower.
Daily Simple CORRA: for any day (a CORRA Rate Day), a rate per annum equal to CORRA for the day (such day CORRA Determination Date) that is five (5) RFR Business Days prior to (i) if such CORRA Rate Day is an RFR Business Day, such CORRA Rate Day or (ii) if such CORRA Rate Day is not an RFR Business Day, the RFR Business Day immediately preceding such CORRA Rate Day, in each case, as such CORRA is published by the CORRA Administrator on the CORRA Administrators website. Any change in Daily Simple CORRA due to a change in CORRA shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in CORRA without notice to the Borrower. If by 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on any given CORRA Determination Date, CORRA in respect of such CORRA Determination Date has not been published on the CORRA Administrators website and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Daily Simple CORRA has not occurred, then CORRA for such CORRA Determination Date will be CORRA as published in respect of the first preceding RFR Business Day for which such CORRA was published on the CORRA Administrators website, so long as such first preceding RFR Business Day is not more than five (5) Business Days prior to such CORRA Determination Day.
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Daily Simple RFR: for any day (an RFR Interest Day), an interest rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) for any RFR Loan denominated in (i) Sterling, SONIA for the day that is 4 RFR Business Days prior to (A) if such RFR Interest Day is an RFR Business Day, such RFR Interest Day or (B) if such RFR Interest Day is not an RFR Business Day, the RFR Business Day immediately preceding such RFR Interest Day, (ii) CHF, SARON for the day that is 5 RFR Business Days prior to (A) if such RFR Interest Day is an RFR Business Day, such RFR Interest Day or (B) if such RFR Interest Day is not an RFR Business Day, the Business Day immediately preceding such RFR Interest Day, (iii) SGD, SORA for the day that is 5 RFR Business Days prior to (A) if such RFR Interest Day is an RFR Business Day, such RFR Interest Day or (B) if such RFR Interest Day is not an RFR Business Day, the RFR Business Day immediately preceding such RFR Interest Day, (iv) Dollars, Daily Effective SOFR, and (v) CAD, Daily Simple CORRA, and (b) 0.00%.
Danish Borrower: means a Foreign Borrower incorporated in Denmark.
Debtor Relief Laws: the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the Winding Up and Restructuring Act (Canada) and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, concurso mercantil, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, administration, insolvency, dissolution, judicial management, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America, Canada or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
Debt Rating: means, as of any date of determination, the rating as determined by S&P, Moodys and/or Fitch of Parent Companys or another Guarantors non-credit enhanced senior unsecured long-term debt.
Debt Rating Pricing Election Date: the date on which (a) an Investment Grade Rating Event has occurred and continues to exist on the date that the Borrower gives its election notice described below and (b) the Borrower Representative has delivered written notice to the Administrative Agent of its election (which shall be irrevocable) to have the Applicable Margins determined by reference to the Debt Ratings instead of the Total Leverage Ratio.
Default: any of the events specified in Section 8, whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
Defaulting Lender: any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans, or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lenders good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular Default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lenders good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular Default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in
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which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Partys receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action or (e) is the Subsidiary of a Parent that has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action (or is a subsidiary of a Lender Parent that has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action). Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (e) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.24(e)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, the Issuing Lender and each Lender.
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.
Designated Borrower: any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that becomes party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.19.
Designated Borrower Notice: as defined in Section 10.19.
Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement: as defined in Section 10.19.
Development Property: as of any date of determination, Real Property acquired or otherwise held for development or redevelopment on which the improvements related to the development or redevelopment have not been completed on such date; provided that such Real Property shall cease to be a Development Property, and shall thereafter be considered a Stabilized Property, upon the first to occur of (a) the date that is six full fiscal quarters following substantial completion (including issuance of a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy for the improvements under construction permitting the use and occupancy for their regular intended uses) of such Real Property, and (b) the first day of the first fiscal quarter following the date on which such Development Property has achieved an Occupancy Rate of at least 85%. For avoidance of doubt, any Real Property that is not (and has never been) a Development Property shall be considered a Stabilized Property from the first day of the first fiscal quarter following the date on which such Real Property has achieved an Occupancy Rate of at least 85%, and vacant land adjacent to and forming part of a Stabilized Property may become a Development Property if, as of any date of determination, the same is being developed with a new, improved or expanded facility. Similarly, a Stabilized Property may become a Development Property if, as of the date of determination, the same is being replaced, restored, remodeled or rebuilt where the purpose and effect of such work is to provide a functionally new, improved or expanded facility.
Direct Owner: has the meaning specified in the definition of Property Owning Subsidiary.
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Disposition: with respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer, or other disposition thereof (in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a division or otherwise). The terms Dispose and Disposed of shall have correlative meanings.
Disqualified Equity Interests shall mean any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or requires the payment of any cash dividend or any other scheduled payment constituting a return of capital, in each case at any time on or prior to the date that is 91 days following the Maturity Date at the time of the issuance of such Equity Interest; provided, however, that (i) only the portion of such Equity Interest which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be a Disqualified Equity Interest, (ii) if such Equity Interests are issued to any current or former employees or other service providers or to any plan for the benefit of employees, directors, officers, members of management or consultants (including any equity or incentive compensation or benefit plan) of Parent Company or its subsidiaries or by any such compensation or plan to such current or former employees, other service providers, directors, officers, members of management or consultants, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such current or former employees, other service providers, directors, officers, management members or consultants termination, death or disability, (iii) any class of Equity Interests of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests, and (iv) Equity Interests will not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because of provisions giving holders thereof the right to require repurchase or redemption upon an initial public offering, asset sale or change of control occurring prior to such date; or (b) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interest referred to in clause (a) above, in each case at any time prior to the date that is 91 days following the Term Loan Maturity Date at the time of the issuance of such Equity Interest.
Disqualified Institution shall mean any (i) competitor of Parent Company or any of its subsidiaries and (ii) such other Person, in each case, identified in writing to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date, and, in the case of the foregoing clause (i) and (ii), the clearly identifiable (solely on the basis of the similarity of its name) affiliates of any of the foregoing; provided that, after the Closing Date, the Borrower Representative shall be permitted, upon three Business Days prior notice to the Administrative Agent, to supplement the list of competitors provided for in clause (i) to include additional competitors and/or any Affiliates thereof (such list, as so supplemented from time to time, the Disqualified Institution List); provided, further, that the foregoing shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in the Loans to the extent such party was not a Disqualified Institution at the time of the applicable assignment or participation, as the case may be. The Administrative Agent will make available to a Lender, upon the request of such Lender, the Disqualified Institution List.
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Dividing Person has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of Division.
Division: the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the Dividing Person) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a plan of division or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.
Division Successor: any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.
DKK: the lawful currency of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Documentation Agents: the financial institutions listed as Documentation Agents on the cover page of this Agreement.
Dollar Equivalent: for any amount, at the time of determination thereof, (a) if such amount is expressed in Dollars, such amount, (b) if such amount is expressed in an Alternative Currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars determined by using the rate of exchange for the purchase of Dollars with the Alternative Currency last provided (either by publication or otherwise provided to the Administrative Agent) by Reuters on the Business Day (New York City time) immediately preceding the date of determination or if such service ceases to be available or ceases to provide a rate of exchange for the purchase of Dollars with the Alternative Currency, as provided by such other publicly available information service which provides that rate of exchange at such time in place of Reuters chosen by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion (or if such service ceases to be available or ceases to provide such rate of exchange, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion) and (c) if such amount is denominated in any other currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion.
Dollar Tranche Commitment: as to any Dollar Tranche Lender, the obligation of such Dollar Tranche Lender, if any, to make Dollar Tranche Loans and participate in Letters of Credit in an aggregate principal and/or face amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading Dollar Tranche Commitment opposite such Dollar Tranche Lenders name on Schedule 1.1A or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Dollar Tranche Lender became a party hereto, as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof, including Section 2.23. The amount of the Dollar Tranche Commitments as of the Closing Date is $1,375,000,000.
Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit: as to any Dollar Tranche Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Dollar Tranche Loans held by such Lender then outstanding, and (b) such Lenders Dollar Tranche Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding.
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Dollar Tranche Facility: the Dollar Tranche Commitments and the Loans and extensions of credit made thereunder.
Dollar Tranche Lender: each Lender that has a Dollar Tranche Commitment or that holds Dollar Tranche Loans.
Dollar Tranche Loans: as defined in Section 2.4(c).
Dollar Tranche Percentage: as to any Dollar Tranche Lender at any time, the percentage which such Dollar Tranche Lenders Dollar Tranche Commitment then constitutes of the Total Dollar Tranche Commitments; provided that in the case of Section 2.24 when a Defaulting Lender which is a Dollar Tranche Lender shall exist, Dollar Tranche Percentage shall mean the percentage which such Dollar Tranche Lenders Dollar Tranche Commitment then constitutes of the Total Dollar Tranche Commitment (disregarding any Defaulting Lenders Dollar Tranche Commitment). With respect to any Dollar Tranche Lender whose Dollar Tranche Commitments shall have expired or terminated, Dollar Tranche Percentage shall mean the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Dollar Tranche Lenders Dollar Tranche Loans then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Dollar Tranche Loans then outstanding, provided, that, in the event that the Dollar Tranche Loans are paid in full prior to the reduction to zero of the Total Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit, the Dollar Tranche Percentages shall be determined in a manner designed to ensure that the other outstanding Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit shall be held by the Dollar Tranche Lenders on a comparable basis.
Dollars and $: dollars in lawful currency of the United States.
Domestic Subsidiary: any Subsidiary of Parent Company organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof, the District of Columbia, or any other jurisdiction within the United States.
Dutch Civil Code: the Burgerlijk Wetboek of The Netherlands.
Dutch Loan Party: each Borrower that is incorporated in the Netherlands.
EBITDA: with respect to Parent Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, depletion and amortization calculated in accordance with GAAP, at all times excluding, without duplication, (i) impairment and other non-cash charges or gains including, for the avoidance of doubt, equity in earnings (but excluding any non-cash charge in respect of an item that was included in EBITDA in a prior period or any charges that result in a write-down or write-off of inventory and excluding amortization expense attributable to a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period), (ii) stock-based compensation expense, (iii) gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated assets, (iv) gains or losses from foreign exchange, (v) gains or losses from derivative instruments, (vi) gains or losses from the early extinguishment of indebtedness, (vii) severance and other non-recurring restructuring charges, (viii) transaction costs of acquisitions, dispositions, capital markets offerings, debt and equity financings and amendments thereto (in each case, whether or not consummated) not permitted to be capitalized pursuant to GAAP, (ix) other unusual, exceptional or extraordinary and non-recurring gains, losses, expenses or charges (whether or not classified as such under GAAP), (x) amounts accruing and/or payable pursuant to the terms of the Operating
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Agreement during such period and (xi) the amount of any minority interest expense attributable to minority interests of third parties in the positive income of any non-wholly owned Subsidiary; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for the purposes of determining the contribution to EBITDA of, or portion of EBITDA attributable to, any Real Property, any operating asset or any business managed or operated by Parent Company or any Subsidiary thereof, (1) EBITDA shall equal rents and other revenues in respect of such asset, less, without duplication, (A) operating expenses in respect of such asset (exclusive of corporate-level general and administrative and other overhead expenses, impairment on intangibles and long-lived assets and depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses) and (B) cash rent expenses of operating, finance and ground leases in respect of such asset, and shall at all times exclude unusual, extraordinary or exceptional and non-recurring gains, losses, expenses or charges (whether or not classified as such under GAAP) and (2) solely for purposes of calculating Total Asset Value and Unencumbered Asset Value, in no event shall EBITDA of any such Real Property, operating asset or business determined pursuant to clause (1) be less than zero. All of the foregoing shall be adjusted to include the pro rata share of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis of the net income or loss of all Joint Ventures for such period, determined and adjusted in the same manner as provided above in this definition with respect to the net income or loss of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
EEA Financial Institution: means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent;
EEA Member Country: means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
EEA Resolution Authority: means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
Electronic Signature: an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.
Electronic System: any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, Intralinks®, ClearPar®, Debt Domain, Syndtrak and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender and any of its respective Related Persons or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.
Eligibility Criteria: Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria or Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria, as applicable.
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Eligible Assignee: (a) a Lender or any Affiliate or Approved Fund of such Lender, or (b) a bank, trust company, finance company, insurance company or any other Person that is regularly engaged in making, purchasing or investing in loans of a type similar to the Loans; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Eligible Assignee shall not include any Ineligible Institution.
Eligible Ground Leased Assets: any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) One hundred percent (100%) of such Real Property is ground leased directly or indirectly by one or more Qualified Asset Owners.
(b) Such Real Property is a Stabilized Property, a Development Property, undeveloped land or a Newly Acquired Property.
(c) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is improved with one or more completed warehouse/distribution buildings that are used as dry and/or cold storage facilities and such improvements are owned or held pursuant to such ground lease by a Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
(d) None of such leasehold interest or such improvements is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under the Loan Documents, and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests directly or indirectly owned by Parent Company of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
(e) No event of default (i.e., after any applicable notice and cure period) has occurred and is continuing under the ground lease regarding such Real Property.
(f) The lessor under the ground lease regarding such Real Property shall not have the unilateral right to terminate such ground lease prior to the expiration of the stated term of such ground lease absent the occurrence of any casualty, condemnation or default thereunder by any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
(g) The lessee under the ground lease has the right to sublease, mortgage and encumber (subject to customary terms and limitations) its interest in such Real Property without the consent of the lessor (provided that a provision that if a consent of such ground lessor is required, such consent is subject to either an express reasonableness standard or an objective financial standard for the transferee that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent shall be deemed acceptable); provided, this clause (g) shall not apply to (i) the Real Property listed on Schedule 1.1E and (ii) such other Real Property as agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion from time to time.
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(h) The ground lease regarding such Real Property has a remaining term (inclusive of any unexercised extension options as to which there is no condition precedent to the exercise thereof other than compliance of lessee with the terms of the applicable ground lease and the giving of a notice of exercise by the lessee) of 25 years or more from the date of relevant covenant calculation.
(i) (i) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is free of any material structural defects, and (ii) such Real Property is free of any material Environmental Liabilities and is in material compliance with all Environmental Laws.
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Ground Leased Asset.
Eligible Leased Assets: any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) Such Real Property is a Leased Asset and the lessee is one or more Qualified Asset Owners.
(b) Such leasehold interest is not directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under the Loan Documents, and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests directly or indirectly owned by Parent Company of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
(c) No event of default (i.e., after any applicable notice and cure period) has occurred and is continuing under the operating lease regarding such Real Property.
(d) The lessor under the operating lease regarding such Real Property shall not have the unilateral right to terminate such operating lease prior to the expiration of the stated term of such operating lease absent the occurrence of any casualty, condemnation or default thereunder by any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Leased Asset.
Eligible Owned Asset: any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) (i) One hundred percent (100%) of such Real Property is owned in fee simple by one or more Qualified Asset Owners, or (ii) such Real Property satisfies the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria (other than clause (h) of that definition, whereby for the purposes of this definition the requirement shall be that there shall be not less than ninety-nine (99) years from the date of relevant covenant calculation).
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(b) Such Real Property is a Stabilized Property, a Development Property, undeveloped land or a Newly Acquired Property.
(c) (i) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is free of any material structural defects, and (ii) such Real Property is free of any material Environmental Liabilities and is in material compliance with all Environmental Laws.
(d) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is improved with one or more completed warehouse/distribution buildings that are used as dry and/or cold storage facilities.
(e) Such Real Property (and any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is not directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under the Loan Documents and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests directly or indirectly owned by Parent Company of any applicable Borrower or Qualified Asset Owner (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Owned Asset.
Eligible Value: as of any date of determination, with respect to each Real Property that is (x) owned or ground leased by Parent Company or any Subsidiary or (y) a Leased Asset (i) the Applicable EBITDA with respect to such Real Property divided by (ii) the applicable Capitalization Rate.
Environmental Laws: any and all foreign, federal, state, provincial, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments, notices or binding agreements issued by or entered into with any Governmental Authority, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning pollution, air emissions, the management, use or Release of Materials of Environmental Concern or protection of human health (to the extent such relates to Materials of Environmental Concern) or the environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.
Environmental Liability: all liabilities, obligations, damages, losses, claims, actions, suits, judgments, orders, fines, penalties, fees, expenses and costs (including administrative oversight costs, natural resource damages, monitoring and remediation costs and reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and consultants), whether contingent or otherwise, including those arising out of or relating to: (a) compliance or non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment, recycling, disposal (or arrangement for such activities) of any Materials of Environmental Concern, (c) exposure to any Materials of Environmental Concern, (d) the presence or release of any Materials of Environmental Concern or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
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Equity Interests: shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.
ERISA: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
ERISA Affiliate: any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrowers, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code and, for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code, any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or 414(o) of the Code.
ERISA Event: (a) any reportable event, as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived), (b) the failure of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to satisfy the minimum funding standard with respect to a Plan within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 or 303 of ERISA, as applicable, or the failure of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code or Section 303(j) of ERISA with respect to a Plan or the failure of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan, (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, (d) the incurrence by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan, (d) the occurrence of a non-exempt Prohibited Transaction with respect to which any Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is a disqualified person (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) which could result in the incurrence by any Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of any material liability, (e) the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of notice from any Multiemployer Plan (1) imposing Withdrawal Liability on any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, (2) notifying any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate that such Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in Insolvency, if applicable or (3) notifying any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate that such Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in endangered or critical status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA, if applicable), or (f) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in at risk status (as defined in Section 430(i)(4) of the Code or Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA, if applicable).
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule: means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.
EURIBOR Interpolated Rate: at any time, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Euros and for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the EURIBOR Screen Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the EURIBOR Screen Rate for the longest period (for which the EURIBOR Screen Rate is available for Euros) that is shorter than the Impacted EURIBOR Rate Interest Period; and (b) the EURIBOR Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which the EURIBOR Screen Rate is available for Euros) that exceeds the Impacted EURIBOR Rate Interest Period, in each case, at such time; provided that, if any EURIBOR Interpolated Rate shall be less than 0%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0% for the purposes of this Agreement.
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EURIBOR Rate: with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Euros and for any Interest Period, the EURIBOR Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m., Brussels time, two TARGET days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that, if the EURIBOR Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (an Impacted EURIBOR Rate Interest Period) with respect to Euros then the EURIBOR Rate shall be the EURIBOR Interpolated Rate.
EURIBOR Screen Rate: means the euro interbank offered rate administered by the European Money Markets Institute (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for the relevant period displayed (before any correction, recalculation or republication by the administrator) on page EURIBOR01 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate)] or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters as of the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period. If such page or service ceases to be available, the Administrative Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate after consultation with the Borrower. If the EURIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than 0%, the EURIBOR Screen Rate shall be deemed to be 0% for purposes of this Agreement.
Euro and : the single currency of the Participating Member States.
Event of Default: any of the events specified in Section 8, provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
Excluded Swap Obligation: with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) (a) by virtue of such Guarantors failure for any reason to constitute an eligible contract participant as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or (b) in the case of a Swap Obligation subject to a clearing requirement pursuant to Section 2(h) of the Commodity Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto), because such Guarantor is a financial entity, as defined in Section 2(h)(7)(C)(i) the Commodity Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto), at the time the guarantee of such Guarantor becomes or would become effective with respect to such related Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.
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Excluded Taxes: any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect (and at the applicable rate in effect) on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower Representative under Section 2.22) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office (for the avoidance of doubt, in each case, excluding any imposition of, or increase in the rate of, any withholding Taxes due to a Change in Law after such date) except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.19, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lenders assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipients failure to comply with Section 2.19(f), (d) any Taxes imposed under FATCA and/or any implementation of the OECD Common Reporting Standard in the legislation applicable to the Borrowers, (e) any Tax imposed pursuant to the Dutch Withholding Tax Act 2021 (Wet bronbelasting 2021) in the form as at the date of this Agreement, (f) Taxes assessed on a Recipient under the laws of the Netherlands, if and to the extent such Taxes become payable as a result of such Recipient having a substantial interest (aanmerkelijk belang) as defined in the Dutch Income Tax Act 2001 (Wet inkomstenbelasting 2001) in a Dutch Loan Party, (g) in relation to a Belgian Loan Party (and notwithstanding paragraph (b) above), any Belgian withholding tax that is due for reason of the relevant Lender not, or no longer, qualifying as a Belgian Qualifying Lender, other than due to a change in (or in the interpretation, administration, or application of) any law or income tax treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), and (h) Taxes assessed on a Recipient under the laws of Denmark, if and to the extent such Taxes become payable as a result of such Recipient having control (as defined in the Danish Corporate Income Tax Act (in Danish: selskabsskatteloven)) of a Loan Party incorporated in Denmark (in Danish: kontrolleret gæld) and such Recipient fails to provide a valid certificate of tax residence duly issued by the competent tax authorities of its country of residence evidencing that such Lender is resident for tax purposes in a country with which Denmark has a tax treaty or agreement on exchange of information in place.
Existing Letters of Credit: those certain letters of credit issued under the Existing Credit Agreement and listed on Schedule 3.1(a).
Existing Credit Agreement: as defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Facility: each of (a) the Term Facilities and (b) the Revolving Facility, and in each case, including any Incremental Commitments, and collectively, the Facilities.
Facility Fee: as defined in Section 2.8(b).
Facility Fee Rate: the rate per annum set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin herein.
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FATCA: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant thereto, including any intergovernmental agreements and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to such intergovernmental agreements.
Federal Funds Effective Rate: for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such days federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as shall be set forth in the NYFRBs 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 the purposes of this Agreement.
Federal Reserve Board: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.
Fee Payment Date: the fifteenth (15th) Business Day following the last day of each March, June, September and December and the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period.
Financial Covenants: the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.1.
Financial Officer: the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.
Fitch: Fitch, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Fixed Charges: for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (i) Interest Expense, plus (ii) regularly scheduled installments (whether or not paid) of principal payable with respect to Total Indebtedness (excluding scheduled balloon principal payments due on maturity of any such Indebtedness and including Parent Companys pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures), plus (iii) the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid or required to be paid by any of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in cash to any third party during such period in respect of its preferred capital stock but excluding redemption payments or repurchases or charges in connection with the mandatory final redemption or repurchase in whole of any preferred capital stock plus (iv) all income tax payments with respect to the taxable REIT Subsidiaries of Parent Company and the Company (including Foreign Subsidiaries).
Floor: the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, Adjusted EURIBOR Rate, Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, each Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, each Local Rate or the Central Bank Rate, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt the initial Floor for each of Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, Adjusted EURIBOR Rate, Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, each Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, each Local Rate or the Central Bank Rate shall be 0%.
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Foreign Borrower: (i) as of the Closing Date, each Subsidiary of Holdings set forth on Schedule 1.1D hereof as a Closing Date Borrower (the Closing Date Foreign Borrowers), provided, (A) as of the Closing Date each Closing Date Foreign Borrower shall be permitted to borrow only the currencies set forth on Schedule 1.1D and (B) after the Closing Date, prior to any Foreign Borrower becoming entitled to borrow Loans in any currency other than the currencies set forth on Schedule 1.1D, the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lenders shall have received the Required Information for such Foreign Borrower and currency, (ii) the Post-Closing Foreign Borrowers and (iii) each Designated Borrower that is not a Domestic Borrower; provided, (i) no Foreign Borrower that is incorporated under the laws of New Zealand or Norway shall be a Borrower under the Alternative Currency Tranche One Facility or the Dollar Tranche Facility and (ii) no Foreign Borrower that is incorporated under the laws of Australia shall be a Borrower under the Dollar Tranche Facility.
Foreign Borrower Guarantee Limitations: as defined in Section 2.27(b)(x) and as supplemented by each Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement, if applicable.
Foreign Lender: (a) in the case of a U.S. Borrower, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) in the case of a Foreign Borrower, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Foreign Borrower is resident for tax purposes.
Foreign Secured Obligations shall mean all Obligations of the Foreign Borrowers, together with all (i) Cash Management Services of the Foreign Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, and (ii) Swap Obligations of the Foreign Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, in each case, owing to one or more Lenders or their respective Affiliates; provided, however, that the definition of Alternative Currency Obligations shall not create any guarantee by any Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Guarantor.
Foreign Subsidiary: any Subsidiary of Parent Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
Funding Date: the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.1 shall have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.1).
Funding Office: the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Section 10.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the Borrower Representative and the Lenders.
GAAP: generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, except that for purposes of Section 7.1, GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such principles in effect on the date hereof and consistent with those used in the preparation of the most recent audited financial statements referred to in Section 4.1(b). In the event that any Accounting Change (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect equitably such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrowers financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, the
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Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. Accounting Changes refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC.
Governing Documents: (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction), including in the case of corporations (sociedades anónimas) incorporated under the laws of Mexico, the articles of incorporation and bylaws (acta constituiva and estatutos sociales), (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of incorporation, formation or organization and operating agreement, the company constitution or memorandum and articles of association (including in the case of a limited liability company organized under the laws of Mexico, the acta constitutiva and estatutos sociales), and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and, if applicable, any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
Governmental Authority: any nation or government, any state or local or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank, supranational organisation or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).
Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria: has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Ground Leased Assets.
Group Members: the collective reference to Parent Company and its Subsidiaries.
Guarantee: of or by any Person (the guarantor) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the primary obligor) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
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Guarantee Agreement: the Guarantee Agreement to be executed and delivered on the Closing Date by the Guarantors substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
Guarantee Obligation: as to any Person (the guaranteeing person), any obligation, including a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, of the guaranteeing Person that guarantees or in effect guarantees, or which is given to induce the creation of a separate obligation by another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) that guarantees or in effect guarantees, 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 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 (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) 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, or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or Disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee 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 persons maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower Representative in good faith.
Guarantors: the collective reference to Parent Company, Holdings and Lineage OP.
Guernsey: means the island of Guernsey.
Holdings: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Immaterial Subsidiary: any Subsidiary of Parent Company that on a consolidated basis with its respective Subsidiaries and treated as if all such Subsidiaries and their respective Subsidiaries were combined and consolidated as a single Subsidiary, holds assets that constitute less than 7.5% of Total Asset Value.
Impacted EURIBOR Rate Interest Period: has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of EURIBOR Rate.
Impacted Local Rate Interest Period: as defined in the definition of Local Rate.
Increased Amount Date: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
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Incremental Commitments: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
Indebtedness: of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding (A) accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business, (B) any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP (excluding disclosure on the notes and footnotes thereto) and if not paid after becoming due and payable, (C) obligations in respect of employment and consulting services, and (D) deferred obligations under any management services agreement, deferred rent obligations, taxes and compensation and any pension-related or post-employment liabilities), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed (valued in the case of this clause (e) at the lesser of (A) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (B) if such Indebtedness is non-recourse, the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith), (f) all guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others (except for guarantees of exceptions to non-recourse liabilities), (g) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, and (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers acceptances. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Persons ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
Indemnified Taxes: (a) any Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document or required to be deducted or withheld from any such payment and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a) hereof, Other Taxes.
Indirect Owner: has the meaning specified in the definition of Property Owning Subsidiary.
Ineligible Institution: (a) a natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or its Lender Parent, (c) a Disqualified Institution, (d) a Lender that is not a Non-Public Lender, (e) a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof or (f) any Borrower or any of its Affiliates; provided that, with respect to clause (e), such holding company, investment vehicle or trust shall not constitute an Ineligible Institution if it (x) has not been established for the primary purpose of acquiring any Loans or Commitments, (y) is managed by a professional advisor, who is not such natural person or a relative thereof, having significant experience in the business of making or purchasing commercial loans, and (z) has assets greater than $500,000,000 and a significant part of its activities consist of making or purchasing commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.
Initial Financial Covenants: the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.1(a).
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Insolvency: with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.
Insolvency Regulation: Council Regulation (EC) No 1346/2000 of 29 May 2000 on insolvency proceedings or, with respect to insolvency proceedings opened as from 26 June 2017, Regulation (EU) 2015/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on insolvency proceedings (recast).
Intellectual Property: the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses, industrial designs, technology, know-how and processes, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.
Intercreditor Agreement: that certain Intercreditor Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit J, with respect to the Pari Passu Capital Markets Indebtedness.
Interest Election Request: as defined in Section 2.16.
Interest Expense: for any period, an amount equal to the sum of the following with respect to Total Indebtedness: (i) total interest expense, accrued in accordance with GAAP plus (ii) all capitalized interest determined in accordance with GAAP (including in the case of (i) and (ii), Parent Companys pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures), and excluding non-cash amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs or debt discount (including Parent Companys pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures).
Interest Payment Date: (a) as to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and December to occur while such Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any Term Benchmark Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Term Benchmark Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day that is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the last day of such Interest Period, (d) as to any RFR Loan (other than an RFR Loan denominated in Dollars), each date that is on the numerically corresponding day in each calendar month that is one month after the Borrowing of such Loan (or if there is no such numerically corresponding day in such month, then the last day of such month), (e) as to any RFR Loan denominated in Dollars, the fifth (5th) Business Day of each calendar month for the preceding calendar month, (f) as to any Loan (other than any Revolving Loan that is an ABR Loan or a Swingline Loan), the date of any repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof, and (g) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid and the final maturity date of such Loan.
Interest Period: as to any Term Benchmark Loan, (a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Term Benchmark Loan and ending one, (except for Loans subject to the Peso Rate) three or (except for Loans subject to the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate or the Peso Rate) six months thereafter (in each case, subject to the availability for the Benchmark applicable to the relevant Loan or Commitment for the
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Agreed Currency), 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 Term Benchmark Loan and ending one, three or (except for Loans subject to the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate or the Peso Rate) six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date that is (x) three (3) Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect to Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars and CAD and (y) four (4) Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect to Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies (other than CAD); 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;
(ii) the Borrower Representative may not select an Interest Period with respect to any Loan that would extend beyond the Revolving Termination Date or the Term Loan Maturity Date, as applicable, for such Loan;
(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;
(iv) the Borrower Representative shall select Interest Periods so as not to require a payment or prepayment of any Term Benchmark Loan during an Interest Period for such Loan; and
(v) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.16(e) shall be available for specification in such notice of borrowing or notice of conversion.
Investment Grade Rating: a non-credit enhanced senior unsecured long-term debt rating for Parent Company or another Guarantor of BBB- or better from S&P or Baa3 or better from Moodys.
Investment Grade Rating Event: the achievement of an Investment Grade Rating by Parent Company or another Guarantor.
Investment: (a) any purchase or other acquisition for value by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Equity Interests of any other Person; (b) any purchase or other acquisition for value by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries from any Person of all or a substantial portion of the business, property or fixed assets of such Person or any division or line of business or other business unit of such Person; and (c) any loan, advance or capital contributions by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries to, or Guarantee Obligations with respect to any obligations of, any other Person, including all indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the outstanding amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
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Investor: (i) BG Lineage Holdings, LLC (formerly BG LLH, LLC,) a Delaware limited liability company, LLH MGMT Profits, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and BG Maverick, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or (ii) any other Person that is managed and controlled by any of Bay Grove Management Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, any other Affiliate of Bay Grove Management Company, LLC or Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, BG Lineage Holdings, LLC (formerly BG LLH, LLC), LLH MGMT Profits, LLC, LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC and/or BG Maverick, LLC.
IRS: the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Issuing Lender: means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and each other Lender approved by the Borrower Representative that agrees to become an Issuing Lender hereunder, each in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 3.9. Any Issuing Lender may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates and branches of such Issuing Lender, in which case the term Issuing Lender shall include any such Affiliate or branch with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate or branch. Each reference herein to the Issuing Lender in connection with a Letter of Credit or other matter shall be deemed to be a reference to the relevant Issuing Lender with respect thereto.
Issuing Lender Commitment: with respect to each Issuing Lender, the commitment of such Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder. The initial amount of each Issuing Lenders Issuing Lender Commitment is set forth on Schedule 1.1B, or if an Issuing Lender has entered into an Assignment and Assumption, the amount set forth for such Issuing Lender as its Issuing Lender Commitment in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent.
ITA: the United Kingdom Income Tax Act 2007.
Joint Ventures: any unconsolidated joint ventures of Parent Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
Lamb Weston Mortgage: the second ranking deed of mortgage dated 25 August 2017 between Lineage Bergen op Zoom B.V. as mortgagor and the Lamb Weston entities as mortgagees in respect of a mortgage over the parcels of land, locally known as Blankenweg 2 and 4 in Bergen op Zoom, cadastrally known as municipality of Bergen op Zoom, section I, number 712, 713 and 775 or any replacement of that right of mortgage.
L/C Commitment: the Dollar Equivalent of $100,000,000 (as such amount may be increased to an amount not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $300,000,000 at the request of the Borrower Representative and with the consent of the Issuing Lenders).
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L/C Exposure: at any time, the sum of the L/C Obligations at such time. Except to the extent that the L/C Exposure of a Defaulting Lender has been reallocated in accordance with Section 2.24(c), the L/C Exposure of any Dollar Tranche Lender shall be its Dollar Tranche Percentage of the total L/C Exposure at such time.
L/C Obligations: at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired Dollar Equivalent amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate Dollar Equivalent amount of drawings under Letters of Credit that have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5.
L/C Participants: the collective reference to all the Dollar Tranche Lenders other than the Issuing Lender.
LCT Election shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.10.
LCT Test Date shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.10.
Leased Asset: any Real Property that operates as a warehouse/distribution facility or is Development Property or undeveloped land and that is leased by Parent Company or a Subsidiary thereof pursuant to a lease (other than a ground lease) with a remaining term (including any unexercised extension options at the option of the tenant) of not less than 10 years from the Closing Date and otherwise on market terms (as determined by the Borrower Representative in good faith).
Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Leased Assets.
Lender Parent: with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.
Lender-Related Person has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.3(b).
Lender Swap Agreement: any Swap Agreement that (i) was in effect on the Closing Date between a Loan Party or a Subsidiary of a Loan Party and a counterparty that is a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent as of the Closing Date or (ii) is or was entered into after the Closing Date between a Loan Party or a Subsidiary of a Loan Party and any counterparty that is a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into.
Lenders: as defined in the preamble hereto; provided, that unless the context otherwise requires, Lenders shall include the Swingline Lenders and the Issuing Lenders.
Letters of Credit: as defined in Section 3.1(a). Letters of Credit may be denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency.
Liabilities: any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.
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Lien: any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, assignment by way of security, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing); provided, that, in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to be a Lien.
Limited Condition Eligible Transaction: any acquisition by Parent Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries, including by way of merger or amalgamation, of any assets, business or Person permitted pursuant to this Agreement whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing, in each case, solely to the extent made using identifiable proceeds from a New Term Loan.
Limited Condition Transaction shall mean any Limited Condition Eligible Transaction with respect to which the Borrower Representative has made an LCT Election.
Lineage OP: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Loan: any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this Agreement.
Loan Documents: this Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement, the Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement, each Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement, any document granting a Lien on cash collateral pursuant to Section 3 or Section 8, the fee agreements described in Section 2.8(b), and any amendment, waiver, supplement or other modification to any of the foregoing.
Loan Parties: the Guarantors and the Borrowers.
Local Interpolated Rate: at any time, with respect to any Term Benchmark Loan denominated in any Non-Quoted Currency and for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the applicable Local Screen Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the applicable Local Screen Rate for the longest period (for which such Local Screen Rate is available for the applicable currency) that is shorter than the Impacted Local Rate Interest Period; and (b) the applicable Local Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which such Local Screen Rate is available for the applicable currency) that exceeds the Impacted Local Rate Interest Period, in each case, at such time; provided that if any Local Interpolated Rate shall be less than 0%, such rate shall be deemed to 0% for purposes of this Agreement.
Local Rate: with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in any Non-Quoted Currency and for any Interest Period, the applicable Local Screen Rate; provided that if such Local Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (an Impacted Local Rate Interest Period) with respect to such Non-Quoted Currency, then the Local Rate shall be the Local Interpolated Rate.
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Local Screen Rates: for any day and time, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in a Non-Quoted Currency and for any Interest Period, the AUD Screen Rate, the CIBOR Screen Rate, the WIBOR Screen Rate, the BKBM Screen Rate, the STIBOR Screen Rate or the NOK Screen Rate, the Peso Rate, as applicable, for such currency.
Luxembourg: the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Luxembourg Business Continuity Act: the Luxembourg act dated 7 August 2023 on business continuity and the modernisation of bankruptcy.
Luxembourg Commercial Code: the Code de Commerce of Luxembourg.
Luxembourg Financial Collateral Law: the Luxembourg act of 5 August 2005 on financial collateral arrangements, as amended.
Luxembourg Loan Party: any Loan Party incorporated under Luxembourg law.
Maintenance Capital Expenditures: for any period, all capital expenditures actually made in cash by Parent Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (and the pro rata share of capital expenditures made in cash by Joint Ventures) during such period for the maintenance of capital assets of such Person, excluding capital expenditures for modernization and in any event excluding any capital expenditures for expansions.
Majority Dollar Tranche Lenders: with respect to the Dollar Tranche Facility, the Dollar Tranche Lenders holding more than 50% of the Total Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit (or, prior to any termination of the Revolving Commitments, the holders of more than 50% of the Total Dollar Tranche Commitments).
Majority Facility Lenders: with respect to any Facility, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans or the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit, as the case may be, outstanding under such Facility (or, in the case of the Revolving Facility, prior to any termination of the Revolving Commitments, the holders of more than 50% of the Total Revolving Commitments).
Majority Term Lenders: with respect to the U.S. Term Facility, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the U.S. Term Loans outstanding under the U.S. Term Facility.
Material Acquisition: any individual Permitted Acquisition or a series of Permitted Acquisitions (whether by direct purchase, merger or otherwise and whether in one or more related transactions) within a four fiscal quarter period by Parent Company or any of its Subsidiaries in which the purchase price of the assets acquired (on a cumulative basis since the Closing Date or the beginning of such four fiscal quarter period, as applicable) exceeds an amount equal to 10% of Total Asset Value as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.
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Material Adverse Effect: any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property or financial condition of Parent Company, the Company and their subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.
Materials of Environmental Concern: any substances, materials or wastes defined in or regulated under any Environmental Law, including any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products, asbestos, anhydrous ammonia, ozone-depleting substances, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
Material Subsidiary: any Subsidiary of Parent Company other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.
Mexican Pesos: the lawful currency of Mexico.
Mexico: the United Mexican States (Estados Unidos Mexicanos).
Moodys: Moodys Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
Multiemployer Plan: a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and in respect of which the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate is an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
Negative Pledge: with respect to a given asset, any provision of a document, instrument or agreement (other than any Loan Document) which prohibits or purports to prohibit the creation or assumption of any Lien on such asset as security for Indebtedness of the Person owning such asset or any other Person; provided, however, that any provision of a document, instrument or an agreement that either (a) conditions a Persons ability to encumber its assets upon the maintenance of one or more specified ratios or financial tests (including any financial ratio such as a maximum ratio of unsecured debt to unencumbered assets) that limit such Persons ability to encumber its assets but that do not generally prohibit the encumbrance of its assets, or the encumbrance of specific assets or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure Unsecured Indebtedness if a Lien is granted to secure the Secured Obligations or other Unsecured Indebtedness of such Person, shall not constitute a Negative Pledge; provided, however, no restriction under a CMBS Financing, mortgage financing or other financing on the pledge of Equity Interest in the direct or indirect parent of a Qualified Asset Owner, Group Member (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) or Loan Party (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) shall be considered a Negative Pledge.
Net Cash Proceeds: in connection with any issuance or sale of Equity Interests, the cash proceeds received from such issuance or incurrence, net of attorneys fees, investment banking fees, accountants fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith.
Newly Acquired Property: as of any date, a Real Property (other than a Development Property or undeveloped land), that has been owned or ground leased or leased by Parent Company or a Subsidiary for less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date.
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Newly Stabilized Property: as of any date, a Real Property owned or ground leased or leased by Parent Company or a Subsidiary that has been a Stabilized Property for less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date.
New Revolving Commitments: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
New Revolving Lender: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
New Term Commitments: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
New Term Lender: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
New Term Loan: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
NOK: the lawful currency of Norway.
NOK Screen Rate: with respect to any Interest Period, the Norwegian Interbank Offered rate administered by Norske Finansielle Referanser AS and calculated in cooperation with Global Rate Set Systems Ltd. (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for NOK for the relevant period as displayed on the appropriate page of the Reuters screen (or, in the event such rate does not appear on such page, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) as of 11:00 a.m. London time two business days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period. If the NOK Screen Rate shall be less than 0%, the NOK Screen Rate shall be deemed to be 0% for purposes of this Agreement.
Non-Consenting Lender: any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (a) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 10.2 and (b) has been approved by the Required Lenders.
Non-Public Lender:
(a) until the publication of an interpretation of public as referred to in the CRR by the competent authority/ies: an entity which (x) assumes rights and/or obligations vis-à-vis a Dutch Loan Party, the value of which is at least EUR 100,000 (or its equivalent in another currency), (y) provides repayable funds for an initial amount of at least EUR 100,000 (or its equivalent in another currency) or (z) otherwise qualifies as not forming part of the public; and
(b) as soon as the interpretation of the term public as referred to in the CRR has been published by the competent authority/ies: an entity which is not considered to form part of the public on the basis of such interpretation.
Non-Quoted Currency: means each of AUD, DKK, NOK, SEK, NZD, PLN, Mexican Pesos and each other Alternative Currency that does not relate to an RFR Loan; collectively, Non-Quoted Currencies.
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Non-recourse Indebtedness: (a) with respect to a Person, Indebtedness in respect of which recourse for payment (except for exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, violation of special purpose entity covenants and other exceptions to nonrecourse liability customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements) is contractually limited to specific assets of such Person encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary that is a special purpose entity or a special purpose holding company of such special purpose entity, Indebtedness of such Subsidiary so long as there is no recourse to Parent Company or any of its other Subsidiaries other than (i) its direct special purpose entity subsidiary or (ii) recourse in respect of guaranties of customary exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, violation of special purpose entity covenants and other exceptions to nonrecourse liability customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements, and for the avoidance of doubt, any Indebtedness incurred by any Subsidiary under or in connection with any CMBS Financing shall constitute Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
Normalized Adjusted FFO: for any fiscal period, funds from operations of the Group Members as defined in accordance with resolutions adopted by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts as in effect from time to time; provided that Normalized Adjusted FFO shall (a) be based on net income after payment of distributions to holders of preferred stock or preferred partnership units in Parent Company or another Guarantor and, without duplication, distributions necessary to pay holders of preferred stock or preferred partnership units of Parent Company or another Guarantor and (b) exclude gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated non-real estate assets, non-real estate depreciation, depletion and amortization, amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of debt discount, amortization of above or below market leases, adjustments for straight line rents, non-cash or extraordinary gains or losses from foreign exchange, non-cash or extraordinary gains or losses from derivative instruments and other extraordinary or non-recurring charges.
Notes: the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing Loans.
Norwegian Borrower: means a Foreign Borrower incorporated in Norway.
NYFRB: means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
NYFRB Rate: means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day(or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term NYFRB Rate means the rate for a Federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. (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.
NYFRBs Website: the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.
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NZ Lender: a Lender that:
(a) is resident in New Zealand for New Zealand income tax purposes; or
(b) carries on business in New Zealand through a fixed establishment and either:
(i) is a registered bank and is not associated with the relevant Borrower; or
(ii) is party to or performs this Agreement for the purposes of the business it carries on in New Zealand through such fixed establishment,
provided that for the purposes of this definition, the terms associated, fixed establishment and registered bank shall have the meanings given in the Income Tax Act 2007 (NZ).
NZ Loan Party: any Loan Party that is incorporated under the laws of New Zealand.
NZ PPSA: the Personal Property Securities Act 1999 (NZ).
NZ RWT: the resident withholding tax under the laws of New Zealand.
NZD: the lawful currency of New Zealand.
Obligations: the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization, dissolution, judicial management or like proceeding, relating to the Borrowers, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Letters of Credit, or any other document made, delivered or given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid by the Borrowers pursuant hereto) or otherwise; provided, however, that the definition of Obligations shall not create any guarantee by any Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Guarantor.
Occupancy Rate: at any time, with respect to any Real Property, the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the rentable operating square footage of such Real Property actually leased by tenants paying rent at rates not materially less than rates generally prevailing at the time the applicable lease was entered into, pursuant to binding leases as to which no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing to (b) the aggregate rentable operating square footage of such Real Property.
OFAC: the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.
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Operating Agreement shall mean, collectively, (i) that certain Seventh Amended and Restated Operating Services Agreement dated as of August 3, 2020, by and between Holdings and Bay Grove Management Company, LLC, (ii) that certain Sixteenth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement dated as of October 11, 2023, by and between Lineage OP and Bay Grove Management Company, LLC and (iii) any transition services agreement entered into by Parent Company and Bay Grove Management Company, LLC in connection with a Qualified IPO.
Other Connection Taxes: with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan, Letter of Credit or Loan Document).
Other Taxes: all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.22).
Overnight Bank Funding Rate: for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the NYFRBs Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.
Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Owned Asset.
Paid in Full or Payment in Full: (a) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all outstanding Loans and Reimbursement Obligations, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (b) the termination, expiration, or cancellation and return of all outstanding Letters of Credit (or alternatively, with respect to each such Letter of Credit, the furnishing to the Administrative Agent of a cash deposit, or at the discretion of the Administrative Agent a backup standby letter of credit satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender, in an amount equal to 103% of the L/C Exposure as of the date of such payment), (c) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the accrued and unpaid fees, (d) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all accrued and unpaid reimbursable expenses and other Secured Obligations (other than Unliquidated Obligations for which no claim has been made and other obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination of this Agreement), together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (e) the termination of all Commitments, and (f) the termination of the Lender Swap Agreements and the Cash Management Services, or entering into other arrangements satisfactory to the Credit Parties counterparties thereto.
Parent: with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.
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Parent Company: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Pari Passu Capital Markets Indebtedness: any issuance of Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than convertible debt securities), including any issuance of one or more series of notes pursuant to public or 144a private placements or other substantially similar placements of Indebtedness; provided that such Indebtedness (i) shall be unsecured, (ii) shall have no guarantors or obligors other than the Borrowers and the Guarantors party to the Loan Documents, and (iii) shall not have any scheduled amortization or mature prior to the one year anniversary of the latest maturity date of any Facility (after giving effect to any permitted extensions).
Participant: as defined in Section 10.4(c).
Participant Register: as defined in Section 10.4(c).
Participating Member States: any member state of the European Union that has the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
Patriot Act: the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, Oct. 26, 2001).
Payment has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.6(c).
Payment Notice has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.6(c).
Permitted Acquisition: any acquisition, whether by purchase, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise, of (x) all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, or a business line or unit or a division of any Person, or any parcel of Real Property and any improvements thereto or (y) the Equity Interests of any Person such that such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that:
(a) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;
(b) before and after giving effect thereto, Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the Financial Covenants; and
(c) after giving effect thereto, Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with Section 7.16.
Permitted Dispositions:
(a) Dispositions of (i) worn-out, obsolete or surplus property, in each case in the ordinary course of business or (ii) property that is reasonably determined by the applicable Loan Party or Subsidiary to be no longer economically practicable to maintain or no longer useful in any material respect in the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties and their subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
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(b) licenses and sublicenses granted by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary and leases and subleases (by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary as lessor or sub-lessor) to third parties in each case not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Loan Parties or the subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or otherwise in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Disposition or abandonment of any Intellectual Property that is reasonably determined by the applicable Loan Party or Subsidiary to be no longer economically practicable to maintain or worth the cost of maintaining or no longer useful in any material respect in the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties and their subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(d) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Dispositions of cash or cash equivalents;
(f) transfers of property between and among Parent Company and its Subsidiaries;
(g) Disposition of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;
(h) Liens permitted by Section 7.3, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.6, Investments permitted by Section 7.8 and transactions permitted by Section 7.4;
(i) the discount or write-off of accounts receivable for the purpose of collection to any collection agency, in each case in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Dispositions of receivables in connection with the settlement of delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;
(j) transfers of property (i) subject to casualty events upon receipt of the net cash proceeds of such casualty event, (ii) by reason of the exercise of termination rights under any lease, sublease, license, sublicense, concession or other agreement or (iii) pursuant to buy/sell or other similar arrangements under any joint venture or similar agreement or arrangement;
(k) the unwinding of any Swap Agreement pursuant to its terms;
(l) Dispositions required to be made to comply with the order of any Governmental Authority or applicable law;
(m) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;
(n) Dispositions of property acquired, constructed, renovated or improved after the Closing Date in connection with the financing of such acquisition, construction, renovation or improvement; provided, that, (i) any such financing which is permitted under Section 7.2, (ii) such Disposition occurs within 180 days after the applicable acquisition, construction, renovation or improvement; and
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(o) with respect to assets that are not Qualified Assets, Dispositions of such assets permitted by the documentation governing any CMBS Financing or other financing that relates to such assets.
Permitted Encumbrances:
(a) Liens outstanding on (or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on) the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 7.3 and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(b) Liens imposed by law and other non-consensual Liens, in each case for Taxes or other related governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Group Member in conformity with GAAP;
(c) landlords, carriers, warehousemens, landlords mortgagees, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens, construction contractors, vendors and other similar Liens and agricultural and similar Liens, in each case, imposed by law or otherwise non-consensual, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 60 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(d) judgments and Liens in respect of judgements, orders or decrees for the payment of money or other court proceedings that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8(j);
(e) (i) easements, servitudes, restrictions, licenses, rights-of-way, use restrictions, rights of first refusal, site plan agreements, development agreements, cross easement or reciprocal agreements and other non-monetary encumbrances on Real Property that do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of Borrower or any Subsidiary (taken as a whole) or the operation of such Real Property for its intended purpose, (ii) title defects or irregularities with respect to Real Property which are of a minor nature and which in the aggregate do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of any Borrower or any Subsidiary (taken as a whole) or the operation of such Real Property for its intended purpose, or (iii) other exceptions to title approved by Administrative Agent;
(f) any zoning or similar law, restriction or right reserved to, or vested in, any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any Real Property that does not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Group Members (taken as a whole);
(g) Liens affecting title on Real Property that have been fully paid off and satisfied and which remain of record through no fault of the Person that owns such Real Property and that, in any event do not have a material and adverse effect with respect to the use or operations of the affected Real Property or with respect to the ownership of the affected Real Property, and do not interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the applicable Group Member;
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(h) rights of lessors under Eligible Ground Leased Assets and Eligible Leased Assets;
(i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law which secure payment of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;
(j) with respect to leasehold interests, any mortgages, obligations, Liens and other encumbrances incurred, created, assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord, ground lessor or owner of the leased property, with or without the consent of the lessee; provided, that (i) this clause (j) shall not apply if the leasehold interest is protected by law or (ii) with respect to mortgages by the ground lessor or owner of a ground leased property, such mortgages are either subordinate to such ground leasehold interest or pursuant to which the lender thereunder has provided a customary non-disturbance agreement with respect to such ground leasehold interests;
(k) intercompany leases and leases in favor of third parties in the ordinary course of business;
(l) any Lien arising under Article 24 or 26 of the general terms and conditions (Algemene Bank Voorwaarden) of any member of the Dutch Bankers Association (Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken) or any similar term applied by a financial institution in the Netherlands pursuant to its general terms and conditions;
(m) any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any Loan Party in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debt and credit balances;
(n) any netting or set-off as a result of a fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch tax purposes;
(o) the Lamb Weston Mortgage; and
(p) Intercompany mortgages securing Indebtedness among Group Members; provided, that any mortgagee under any such mortgage shall be a Borrower.
Permitted Equity Encumbrances:
(a) Liens and Negative Pledges pursuant to any Loan Document;
(b) Liens imposed by law and other non-consensual Liens for Taxes or other related governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Group Member in conformity with GAAP;
(c) Liens arising from judgments or decrees for the payment of money in circumstances that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8(j);
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(d) Liens arising from pledges of Equity Interests in Lineage OP or the Parent Company, in each case solely with respect to Equity Interests held by non-Group Members; and
(e) Intercompany pledges of Equity Interests securing Indebtedness among Group Members; provided that any pledgee under any such pledge shall be a Borrower.
Permitted Indebtedness:
(a) (x) Indebtedness incurred or created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including Indebtedness created under Section 2.23 and Section 2.25), and (y) Indebtedness constituting Cash Management Services;
(b) Indebtedness outstanding on (or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on) the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 7.2 and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(c) intercompany Indebtedness among Parent Company and its Subsidiaries;
(d) Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take or pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation, severance and health and retirement benefits or the equivalent thereof to employees, directors, management and consultants of Parent Company or the Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Indebtedness consisting of obligations with respect to indemnification, the adjustment of the purchase price (including customary earnouts) or similar adjustments incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment or Disposition expressly permitted hereunder;
(g) (i) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Indebtedness in respect of credit card processing agreements, automatic clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections and similar arrangements in each case in connection with cash management and deposit accounts and in the ordinary course of business;
(h) Indebtedness incurred by Parent Company or any Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers acceptances, warehouse receipts or similar instruments, in each case, issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits (including with respect to immediate family members of employees, directors or members of management) or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims or obligations referred to in paragraph (m) below, letters of credit in the nature of a security deposit (or similar deposit or security) given to a lessor under an operating lease of Real Estate under which such Person is lessee, and letters of credit in connection with the maintenance of, or pursuant to the requirements of, environmental or other permits or licenses from Governmental Authorities, and any refund, replacement, refinancing or defeasance of any of the foregoing;
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(i) obligations in respect of surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by Parent Company or any of the Subsidiaries, in each case, issued or created in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
(j) Indebtedness arising under Swap Agreements not incurred for purposes of speculation;
(k) Guarantees of Indebtedness of Parent Company or any Subsidiary, which Indebtedness is otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that (x) if such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations, such guarantee shall be subordinated to the same extent and (y) no such Guarantee by a Loan Party shall be permitted under this paragraph (k) of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, other than Guarantees constituting an Investment permitted under Section 7.8;
(l) Indebtedness owing to current or former officers, directors, managers, consultants or employees of Parent Company or any Guarantor or immediate family members to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of Parent Company or any Guarantor (or any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company or any Guarantor);
(m) Indebtedness of Parent Company or any Subsidiary owing to any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) that is not a subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with the cash management operations (including with respect to intercompany self-insurance arrangements);
(n) Indebtedness of Parent Company or any Subsidiary arising pursuant to arrangements contemplated in Section 7.10(k), (m) or (n);
(o) Indebtedness arising under guarantees entered into pursuant to article 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code in respect of a Dutch Loan Party and any residual liability with respect to such guarantees arising under article 2:404 of the Dutch Civil Code;
(p) any joint and several liability as a result of a fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch tax purposes; and
(q) Indebtedness that is a refinancing, replacement, restatement or modification of any existing Indebtedness provided that such refinancing, replacement, restatement or modification does not result in an increase to the then outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced, except to the extent of accrued interest, fees, premium (if any) and expenses.
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Permitted Investments:
(a) Investments existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.8 or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification, renewal, replacement or reinvestment of any such Investment that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(b) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;
(c) Investments (i) by any Loan Party in any other Loan Party, (ii) by any Subsidiary of Parent Company that is not a Loan Party in any Loan Party or in any other Subsidiary of Parent Company that is also not a Loan Party, and (iii) by any Loan Party in any Subsidiary of Parent Company that is not a Loan Party that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis,
(d) Investments acquired in connection with the settlement of delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;
(e) loans or advances to officers, directors, members of management, and employees of Parent Company or a Guarantor or any of their subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company or a Guarantor) (i) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding, for business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes and (ii) for any other purposes not described in the foregoing clause (i) (in each of clauses (i) and (ii) determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans or advances); provided, that the aggregate amount outstanding at any time under clause (ii) above shall not exceed $9,000,000;
(f) accounts receivable owing to Parent Company or the Subsidiaries, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary terms;
(g) Investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 7.12;
(h) Investments consisting of promissory notes or other non-cash consideration received in connection with a permitted Disposition;
(i) Investments consisting of non-cash loans made by Parent Company or a Guarantor to management, executives, officers, directors, consultants, professional advisors and/or employees of a Subsidiary which are used by such Persons to simultaneously purchase Equity Interests of Parent Company or a Guarantor;
(j) Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;
(k) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of (i) endorsements for collection or deposit or (ii) customary trade arrangements with customers;
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(l) loans and advances to Parent Company or a Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent thereof in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments permitted to be made to Parent Company or a Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent thereof in accordance with Section 7.6;
(m) (i) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business and (ii) prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits and advance payments (including retainers) for goods or services paid or provided, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(n) Investments held by a Person that becomes a Subsidiary (or is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into a Subsidiary) after the Closing Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; and
(o) to the extent constituting Investments, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.6, Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2 and transactions permitted by Section 7.4.
Periodic Term CORRA Determination Day: as defined in the definition of Term CORRA.
Person: an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.
Peso Rate means the rate per annum equal to the Mexican interbank equilibrium interest rate for a twenty-eight (28) day period (Tasa de Interes Interbancaria de Equilibrio a plazo de 28 dias), determined by Banco de México and most recently published in the Mexican Official Gazette (Diario Oficial de la Federacion) on the first Business Day of such Interest Period, which such Peso Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent. If the Peso Rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the Peso Rate shall be determined in accordance with Section 2.16 (Alternate Rate of Interest); provided that if the Peso Rate is not available at such time for any reason and the Peso Rate cannot be determined in accordance with Section 2.16 for any reason, then the Peso Rate for the applicable Interest Period shall be the rate per annum reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be any other similar rate published by Banco de México which the Revolving Lenders are authorized to use pursuant to applicable law. The Peso Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in good faith after taking into consideration the general market conditions for transactions of the type evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the particular conditions of the Revolving Lenders from time to time and consistent with its determination of the Peso Rate with respect to other credit facilities; provided that if such would be less than 0%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0% for the purposes of this Agreement.
Plan: any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
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Plan Asset Regulations: 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 et seq., as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.
Platform: as defined in Section 6.2.
PLN: the lawful currency of the Republic of Poland.
Polish Bankruptcy Law: the Act dated 28 February 2003 Bankruptcy Law (Prawo Upadłościowe).
Polish Borrower: any Borrower incorporated or organized under the laws of Poland.
Polish Civil Code: the Polish Act dated 23 April 1964 the Civil Code (Kodeks Cywilny).
Polish Commercial Companies Code: the Act dated 15 September 2000 Commercial Companies Code (Kodeks Spółek Handlowych).
Polish Restructuring Law: the Act dated 15 May 2015 Restructuring Law (Prawo Restrukturyzacyjne).
Post-Closing Foreign Borrowers: the Foreign Borrowers set forth on Schedule 1.1D as Post-Closing Borrowers.
Prime Rate: the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the Prime Rate in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the bank prime loan rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.
Private Lenders: Lenders that wish to receive Private-Side Information.
Private-Side Information: any information with respect to Parent Company and its Subsidiaries that is not Public-Side Information.
Proceeds of Crime Act: the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and
Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), as amended from time to time, and including all regulations thereunder.
Pro Forma Basis: with respect to the calculation of the Financial Covenants as of any date (and the definitions used therein), that such calculation shall give pro forma effect to all Permitted Acquisitions and other Investments, all issuances, incurrences, assumptions, redemptions, retirements, repayments or extinguishments of Indebtedness (with any such Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable testing period in accordance with
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its terms) and all sales, transfers or other Dispositions of any material assets outside the ordinary course of business that have occurred during (or, if such calculation is being made for the purpose of determining whether any proposed acquisition will constitute a Permitted Acquisition, since the beginning of) the then-applicable testing period as if they occurred on the first day of such testing period (excluding cost savings, synergies, operating expense reductions and other operating improvements). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Swap Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such Swap Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months).
Prohibited Transaction: a non-exempt prohibited transaction as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975(c) of the Code.
Properties: as defined in Section 4.17(a).
Property Owning Subsidiary: a Subsidiary of Parent Company that directly operates, owns or leases a Qualified Asset (each, a Direct Owner) and each Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect owner of any such Direct Owner (as to such Qualified Asset, an Indirect Owner).
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.
Public Lenders: Lenders that do not wish to receive Private-Side Information.
Public-Side Information: information that is either (a) available to all holders of Traded Securities of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries or (b) not material non-public information (for purposes of United States federal, state or other applicable securities laws).
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).
Qualified Asset: any Eligible Owned Asset, Eligible Ground Leased Asset or Eligible Leased Asset; provided, that the Borrower Representative may from time to time by written notice to the Administrative Agent upon a Qualified Asset ceasing to satisfy the applicable Eligibility Criteria in a transaction permitted by this Agreement designate a Qualified Asset as a non-Qualified Asset and, from the date of any such written notice, such Qualified Asset shall cease to be a Qualified Asset.
Qualified Asset Owners: as to any Qualified Asset, means each owner, lessee or lessor thereof that is either (a) a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Parent Company or (b) a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Parent Company that is at least 50% owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent Company so long as Parent Company jointly controls the sale, encumbrance and financing of such Qualified Asset.
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Qualified IPO shall mean an underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) of the Equity Interests of Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof which results in such Equity Interests being listed on a nationally-recognized stock exchange in the applicable jurisdiction.
Quotation Day: with respect to any borrowing of Term Benchmark Loans for any Interest Period, (i) if the currency is AUD, CAD, Sterling or NZD, the first day of such Interest Period, (ii) if the currency is Euros, two TARGET Days before the first day of such Interest Period, and (iii) if the currency is Dollars, NOK, SEK, PLN or DKK, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, unless, in each case, market practice differs in the relevant market where the Local Rate, Term CORRA, Term SOFR Rate or the EURIBOR Rate, as applicable, for such currency is to be determined, in which case the Quotation Day will be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with market practice in such market (and if quotations would normally be given on more than one day, then the Quotation Day will be the last of those days).
Real Property: at any time of determination, all right, title and interest (including any leasehold estate) in and to any and all parcels of or interests in real property owned in fee or leased by Parent Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures (or equivalent interest in any applicable jurisdiction), together with, in each case, all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances relating thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures incidental to the ownership or lease thereof.
Recipient: (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Lender, as applicable.
Recourse Indebtedness: with respect to a Person, Indebtedness of such Person other than Non-recourse Indebtedness of such Person.
Reference Time: with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (1) if such Benchmark is the Term SOFR Rate, 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the day that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (2) if such Benchmark is EURIBOR Rate, 11:00 a.m. Brussels time two TARGET Days preceding the date of such setting, (3) if the RFR for such Benchmark is SONIA, then four RFR Business Days prior to such setting, (4) if the RFR for such Benchmark is SARON, then five RFR Business Days prior to such setting, (5) if the RFR for such Benchmark is Daily Effective SOFR, then the next RFR Business Day after such setting, (6) if such Benchmark is Term CORRA, 1:00 p.m. Toronto local time on the date that is two Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (7) if, following a Benchmark Transition Event and Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to Term CORRA, the RFR for such Benchmark is Daily Simple CORRA, then four RFR Business Days prior to such setting or (8) if such Benchmark is none of the Term SOFR Rate, the EURIBOR Rate, Term CORRA, Daily Simple CORRA, SONIA, SARON or Daily Effective SOFR, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.
Refinancing: the refinancing in full of all obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement.
Refrigerated Railcar Business means the refrigerated and insulated railcar business segment of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries.
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Register: as defined in Section 10.4(b)(v).
Regulation U: Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.
Reimbursement Obligation: the obligation of the U.S. Borrowers to reimburse the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit.
REIT shall mean a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code.
REIT Subsidiary shall mean any Subsidiary of Parent Company that intends to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Related Parties: with respect to any specified Person, such Persons Affiliates and the respective directors, partners, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Persons Affiliates.
Release: any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the indoor or outdoor environment.
Relevant Governmental Body: (i) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Dollars, the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto, (ii) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Sterling, the Bank of England, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Bank of England or, in each case, any successor thereto, (iii) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Euros, the European Central Bank, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the European Central Bank or, in each case, any successor thereto, (iv) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in CHF, the Swiss National Bank, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Swiss National Bank or, in each case, any successor thereto, (v) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in CAD, the Bank of Canada, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Bank of Canada or, in each case, any successor thereto, and (vi) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in any other currency, (a) the central bank for the currency in which such Benchmark Replacement is denominated or any central bank or other supervisor which is responsible for supervising either (1) such Benchmark Replacement or (2) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement or (b) any working group or committee officially endorsed or convened by (1) the central bank for the currency in which such Benchmark Replacement is denominated, (2) any central bank or other supervisor that is responsible for supervising either (A) such Benchmark Replacement or (B) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement, (3) a group of those central banks or other supervisors or (4) the Financial Stability Board or any part thereof.
Relevant Rate: (i) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, (ii) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Euros, the Adjusted EURIBOR Rate, (iii) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in CAD, the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, (iv) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in a Non-Quoted Currency, the applicable Local Rate, or (v) with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in Sterling, CHF, SGD, Dollars or CAD, the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, as applicable.
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Relevant Screen Rate: (i) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, (ii) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Euros, the EURIBOR Screen Rate, (iii) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in CAD, Term CORRA or (iv) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in a Non-Quoted Currency, the applicable Local Screen Rate, as applicable.
Required Information: as defined in Section 10.19(a).
Required Lenders: at any time, subject to Section 2.24(b), the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the sum of (a) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans plus (b) the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding; provided that, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit of any Lender that is a Swingline Lender shall be deemed to exclude any amount of its Swingline Extensions of Credit in excess of its Revolving Percentage of all outstanding Swingline Loans, adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.24 of the Swingline Extensions of Credits of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time.
Required Revolving Lenders: at any time, subject to Section 2.24(b), the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding; provided that, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit of any Lender that is a Swingline Lender shall be deemed to exclude any amount of its Swingline Extensions of Credit in excess of its Revolving Percentage of all outstanding Swingline Loans, adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.24 of the Swingline Extensions of Credits of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time.
Required Tranche Lenders: at any time, subject to Section 2.24(b), (i) with respect to the Alternative Currency Tranche One Facility, the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the Total Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitments then in effect or, if the Total Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitments have been terminated, the Total Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit then outstanding, (ii) with respect to the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Facility, the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the Total Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitments then in effect or, if the Total Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitments have been terminated, the Total Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit then outstanding, and (iii) with respect to the Dollar Tranche Facility, the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the Dollar Tranche Commitments then in effect or, if the Total Dollar Tranche Commitments have been terminated, the Total Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit then outstanding; provided that, the Total Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit and Total Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit of any Lender that is a Swingline Lender shall, in each case, be deemed to exclude any amount of its Swingline Extensions of Credit in excess of its Revolving Percentage of all outstanding Swingline Loans, adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.24 of the Swingline Extensions of Credits of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time.
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Requirement of Law: as to any Person, the Governing Documents of such Person, and any law, 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 property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
Resolution Authority: an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
Responsible Officer: the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, managing director, controller, treasurer, vice president or secretary of Parent Company or a Guarantor, the sole member of the general partner of the Borrower Representative, but in any event, with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer or controller of Parent Company or a Guarantor, the sole member of the general partner of the Borrower Representative.
Restricted Payments: as defined in Section 7.6.
Reuters: means, as applicable, Thomson Reuters Corp., Refinitiv, or any successor thereto.
Revaluation Date: (a) with respect to any Loan, each of the following: (i) each date of a borrowing of a Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, (ii) (A) with respect to any Term Benchmark Loan, each date of a continuation of a Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency pursuant to Section 2.12 and (B) with respect to any RFR Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, each date that is one month after the borrowing of such Loan (or, if there is no such numerically corresponding day in such month, then the last day of such month), and (iii) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require; and (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, (ii) each date of an amendment of any such Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof, (iii) each date of any payment by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, and (iv) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require.
Revolving Commitment: the Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitment, the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitment, the Dollar Tranche Commitment, and/or the Swingline Commitment, as the context may require.
Revolving Commitment Period: the period from and including the Funding Date to the Revolving Termination Date.
Revolving Extensions of Credit: the Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit, the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit, and/or the Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit, as the context may require.
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Revolving Facility: the Alternative Currency Tranche One Facility, the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Facility and/or the Dollar Tranche Facility, as the context may require.
Revolving Lenders: the Alternative Currency Tranche One Lenders, the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lenders and the Dollar Tranche Lenders.
Revolving Loans: the Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans, the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans and the Dollar Tranche Loans.
Revolving Percentage: as to any Revolving Lender and Tranche at any time, the percentage which such Lenders Revolving Commitment for such Tranche then constitutes of the aggregate Revolving Commitments of such Tranche; provided that in the case of Section 2.24 when a Defaulting Lender which is a Revolving Lender of such Tranche shall exist, Revolving Percentage shall mean the percentage which such Lenders Revolving Commitment for such Tranche then constitutes of the aggregate Revolving Commitment of such Tranche (disregarding any Defaulting Lenders Revolving Commitment). With respect to any Revolving Lender whose Revolving Commitments for any Tranche shall have expired or terminated, Revolving Percentage shall mean the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lenders Revolving Loans of such Tranche then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans of such Tranche then outstanding.
Revolving Termination Date: February 15, 2028, subject to extension as provided in Section 2.25.
RFR: for any RFR Loan denominated in (a) Sterling, SONIA, (b) CHF, SARON, (c) SGD, SORA, (d) Dollars, Daily Effective SOFR and (e) CAD, Daily Simple CORRA.
RFR Borrowing: as to any Borrowing, the RFR Loans comprising such Borrowing.
RFR Business Day: for any Loan denominated in (a) Sterling, any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which banks are closed for general business in London, (b) CHF, any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which banks are closed for the settlement of payments and foreign exchange transactions in Zurich, (c) SGD, a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a gazette public holiday or a bank holiday) on which banks are open for general business in Singapore, (d) Dollars, a U.S. Government Securities Business Day and (e) CAD, any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which commercial banks in Toronto are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
RFR Interest Day: has the meaning specified in the definition of Daily Simple RFR.
RFR Loan: a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on Daily Simple RFR.
Sanctioned Country: at any time, a country, region or territory which is the subject or target of any Sanctions (as of the Closing Date, the socalled Donetsk Peoples Republic, the socalled Luhansk Peoples Republic, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).
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Sanctioned Person: at any time, any Person (a) that is the subject of Sanctions or listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, the United Nations, His Majestys Treasury, or any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over any Loan Party, (b) operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) that is publicly identified as prohibited from doing business with the United States under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act, or any other Requirement of Law, (d) that is a Canadian Blocked Person, or (e) owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons.
Sanctions: economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, the United Nations, His Majestys Treasury, the federal government of Canada, the government of Singapore, and sanctions under other similar Requirements of Law of other jurisdictions in which a Person conducts its business.
S&P: S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
SARON: with respect to any Business Day, a rate per annum equal to the Swiss Average Rate Overnight for such Business Day published by the SARON Administrator on the SARON Administrators Website.
SARON Administrator: the SIX Swiss Exchange AG (or any successor administrator of the Swiss Average Rate Overnight).
SARON Administrators Website: SIX Swiss Exchange AGs website, currently at https://www.six-group.com, or any successor source for the Swiss Average Rate Overnight identified as such by the SARON Administrator from time to time.
Screen Rate: the Term SOFR Reference Rate, the EURIBOR Screen Rate, Term CORRA, and the Local Screen Rates, collectively and individually as the context may require.
SEC: the Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor thereto and any analogous Governmental Authority.
SEK: the lawful currency of Sweden.
Secured Indebtedness: with respect to any Person, Indebtedness of such Person that is secured by a Lien. Indebtedness of Parent Company or a Subsidiary secured solely by a pledge of Equity Interests in one or more Subsidiaries shall not be treated as Secured Indebtedness but shall be treated as Unsecured Indebtedness.
Secured Leverage Ratio: as defined in Section 7.1(b)(iv).
Secured Obligations: all Obligations, together with all (a) Cash Management Services and (b) Swap Obligations owing; provided, however, that the definition of Secured Obligations shall not create any guarantee by any Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Guarantor.
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Securities: any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as securities or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.
SGD: the lawful currency of Singapore.
Singapore Borrower: a Foreign Borrower incorporated in Singapore.
SOFR: a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
SOFR Administrator: the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
SOFR Administrators Website: the NYFRBs Website, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.
SOFR Determination Date: has the meaning specified in the definition of Daily Effective SOFR.
SOFR Rate Day: has the meaning specified in the definition of Daily Effective SOFR.
Solvent: with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the present fair saleable value (determined on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value (determined on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured in the ordinary course, (c) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its business as contemplated on the date hereof, (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature or fall due in the ordinary course, (e) such Person (if a Canadian resident) shall not be an insolvent person as such term is defined in the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) and (f) such Person (if incorporated in Guernsey) satisfies the solvency test for the purposes of section 527 of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008.
SONIA: with respect to any Business Day, a rate per annum, rounded (and not truncated) to four (4) decimal points, equal to the Sterling Overnight Index Average for such Business Day published by the SONIA Administrator on the SONIA Administrators Website on the immediately succeeding Business Day.
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SONIA Administrator: the Bank of England (or any successor administrator of the Sterling Overnight Index Average).
SONIA Administrators Website: the Bank of Englands website, currently at http://www.bankofengland.co.uk, or any successor source for the Sterling Overnight Index Average identified as such by the SONIA Administrator from time to time.
SORA means the Singapore Overnight Rate Average published by the SORA Administrator on the SORA Administrators Website, and in any case, if SORA is less than zero, SORA shall be deemed to be zero.
SORA Administrator: the Monetary Authority of Singapore (or any successor administrator of the Singapore Overnight Rate Average).
SORA Administrators Website: the Monetary Authority of Singapores website, currently at http://www.mas.gov.sg, or any successor source for the Singapore Overnight Rate Average identified as such by the SORA Administrator (or as published by its authorised distributors) from time to time.
Specified Default: an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8(a) or Section 8(h).
Specified Jurisdictions: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales, Scotland, Guernsey, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Sweden, Singapore, Spain, Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Finland; and such other jurisdictions as may be agreed after the Closing Date by the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders.
Specified Time: (i) in relation to a Loan in AUD, as of 11:00 A.M., Sydney, Australia time; (ii) in relation to a Loan in Euros, 11:00 A.M. Brussels time; (iii) in relation to a Loan in DKK, SEK or NOK, as of 11:00 A.M., London time; (iv) in relation to a Loan in PLN, as of 11:00 A.M., Warsaw time; and (v) in relation to a Loan in NZD, as of 11:00 A.M., Wellington, New Zealand time.
Stabilized Property has the meaning specified in the definition of Development Property.
Statutory Reserve Rate: a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board or other applicable governmental body to which the Administrative Agent is subject with respect to the EURIBOR Rate for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as Eurocurrency Liabilities in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. Term Benchmark Loans for which the associated Benchmark is adjusted by reference to the Statutory Reserve Rate (per the related definition of such Benchmark) shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
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Sterling and GBP: the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.
STIBOR Screen Rate: with respect to any Interest Period, the Stockholm interbank offered rate administered by the Swedish Bankers Association ( or any other person that takes over the administration of that rate) for deposits in Swedish Kroner with a term equivalent to such Interest Period as displayed on the Reuters screen page that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on such Reuters page, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion) as of 11:00 a.m. London time two business days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period. If the STIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than 1%, the STIBOR Screen Rate shall be deemed to be 1% for purposes of this Agreement.
Subsidiary: as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity 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 or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a Subsidiary or to Subsidiaries in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Parent Company.
Sustainability Agent: the financial institution listed as Sustainability Agent on the cover page of this Agreement.
Swap Agreement: any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.
Swap Obligations: with respect to any Person, any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Lender Swap Agreements, and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Lender Swap Agreement transaction, including any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a swap within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
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Swap Termination Value: in respect of any one or more Swap Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any netting agreements relating to such Swap Agreements (to the extent, and only to the extent, such netting agreements are legally enforceable in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding against the applicable counterparty obligor thereunder), (i) for any date on or after the date such Swap Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (ii) for any date prior to the date referenced in preceding clause (i), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Agreements, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Agreements (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
Swingline Commitment means as to any Lender (i) the amount set forth opposite such Lenders name on Schedule 1.1G attached hereto or (ii) if such Lender has entered into an Assignment and Assumption or has otherwise assumed a Swingline Commitment after the date hereof, the amount set forth for such Lender as its Swingline Commitment in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.4(b)(v).
Swingline Extensions of Credit means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Extensions of Credit of any Lender at any time shall be the sum of (a) its Revolving Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time (excluding, in the case of any Lender that is a Swingline Lender, Swingline Loans made by it that are outstanding at such time to the extent that the other Lenders shall not have funded their participations in such Swingline Loans), adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.24 of the Swingline Extensions of Credit of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time, and (b) in the case of any Lender that is a Swingline Lender, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans made by such Lender outstanding at such time, less the amount of participations funded by the other Lenders in such Swingline Loans.
Swingline Lenders means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and any other Lender that agrees to act as an Swingline Lender (or in each case, any of its designated branch offices or affiliates), each in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.
Swingline Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.6. All Swingline Loans shall be denominated in CAD.
Syndication Agent: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Tangible Net Worth: as of any date of determination, Total Asset Value less Total Indebtedness.
TARGET2: the real time gross settlement system operated by the Eurosystem, or any successor system.
TARGET Day: any day on which TARGET2 (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system, if any, determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement) is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.
Taxes: all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
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Tax Confirmation: a confirmation by a Lender that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Loan Document is either:
(a) a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes;
(b) a partnership each member of which is:
(i) a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or
(ii) a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or
(c) a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.
Term Benchmark: when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBOR Rate, the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, or the Local Rate.
Term Benchmark Tranche: the collective reference to Term Benchmark Loans 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 Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).
Term Commitments: as to any Lender, its U.S. Term Commitment.
Term CORRA: for any calculation with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in CAD, the Term CORRA Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the Periodic Term CORRA Determination Day) that is two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term CORRA Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 1:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on any Periodic Term CORRA Determination Day the Term CORRA Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term CORRA Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term CORRA Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term CORRA will be the Term CORRA Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term CORRA Administrator on the first preceding Business Day for which such Term CORRA Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term CORRA Administrator so long as such first preceding Business Day is not more than five (5) Business Days prior to such Periodic Term CORRA Determination Day.
Term CORRA Administrator: Candeal Benchmark Administration Services Inc., TSX Inc., or any successor administrator.
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Term CORRA Notice: a notification by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders and the Borrower of the occurrence of a Term CORRA Reelection Event.
Term CORRA Reelection Event: the determination by the Administrative Agent that (a) Term CORRA has been recommended for use by the Relevant Governmental Body, (b) the administration of Term CORRA is administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent and (c) a Benchmark Transition Event, has previously occurred resulting in a Benchmark Replacement in accordance with Section 2.8(b) that is not Term CORRA.
Term CORRA Reference Rate: the forward-looking term rate based on CORRA.
Term Facilities: the U.S. Term Facility.
Term Loans: the U.S. Term Loans.
Term Loan Maturity Date: February 15, 2029.
Term Percentage: the U.S. Term Percentage.
Term SOFR Determination Day: has the meaning assigned to it under the definition of Term SOFR Reference Rate.
Term SOFR Rate: with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator.
Term SOFR Reference Rate: for any day and time (such day, the Term SOFR Determination Day), with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the rate per annum published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and identified by the Administrative Agent as the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. If by 5:00 pm (New York City time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate has not occurred, then, so long as such day is otherwise a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.
Total Asset Value: on any date, without duplication, the sum of:
(a) with respect to Real Property (other than Newly Acquired Properties, Development Properties, Newly Stabilized Properties and undeveloped land) that is (x) owned or ground leased or (y) a Leased Asset as of such date by Parent Company or any Subsidiary, the sum of the Eligible Values at such time of each such Real Property; provided that the manufacturing EBITDA from the Centralia, Washington facility and the high pressure processing EBITDA from the Allentown, Pennsylvania facility shall be valued as Real Property pursuant to this clause (a);
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(b) with respect to the transportation and other ancillary businesses (including the Refrigerated Railcar Business) as of such date of Parent Company or any Subsidiary, the sum of the portion of EBITDA attributable to each such business segment for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 9.0; provided, that with respect to any such business segment of Parent Company or such Subsidiary that has been owned for less than four full quarters as of such date, the purchase price paid for such business segment;
(c) with respect to any Newly Acquired Property (other than a Development Property, a Newly Stabilized Property or undeveloped land), EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended for such Real Property, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(d) with respect to any (i) Development Property (until such Development Property becomes a Stabilized Property), (ii) Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for less than one full fiscal quarter as of such date and (iii) undeveloped land, the lesser of (x) cost (including the cost of the land and all hard and soft costs) or (y) book value in accordance with GAAP;
(e) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least one full fiscal quarter but less than two full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent full fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date in respect of which financial statements for such quarter or fiscal year have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(f) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least two full fiscal quarters but less than three full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of two full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for such each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 2, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(g) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least three full fiscal quarters but less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of three full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4/3, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(h) unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents and unrestricted marketable securities of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000;
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(i) the sum of (x) the book value of other assets consisting of inventory, accounts receivable not more than 90 days past due or otherwise in payment default, and other tangible assets of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries minus (y) the book value of accounts payable of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries; and
(j) solely with respect to the calculation of Total Leverage Ratio herein, the amount of cash contributions that the direct or indirect owners of the Equity Interests of Parent Company have irrevocably committed to contribute to Parent Company when requested by Parent Company pursuant to subscription agreements or similar agreements, which commitments were received on or prior to the date of delivery of the applicable Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.2(a), or on or prior to the date of the applicable pro forma financial covenant calculation, as applicable, but have not yet funded;
provided that not more than 15% of the Total Asset Value at any time may be attributable to undeveloped land and Development Properties, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Total Asset Value.
Parent Companys pro rata share of assets held by Joint Ventures will be included in the calculation of Total Asset Value consistent with the above-described treatment for assets owned by Subsidiaries.
Total Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitments: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitments then in effect.
Total Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit of the Alternative Currency Tranche One Lenders outstanding at such time.
Total Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitments: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitments then in effect.
Total Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit of the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lenders outstanding at such time.
Total Dollar Tranche Commitments: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Dollar Tranche Commitments then in effect.
Total Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit of the Dollar Tranche Lenders outstanding at such time.
Total Indebtedness: the sum of all Indebtedness of Parent Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and the pro rata share of all Indebtedness of Joint Ventures.
Total Leverage Ratio: as defined in Section 7.1(i).
Total Revolving Commitments: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect.
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Total Revolving Extensions of Credit: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit of the Revolving Lenders outstanding at such time.
Total Secured Indebtedness: the portion of Total Indebtedness that is Secured Indebtedness.
Total Unsecured Indebtedness: the portion of Total Indebtedness that is Unsecured Indebtedness.
Traded Securities: any debt or equity Securities issued pursuant to a public offering or Rule 144A offering or other similar private placement.
Tranche: the applicable tranche, as the context may require, relating to (i) the Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitments and the Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans, (ii) the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitments and the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans, (iii) the Swingline Commitments and the Swingline Loans, or (iv) the Dollar Tranche Commitments, the Dollar Tranche Loans, and L/C Obligations.
Transaction Costs: all fees, costs and expenses incurred by Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions.
Transactions: the collective reference to (a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement), the borrowing of the Loans, the use of proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, (b) the Refinancing and (c) the payment of the Transaction Costs.
Type: when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBOR Rate, the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, the Local Rate or the ABR.
UK Borrower: a Borrower incorporated in the United Kingdom.
UK Financial Institutions: any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from 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 Non-Bank Lender: any Lender which meets and is relying on limb (a)(ii) of UK Qualifying Lender to be a UK Qualifying Lender.
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UK Qualifying Lender:
(a) a Lender which is beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Loan Document and is:
(i) a Lender:
(A) | which is a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) making an advance under a Loan Document and is within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance or would be within such charge as respects such payments apart from section 18A of the CTA; or |
(B) | in respect of an advance made under a Loan Document by a person that was a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) at the time that that advance was made and within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance; or |
(ii) a Lender which is:
(A) | a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; |
(B) | a partnership each member of which is: |
(1) | a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or |
(2) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; |
(C) | a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company; or |
(iii) a UK Treaty Lender; or
(b) a Lender which is a building society (as defined for the purposes of section 880 of the ITA) making an advance under a Loan Document.
UK Resolution Authority: the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
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UK Treaty Lender: a Lender which is treated as a resident of a Treaty State for the purposes of the Treaty; does not carry on a business in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment with which that Lenders participation in the Loan is effectively connected; and meets all other conditions in the Treaty for full exemption from tax imposed by the United Kingdom on interest, subject to the completion of procedural formalities.
UK Treaty State: a jurisdiction having a double taxation agreement (a Treaty) with the United Kingdom which makes provision for full exemption from tax imposed by the United Kingdom on interest.
Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement: the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
Unencumbered Asset Value: as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, without duplication, the sum of:
(a) (i) Unencumbered NOI for Qualified Assets that are not Newly Acquired Properties, Development Properties, Newly Stabilized Properties or undeveloped land for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended, divided by (ii) the applicable Capitalization Rate; provided that the manufacturing EBITDA from the Centralia, Washington facility and the high pressure processing EBITDA from the Allentown, Pennsylvania facility shall be valued as Real Property pursuant to this clause (a);
(b) with respect to any Qualified Asset that is a Newly Acquired Property (other than a Development Property or a Newly Stabilized Property), the EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended for such Qualified Asset, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(c) with respect to Qualified Asset that is a (i) Development Property (until such Development Property becomes a Stabilized Property), a (ii) Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for less than one full fiscal quarter as of such date or (iii) undeveloped land, the lesser of (x) cost or (y) book value in accordance with GAAP;
(d) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least one full fiscal quarter but less than two full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent full fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date in respect of which financial statements for such quarter or fiscal year have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(e) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least two full fiscal quarters but less than three full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of two full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 2, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
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(f) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least three full fiscal quarters but less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of three full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4/3, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(g) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000; and
(h) with respect to the Refrigerated Railcar Business as of such date, the sum of the portion of the EBITDA attributable to the Refrigerated Railcar Business for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 9.0; provided that with respect to any Refrigerated Railcar Business that has been owned for less than four full quarters as of such date, the purchase price paid for such Refrigerated Railcar Business; and provided further that not more than 15% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to the Refrigerated Railcar Business, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
provided that:
(i) not more than 20% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets located in jurisdictions outside the Specified Jurisdictions, Qualified Assets that are owned or leased by a non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Parent Company, and undeveloped land and Development Properties, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value; and
(ii) not more than 25% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Eligible Leased Assets, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
(iii) not more than 10% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets that are owned or leased by a Subsidiary which (together with any other Subsidiary that is the direct or indirect holder of Equity Interests in such Subsidiary, referred to as the Parent Subsidiary) has outstanding Recourse Indebtedness for borrowed money at such time (unless such Subsidiary or Parent Subsidiary is a U.S. Loan Party or the lender of such Indebtedness is a party to the Intercreditor Agreement), with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value; and
(iv) not more than the lesser of (x) $400,000,000 or (y) 5% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets and assets set forth in clauses (g) and (h) of this definition of a Qualified Asset Owner described in clause (b) of the definition thereof, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value.
Unencumbered NOI: as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, the aggregate portion of EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended that is attributable to Qualified Assets.
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United States: the United States of America.
Unliquidated Obligations: at any time, any Secured Obligations (or portion thereof) that are contingent in nature or unliquidated at such time, including any Secured Obligation that is: (a) an obligation to reimburse a bank for drawings not yet made under a letter of credit issued by it; (b) any other obligation (including any guarantee) that is contingent in nature at such time; or (c) an obligation to provide collateral to secure any of the foregoing types of obligations.
Unsecured Indebtedness: with respect to any Person, Indebtedness of such Person that is not Secured Indebtedness.
U.S. Borrower: (i) as of the Closing Date, the Company and each Subsidiary of Holdings set forth on Schedule 1.1C hereof (the Closing Date US Borrowers); provided, (A) as of the Closing Date each Closing Date U.S. Borrower shall be permitted to borrow only the currencies set forth on Schedule 1.1C and (B) after the Closing Date, prior to any U.S. Borrower becoming entitled to borrow Loans in any currency other than the currencies set forth on Schedule 1.1C, the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lenders shall have received the Required Information for such U.S. Borrower and currency and (ii) thereafter, the Closing Date US Borrowers and each Designated Borrower that is a Domestic Subsidiary.
U.S. Government Securities Business Day: any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
U.S. Guarantor: at any time, the Guarantors and each other Person that is a Guarantor at such time pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement, including by way of its joinder thereto.
U.S. Loan Party: at any time, a U.S. Borrower or a U.S. Guarantor at such time.
U.S. Person: a United States person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate: as defined in Section 2.19(f)(ii)(B)(3).
U.S. Term Borrowers: the Company and Lineage Logistics Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
U.S. Term Commitment: as to any Lender, (a) the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make a U.S. Term Loan to one or more of the U.S. Borrowers in a principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading U.S. Term Commitment opposite such Lenders name on Schedule 1.1A or (b) any incremental Commitments of such Lender to make New Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.23. The initial aggregate amount of the U.S. Term Commitments is $1,000,000,000.
U.S. Term Facility: the U.S. Term Commitments and the U.S. Term Loans made thereunder.
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U.S. Term Lender: each Lender that has a U.S. Term Commitment or that holds a U.S. Term Loan.
U.S. Term Loan: as defined in Section 2.1(a) and including any incremental U.S. Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.23.
U.S. Term Percentage: as to any U.S. Term Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lenders U.S. Term Commitment then constitutes of the aggregate U.S. Term Commitments (or, at any time after the Funding Date, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lenders U.S. Term Loans then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of all of the U.S. Term Loans then outstanding).
Wholly Owned Subsidiary: as to any Person, any other Person all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares required by law) is owned by such Person directly and/or through other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; provided that, (i) at any time prior to the merger or consolidation of Holdings with or into Lineage OP, any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings will be deemed to be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of each of Parent Company and Lineage OP and (ii) at any time after to the merger or consolidation of Holdings with or into Lineage OP, any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Lineage OP will be deemed to be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Parent Company.
WIBOR Screen Rate: with respect to any Interest Period, the Warsaw interbank offered rate administered by the GPW Benchmark S.A. (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for PLN with a tenor equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on page WIBOR of the Reuters screen (or, in the event such rate does not appear on such Reuters page on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion) as of 11:00 a.m. Warsaw time two business days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period. If the WIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than 0%, the WIBOR Screen Rate shall be deemed to be 0% for purposes of this Agreement.
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, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any 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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1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.
(b) As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i) accounting terms relating to any Group Member not defined in Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP, (ii) the words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation, (iii) the word incur shall be construed to mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist (and the words incurred and incurrence shall have correlative meanings), (iv) the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, Equity Interests, securities, revenues, accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights, and (v) references to agreements or other Contractual Obligations shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements or Contractual Obligations as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
(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, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
(d) For all purposes pursuant to which the interpretation or construction of a Loan Document may be subject to the laws of the Province of Quebec or a court or tribunal exercising jurisdiction in the Province of Québec, (a) personal property shall include movable property, (b) real property or real estate shall include immovable property, (c) tangible property shall include corporeal property, (d) intangible property shall include incorporeal property, (e) security interest and lien shall include a hypothec, right of retention, prior claim, reservation of ownership and a resolutory clause, (f) all references to filing, perfection, priority, remedies, registering or recording under the Uniform Commercial Code or the Canadian PPSA shall include publication under the Civil Code of Quebec, (g) all references to perfection of or perfected liens or security interest shall include a reference to an opposable or set up lien or security interest as against third parties, (h) any right of offset, right of setoff or similar expression shall include a right of compensation, (i) goods shall include corporeal movable property other than chattel paper, documents of title, instruments, money and securities, (j) an agent shall include a mandatary, (k) construction liens or mechanics, materialmen, repairmen, construction contractors or other like Liens shall include legal hypothecs and legal hypothec in favour of Persons having taken part in the construction or renovation of an immovable, (l) joint and several shall include solidary, (m) gross negligence or willful misconduct shall be deemed to be intentional or gross fault, (n) beneficial ownership shall include ownership on behalf of another as mandatary, (o) easement shall include servitude, (p) priority shall include prior claim, as applicable, (q) survey shall include certificate of location and plan, (r) state shall include province or territory, (s) fee simple title shall include absolute ownership, (t) accounts shall include claims, (u) legal title shall include holding title on behalf of an owner as mandatory or prête-nom, (v) leasehold interest shall include a valid lease, (w) lease shall include a leasing contract and (x) guarantee and
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guarantor shall include suretyship and surety, respectively. The parties hereto have expressly required that this Agreement and all deeds, documents and notices relating thereto be drafted in the English language. Les parties aux présentes ont expressément exigé que la présente convention et tous les autres contrats, documents ou avis qui y sont afférents soient rédigés en langue anglaise.
(e) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
1.3 Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents. The relevant rate of exchange shall be determined in accordance with the definition of Dollar Equivalent as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Loans and Letters of Credit denominated in Alternative Currencies. Such rate of exchange shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the rate of exchange employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by Loan Parties hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent.
(a) Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such borrowing, Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in an Alternative Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Dollar Equivalent (rounded to the nearest unit of such Alternative Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be.
(b) The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of Term SOFR Rate, Daily Simple RFR, EURIBOR Rate, Term CORRA, or Local Rate or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto.
1.4 Additional Alternative Currencies. The Borrower Representative may from time to time request that Alterative Currency Tranche One Loans and Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans be made and/or Letters of Credit be issued in a currency other than those specifically listed in the definition of Alternative Currency Tranche One Currencies, Alternative Currency Tranche Two Currencies, and Alternative Currencies, respectively; provided that such requested currency is a lawful currency (other than Dollars) that is readily available and freely transferable and convertible into Dollars and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, subject to Section 2.16, for which Reuters (or a successor thereto, or a substitute service selected by the Administrative Agent) reports a Relevant Rate. In the case of any such request with respect to the making of Loans, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and all of the Lenders under the applicable Tranche; and in the case of any such request with respect to the issuance of Letters of Credit, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and all of the Dollar Tranche Lenders.
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(a) Any such request shall be made to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 A.M., twenty (20) Business Days prior to the date of the desired Loan or Letter of Credit (or such other time or date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent and, in the case of any such request pertaining to Letters of Credit, the Issuing Lender, in its or their sole discretion). In the case of any such request pertaining to Loans, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender under the applicable Tranche thereof; and in the case of any such request pertaining to Letters of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Issuing Lender thereof. Each Lender under the applicable Tranche (in the case of any such request pertaining to Loans) or the Issuing Lender (in the case of a request pertaining to Letters of Credit) shall notify the Administrative Agent, not later than 11:00 A.M., ten (10) Business Days after receipt of such request whether it consents, in its sole discretion, to the making of Loans or the issuance of Letters of Credit, as the case may be, in such requested currency.
(b) Any failure by a Lender of such Tranche or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, to respond to such request within the time period specified in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a refusal by such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, to permit Loans to be made or Letters of Credit to be issued in such requested currency. If the Administrative Agent and all the Lenders under such Tranche consent to making Loans in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower Representative and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternative Currency Tranche One Currencies or Alternative Currency Tranche Two Currencies, as applicable, hereunder for purposes of any borrowings of Loans under the applicable Tranche; and if the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender consent to the issuance of Letters of Credit in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower Representative and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternative Currency hereunder for purposes of any Letter of Credit issuances. If the Administrative Agent shall fail to obtain consent to any request for an additional currency under this Section 1.4, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Borrower Representative.
1.5 Change of Currency. Each obligation of a Borrower to make a payment denominated in the national currency unit of any member state of the European Union that adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the date hereof shall be redenominated into Euro at the time of such adoption. If, in relation to the currency of any such member state, the basis of accrual of interest expressed in this Agreement in respect of that currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the London interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest in respect of the Euro, such expressed basis shall be replaced by such convention or practice with effect from the date on which such member state adopts the Euro as its lawful currency; provided that if any borrowing in the currency of such member state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such borrowing, at the end of the then current Interest Period.
(a) Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect the adoption of the Euro by any member state of the European Union and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the Euro.
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(b) Each provision of this Agreement also shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect a change in currency of any other country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the change in currency.
1.6 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
1.7 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
1.8 Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification. The interest rate on a Loan denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that may be discontinued or is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or a Term CORRA Reelection Event, Section 2.16 provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission, performance or any other matter related to any interest rate used in this Agreement, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof, including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the existing interest rate being replaced or have the same volume or liquidity as did any existing interest rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates and/or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of any interest rate used in this Agreement or any alternative, successor or alternative rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) and/or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrowers. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any interest rate used in this Agreement, any component thereof, or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrowers, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.
1.9 Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdictions laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized and acquired on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.
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1.10 Limited Condition Transactions. In connection with the establishment of any New Term Commitments and the availability of borrowings under such New Term Commitments solely in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of (a) determining compliance with the Financial Covenants, (b) determining the accuracy of representations and warranties and (c) determining whether a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in each case, at the option of the Borrower Representative (the Borrower Representatives election to exercise such option in connection with such a Limited Condition Transaction, an LCT Election), the date of determination of any such compliance, accuracy or occurrence of a Default or Event of Default hereunder shall be deemed to be the date the definitive agreements with respect to such Limited Condition Transaction are entered into (in each case, 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 of Debt or Liens and the use of proceeds thereof) as if they had occurred at the beginning of the most recent period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or prior to the LCT Test Date (or, if such date is not the last day of any fiscal quarter, the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (b)), the Borrowers could have taken such action on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with the Financial Covenants or requirement with respect to the accuracy of representations and warranties or absence of Defaults or Events of Default, such Financial Covenants or requirement shall be deemed to have been complied with. If the Borrower Representative has made an LCT Election for any Limited Condition Transaction, then, in connection with any subsequent calculation of the Financial Covenants on or following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of (i) the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or (ii) the date that the definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated or expires without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such Financial Covenant shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming such Limited Condition Transaction and other transactions in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Debt or Liens and the use of proceeds thereof) have been consummated.
1.11 Foreign Terms.
(a) Australian Terms. Without prejudice to the generality of any provision of this Agreement, in this Agreement, where it relates to an Australian Loan Party, a reference to:
(i) security interest also includes a security interest as defined in section 12 of the Australian PPSA but excludes a security interest as defined in section 12(3) of the Australian PPSA which does not in substance secure the payment or performance of an obligation; and
(ii) Controller, receiver or receiver and manager has the meaning given to it in section 9 of the Australian Corporations Act.
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(b) Belgian Terms. Without prejudice to the generality of any provision of this Agreement, in this Agreement, where it relates to a Belgian Loan Party or the context so requires, a reference to:
(i) gross negligence means zware fout/faute grave;
(ii) a liquidator, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer includes any vereffeningsdeskundige/praticien de la liquidation, herstructureringsdeskundige/praticien de la réorganisation, curator/curateur, vereffenaar/liquidateur, gedelegeerd rechter/juge délégué, gerechtsmandataris/mandataire de justice, voorlopig bewindvoerder/administrateur provisoire, gerechtelijk bewindvoerder/administrateur judiciaire, mandataris ad hoc/mandataire ad hoc and ondernemingsbemiddelaar/médiateur dentreprise, as applicable;
(iii) Collateral includes any mortgage (hypotheek/hypothèque), pledge (pand/gage), any mandate to grant a mortgage, a pledge or any other real security (mandaat/mandat), privilege (voorrecht/privilège), reservation of title arrangement (eigendomsvoorbehoud/réserve de propriété), any real security (zakelijke zekerheid/sûreté réelle) and any transfer by way of security (overdracht ten titel van zekerheid/transfert à titre de garantie);
(iv) a person being unable to pay its debts is that person being in a state of cessation of payments (staking van betaling/cessation de paiements);
(v) a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement includes a settlement agreement outside judicial reorganisation (minnelijk akkoord buiten gerechtelijke reorganisatie/accord amiable hors réorganisation judiciaire), a judicial reorganisation (gerechtelijke reorganisatie/réorganisation judiciaire) (including openbare gerechtelijke reorganisatie door een minnelijk akkoord/réorganisation judiciaire publique par accord amiable, openbare gerechtelijke reorganisatie door een collectief akkoord/réorganisation judiciaire publique par un accord collectif, besloten gerechtelijke reorganisatie door een minnelijk akkoord/réorganisation judiciaire privée par accord amiable, or besloten gerechtelijke reorganisatie door een collectief akkoord/réorganisation judiciaire privée par un accord collectif), or a transfer under judicial authority (overdracht onder gerechtelijk gezag/transfert sous autorité judiciaire) pursuant to Book XX, Titles IV, V/I or V/II of the Belgian Code of Economic Law (Wetboek van economisch recht/Code de droit économique);
(vi) winding-up, administration or dissolution includes any vereffening/liquidation, ontbinding/dissolution, faillissement/faillite, besloten voorbereiding van het faillissement/preparation privée dune faillite and sluiting van een onderneming/ fermeture dune enterprise;
(vii) insolvency includes any insolventieprocedure/procedure dinsolvabilité, gerechtelijke reorganisatie/réorganisation judiciaire, overdracht onder gerechtelijk gezag/transfert sous autorité judiciaire, besloten voorbereiding van het faillissement/préparation privée dune faillite, faillissement/faillite and any other concurrence between creditors (samenloop van schuldeisers/concours des créanciers);
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(viii) an expropriation attachment, sequestration, distress, execution or analogous process includes any onteigening/ expropriation, uitvoerend beslag/saisie exécutoire, sekwester/séquestre and bewarend beslag/saisie conservatoire;
(ix) an amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction includes a overdracht van algemeenheid/transfert duniversalité, overdracht van bedrijfstak/transfert de branche dactivité, splitsing/scission and fusie/fusion and an assimilated transaction (gelijkgestelde verrichting/opération assimilée) in accordance with the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations;
(x) a Loan Party being incorporated in Belgium or of which its jurisdiction of incorporation is Belgium, means that such Loan Party has its statutory seat in Belgium; and
(xi) a successor means an algemene rechtsopvolger/successeur universel..
(c) Danish terms. In the context of any Foreign Subsidiary located in Denmark a reference to:
(i) a composition, assignment or similar arrangement with any creditor includes a forebyggende rekonstruktion med fyldestgørelsesforbud, rekonstruktion or konkursbehandling under Part IA, IB or II of the Danish Bankruptcy Act (konkursloven);
(ii) a receiver, compulsory manager, trustee or administrator includes a rekonstruktør, a kurator or likvidator under Danish law;
(iii) gross negligence means grov uagtsomhed under Danish law;
(iv) a guarantee includes any garanti under Danish law which is independent from the debt to which it relates and any kaution under Danish law which is accessory to or dependent on the debt to which it relates;
(v) a merger includes any fusion implemented in accordance with Chapter 15 or Chapter 16 (as the case may be) of the Danish Companies Act (in Danish: selskabsloven);
(vi) a reorganisation includes any contribution of part of its business in consideration of shares (in Danish: apportindskud) and any demerger (in Danish: spaltning) implemented in accordance with Chapter 15 or Chapter 16 (as the case may be) of the Danish Companies Act (in Danish: selskabsloven);
(vii) a winding up, administration, liquidation or dissolution includes a likvidation, opløsning på grundlag af betalingserklæring or tvangsopløsning ved likvidationsbehandling under Chapter 14 of the Danish Companies Act (selskabsloven); and
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(viii) its constitutional documents include its articles of association and the certificate of registration issued by the Danish Business Authority (in Danish: Erhvervsstyrelsen) as in force from time to time.
(d) Dutch Terms. Under any Loan Document or, where it relates to a Dutch person or the context so requires, a reference to:
(i) the Netherlands means the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Dutch means in or of the Netherlands;
(ii) works council means each works council (ondernemingsraad) or central or group works council (centrale of groeps ondernemingsraad) having jurisdiction over that person;
(iii) necessary action to authorise includes any action required to comply with the Works Councils Act of the Netherlands (Wet op de ondernemingsraden) followed by an unconditional positive advice (advies) from the works council of that person;
(iv) constitutional documents means the articles of association (statuten) and deed of incorporation (akte van oprichting) and an up-to-date extract of registration of the Trade Register of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce;
(v) a security interest or security includes any mortgage (hypotheek), pledge (pandrecht), retention of title arrangement (eigendomsvoorbehoud), right of retention (recht van retentie), right of reclamation (recht van reclame) and any right in rem (beperkt recht) created for the purpose of granting security (goederenrechtelijke zekerheid);
(vi) a winding-up, administration or dissolution includes declared bankrupt (failliet verklaard) or dissolved (ontbonden);
(vii) a moratorium includes (voorlopig) surseance van betaling and a moratorium is declared includes surseance verleend;
(viii) any procedure or step taken in connection with insolvency proceedings includes that person having filed a notice under Section 36 of the Tax Collection Act of the Netherlands (Invorderingswet 1990);
(ix) a liquidator includes a curator or a beoogd curator;
(x) an administrator includes a bewindvoerder or a beoogd bewindvoerder; and
(xi) an attachment includes a conservatoir beslag or executoriaal beslag;
(xii) financial assistance includes any act contemplated by article 2:98c of the Dutch Civil Code;
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(xiii) an easement includes erfdienstbaarheid within the meaning of article 5:70 of the Dutch Civil Code;
(xiv) ground lease includes any right of ground lease (erfpacht) or subleasehold (ondererfpacht) in connection with any real property within the meaning of article 5:85 of the Dutch Civil Code or article 5:93 of the Dutch Civil Code respectively according to which the lessor or the sublessor may hold and use the property;
(xv) lease includes huur within the meaning of article 7:201 of the Dutch Civil Code;
(xvi) real property means the land including any buildings and works erected thereon as well as any right in rem giving a right to use that land and/or any building and/or works erected thereon (onroerend goed);
(xvii) a unit includes a unit for which the Dutch (i) residential lease regime (huur woonruimte) within the meaning of article 7:232 of the Dutch Civil Code, (ii) the lease of retail space (huur winkelruimte en andere bedrijfsruimte) within the meaning of article 7:290 of the Dutch Civil Code or (iii) the lease of business space (huur kantoorruimte en andere bedrijfsruimte) within the meaning of article 7:230a of the Dutch Civil Code applies; and
(xviii) a right in rem means zakelijk recht including, without limitation, groundlease, apartment right, building right and servitude.
(xix) a director means a managing director (bestuurder) and board of directors means its managing board (bestuur); and
(xx) a subsidiary includes a dochtermaatschappij as defined in article 2:24a of the Dutch Civil Code.
(e) Luxembourg terms. In this Agreement and to the extent it relates to a Luxembourg Loan Party, a reference to:
(i) a liquidator, trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, conservator or similar officer includes any:
(A) | juge-commissaire and/or insolvency receiver (curateur) appointed under the Luxembourg Commercial Code; |
(B) | liquidateur appointed under Articles 1100-1 to 1100-15 of the Luxembourg act of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended; |
(C) | juge-commissaire and/or liquidateur appointed under Article 1200-1 of the Luxembourg act dated 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended; and |
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(D) | conciliateur dentreprise, mandataire de justice, juge délégué or administrateur provisoire appointed under the Luxembourg Business Continuity Act; |
(ii) a security interest includes any hypothèque, nantissement, gage, privilège, accord de transfert de propriété à titre de garantie, gage sur fonds de commerce, sûreté réelle, droit de retention whatsoever whether granted or arising by operation of law and any type of real security or agreement or arrangement having a similar effect and any transfer of title by way of security;
(iii) a winding-up, administration, reorganization, insolvency or dissolution includes, without limitation, bankruptcy (faillite), liquidation, administrative dissolution without liquidation (dissolution administrative sans liquidation), a judicial reorganisation (réorganisation judiciaire), negotiation or conclusion of an amicable agreement (accord amiable) or similar proceedings affecting the rights of creditors generally under Luxembourg law, and shall be construed so as to include any equivalent or analogous liquidation or reorganisation proceedings;
(iv) a reorganisation includes, without limitation, judicial reorganisation (réorganisation judiciaire);
(v) commencing negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness includes any such negotiations conducted in order to reach an amicable agreement (accord amiable) with creditors pursuant to theLuxembourg Business Continuity Act;
(vi) an agent includes, without limitation, a mandataire;
(vii) a matured obligation includes, without limitation, any exigible, certaine and liquide obligation;
(viii) a person being unable to pay its debts or admitting inability to pay its debts includes, without limitation, that person being in a state of cessation of payments (cessation de paiements);
(ix) a person being solvent means that it is not in a state of cessation of payments (cessation des paiements) and has not lost its creditworthiness (ébranlement de crédit);
(x) a creditors process means a fraudulent conveyance action (action paulienne), an executory attachment (saisie exécutoire) or conservatory attachment (saisie conservatoire);
(xi) by-laws or constitutional documents includes its up-to-date (restated) articles of association (statuts coordonnés), if available and any shareholders agreement if any; and
(xii) a director or a manager means a gérant or an administrateur.
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(f) Guernsey terms.
(i) In this Agreement, a reference to:
(A) | Debtor Relief Laws shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, désastre and saisie; and |
(B) | Lien or security interest shall include any security interest created pursuant to the Security Interests (Guernsey) Law, 1993. |
(ii) Each Loan Party waives any and all of its rights under the existing or future laws of Guernsey whether by virtues of the droit de division of otherwise to require that any liability under or in connection with any Loan Document be divided or apportioned with any other person or reduced in any manner whatsoever and whether by virtue of the droit de discussion or otherwise to require that recourse be had to the assets of any other person before any claim is enforced against it.
(g) New Zealand Terms. Without prejudice to the generality of any provision of this Agreement, in this Agreement where it relates to an NZ Loan Party, a reference to a security interest also includes a security interest as defined in section 17(1)(a) of the NZ PPSA in respect of which the relevant person is the debtor but excludes a security interest for purposes of section 17(1)(b) of the NZ PPSA that does not secure payment or the performance of an obligation.
(h) Polish terms. As used in this Agreement, where it relates to any Loan Party incorporated in Poland and unless the context requires otherwise a reference to:
(i) an agent includes an attorney (pełnomocnik), delivery agent (pełnomocnik do doręczeń), pledge administrator (administrator zastawu), mortgage administrator (administrator hipoteki) and mandatory (zleceniobiorca) of a person;
(ii) a composition, assignment or similar arrangement with any creditor includes a układ concluded or approved during insolvency proceedings under Polish Bankruptcy Law or restructuring proceedings (postępowanie restrukturyzacyjne) under Polish Restructuring Law. This also includes a partial composition (układ częściowy);
(iii) a compulsory manager, receiver or administrator includes a tymczasowy nadzorca sądowy, tymczasawy zarządca, nadzorca, syndyk, zarządca or zarządca przymusowy, as defined in Polish Bankruptcy Law or Polish Restructuring Law. This also includes the officeholders established under Art. 27 of the Polish Act on Registered Pledges or Art. 931 or Art. 10641 of the Polish Civil Procedure Code dated 17 November 1964, as amended;
(iv) a winding up includes a declaration of bankruptcy.
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(v) a Security or security interest includes any mortgage (hipoteka), pledge (including, ordinary pledge (zastaw zwykły), financial pledge (zastaw finansowy), registered pledge (zastaw rejestrowy) and treasury pledge (zastaw skarbowy)), assignment by way of security (przelew na zabezpieczenie), transfer of title by way of security (przewłaszczenie na zabezpieczenie), retention right (prawo zatrzymania), right to reclaim sold goods (zastrzeżenie własności rzeczy sprzedanej), cash collateral (kaucja) any other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect; and
(vi) a Quasi Security means any power of attorney granted for security purposes, any power of attorney to bank accounts (pełnomocnictwo do rachunków bankowych) and voluntary submission to enforcement (oświadczenie o poddaniu się egzekucji).
SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS
2.1 Term Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each U.S. Term Lender severally agrees to make a term loan (a U.S. Term Loan) to the U.S. Term Borrowers in Dollars in a single borrowing on the Funding Date in an amount not to exceed the amount of the U.S. Term Commitment of such Lender. The U.S. Term Loans may from time to time be Term Benchmark Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower Representative and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.12. The U.S. Term Lenders commitments to make the U.S. Term Loan shall expire upon the making of the U.S. Term Loans on the Funding Date. Amounts paid or prepaid in respect of U.S. Term Loans may not be reborrowed.
2.2 Procedure for U.S. Term Loan Borrowing. The Borrower Representative shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice in the form of Exhibit D (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time, one Business Day prior to the Funding Date) requesting that the U.S. Term Lenders make the U.S. Term Loans on the Funding Date, specifying the amount to be borrowed and whether such U.S. Term Loan shall be Term Benchmark Loans or ABR Loans and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, the initial Interest Period applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of Interest Period; provided, such notice may be conditioned on the occurrence of the Funding Date. Upon receipt of such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each U.S. Term Lender thereof. Not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Funding Date each U.S. Term Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent at the Funding Office an amount in Dollars in immediately available funds equal to the U.S. Term Loan to be made by such Lender. The Administrative Agent shall credit the account of the relevant U.S. Borrowers on the books of such office of the Administrative Agent with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the U.S. Term Lenders in immediately available funds.
If no election as to the Type of U.S. Term Loan is specified, then the requested U.S. Term Loan shall be an ABR Loan. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Term Benchmark Tranche, then Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one months duration. Promptly following receipt of a borrowing request in the form of Exhibit D and in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each U.S. Term Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such U.S. Term Lenders U.S. Term Loan to be made.
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Each U.S. Term Loan shall be made by the U.S. Term Lenders ratably in accordance with their applicable U.S. Term Commitments; provided that the failure of any U.S. Term Lender to make its U.S. Term Loan shall not in itself relieve any other U.S. Term Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder (it being understood, however, that no U.S. Term Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other U.S. Term Lender to make any U.S. Term Loan required to be made by such other U.S. Term Lender). ABR Loans comprising any U.S. Term Loan shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000, or in each case, the remainder of such Tranche. Term Benchmark Loans comprising any U.S. Term Loan shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 or in each case, the remainder of such Tranche.
Subject to Sections 2.16 and 2.18, each Term Benchmark Tranche shall be comprised entirely of Term Benchmark Loans as Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each U.S. Term Lender may at its option make any Term Benchmark Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such U.S. Term Lender to make such U.S. Term Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of Borrower to repay such U.S. Term Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Borrowings of U.S. Term Loans of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time, subject to Section 2.13. For purposes of the foregoing, Term Benchmark Tranches having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate borrowings.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Term Benchmark Tranche if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Term Loan Maturity Date.
2.3 [Reserved].
2.4 Revolving Commitments.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit loans to the Borrowers in Alternative Currency Tranche One Currencies (Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans) from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding which, does not exceed the amount of such Lenders Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitment; provided that after giving effect to any such Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans, (x) the Total Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit shall not exceed the Total Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitments and (y) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit shall not exceed the Total Revolving Commitment. During the Revolving Commitment Period the Borrowers may use the Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit loans to the Borrowers in Alternative Currency Tranche Two Currencies (Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans) from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding which, does not exceed the amount of such Lenders Alternative Currency
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Tranche Two Commitment; provided that after giving effect to any such Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans, (x) the Total Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit shall not exceed the Total Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitments and (y) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit shall not exceed the Total Revolving Commitment. During the Revolving Commitment Period the Borrowers may use the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.
(c) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Dollar Tranche Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit loans to the U.S. Borrowers in US Dollars (Dollar Tranche Loans) from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding which, when added to such Dollar Tranche Lenders Dollar Tranche Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding, does not exceed the amount of such Lenders Dollar Tranche Commitment; provided that after giving effect to any such Dollar Tranche Loans, (x) the Total Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit shall not exceed the Total Dollar Tranche Commitments and (y) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit shall not exceed the Total Revolving Commitment. During the Revolving Commitment Period the Borrowers may use the Dollar Tranche Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Dollar Tranche Loans in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The Dollar Tranche Loans may from time to time be Term Benchmark Loans, RFR Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower Representative and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.5 and 2.12.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to Section 10.19(e), (i) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit to Foreign Borrowers organized in Norway shall not exceed (A) $5,000,000 and (ii) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit to Foreign Borrowers organized in Guernsey shall not exceed $5,000,000.
(e) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Termination Date. The Borrowers shall repay all outstanding Revolving Loans on the Revolving Termination Date.
2.5 Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing. The Borrowers may borrow under any of the Revolving Commitments during the Revolving Commitment Period on any Business Day, provided that the Borrower Representative shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice in the form of Exhibit D (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time, (i) three U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars, CAD or Mexican Pesos, (ii) four Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies (other than Term Benchmark Loans denominated in CAD and Mexican Pesos and other than RFR Loans denominated in CHF or SGD, and except that the Borrower Representative may give notice prior to 11:00 A.M., London time, three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Euros), (iii) five (5) RFR Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of RFR Loans denominated in CHF or SGD (or CAD, if a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to Term CORRA has occurred), (iv) two Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of RFR Loans denominated in Dollars to
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a Borrower organized in Singapore, (v) on the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of RFR Loans denominated in Dollars to any Borrower other than a Borrower organized in Singapore, and (vi) one Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of ABR Loans) (provided that any such notice of a borrowing of ABR Loans under the Dollar Tranche Facility to finance payments required by Section 3.5 may be given not later than 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date of the proposed borrowing), specifying (A) the Borrower, (B) the Tranche of Revolving Loans, (C) the currency, amount and Type of Revolving Loans to be borrowed, (D) the requested Borrowing Date, (E) in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, the respective amounts of each such Type of Loan and the respective lengths of the initial Interest Period therefor and (F) certifying that the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 are satisfied. Each borrowing under the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount equal to (x) in the case of ABR Loans or RFR Loans denominated in Dollars, $1,000,000 and $500,000 multiples in excess thereof (or, if the then aggregate Available Dollar Tranche Commitments are less than $1,000,000, such lesser amount), (y) in the case of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of the Dollar Equivalent of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (z) in the case of Swingline Loans, the Dollar Equivalent of $500,000 or a whole multiple of the Dollar Equivalent of $100,000 in excess thereof. Upon receipt of any such notice from the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender in the applicable Tranche thereof. Each Lender under the applicable Tranche will make the amount of its pro rata share of each borrowing available to the Administrative Agent in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Borrower at the Funding Office prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the Borrowing Date requested by the Borrower Representative; provided, that Swingling Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.6. Such borrowing will then be made available to the applicable Borrower by the Administrative Agent crediting the account of the applicable Borrower on the books of such office with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders of the applicable Tranche and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.
(a) Subject to Sections 2.16 and 2.18, (i) each borrowing of Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans or Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies shall be comprised entirely of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans, as applicable, (ii) each borrowing of (x) Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans or Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans denominated in Dollars or (y) Dollar Tranche Loans, in each case, shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans, RFR Loans or Term Benchmark Loans as the Borrower Representative may request in accordance herewith, and (iii) each Swingline Loan shall be comprised entirely of Canadian Prime Rate Loans denominated in CAD.
(b) If the Borrower Representative fails to specify a currency in the notice for any Revolving Loans, then such Revolving Loans shall be made in Dollars. If the Borrower Representative fails to specify a Tranche in the notice for any Revolving Loans then such Revolving Loans shall be (i) if in Dollars, Dollar Tranche Loans, (ii) if in Alternative Currency Tranche One Currencies (other than Dollars), Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans, and (iii) if in Alternative Currency Tranche Two Currencies (other than Alternative Currency Tranche One Currencies), Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans.
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(c) Each Revolving Lender may at its option make any Term Benchmark Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Revolving Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Borrowings of Loans of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time, subject to Section 2.13. For purposes of the foregoing, Term Benchmark Tranches having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate borrowings.
2.6 Swingline Loans.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period, each Swingline Lender severally agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Canadian Borrowers in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans made by such Swingline Lender exceeding such Swingline Lenders Swingline Commitment , the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $15,000,000, or any Lenders Revolving Extensions of Credit exceeding its Revolving Commitment; provided that a Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Canadian Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.
(b) To request a Swingline Loan, a Canadian Borrower shall submit a written notice to the Administrative Agent by telecopy or electronic mail not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be in a form approved by the Administrative Agent, shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lenders of any such notice received from the Canadian Borrower. Each Swingline Lender shall make its ratable portion of the requested Swingline Loan (such ratable portion to be calculated based upon such Swingline Lenders Swingline Commitment to the total Swingline Commitments of all of the Swingline Lenders) available to the Canadian Borrowers by means of a credit to an account of the Canadian Borrower with the Administrative Agent designated for such purpose by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.
(c) The failure of any Swingline Lender to make its ratable portion of a Swingline Loan shall not relieve any other Swingline Lender of its obligation hereunder to make its ratable portion of such Swingline Loan on the date of such Swingline Loan, but no Swingline Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Swingline Lender to make the ratable portion of a Swingline Loan to be made by such other Swingline Lender on the date of any Swingline Loan.
(d) Any Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent require the Alternative Currency Tranche One Lenders and/or the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lenders, as applicable, to acquire participations in all or a portion of its Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which such Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each such Lender, specifying in such notice such Lenders Revolving Percentage of such Swingline Loans. Each Alternative Currency Tranche One Lenders and Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees,
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promptly upon receipt of such notice from the Administrative Agent (and in any event, if such notice is received by 11:00 a.m., New York City time], on a Business Day no later than 5:00 p.m. New York City time on such Business Day and if received after 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on a Business Day shall mean no later than 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the immediately succeeding Business Day), to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Swingline Lenders, such Lenders Revolving Percentage of such Swingline Loans. Each Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender and Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender and Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.5 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.5 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to such Swingline Lenders the amounts so received by it from such Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower Representative of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to such Swingline Lenders. Any amounts received by a Swingline Lender from a Canadian Borrower (or other party on behalf of a Canadian Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by such Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to such Swingline Lenders, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to such Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to a Canadian Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve any Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.
(e) Any Swingline Lender may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Swingline Lender and the successor Swingline Lender. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of a Swingline Lender. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid interest accrued for the account of the replaced Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.14(c). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (x) the successor Swingline Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made thereafter and (y) references herein to the term Swingline Lender shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Swingline Lender, or to such successor and all previous Swingline Lenders, as the context shall require. After the replacement of a Swingline Lender hereunder, the replaced Swingline Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made by it prior to its replacement, but shall not be required to make additional Swingline Loans.
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(f) Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Swingline Lender, any Swingline Lender may resign as a Swingline Lender at any time upon thirty days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders, in which case, such Swingline Lender shall be replaced in accordance with Section 2.6(e) above.
2.7 [Reserved].
2.8 Commitment Fees, Facility Fees, etc.
(a) Until the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date,
(i) the Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender a commitment fee in Dollars for the period from and including the date hereof to the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period, computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the daily unused amount of the Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitment of such Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender during the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof;
(ii) the Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender a commitment fee in Dollars for the period from and including the date hereof to the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period, computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the daily unused amount of the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitment of such Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender during the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof; and
(iii) the Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Dollar Tranche Lender a commitment fee in Dollars for the period from and including the date hereof to the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period, computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the daily unused amount of the Dollar Tranche Commitment of such Dollar Tranche Lender during the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof.
(b) From and after the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date,
(i) the Borrowers agree to pay the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Alternative Currency Tranche One Lender, a facility fee (the Alternative Currency Tranche One Facility Fee) in Dollars equal to the then applicable Facility Fee Rate on the Total Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitments, such fee being payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first day of the fiscal quarter next succeeding the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date;
(ii) the Borrowers agree to pay the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Alternative Currency Tranche Two Lender, a facility fee (the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Facility Fee) in Dollars equal to the then applicable Facility Fee Rate on the Total Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitments, such fee being payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first day of the fiscal quarter next succeeding the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date; and
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(iii) the Borrowers agree to pay the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Dollar Tranche Lender, a facility fee (the Dollar Tranche Facility Fee and together with the Alternative Currency Tranche One Facility Fee and the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Facility Fee, the Facility Fee) in Dollars equal to the then applicable Facility Fee Rate on the Total Dollar Tranche Commitments, such fee being payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first day of the fiscal quarter next succeeding the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date.
(c) The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the amounts and on the dates as set forth in any fee agreements with the Administrative Agent and to perform any other obligations contained therein.
2.9 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments . The Borrower Representative shall have the right to terminate any of the Revolving Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the amount of any of the Revolving Commitments (applied to each Tranche of Revolving Commitments as designated by the Borrower Representative); provided that no such termination or reduction of Revolving Commitments shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of the Revolving Loans made on the effective date thereof, (w) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the Total Revolving Commitments, (x) with respect to the Alternative Currency Tranche One Facility, the Total Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit would exceed the Total Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitments, (y) with respect to the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Facility, the Total Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit would exceed the Total Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitments, and (z) with respect to the Dollar Tranche Facility, the Total Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit would exceed the Total Dollar Tranche Commitments. Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of $10,000,000, or a whole multiple thereof, and shall reduce permanently the applicable Revolving Commitments (and respective Tranche thereof) then in effect, and no such reduction shall reduce the Total Revolving Commitments to an amount less than $100,000,000. The Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce any of the Revolving Commitments under this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the applicable Revolving Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower Representative pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments delivered by the Borrower Representative may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower Representative (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be made ratably among the Revolving Lenders of such Tranche in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments under such Tranche.
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2.10 Prepayments. The Borrowers may at any time and from time to time prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (except as set forth below), upon irrevocable notice delivered to the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of Swingline Loans, the Swingline Lenders) no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, (i) three Business Days prior thereto, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars, CAD or Mexican Pesos, (ii) four Business Days prior thereto, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies (other than CAD or Mexican Pesos), (iii) five (5) RFR Business Days prior thereto, in the case of RFR Loans denominated in Sterling, CHF or SGD, (iv) one Business Day prior thereto, in the case of ABR Loans and RFR Loans denominated in Dollars, and (v) not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of prepayment, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, which notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Term Benchmark Loans, RFR Loans, ABR Loans or Swingline Loans; provided, that if a Term Benchmark Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the applicable Borrower shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.20. With respect to a prepayment of Revolving Loans, each prepayment notice shall specify the Tranche for prepayment; provided, if no Tranche is specified, each prepayment shall be allocated to prepay the Tranches in the following order as applicable for the currency of such prepayment, (i) first, the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans, (ii) second, the Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans, and (iii) third, the Dollar Tranche Loans. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with (except in the case of Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. Partial prepayments of Term Loans shall be in an aggregate principal Dollar Equivalent amount of $10,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding, and partial prepayments of Revolving Loans shall be in an aggregate principal Dollar Equivalent amount of $1,000,000 or $500,000 multiples in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding.
(a) The Administrative Agent shall calculate the Dollar Equivalent amount of all Revolving Extensions of Credit denominated in Alternative Currencies at the time of each borrowing thereof, on the last Business Day of each month and at such other times as the Administrative Agent may elect. If the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative at such times that the outstanding Dollar Equivalent amount of all Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit denominated in Alternative Currencies at such time exceeds an amount equal to 103% of the Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitment then in effect, then, within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrowers shall prepay Alternative Currency Tranche One Loans in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce such Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed 100% of the Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitment then in effect. If the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative at such times that the outstanding Dollar Equivalent amount of all Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit denominated in Alternative Currencies at such time exceeds an amount equal to 103% of the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitment then in effect, then, within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrowers shall prepay Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loans in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce such Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed 100% of the Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitment then in effect.
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(b) In addition, if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative that (x) at any time that the outstanding Dollar Equivalent amount of all Revolving Extensions of Credit at such time exceeds an amount equal to 103% of the Total Revolving Commitments or (y) at any time that the outstanding Dollar Equivalent amount of all Revolving Extensions of Credit under any Tranche thereof at such time exceeds an amount equal to 103% of the aggregate Revolving Commitments of such Tranche then in effect, then, in each case, within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrowers shall prepay Revolving Loans in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce Revolving Extensions of Credit of such Tranche as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed 100% of the aggregate Revolving Commitments of such Tranche then in effect.
2.11 Repayment of Loans.
(a) Subject to Section 2.27, the Borrowers promise to repay (i) all outstanding Revolving Loans on the Revolving Termination Date or such earlier date as required herein, and (ii) to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lenders the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the tenth (10th) day after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that an Alternative Currency Tranche One Loan or Alternative Currency Tranche Two Loan is made, as applicable, the Borrowers shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding and the proceeds of any such Borrowing shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to repay any Swingline Loans outstanding. The U.S. Term Borrowers promise to repay all outstanding U.S. Term Loans on the Term Loan Maturity Date or such earlier date as required herein.
(b) Amounts to be applied in connection with prepayments of Revolving Loans made pursuant to Section 2.10 shall be applied, first, to the prepayment of Revolving Loans (without any corresponding reduction of the Revolving Commitments), and second, to cash collateralize Letters of Credit by depositing an amount in cash in a cash collateral account established with the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Dollar Tranche Lenders on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The application of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11 of Loans shall be made, first, to ABR Loans, and second to Term Benchmark Loans and RFR Loans. Each prepayment of the Loans under Section 2.11 (except in the case of Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans and RFR Loans denominated in Dollars) shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid.
(c) For greater certainty, all repayments and prepayments of Loans shall be made in the currency of the original Loan being so repaid or prepaid.
(d) No Foreign Borrower shall be liable for, or deemed a surety of, any obligation of a U.S. Borrower.
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2.12 Conversion and Continuation Options.
(a)
(i) The Borrower Representative may elect from time to time to convert Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars to ABR Loans or RFR Loans by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date, provided that any such conversion of Term Benchmark Loans may only be made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto.
(ii) The Borrower Representative may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans or RFR Loans to Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor), provided that no ABR Loan or RFR Loan under a particular Facility may be converted into a Term Benchmark Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Majority Term Lenders or the Majority Dollar Tranche Lenders, as applicable, have notified the Administrative Agent not to permit such conversions.
(iii) The Borrower Representative may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans to RFR Loans denominated in Dollars by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date, provided that no ABR Loan may be converted into an RFR Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Majority Term Lenders or the Majority Dollar Tranche Lenders, as applicable, have notified the Administrative Agent not to permit such conversions.
(iv) Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.
(b) Any Term Benchmark Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the Borrower Representative giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent by the time that a borrowing request would be required to be delivered under Section 2.5, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the term Interest Period set forth in Section 1.1, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans (or, if none is specified, one month), which notice shall identify the applicable Facility and/or Tranche, provided that no Term Benchmark Loan under a particular Term Facility or Tranche may be continued as such when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Majority Facility Lenders or Required Tranche Lenders in respect of such Facility or Tranche, as applicable, have notified the Administrative Agent not to permit such continuations, and provided, further, that if the Borrower Representative shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this paragraph or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso then (i) such Loans denominated in Dollars shall be
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automatically continued as Term Benchmark Loans with an Interest Period of one month on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period (unless such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso, in which case such Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period) and (ii) such Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency shall be continued as Term Benchmark Loans in their original currency with an Interest Period of one month. Upon receipt of any such notice (or any such automatic conversion or continuation) the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. No Loan may be converted into or continued as a Loan denominated in a different currency, but instead must be repaid in the original currency and reborrowed in the other currency. This Section 2.12 shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.
2.13 Limitations on Term Benchmark Tranches. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings, conversions and continuations of Term Benchmark Loans and all selections of Interest Periods shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, no more than thirty (30) Term Benchmark Tranches shall be outstanding at any one time.
2.14 Interest Rates and Payment Dates.
(a) Each Term Benchmark Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBOR Rate, the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, or the Local Rate, as applicable, for the applicable Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin.
(b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.
(c) Each Swingline Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Canadian Prime Rate plus the Applicable Margin.
(d) Each RFR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR plus the Applicable Margin.
(e) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) or if an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8(h) has occurred, all overdue outstanding principal with respect to Loans and Reimbursement Obligations shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to (x) in the case of the Loans, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section plus 2% or (y) in the case of Reimbursement Obligations, the rate applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility plus 2%, and (ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable on any Loan or any commitment fee or other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) or if an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8(h) has occurred, such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate then applicable to ABR Loans under the relevant Facility plus 2% (or, in the case of any such other amounts that do not relate to a particular Facility, the rate then applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility plus 2%), in each case, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid in full (as
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well after as before judgment). In addition, at the request of the Required Lenders during the existence of any other Event of Default, all outstanding Obligations shall bear interest at the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans under the relevant Facility plus 2% (or, in the case of any such other amounts that do not relate to a particular Facility, the rate then applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility plus 2%) and shall be payable upon demand.
(f) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section shall be payable from time to time on demand of the Administrative Agent.
2.15 Computation of Interest and Fees.
(a) Interest and fees payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, (i) with respect to ABR Loans the rate of interest on which is calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed and (ii) with respect to Loans denominated in AUD, CAD, NZD, SGD and Sterling, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365-day year for the actual days elapsed. Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the ABR or the Statutory Reserve Rate shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes effective.
(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 applicable Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error.
(c) For purposes of disclosure pursuant to the Interest Act (Canada), the annual rates of interest or fees to which the rates of interest or fees provided in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and stated herein or therein, as applicable, to be computed on the basis of 360 days or any other period of time less than a calendar year) are equivalent are the rates so determined multiplied by the actual number of days in the applicable calendar year and divided by 360 or such other period of time, respectively.
2.16 Alternate Rate of Interest. Subject to clauses (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Section 2.16, if:
(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBOR Rate, Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, or the Local Rate (including because the Relevant Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for the applicable Agreed Currency and such Interest Period, or (B) at any time, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for the applicable Agreed Currency; or
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(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted EURIBOR Rate, Adjusted Term CORRA Rate, or the Local Rate for the applicable Agreed Currency and such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for the applicable Agreed Currency and such Interest Period or (B) at any time, the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for the applicable Agreed Currency will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for the applicable Agreed Currency;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, telecopy or electronic mail as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrower delivers a new conversion or continuation request (an Interest Election Request) in accordance with the terms of Section 2.12 or a new borrowing request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.5, (A) for Loans denominated in Dollars, (1) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Term Benchmark Borrowing and any borrowing request that requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be an Interest Election Request or a borrowing request, as applicable, for (x) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not also the subject of Section 2.16(a)(i) or (ii) above or (y) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings also is the subject of Section 2.16(a)(i) or (ii) above and (2) any borrowing request that requests an RFR Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be a borrowing request, as applicable, for an ABR Borrowing and (B) for Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Term Benchmark Borrowing and any borrowing request that requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing or an RFR Borrowing, in each case, for the relevant Benchmark, shall (1) in the case of a Loan denominated in CAD, be made at the Canadian Prime Rate and (2) in the case of a Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency other than CAD, be ineffective; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then all other Types of Borrowings shall be permitted. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan in any Agreed Currency is outstanding on the date of the Borrowers receipt of the notice from the Administrative Agent referred to in this Section 2.16(a) with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrower delivers a new Interest Election Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.12 or a new borrowing request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.5, (A) for Loans denominated in Dollars, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not also the subject of Section 2.16(a)(i) or (ii) above or (y) an ABR Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings also is the subject of Section 2.16(a)(i) or (ii) above, on such day, and (2) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute an ABR Loan and (B) for Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan bear interest at (x) if denominated in CAD, the Canadian Prime Rate or
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(y) if denominated in any other Alternative Currency, the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency plus the CBR Spread; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency cannot be determined, any outstanding affected Term Benchmark Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency shall, at the Borrowers election prior to such day: (A) be prepaid by the Borrower on such day or (B) solely for the purpose of calculating the interest rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan, such Term Benchmark Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency shall be deemed to be a Term Benchmark Loan denominated in Dollars and shall accrue interest at the same interest rate applicable to Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars at such time and (2) any RFR Loan shall bear interest at the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency plus the CBR Spread; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency cannot be determined, any outstanding affected RFR Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency, at the Borrowers election, shall either (A) be converted into ABR Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such Alternative Currency) immediately or (B) be prepaid in full immediately.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement with respect to CAD for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (2) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement with respect to any Agreed Currency for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders of each affected class.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document and subject to the proviso below in this paragraph, with respect to a Loan denominated in CAD, if a Term CORRA Reelection Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then the applicable Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder or under any Loan Document in respect of such
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Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings, without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that, this clause (c) shall not be effective unless the Administrative Agent has delivered to the Lenders and the Borrower a Term CORRA Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to deliver a Term CORRA Notice after the occurrence of a Term CORRA Reelection Event and may do so in its sole discretion.
(c) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (e) below and (v) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.16, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.16.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Rate, EURIBOR Rate, Term CORRA or a Local Rate) and either (a) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (b) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of Interest Period for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of Interest Period for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
(e) Upon the Borrowers receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing or RFR Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, either (x) the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any request for (1) a Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to (A) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (B) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (y) (1) the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any request for a Term Benchmark
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Borrowing denominated in CAD into a request for a Borrowing or conversion to a Loans bearing interest at the Canadian Prime Rate and (2) any Term Benchmark Borrowing or RFR Borrowing denominated in any other Alternative Currency shall be ineffective. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of ABR based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of ABR. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan in any Agreed Currency is outstanding on the date of the Borrowers receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until such time as a Benchmark Replacement for such Agreed Currency is implemented pursuant to this Section 2.16, (A) for Loans denominated in Dollars (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (y) an ABR Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event, on such day and (2) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute an ABR Loan and (B) for Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan bear interest at (x) if such Loan is denominated in CAD, the Canadian Prime Rate, or (y) if such Loan is denominated in any other Alternative Currency, the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency plus the CBR Spread; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency cannot be determined, any outstanding affected Term Benchmark Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency shall, at the Borrowers election prior to such day: (A) be prepaid by the Borrower on such day or (B) solely for the purpose of calculating the interest rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan, such Term Benchmark Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency shall be deemed to be a Term Benchmark Loan denominated in Dollars and shall accrue interest at the same interest rate applicable to Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars at such time and (2) any RFR Loan shall bear interest at the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency plus the CBR Spread; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for the applicable Alternative Currency cannot be determined, any outstanding affected RFR Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency, at the Borrowers election, shall either (A) be converted into ABR Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such Alternative Currency) immediately or (B) be prepaid in full immediately.
(f) If any Lender determines that any Requirement of Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain, or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Term Benchmark Rate or the RFR Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Term Benchmark Rate or RFR Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars or any Alternative Currency in the London or other applicable offshore interbank market for the applicable currency, then, upon notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower (through the Administrative Agent), (a) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans in the affected currency or currencies or, in the case of Term Benchmark
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Loans denominated in Dollars, to convert ABR Loans to Term Benchmark Loans shall be suspended, and (b) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining ABR Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Term SOFR Rate component of the ABR, the interest rate on which ABR Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to clause (c) of the definition of ABR, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice,(i) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, (x) convert all Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars of such Lender to ABR Loans or (y) convert all Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency to ABR Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such Alternative Currency) (in each case, the interest rate on which ABR Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to clause (c) of the definition of ABR), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Term Benchmark Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Term Benchmark Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the ABR applicable to such Lender without reference to clause (c) of the definition of ABR until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Term Benchmark Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.20.
2.17 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments.
(a) Each borrowing by a Borrower from the Lenders hereunder, each payment by a Borrower on account of any commitment or facility fee and any reduction of the Commitments of the Lenders, in each case with respect to any Facility or Tranche, shall be made pro rata according to the respective applicable Term Percentages or Revolving Percentages of the applicable Lenders of such Facility or Tranche.
(b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the U.S. Borrowers on account of principal of and interest on the U.S. Term Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the U.S. Term Loans then held by the U.S. Term Lenders. Amounts repaid or prepaid on account of the U.S. Term Loans may not be reborrowed.
(c) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrowers on account of principal of and interest on the Revolving Loans of a Tranche shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Revolving Loans of such Tranche then held by the Revolving Lenders of such Tranche.
(d) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by a Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim. Except with respect to principal and interest on Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, all payments shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the due date
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thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, at the Funding Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by a Borrower hereunder with respect to principal and interest on Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Funding Office in such Alternative Currency (except payments to be made directly to Swingline Lenders as expressly provided herein) and in immediately available funds not later than the Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent on the dates specified herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may require that any payments due under this Agreement be made in the United States. If, for any reason, the applicable Borrower is prohibited by any Requirement of Law from making any required payment hereunder in an Alternative Currency, the applicable Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of the Alternative Currency payment amount. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to the applicable Lenders promptly upon receipt in like funds as received. If any payment hereunder (other than payments on the Term Benchmark Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Term Benchmark Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.
(e) 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 Borrower 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 greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, 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 paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If such Lenders share of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days after such Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans, on demand, from the Borrower.
(f) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by the Borrower Representative prior to the date of any payment due to be made by the Borrowers hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers are making such payment, and the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares of a corresponding amount. If such
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payment is not made to the Administrative Agent by the Borrowers within three Business Days after such due date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence, such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrowers.
(g) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.5, Section 2.7(b), Section 2.7(c), Section 2.17(d), Section 2.17(e), Section 3.4(a) or Section 9.7, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lenders obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under such Sections; in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.
2.18 Requirements of Law. (a) If any Change in Law:
(i) shall subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (h) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;
(ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity, 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 or the Issuing Lender that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, the Adjusted Term CORRA Rate or the Adjusted EURIBOR Rate, as applicable; or
(iii) shall impose on such Lender or the Issuing Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes);
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, by an amount that such Lender or the Issuing Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Loans or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the applicable Borrower shall promptly pay such Lender or the Issuing Lender, upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable. If any Lender or the Issuing Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this paragraph, it shall promptly notify the Borrower Representative (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.
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(b) If any Lender or the Issuing Lender shall have determined that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements or ratios shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders capital or on the capital of such Lenders or Issuing Lenders holding company, if any, as a consequence of its obligations hereunder or under or in respect of any Letters of Credit to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lenders or Issuing Lenders holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders or such holding companys policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender or the Issuing Lender to be material, then from time to time, after submission by such Lender or the Issuing Lender to the Borrower Representative (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor, the Borrowers shall pay to such Lender or the Issuing Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such holding company for such reduction.
(c) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted by any Lender or the Issuing Lender to the Borrower Representative (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section for any amounts incurred more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Lender notifies the Borrower Representative of such Lenders or the Issuing Lenders intention to claim compensation therefor; provided that, if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such nine-month period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect. The obligations of the Borrowers pursuant to this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
2.19 | Taxes. |
(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then an additional amount is payable by the applicable Loan Party as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.19) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
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(c) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.19, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(d) Indemnification by Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by or on behalf of such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided, that the indemnification provided by any Foreign Borrower under this subparagraph (d) shall be in respect only of its own obligations or those of any other Foreign Borrower, and not those of any U.S. Loan Party. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower Representative by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(e) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lenders failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.4 relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).
(f) Status of Lenders. Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to withholding, including backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.19(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lenders reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
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(i) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that any Borrower is a U.S. Borrower,
(A) any Lender to such U.S. Borrower that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender to such U.S. Borrower under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. Federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any Foreign Lender to such U.S. Borrower shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the interest article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the business profits or other income article of such tax treaty;
(2) executed copies of an IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a 10 percent shareholder of such U.S. Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a controlled foreign corporation described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate) and (y) executed copies of an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or
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(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. Federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lenders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is incorporated in Poland,
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(A) each Lender other than a Polish tax resident Lender or the Lender indicated in point (B), below, lending to a Polish Borrower shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent at least 5 Business Days prior to the date on which the first interest payment is due to be paid to such Lender the following documents and/or information if required by the Polish Borrower to make payments without withholding or to make filings required by law:
(1) the original (or a notarised copy) of a valid certificate of tax residency issued by the relevant tax authorities; then, a new certificate of tax residency within 30 (thirty) business days after: (i) the tax residency of the Lender changes, or (ii) the request of the Borrower Representative in other situations where the Polish tax laws provide for expiry of the previously issued tax residency certificate) (which requirement, in the case of a Lender tax resident in the United States, will be deemed satisfied by a valid IRS Form 6166);
(2) original of a statement confirming that such Lender is the beneficial owner of any interest payments to be made to that Lender under this Agreement by the relevant Borrower and it carries out actual business activity in its country of residence for income tax purposes and that activity is connected with those payments (if this is the case); and
(B) each Lender, which carries on business in Poland through a permanent establishment with which the payments due to that Lender are effectively connected shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent at least 5 Business Days prior to the date on which the first interest payment is due to be paid to such Lender the following documents and/or information if required by the Polish Borrower to make payments without withholding or to make filings required by law:
(1) the original (or a notarised copy) of a valid certificate of tax residency issued by the relevant tax authorities; then, a new certificate of tax residency within 30 (thirty) business days after: (i) the tax residency of the Lender changes, or (ii) the request of the Borrower Representative in other situations where the Polish tax laws provide for expiry of the previously issued tax residency certificate); and
(2) the original of a statement confirming that the interest payment referred to in this clause (B) is effectively connected with activity carried out in Poland by that permanent establishment.
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(iii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a UK Borrower,
(A) each Lender which is a UK Treaty Lender that is a party to this Agreement at the date when a UK Borrower becomes a party to this Agreement or when it becomes a Designated Borrower, and which holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall confirm its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence promptly to such UK Borrower;
(B) each Lender which is a UK Treaty Lender and which becomes a party to this Agreement after the date when a UK Borrower becomes a party to this Agreement or becomes a Designated Borrower, and which holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall confirm its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence promptly to that UK Borrower or Designated Borrower on becoming a party as a Lender;
(C) each Lender which is a party to this Agreement at the date when a UK Borrower becomes a party to this Agreement or becomes a Designated Borrower shall promptly confirm to that UK Borrower/Designated Borrower, which of the following categories it falls in: (i) not a UK Qualifying Lender, (ii) a UK Qualifying Lender (other than a UK Treaty Lender); or (iii) a UK Treaty Lender. (For the avoidance of doubt, the documentation which a Lender executes on becoming a party as a Lender shall not be invalidated by any failure of a Lender to company with this paragraph (C));
(D) each Lender which becomes a party to this Agreement after the date when a UK Borrower becomes a party to this Agreement or becomes a Designated Borrower, shall confirm to that UK Borrower or Designated Borrower promptly on becoming a party, which of the following categories it falls in: (i) not a UK Qualifying Lender, (ii) a UK Qualifying Lender (other than a UK Treaty Lender); or (iii) a UK Treaty Lender. (For the avoidance of doubt, the documentation which a Lender executes on becoming a party as a Lender shall not be invalidated by any failure of a Lender to company with this paragraph (D)); and
(E) each Lender which is a UK Non-Bank Lender and which (i) is a party to this Agreement at the date when a UK Borrower becomes a party to this Agreement or becomes a Designated Borrower, or (ii) becomes a party to this Agreement after the date when a UK Borrower becomes a party to this Agreement or becomes a Designated Borrower, shall promptly provide a Tax Confirmation to that UK Borrower or Designated Borrower.
Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
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(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.19 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.19), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.19 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(h) Survival. Each partys obligations under this Section 2.19 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.
(i) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 2.19, the term Lender includes any Issuing Lender and the term applicable law includes FATCA.
(j) New Zealand Resident Withholding Tax. If a Lender is a NZ Lender:
(i) it shall notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent that it is a NZ Lender;
(ii) it confirms that, at the date of this Agreement or at the date that it becomes party to this Agreement, it has RWT-exempt status (as defined in section YA 1 of the Income Tax Act 2007 (NZ)); and
(iii) provided it is lawfully able to do so, undertakes to use reasonable endeavors to maintain RWT-exempt status throughout the term of this Agreement.
(k) Belgian Taxes. As at the date of this Agreement, each Lender represents that (i) it is not incorporated, having its place of effective management, or acting through an office, as the case may be, located in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction and (ii) the bank accounts to which payments to which that Lender is entitled have been or will be made, are not (a) managed
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or held by a person or persons incorporated, resident or established in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction or by the permanent establishment of a non-resident of Belgium situated in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction or (b) managed by, or opened with, (A) a financial institution incorporated, resident or established in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction or (B) a branch or office of a financial institution situated in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction.
(l) Each Lender which becomes a party to this Agreement, after the date of this Agreement (including for the avoidance of doubt any new Lender) shall indicate, in the documentation which it executes on becoming a party, (i) whether it is incorporated, having its place of effective management, or acting through an office, as the case may be, located in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction and (ii) whether the bank accounts to which payments to which that Lender is entitled have been or will be made, are not (a) managed or held by a person or persons incorporated, resident or established in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction or by the permanent establishment of a non-resident of Belgium situated in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction or (b) managed by, or opened with, (A) a financial institution incorporated, resident or established in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction or (B) a branch or office of a financial institution situated in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction.
(m) Each Lender (including for the avoidance of doubt any new Lender) shall notify the Belgian Loan Party if, at any time:
(i) the State or territory in which it is incorporated, resident or established or where its office is established, becomes a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction; or
(ii) the bank account(s) to which payments to which that Lender is entitled has/have been or will be made are:
(A) managed or held by a person or persons incorporated, resident or established in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction or by the permanent establishment of a non-resident of Belgium situated in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction; or
(B) managed by or opened with:
(1) a financial institution incorporated, resident or established in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction; or
(2) a branch or office of a financial institution situated in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction;
in each case at such time or during such period or in connection with such payments, as indicated by the Belgian Loan Party in a request to make such notification. The Lender shall make such notification within fifteen (15) Business Days of demand of the Belgian Loan Party.
(n) Each Lender (including for the avoidance of doubt any new Lender) shall provide information as is reasonably requested by the Belgian Loan Party demonstrating that it cannot be considered as an artificial construction within the meaning of article 198, §1, 10° of the Belgian Income Tax Code 1992 if:
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(i) the State or territory in which it is incorporated, resident or established or where its Facility Office or office is established, becomes a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction; or
(ii) the bank account(s) to which payments to which that Lender is entitled has/have been or will be made are:
(A) managed or held by a person or persons incorporated, resident or established in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction or by the permanent establishment of a non-resident of Belgium situated in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction; or
(B) managed by or opened with:
(1) a financial institution incorporated, resident or established in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction; or
(2) a branch or office of a financial institution situated in a Belgian Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction;
The Lender shall provide such information fifteen (15) Business Days following the receipt of a demand by the Belgian Loan Party (which demand shall refer to this clause).
Such demand can be made by the Belgian Loan Party prior to each date on which an interest is payable under a Loan Document.
2.20 Indemnity.
(a) The U.S. Borrowers agree to indemnify each Lender for, and to hold each Lender harmless from, any loss, cost or expense (including any foreign exchange losses) that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the U.S. Borrowers in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans after the Borrower Representative has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by the U.S. Borrowers in making any prepayment of or conversion from Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans after the Borrower Representative has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (c) the making of a prepayment of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period (or the Interest Payment Date, in the case of RFR Loans) with respect thereto, (d) the assignment of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period pursuant to a request by the Borrower Representative under Section 2.22, or (e) any failure by the U.S. Borrowers to make payment of any Loan or drawing under any Letter of Credit (or interest due thereon) denominated in an Alternative Currency on its scheduled due date or any payment thereof in a different currency. In the case of a Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, such indemnification shall be deemed to include the amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, at the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or Adjusted EURIBOR Rate, as applicable, that would have been applicable for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or
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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 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) that 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. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted to the Borrower Representative by any Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
(b) The Foreign Borrowers agree to indemnify each Lender for, and to hold each Lender harmless from, any loss, cost or expense (including any foreign exchange losses) that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Foreign Borrowers in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans after the Borrower Representative has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by the Foreign Borrowers in making any prepayment of or conversion from Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans after the Borrower Representative has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (c) the making of a prepayment of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto, (d) the assignment of any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period pursuant to a request by the Borrower Representative under Section 2.22, or (e) any failure by the Foreign Borrowers to make payment of any Loan or drawing under any Letter of Credit (or interest due thereon) denominated in an Alternative Currency on its scheduled due date or any payment thereof in a different currency. In the case of a Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, such indemnification shall be deemed to include the amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, at the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or Adjusted EURIBOR Rate, as applicable, that would have been applicable for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such 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 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) that 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. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted to the Borrower Representative by any Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
(c) This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder. This Section 2.20 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than Taxes that represent losses, costs, expenses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claims.
2.21 Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.18 or 2.19 with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrowers, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event with the object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided, that such designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its lending office(s) to suffer no
economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the Borrowers or the rights of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19(a).
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2.22 Replacement of Lenders. The Borrowers shall be permitted to replace any Lender that (a) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19 or (b) becomes a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, with a replacement financial institution; provided that (i) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) if applicable, prior to any such replacement, such Lender shall have taken no action under Section 2.21 so as to eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19, (iv) the replacement financial institution shall purchase, at par, all Loans and other amounts owing to such replaced Lender on or prior to the date of replacement, (v) the Borrowers shall be liable to such replaced Lender under Section 2.20 if any Term Benchmark Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (vi) if not already a Lender, the Administrative Agent shall have consented to the replacement financial institution if such consent would otherwise be required pursuant to Section 10.4(b)(i)(B), (vii) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.4 (provided that the Borrowers shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein), (viii) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrowers shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19, as the case may be, and (ix) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender. In case of assignment, transfer or novation by the existing Lender to a new Lender of all or any part of its rights and obligations under any of the Loan Documents, the existing Lender and the new Lender hereby expressly accept, confirm and agree that, for the purposes of Article 1278 and 1281 of the Luxembourg Civil Code (to the extent applicable), the security interests created under this Agreement, any other the Loan Documents and any guarantee given under or in connection with this Agreement, securing the rights assigned, transferred or novated thereby, will be preserved for the benefit of the new Lender.
2.23 Incremental Commitments. On one or more occasions at any time after the Closing Date, the Borrower Representative may by written notice to the Administrative Agent elect to request (A) an increase to the existing Revolving Commitments (with a corresponding increase to the Tranche(s) of the Revolving Commitments designated by the Borrower Representative) (any such increase, the New Revolving Commitments) and/or (B) the establishment of one or more new term loan commitments denominated in Dollars or Alternative Currencies (the New Term Commitments, together with the New Revolving Commitments, the Incremental Commitments), by up to an aggregate amount not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $500,000,000 for all Incremental Commitments entered into after the Closing Date (so that the sum of the Total Revolving Commitments plus the principal amount of Term Loans made hereunder does not exceed $5,000,000,000). Each such notice shall specify the date (each, an Increased Amount Date) on which the Borrower Representative proposes that such Incremental Commitments shall be effective. The Administrative Agent and/or its Affiliates shall use commercially reasonable efforts, with the assistance of the Borrower, to arrange a syndicate of Lenders or other Persons that are Eligible Assignees willing to hold the requested Incremental Commitments; provided that (x) any Incremental Commitments on any Increased Amount Date
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shall be in the minimum aggregate amount of $25,000,000, (y) any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of the Incremental Commitments may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide an Incremental Commitment, and (z) any Lender or other Person that is an Eligible Assignee (each, including any existing Lender that provides Incremental Commitments, a New Revolving Lender or New Term Lender, as applicable) to whom any portion of such Incremental Commitment shall be allocated shall be subject to the approval of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to the extent such consent would otherwise be required pursuant to Section 10.4(b), and, in the case of a New Revolving Commitment in respect of the Dollar Tranche Facility, the Issuing Lender (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld), unless such New Revolving Lender is an existing Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) with a Revolving Commitment at such time or such New Term Lender is an existing Lender or an Affiliate of an existing Lender.
Except for arrangement, structuring or similar fees (which shall be agreed between the Borrower Representative and the New Revolving Lenders), the terms and provisions of any New Revolving Commitments shall be identical to the existing Revolving Commitments (and Tranche thereof). The terms and provisions of any New Term Commitments and any New Term Loans shall (a) provide that at the time of incurrence of such New Term Loan Commitments, the maturity date of any New Term Loan that is a separate tranche shall be no earlier than the Term Loan Maturity Date for the existing Term Loans and the weighted average life to maturity of such New Term Loans shall not be shorter than the weighted average life to maturity of the existing Term Loans, and such New Term Loans shall not have any scheduled amortization payments, (b) share ratably in any prepayments of the existing Term Facility, unless the Borrower Representative and the New Term Lenders in respect of such New Term Loans elect lesser payments and (c) except for arrangement, underwriting, structuring and similar fees (which shall be agreed between the Borrower Representative and the New Term Lender), otherwise be identical to the existing Term Loans or reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative and each New Term Lender.
The effectiveness of any Incremental Commitments and the availability of any borrowings under any such Incremental Commitments shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent: (x) after giving pro forma effect to such Incremental Commitments and borrowings and the use of proceeds thereof, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist (or, solely with respect to any Incremental Commitments requested and incurred in connection with an acquisition or investment, in each case, permitted hereunder, then no Specified Default shall exist; provided, that any such request for Incremental Commitments by the Borrower Representative shall specify that such condition is to apply) and (ii) as of the last day of the most recent calendar quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.1, the Borrowers would have been in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.1; (y) subject to customary SunGard or other certain funds conditionality provisions solely with respect to any Incremental Commitments requested and incurred in connection with an acquisition or investment, in each case, permitted hereunder (provided, that any such request for Incremental Commitments by the Borrower Representative shall specify the conditionality provisions that are to apply), the representations and warranties made or deemed made by the Borrower in any Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than any representation or warranty qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language, which shall be true and correct in all respects) on the effective date of such Incremental Commitments except to the extent that
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such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date); and (z) the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (i) if not previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, copies certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of all corporate or other necessary action taken by the applicable Borrowers to authorize such Incremental Commitments; and (ii) a customary opinion of counsel to the applicable Borrowers (which may be in substantially the same form as delivered on the Closing Date), and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the New Revolving Lenders or the New Term Lenders, as applicable, and (iii) if requested by any Lender, new Notes executed by the applicable Borrowers, payable to any new Lender, and replacement Notes executed by the Borrower, payable to any existing Lenders.
On any Increased Amount Date on which New Revolving Commitments are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, (a) each of the Revolving Lenders of such Tranche shall assign to each of the New Revolving Lenders, and each of the New Revolving Lenders shall purchase from each of the Revolving Lenders of such Tranche, at the principal amount thereof (together with accrued interest), such interests in the Revolving Loans of such Tranche outstanding on such Increased Amount Date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, such Revolving Loans of such Tranche will be held by existing Revolving Lenders of such Tranche and New Revolving Lenders ratably in accordance with their Revolving Commitments under such Tranche after giving effect to the addition of such New Revolving Commitments to the Revolving Commitments of such Tranche, (b) each New Revolving Commitment shall be deemed for all purposes a Revolving Commitment and a commitment under the applicable Tranche and each Loan made under such Tranche shall be deemed, for all purposes, a Revolving Loan and a Loan under such Tranche and (c) each New Revolving Lender shall become a Lender under the applicable Tranche with respect to its New Revolving Commitment and all matters relating thereto.
On any Increased Amount Date on which any New Term Commitments are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, (i) each New Term Lender shall make a Loan to the Borrower (a New Term Loan) in an amount equal to its New Term Commitment, and (ii) each New Term Lender shall become a Term Lender hereunder with respect to the New Term Commitment and the New Term Loans made pursuant thereto.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly upon receipt of the Borrower Representatives notice of each Increased Amount Date and in respect thereof (y) the New Revolving Commitments (and Tranche thereof) and the New Revolving Lenders or the New Term Commitments and the New Term Lenders, as applicable, and (z) in the case of each notice to any Revolving Lender, the respective interests in such Revolving Lenders Revolving Loans, in each case subject to the assignments contemplated by this paragraph.
The fees (if any) payable by the applicable Borrower to the Administrative Agent upon any such Incremental Commitments shall be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and Borrower Representative at the time of such increase.
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The Incremental Commitments shall be evidenced pursuant to one or more Additional Credit Extension Amendments executed and delivered by the applicable Borrowers, the New Revolving Lenders or New Term Lenders, as applicable, and the Administrative Agent, and each of which shall be recorded in the Register. Each Additional Credit Extension Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.23, subject to the approval of the Borrower Representative (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
2.24 Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:
(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the unused portion of the Revolving Commitment (and Tranche thereof) of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.8;
(b) the Commitments, Term Loans, and Revolving Extensions of Credit of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders, the Majority Facility Lenders, the Majority Dollar Tranche Lenders, the Majority Term Lenders, Required Tranche Lenders, or the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 10.1), provided that any waiver, amendment or modification that increases the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender, forgives all or any portion of the principal amount of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or interest thereon owing to a Defaulting Lender, reduces the Applicable Margin on the underlying interest rate options owing to a Defaulting Lender or extends the Revolving Termination Date or a Term Loan Maturity Date applicable to such Defaulting Lender shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender;
(c) if any L/C Exposure exists with respect to a Lender at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:
(i) all or any part of such L/C Exposure shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Dollar Tranche Percentages but only to the extent (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit plus such Defaulting Lenders L/C Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders Dollar Tranche Commitments, (y) the sum of each non-Defaulting Lenders Dollar Tranche Extensions of Credit would not exceed its Dollar Tranche Commitment and (z) the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 are satisfied at such time; and
(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, within ten (10) Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent, cash collateralize such Defaulting Lenders L/C Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) by depositing amounts into the collateral account in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 8 for so long as such L/C Exposure is outstanding;
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(iii) if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lenders L/C Exposure pursuant to Section 2.24(c), the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 3.3(a) with respect to such Defaulting Lenders L/C Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lenders L/C Exposure is cash collateralized;
(iv) if the L/C Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to Section 2.24(c), then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 3.3(a) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders Dollar Tranche Percentages; or
(v) if any Defaulting Lenders L/C Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to Section 2.24, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Lender or any Lender hereunder, all letter of credit fees payable under Section 3.3(a) with respect to such Defaulting Lenders L/C Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Lender until such L/C Exposure is cash collateralized and/or reallocated;
(d) so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be one hundred percent (100%) covered by the Dollar Tranche Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in the amount of the Defaulting Lenders L/C Exposure in accordance with Section 2.24, and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.24(c)(i) (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein); and
(e) In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Issuing Lender each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the L/C Exposure of the Dollar Tranche Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Dollar Tranche Lenders Dollar Tranche Commitment and on such date such Dollar Tranche Lender shall purchase at par such of the Dollar Tranche Loans of the other Dollar Tranche Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Dollar Tranche Lender to hold such Dollar Tranche Loans in accordance with its Dollar Tranche Percentage.
(f) If any Swingline Extensions of Credit exist at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then all or any part of the Swingline Extensions of Credit of such Defaulting Lender (other than, in the case of a Defaulting Lender that is a Swingline Lender, the portion of such Swingline Extensions of Credit referred to in clause (b) of the definition of such term) shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages but only to the extent that such reallocation does not, as to any non-Defaulting Lender, cause such non-Defaulting Lenders (x) Alternative Currency Tranche One Extensions of Credit to exceed its Alternative Currency Tranche One Commitment, or (y) Alternative Currency Tranche Two Extensions of Credit to exceed its Alternative Currency Tranche Two Commitment.
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(g) so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no Swingline Lender shall be required to fund any Swingline Loan unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders, and Swingline Extensions of Credit related to any newly made Swingline Loan shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.24(f) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).
2.25 Extension of Revolving Termination Date. The Borrower Representative may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify each of the Lenders) given at least thirty (30) days but not more than ninety (90) days prior to the then current Revolving Termination Date, extend the then current Revolving Termination Date two (2) times for up to six (6) months per extension so long as (A) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such written notice and on the last day of the then current Revolving Termination Date, and (B) the Borrowers pay an aggregate extension fee for each extension equal to 0.075% of the then existing Revolving Commitments to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the extending Revolving Lenders.
2.26 Cash Management Services and Swap Agreements. Each Cash Management Bank and each Lender or Affiliate thereof having Swap Agreements with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, promptly after entering into such Cash Management Services or Swap Agreements, written notice setting forth the aggregate amount of all Cash Management Services and Swap Obligations of such Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof to such Cash Management Bank, Lender or Affiliate (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent). In addition, each such Cash Management Bank, Lender or Affiliate thereof shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, from time to time after a significant change therein or upon a request therefor, a summary of the amounts due or to become due in respect of such Cash Management Services and Swap Obligations. The most recent information provided to the Administrative Agent shall be used in determining the amounts to be applied in respect of such Cash Management Services and/or Swap Obligations pursuant to Section 8. For the avoidance of doubt, so long as JPMCB or its Affiliate is the Administrative Agent, neither JPMCB nor any of its Affiliates providing Cash Management Services for, or having Swap Agreements with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall be required to provide any notice described in this Section 2.26 in respect of such Cash Management Services or Swap Agreements.
2.27 Joint and Several Liability.
(a) U.S. Borrowers.
(i) Each of the U.S. Borrowers is accepting joint and several liability hereunder in consideration of the financial accommodation to be provided by the Lenders under this Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each of the U.S. Borrowers and in consideration of the undertakings of each of the U.S. Borrowers to accept joint and several liability for the obligations of each of them.
(ii) Each of the U.S. Borrowers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co debtor, joint and several liability with the other U.S. Borrowers with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Secured Obligations, it being the intention of the parties hereto that all of the Secured Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each of the U.S. Borrowers without preferences or distinction among them.
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(iii) If and to the extent that any of the U.S. Borrowers shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the obligations hereunder as and when due or to perform any of such obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event, the other U.S. Borrowers will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such obligation.
(iv) The obligations of each U.S. Borrower under the provisions of this Section 2.27(a) constitute full recourse obligations of such U.S. Borrower, enforceable against it to the full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other circumstances whatsoever.
(v) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each U.S. Borrower hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint and several liability, notice of occurrence of any Default or Event of Default (except to the extent notice is expressly required to be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) or of any demand for any payment under this Agreement (except to the extent demand is expressly required to be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement), notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by the Lenders under or in respect of any of the Secured Obligations, any requirement of diligence and, generally, all demands, notices and other formalities of every kind in connection with this Agreement. Each U.S. Borrower hereby assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the payment of any of the Secured Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by the Lenders at any time or times in respect of any default by any Borrower in the performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement, any and all other indulgences whatsoever by the Lenders in respect of any of the Secured Obligations, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of such Secured Obligations or the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of any Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each U.S. Borrower assents to any other action or delay in acting or any failure to act on the part of the Lenders, including, without limitation, any failure strictly or diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with applicable laws or regulations thereunder which might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.27(a), afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving such U.S. Borrower, in whole or in part, from any of its obligations under this Section 2.27(a), it being the intention of each U.S. Borrower that, so long as any of the Secured Obligations remain unsatisfied, the obligations of such U.S. Borrower under this Section 2.27(a) shall not be discharged except by performance and then only to the extent of such performance. The obligations of each U.S. Borrower under this Section 2.27(a) shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any Borrower or any Lender. The joint and several liability of the U.S. Borrowers hereunder shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any absorption, merger, amalgamation or any other change whatsoever in the name, membership, constitution or place of formation of any Borrower or any Lender.
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(vi) The provisions of this Section 2.27(a) are made for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their respective successors and assigns, and may be enforced by any such Person from time to time against any of the U.S. Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of any Lender first to marshal any of its claims or to exercise any of its rights against any of the other Borrowers or to exhaust any remedies available to it against any of the other Borrowers or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Secured Obligations or to elect any other remedy. The provisions of this Section 2.27(b) shall remain in effect until all of the Secured Obligations hereunder shall have been Paid in Full. If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in respect of any of the Secured Obligations, is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Lenders upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any of the Borrowers, or otherwise, the provisions of this Section 2.27(a) will forthwith be reinstated and in effect as though such payment had not been made.
(vii) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the obligations of each U.S. Borrower hereunder shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law or any Debtor Relief Laws.
(viii) The U.S. Borrowers hereby agree as among themselves that, in connection with payments made hereunder, each such Person shall have a right of contribution from each other Borrower in accordance with applicable Laws. Such contribution rights shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the Secured Obligations until such time as the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, and none of the U.S. Borrowers shall exercise any such contribution rights until the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full.
(b) Foreign Borrowers.
(i) Each of the Foreign Borrowers is accepting joint and several liability hereunder in consideration of the financial accommodation to be provided by the Lenders under this Agreement (it being acknowledged by each of the Foreign Borrowers that this constitutes valuable and sufficient consideration), for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each of the Foreign Borrowers and in consideration of the undertakings of each of the Foreign Borrowers to accept joint and several liability for the obligations of each of them. Such joint and several liability in respect of any Foreign Borrower organized in accordance with laws of Mexico is accepted and acknowledged in accordance with article 4 of the Mexican General Law of Negotiable Instruments and Credit Transactions (Ley General de Títulos y Operaciones de Crédito) and articles 1987, 1988 and 1989 of the Mexican Federal Civil Code (Código Civil Federal).
(ii) Each of the Foreign Borrowers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co debtor, joint and several liability with the other Foreign Borrowers with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Foreign Secured Obligations, it being the intention of the parties hereto that all of the Foreign Secured Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each of the Foreign Borrowers without preferences or distinction among them.
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(iii) If and to the extent that any of the Foreign Borrowers shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the obligations hereunder as and when due or to perform any of such obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event, the other Foreign Borrowers will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such obligation.
(iv) The obligations of each Foreign Borrower under the provisions of this Section 2.27(b) constitute full recourse obligations of such Foreign Borrower, enforceable against it to the full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other circumstances whatsoever.
(v) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each Foreign Borrower hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint and several liability, notice of occurrence of any Default or Event of Default (except to the extent notice is expressly required to be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) or of any demand for any payment under this Agreement (except to the extent demand is expressly required to be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement), notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by the Lenders under or in respect of any of the Foreign Secured Obligations, any requirement of diligence and, generally, all demands, notices and other formalities of every kind in connection with this Agreement. Each Foreign Borrower hereby assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the payment of any of the Foreign Secured Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by the Lenders at any time or times in respect of any default by any Borrower in the performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement, any and all other indulgences whatsoever by the Lenders in respect of any of the Foreign Secured Obligations, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of such Foreign Secured Obligations or the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of any Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Foreign Borrower assents to any other action or delay in acting or any failure to act on the part of the Lenders, including, without limitation, any failure strictly or diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with applicable laws or regulations thereunder which might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.27(b), afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving such Foreign Borrower, in whole or in part, from any of its obligations under this Section 2.27(b), it being the intention of each Foreign Borrower that, so long as any of the Foreign Secured Obligations remain unsatisfied, the obligations of such Foreign Borrower under this Section 2.27(b) shall not be discharged except by performance and then only to the extent of such performance. Subject to mandatory provisions of Polish law with respect to Foreign Borrowers incorporated in Poland, the obligations of each Foreign Borrower under this Section 2.27(b) shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction, dissolution, judicial management or similar proceeding with respect to any reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any Borrower or any Lender. The joint and several liability of the Foreign Borrowers hereunder shall continue in full force and
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effect notwithstanding any absorption, merger, amalgamation or any other change whatsoever in the name, membership, constitution or place of formation of any Borrower or any Lender.
(vi) The provisions of this Section 2.27(b) are made for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their respective successors and assigns, and may be enforced by any such Person from time to time against any of the Foreign Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of any Lender first to marshal any of its claims or to exercise any of its rights against any of the other Borrowers or to exhaust any remedies available to it against any of the other Borrowers or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Foreign Secured Obligations or to elect any other remedy. The provisions of this Section 2.27(b) shall remain in effect until all of the Foreign Secured Obligations hereunder shall have been Paid in Full. If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in respect of any of the Foreign Secured Obligations, is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Lenders upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, judicial management or reorganization of any of the Borrowers, or otherwise, the provisions of this Section 2.27(b) will forthwith be reinstated and in effect as though such payment had not been made.
(vii) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the obligations of each Foreign Borrower hereunder shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law or any Debtor Relief Laws.
(viii) The Foreign Borrowers hereby agree as among themselves that, in connection with payments made hereunder, each such Person shall have a right of contribution from each other Borrower in accordance with applicable Laws. Such contribution rights shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the Foreign Secured Obligations until such time as the Foreign Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, and none of the Foreign Borrowers shall exercise any such contribution rights until the Foreign Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full.
(ix) Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein or in any other Loan Document, if a secured creditor (as that term is defined under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction not to include a Person to whom obligations are owed on a joint and several basis, then such Persons Foreign Secured Obligations (and the Foreign Secured Obligations of each other Canadian domiciled Loan Party or any other applicable Loan Party), to the extent such Foreign Secured Obligations are secured, shall be several obligations and not joint and several obligations.
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(x) Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the joint and several liability referred to hereunder shall be limited to the extent required so that such liability does not and cannot result in: in relation to a Polish Borrower:
(A) a breach of the restrictions on the return to a direct shareholder(s) of contributions (wkład) covering the share capital as provided for under Article 189 § 1 of the Polish Commercial Companies Code;
(B) a payment to a direct shareholder(s) leading to a reduction of the assets (majątek) required to cover the total nominal capital pursuant to Article 189 § 2 of the Polish Commercial Companies Code;
(C) a breach of the restrictions on the return to a direct shareholder(s) of share contributions (wpłaty na akcje) as provided for under Article 344 § 1 of the Polish Commercial Companies Code;
(D) a breach of the restrictions concerning financial assistance as provided for under Article 345 of the Polish Commercial Companies Code;
(E) insolvency within the meaning of Article 11 section 2 of the Polish Bankruptcy Law. The limitation set out in this subparagraph will not apply if one or more of the following circumstances occurs and continues: (i) an Event of Default occurs and is outstanding, irrespective of whether it occurs before or after the Polish Borrower concerned becomes insolvent within the meaning of Article 11 §2 of the Polish Bankruptcy Law; or (ii) the Polish Borrowers liabilities (except for Foreign Secured Obligations) result in its insolvency within the meaning of Article 11 §2 of the Polish Bankruptcy Law;
in relation to a Danish Borrower and of any Foreign Borrower which is, directly or indirectly, a Subsidiary of that Danish Borrower:
(F) notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the obligations expressed to be assumed in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (a) shall be deemed not to be assumed by any Danish Borrower and of any Foreign Borrower which is, directly or indirectly, a Subsidiary of that Danish Borrower (and any security created in relation thereto shall be limited) if and to the extent required to comply with Danish statutory provisions on unlawful financial assistance including, but not limited to, sections 206 through 212 of the Danish Companies Act (in Danish: selskabsloven) as amended and supplemented from time to time and (b) shall, in relation to obligations not incurred as a result of borrowings under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Danish Borrower, further be limited to an amount equal to the greater of (A) the equity of the Danish Borrower at the date of this Agreement or, as the case may be, the date of the Danish Borrowers accession to this Agreement and (B) the equity at the date when a claim for payment is made against the Danish Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, in each case calculated in accordance with the Danish Borrowers generally accepted accounting principles at the relevant
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time (including, if applied by the Danish Borrower, IFRS), however, adjusted upwards by adding back obligations (in the amounts outstanding at the time when a claim for payment is made) of the Danish Borrower (and its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) in respect of any intercompany loan owing by the Danish Borrower (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) to a Borrower and originally borrowed by that Borrower under this Agreement and on-lent (directly or indirectly) by that Borrower to the Danish Borrower (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) provided always that any payment made by the Danish Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in respect of such liabilities shall reduce pro tanto the outstanding amount of the intercompany loan owing by the Danish Borrower (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries). The above limitations shall apply to any security by guarantee, indemnity, collateral or otherwise and to subordination of rights and claims, subordination or turnover of rights of recourse, application of proceeds and any other means of direct and indirect financial assistance; and
in relation to a Norwegian Borrower:
(G) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the obligations expressed to be assumed in this Agreement or any other Loan Document by a Norwegian Borrower shall be limited if (and only if) required by the mandatory provisions of the Norwegian Limited Companies Act of 13 June 1997 No. 44 (Nw. aksjeloven) (the Norwegian Companies Act), including Sections 8-7 and 8-10 cf. Sections 1-3, regulating unlawful financial assistance and other restrictions on a Norwegian limited liability companys ability to grant guarantees, loans or security interests. It is understood that the obligations and liabilities of a Norwegian Borrower hereunder shall always be interpreted so as to make each Norwegian Borrower liable to the fullest extent permitted by the above provisions of the Norwegian Companies Act.
(collectively, this clause (x), the Foreign Borrower Guarantee Limitations).
2.28 Sustainability Adjustments Amendment. Prior to the 12 month anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company, in consultation with the Sustainability Agent, may in its sole discretion seek to establish specified key performance indicators with respect to certain environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals of the Parent Company and its Subsidiaries (such indicators or ratings, KPI Metrics) and thresholds or targets with respect thereto (in either case, such thresholds or targets, SPTs). The Administrative Agent and the Company (each acting reasonably and in consultation with the Sustainability Structuring Agent) may propose an amendment to this Agreement (such amendment, an ESG Amendment) solely for the purpose of incorporating the KPI Metrics, the SPTs and other related provisions (the ESG Pricing Provisions) into this Agreement. Any such ESG Amendment shall become effective upon (i) receipt by the Lenders of a lender presentation in regard to the KPI Metrics and SPTs from the Company no later than five (5) Business Days before the proposed effective date of such proposed ESG Amendment, (ii) the posting of such proposed ESG Amendment to all Lenders and the
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Company, (iii) the identification, and engagement at the Companys cost and expense, of a sustainability assurance provider, which shall be a qualified external reviewer of nationally recognized standing, independent of the Company and its Affiliates and (iv) the receipt by the Administrative Agent of executed signature pages and consents to such ESG Amendment from the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and Lenders comprising at least the Required Lenders. Upon the effectiveness of any such ESG Amendment, based on the Companys performance against the KPI Metrics and SPTs, certain adjustments (increase, decrease or no adjustment) (such adjustments, the ESG Applicable Margin Adjustments) to the otherwise applicable Applicable Margin and/or the Facility Fee Rate) may be made; provided that (x) the amount of any such adjustments made pursuant to an ESG Amendment shall not result in a decrease or an increase of more than (A) for Revolving Loans (1) prior to the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date, 0.05% in the Applicable Margin for Term Benchmark Loans and RFR Loans and Applicable Margin for ABR Loans set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans and (2) from and after the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date 0.01% in the Facility Fee Rate and 0.04% in the Applicable Margin for Term Benchmark Loans and RFR Loans and Applicable Margin for ABR Loans, in each case set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans and/or (B) for Term Loans, 0.05% in the Applicable Margin for Term Benchmark Loans and RFR Loans and Applicable Margin for ABR Loans set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin for Term Loans, in each case, during any fiscal year, which pricing adjustments shall be applied in accordance with the terms as further described in the ESG Pricing Provisions and (y) in no event shall any Applicable Margin or the Facility Fee Rate be less than zero (the provisions of this proviso, the Sustainability Adjustment Limitations). For the avoidance of doubt, the ESG Applicable Margin Adjustments shall not be cumulative year-over-year and shall only apply until the date on which the next adjustment is due to take place. The KPI Metrics, the Companys performance against the KPI Metrics, and any related ESG Applicable Margin Adjustments resulting therefrom, will be determined based on certain Company certificates, reports and other documents, in each case, setting forth the KPI Metrics in a manner that is aligned with the Sustainability Linked Loan Principles (as last published in February 2023 by the Loan Market Association, Asia Pacific Loan Market Association and Loan Syndications & Trading Association, and as further amended, revised or updated from time to time, the SLL Principles), including with respect to the selection, setting, calculation, certification and measurement thereof. Following the effectiveness of an ESG Amendment, any modification to the ESG Pricing Provisions shall be subject only to the consent of the Company, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders so long as such modification does not have the effect of (1) increasing or decreasing the Sustainability Adjustment Limitations set forth in the ESG Amendment or (2) reducing any Applicable Margin or the Facility Fee Rate to less than zero.
(a) The Borrowers, the Sustainability Structuring Agent, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that none of the Facilities are and none of the Facilities shall be a sustainability-linked loan unless and until the effectiveness of any ESG Amendment. Prior to the effectiveness of an ESG Amendment, the Loan Parties will not publish any materials or statements (including on any website of the Loan Parties, in the financial statements or annual reports of the Loan Parties or in any press release or public announcement issued by the Loan Parties) which refer to this Agreement being a sustainability-linked loan.
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(b) Other than (i) increasing or decreasing the Sustainability Adjustment Limitations or (ii) reducing any Applicable Margin or the Facility Fee Rate to less than zero (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be subject to the written consent of each Lender affected thereby and/or the Issuing Lenders, as applicable, in accordance with Section 10.2), this Section 2.28 shall supersede any other clause or provision in Section 10.2 to the contrary, including any provision of Section 10.2 requiring the consent of each Lender affected thereby and/or the Issuing Lenders, as applicable, for reductions in interest rates or fees payable thereunder.
SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT
3.1 L/C Commitment.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower Representative may request the issuance of Letters of Credit for its own account or for the account of another Borrower denominated in an Agreed Currency as the applicant thereof for the support of its or its Subsidiaries obligations, the Issuing Lenders, in reliance on the agreements of the other Dollar Tranche Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), shall issue standby letters of credit (Letters of Credit) for the account of the Borrowers denominated in Dollars or any Alternative Currency on any Business Day during the Revolving Commitment Period in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Issuing Lender; provided that the Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (i) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment, (ii) the aggregate amount of the Dollar Tranche Commitments would be less than zero, (iii) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the Total Revolving Commitments. or (iv) unless such Issuing Lender otherwise consents, the L/C Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Lender would exceed the Issuing Lender Commitment of such Issuing Lender. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars or any Alternative Currency and (ii) expire no later than the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of its date of issuance and (y) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Termination Date, provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year term may provide for the automatic extension thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (y) above) so long as such Letter of Credit permits the Issuing Lender to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-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 (the Non-Extension Notice Date) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Once an automatic extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Dollar Tranche Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized the Issuing Lender to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the date referred to in clause (y) above; provided, however, that the Issuing Lender shall not permit any such extension if it has received written notice on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date from the Administrative Agent that a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing directing the Issuing Lender not to permit such extension. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Letter of Credit may have an expiration date that is not more than twelve (12) months after the Revolving Termination Date so long as (x) the Borrowers shall provide cash collateral to the Administrative Agent pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions below (or other credit support satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Issuing Lenders in their sole discretion) on or prior to (1) the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit or (2) if such Letter of Credit has an automatic renewal provision, forty-five (45) days before the date of the automatic extension, in each case in an amount equal to 103% of the L/C Exposure with respect to all such Letters of Credit with expiry dates after the Revolving Termination Date, (y)
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the obligations of the Borrowers under this Section 3.1 in respect of such Letters of Credit shall survive the Revolving Termination Date and shall remain in effect until no such Letters of Credit remain outstanding and (z) each Revolving Lender shall remain obligated hereunder, to the extent any such cash collateral (or other credit support), the application thereof or reimbursement in respect thereof is required to be returned to the Borrowers by the Administrative Agent after the Revolving Termination Date until no such Letters of Credit remain outstanding. Such cash collateral shall be held in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent. Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be held as collateral for the payment and performance of the L/C Obligations and shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be (x) if an Event of Default exists, applied to repay other obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (y) if no Default or Event of Default exists, returned to the Borrowers. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrowers risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. The letters of credit outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement and described in Schedule 3.1(a) hereto shall become Letters of Credit hereunder on the Funding Date and thereafter be Letters of Credit hereunder for all purposes.
(b) The Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit if such issuance would conflict with, or cause the Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any applicable Requirement of Law or would violate such Issuing Lenders internal policies or procedures. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Issuing Lender shall have no obligation hereunder to issue any Letter of Credit the proceeds of which would be made to any Person (A) to fund any prohibited activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of such funding is the subject of any Sanctions or (B) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement and (ii) there shall not be more than thirty-five (35) Letters of Credit outstanding under this Agreement unless the Issuing Lenders otherwise consent.
3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit. The Borrower Representative may from time to time request that the Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent at their address for notices specified herein a request and an Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of the Issuing Lender, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as the Issuing Lender may request. Upon receipt of any Application, the Issuing Lender will process such Application and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and, unless it has received written notice from the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party at least one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance that a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Lender be required to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three Business Days after its receipt of the Application 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 to by the Issuing Lender and the Borrower Representative. The Issuing Lender shall furnish a copy of such
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Letter of Credit to the applicable Borrower promptly following the issuance thereof. The Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall in turn promptly furnish to the Dollar Tranche Lenders, notice of the issuance of each Letter of Credit (including the amount thereof). Each U.S. Letter of Credit shall be issued in Dollars for the account of a U.S. Borrower. Each Foreign Letter of Credit shall be issued in any Agreed Currency for the account of a Foreign Borrower.
3.3 Fees and Other Charges.
(a) The U.S. Borrowers will pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Dollar Tranche Lenders a fee on all outstanding Letters of Credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin under the Revolving Facility then in effect with respect to Term Benchmark Loans on the actual daily amount of the L/C Obligations (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed drawings), shared ratably among the Dollar Tranche Lenders and payable in Dollars quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date after the issuance date. In addition, each Borrower shall pay to the Issuing Lender for its own account a fronting fee of 0.125% per annum on the actual daily amount of the L/C Obligations (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed drawings) issued on account of such Borrower, payable in Dollars quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date after the issuance date. Participation fees and fronting fees in respect of Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars shall be paid in Dollars, and participation fees and fronting fees in respect of Letters of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency shall be paid in such Alternative Currency.
(b) In addition to the foregoing fees, the Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Issuing Lender in Dollars for such normal and customary costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by the Issuing Lender in issuing, negotiating, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit.
3.4 L/C Participations.
(a) The Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from the Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions set forth below, for such L/C Participants own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participants Dollar Tranche Percentage in the Issuing Lenders obligations and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit and the amount of each draft paid by the Issuing Lender thereunder. Such participation interest shall be in the currency of the applicable underlying Letter of Credit. Each L/C Participant agrees with the Issuing Lender that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Lender, upon demand at the Administrative Agents address for notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participants Dollar Tranche Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, that is not so reimbursed. Each L/C Participants obligation to pay such amount shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such L/C Participant may have against the Issuing Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the occurrence or continuance of
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a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Section 5, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other L/C Participant or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.
(b) If any amount is required to be paid by any L/C Participant for the account of the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of a payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall notify each L/C Participant of the amount of the unreimbursed drawing and the portion thereof payable by each L/C Participant. Within (x) one (1) Business Day after receipt of such notice with respect to a Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars and (y) three (3) Business Days after receipt of such notice with respect to a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, each L/C Participant shall pay to the Administrative Agent the amount specified for such L/C Participant in such notice, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Lender the amounts so received by it from the L/C Participants. If any such amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to Section 3.4(a) is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such L/C Participant within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, the Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C Participant, on demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such due date at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility. A certificate of the Issuing Lender submitted to the Administrative Agent and any L/C Participant with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
(c) Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its pro rata share of such payment in accordance with Section 3.4(a), the Issuing Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by the Issuing Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the Issuing Lender will distribute to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such L/C Participant, its pro rata share thereof; provided, however, that in the event that any such payment received by the Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by the Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to the Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously distributed by the Issuing Lender to it.
3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers. If any drawing is paid under any Letter of Credit, the U.S. Borrowers shall reimburse the Administrative Agent for the amount of (a) the drawing so paid and in the applicable currency and (b) any taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with such payment, not later than (x) in the case of any Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in Dollars 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower Representative receives notice of such drawing, if such notice is received on such day prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, or (ii) if clause (i) above does not apply, the Business Day immediately following the day that the applicable Borrower receives such notice or (y) in the case of a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in an Alternative Currency, the Applicable Time specified by the Issuing Lender on the date of any payment by the Issuing Lender (each such date, an Honor Date); provided that the Borrower Representative may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.5 and the provisions below that such payment to be reimbursed in Dollars be
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financed with an ABR Revolving Loan 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 Revolving Loan. Each such payment shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its address for notices referred to herein in the applicable currency and in immediately available funds. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the U.S. Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Lender. Interest shall be payable on any such amounts from the date on which the relevant drawing is paid until payment in full at the rate set forth in (x) until the Business Day next succeeding the date of the relevant notice, Section 2.14(b) and (y) thereafter, Section 2.14(d).
In the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, the Borrowers shall reimburse the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Lender, in such Alternative Currency, unless the Issuing Lender (at its option) shall have specified in such notice that it will require reimbursement in Dollars. In the case of any such reimbursement in Dollars of a drawing under a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, the Issuing Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative of the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the drawing promptly following the determination thereof. In the event that (A) a drawing denominated in an Alternative Currency is to be reimbursed in Dollars pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph and (B) the Dollar amount paid by the Borrowers, whether on or after the Honor Date, shall not be adequate on the date of that payment to purchase in accordance with normal banking procedures a sum denominated in the Alternative Currency equal to the drawing, the Borrowers agree, as a separate and independent obligation, to indemnify the Issuing Lender for the loss resulting from its inability on that date to purchase the Alternative Currency in the full amount of the drawing.
3.6 Obligations Absolute. The U.S. Borrowers obligations under this Section 3 shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff (including, for the purposes of Luxembourg law, statutory set-off) against, the Borrowers obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor the Issuing Lenders, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit 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 Lender; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Lender from liability to the Borrowers to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by
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the Borrowers that are caused by the Issuing Lenders 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 Issuing Lender (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the 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 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 Letter of Credit Payments. If any documents shall be presented for payment under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower Representative of the date and amount thereof. The responsibility of the Issuing Lender to the Borrowers in connection with any documents presented for payment under any Letter of Credit shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment are substantially in conformity with such Letter of Credit.
3.8 Applications. To the extent that any provision of any Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 3, the provisions of this Section 3 shall apply.
3.9 Replacement of the Issuing Lender. Any Issuing Lender may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Lender and the successor Issuing Lender. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Lender. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrowers shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.3. From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (x) the successor Issuing Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Lender under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (y) 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 shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Lender hereunder, the 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 replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.
(i) Any Issuing Lender may resign as an Issuing Lender at any time upon thirty days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative and the Lenders, in which case, such Issuing Lender shall be replaced in accordance with Section 3.9(i) above.
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SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans or to issue or participate in the Letters of Credit, Parent Company, each other Guarantor and each Borrower hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:
4.1 Financial Condition.
(a) The audited financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2022 (i) present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date of such financial statement and (ii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the period covered thereby except as otherwise expressly noted therein.
(b) The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at September 30, 2023 delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(b) and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date of such financial statement and (ii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the period covered thereby except to the extent provided in the notes to such financial statements, subject to year-end audit adjustments.
4.2 No Change. Since December 31, 2022, there has been no development or event that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.3 Existence; Compliance with Law. Each Group Member (a) is duly organized, incorporated, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except as otherwise permitted by Section 7.4 or Section 7.5 or, solely with respect to good standing (other than good standing of Parent Company, each other Guarantor, the Company or the Borrowers), where the failure to be in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and 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 for where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) is duly qualified to do business in, and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of, each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification except for where failure to do so could not reasonably be 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 could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. Each Loan Party has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and the legal right, to
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enter into and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of each Borrower, to obtain extensions of credit hereunder. Each Loan Party has taken all necessary 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 on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the extensions of credit hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents to which any Loan Party is a party, except consents, authorizations, filings, notices and other acts that (i) have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect or (ii) are contemplated pursuant to Section 4.23. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
4.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance by the applicable Loan Party of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof will not (i) violate any Requirement of Law, any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding on a Loan Party or its assets, or any Governing Document of any Loan Party, except where such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any such indenture, agreement or other instrument.
4.6 Litigation. No action, litigation, arbitration, suit, investigation or proceeding of or claim before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in writing against any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries or against any of their respective property as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.7 No Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party.
4.8 Ownership of Property; Liens; Qualified Assets; Casualty. (a) Subject to Liens not prohibited by Section 7.3, each Group Member has good and valid title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all of its Real Property that is material to the operation of its business, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or the right to use, all its other property that is material to the operation of its business, in each case other than (x) minor defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, or (y) where the failure to have such title, interest or other right to use would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Qualified Assets or the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner is subject to any Lien except Permitted Encumbrances and Permitted Equity Encumbrances.
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Each Qualified Asset included in any calculation of the Financial Covenants satisfied, at the time of such calculation, all of the Eligibility Criteria with respect to the applicable category of Qualified Assets.
Neither the businesses nor the properties of any Group Member are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.9 Intellectual Property. Each Group Member owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, except to the extent that the failure to so own or license such Intellectual Property, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been asserted against any Group Member and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nor does any Borrower know of any valid basis for any such claim in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The use of Intellectual Property by each Group Member does not infringe on the rights of any Person except to the extent that such infringements, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.10 Taxes. Each Group Member has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state and other material tax returns and reports that are required to have been filed and has paid all Taxes on any assessments made against it or any of its property, and all other material Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any Taxes the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the relevant Group Member), in each case, except where the failure to file or pay, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Tax Lien has been filed with respect to any Qualified Asset that is not a Permitted Encumbrance, and as of the Closing Date, to the knowledge of the Company or any Borrower, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Taxes, fees or other charges of any Loan Party that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.11 Federal Regulations. (a) No part of the proceeds of any Loans or Letters of Credit, and no other extensions of credit hereunder, will be used by any Loan Party (i) for the purpose, whether immediate or ultimate, of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or (ii) for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board.
No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying margin stock.
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4.12 [Reserved].
4.13 ERISA; Foreign Pension Plans. Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) each Group Member and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Code relating to Plans and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder; and (ii) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur.
(a) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (1) to the extent applicable, each of the Loan Parties is in compliance with the requirements of the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario) and other federal or provincial laws with respect to each (i) Canadian Pension Plan, and (ii) Canadian Defined Benefit Plan; (2) no Canadian Pension Event has occurred; (3) the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has not issued any default or other breach notices in respect of any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan; and (4) no lien has arisen, choate or inchoate, in respect of any Loan Party or their property in connection with any Canadian Pension Plan (save for contribution amounts not yet due). As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan.
4.14 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations. No Group Member is an investment company required to be registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
4.15 Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 4.15 or as created by the Loan Documents, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, acquisition rights or other similar agreements or similar commitments (other than (i) stock options granted to employees or directors and (ii) directors qualifying shares) of any nature relating to any Equity Interests of the Company or any Guarantor.
4.16 [Reserved].
4.17 Environmental Matters. Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) the facilities and real properties owned, leased or operated by any Group Member (the Properties) do not contain any Materials of Environmental Concern in amounts or concentrations or under circumstances that constitute a violation of Environmental Law or would reasonably be expected to result in any Environmental Liability;
(b) no Group Member has received any written notice from any Person alleging, or knows of any basis for, any Environmental Liability with regard to any Group Member, the Properties or the business operated by any Group Member (the Business);
(c) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or disposed of to, at or from the Properties by or on behalf of any Group Member in violation of Environmental Law or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability, nor have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, used, treated or stored at, on or under any of the Properties in violation of Environmental Law or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability;
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(d) no claim, proceeding, suit, action or, to the knowledge of Parent Company, any Guarantor or any Borrower, investigation is pending or, to the knowledge of Parent Company, any Guarantor or any Borrower, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which any Group Member is or, to the knowledge of Parent Company, any Guarantor or any Borrower, will be named as a party, nor are there any judicial decrees, consent decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other governmental orders outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to any Group Member, the Properties or the Business;
(e) there has been no Release of or exposure to nor, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threat of Release of Materials of Environmental Concern at, in, on, under or from the Properties or any other location that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability;
(f) neither the Group Members nor their respective operations at the Properties have failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law; and
(g) no Group Member has retained or assumed (by contract or operation of law) any Environmental Liability of any other Person or with respect to any former or predecessor operations or properties.
4.18 Accuracy of Information, etc. All written factual information contained in this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other document or certificate heretofore furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuers or the Lenders, or any of them, for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, other than projections, estimates, budgets, forward looking statements and information of a general economic or industry nature concerning the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, does not and will not, when furnished, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein (taken as a whole) not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were or are made, supplemented or updated from time to time. The projections contained in the materials referenced above will have been prepared in good faith based upon reasonable assumptions believed by management of the Loan Parties to be reasonable at the time made and at the time such projections are made, it being recognized by the Administrative Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuers and the Lenders that such projections are not to be viewed as facts or a guarantee of performance and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies many of which are beyond the control of the Loan Parties, that no assurance can be given that any particular projections will be realized and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ from the projected results, and such differences may be material.
(a) As of the Closing Date, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification provided on or prior to the Closing Date to any Lender in connection with this Agreement is true and correct in all respects.
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4.19 Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Parent Company, each other Guarantor and the Borrowers have implemented and maintain in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by Parent Company, each other Guarantor, the Borrowers, the other Group Members and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and Parent Company, the other Guarantors, the other Group Members and their respective officers and employees and, to the knowledge of Parent Company, the Guarantors and the Borrowers after reasonable due diligence, their respective directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of Parent Company, each other Guarantor, any of the Borrowers, any of their respective Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Parent Company, any Borrower, any other Guarantor or any such Subsidiary, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person, (iii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to any Anti-Terrorism Law or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purposes of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate any Anti-Terrorism Laws. All borrowings, use of proceeds and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will comply with applicable Sanctions in all material respects, and no borrowing, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will violate Anti-Corruption Laws (including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall require Parent Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any director, officer, employee, agent or Affiliate of Parent Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are registered or incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province thereof to commit an act or omission that contravenes the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures (United States) Order, 1992. This clause shall not be interpreted or applied in relation to it or any other person or for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, any Sustainability Agent, any Issuing Lender and any Lender and any Lender-Related Person to the extent that the representations made pursuant to this clause violate or expose such entity or party or any director, officer or employee thereof to any liability under any applicable anti-boycott or blocking law, regulation or statute that is in force from time to time in the European Union (and/or any of its member states).
4.20 Solvency. As of the Closing Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries, and Parent Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole and on a consolidated basis, immediately after the consummation of the Transactions, are Solvent.
4.21 Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions. None of Parent Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is an entity deemed to hold plan assets (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations), and, assuming and provided that the Lenders representations and covenants set forth in any of Sections 9.9(a)(i)-(iii) are and continue to be true, neither the execution, delivery nor performance of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, including the making of any Loan and the issuance of any Letter of Credit hereunder, will give rise to a non-exempt Prohibited Transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
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4.22 REIT Status. Parent Company (i) qualifies as a REIT for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, (ii) has elected to be treated as a REIT beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2020 and (iii) is in compliance with all other requirements and conditions imposed under the Code to allow it to maintain its status as a REIT.
4.23 [Reserved].
4.24 Affected Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution, or, with respect to any Danish Loan Party its registered office is located in Denmark.
4.25 COMI. For the purposes of European Union Council Regulation number 2015/848 of 20 May 2015 on insolvency proceedings (recast) (the COMI Regulation), each Foreign Borrower which is incorporated or formed under the laws of a Participating Member States center of main interests (as that term is used in Section 3(1) of the COMI Regulations) is its jurisdiction or incorporation or formation, as applicable, and it has no establishment (as that term is used in Article 2(10) of the COMI Regulation) in any other jurisdiction.
4.26 Domiciliation and Sectorial Laws. Each Luxembourg Loan Party complies with the provisions of the Luxembourg act dated 31 May 1999 concerning the domiciliation of companies, as amended and is not subject to any sectorial laws.
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
5.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit. The agreement of each Lender to make the initial extension of credit requested to be made by it is subject to the satisfaction, prior to or concurrently with the making of such extension of credit on the Funding Date, of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Credit Agreement; Guarantee Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent, the Guarantors, the Company and each Borrower listed on Schedules 1.1C and 1.1D, and (ii) the Guarantee Agreement, executed and delivered by the Guarantors.
(b) Financial Statements. The Lenders shall have received (i) audited consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the 2021 and 2022 fiscal year and (ii) unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal quarter in 2023 ended at least 60 days prior to the Closing Date, and such financial statements shall not, in the reasonable judgment of the Lenders, reflect any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, as reflected in the financial statements.
(c) Projections. The Lenders shall have received satisfactory projections through 2025.
(d) Approvals. All material governmental and third party approvals necessary in connection with the continuing operations of the Group Members and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority that would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the financing contemplated hereby.
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(e) Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in each of the jurisdictions where the U.S. Loan Parties are organized.
(f) Fees. The Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all reasonable and documented expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of a single legal counsel for the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arrangers, taken as a whole, and if reasonably necessary one local counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction for the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arrangers, taken as a whole), at least two (2) Business Day before the Funding Date. Unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, all such amounts will be paid with proceeds of Loans made on the Funding Date and will be reflected in the funding instructions given by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent on or before the Funding Date.
(g) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received a legal opinion of:
(i) Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, with respect to New York law and the U.S. Loan Parties organized under the laws of Delaware;
(ii) Venable LLP, counsel to the Parent Company, with respect to Maryland law;
(iii) Allen & Overy, counsel to the Credit Parties, with respect to the Foreign Borrowers organized under the laws of The Netherlands;
(iv) Gorrissen Federspiel, counsel to the Credit Parties, with respect to the Foreign Borrowers organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Denmark;
(v) Norton Rose Fulbright, counsel to the Credit Parties, with respect to the Foreign Borrowers incorporated under the laws of Australia;
(vi) Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, counsel to the Credit Parties, with respect to the Foreign Borrowers organized under the laws of England and Wales;
(vii) Bell Gully, counsel to the Credit Parties, with respect to the Foreign Borrowers organized under the laws of New Zealand;
(viii) Morgan Lewis Stamford LLC, counsel to the Credit Parties, with respect to the Foreign Borrowers organized under the laws of Singapore; and
(ix) McCarthy Tétrault LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, with respect to the Foreign Borrowers organized under the laws of Canada.
(h) Secretarys Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party in a form customary in the jurisdiction of organization of that Loan Party, dated the Closing Date and executed by its Secretary, Assistant Secretary, manager, director, or other authorized officer, which shall to the extent applicable in the relevant jurisdiction (A) certify the resolutions of its board of directors, members or other body authorizing the execution,
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delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the officers of such Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party and (C) contain appropriate attachments, including the certificate or articles of incorporation, organization or registration (or like document in the applicable Specified Jurisdiction) of each Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party and a true and correct copy of its by-laws or operating, management or partnership agreement, articles of association or other organizational or governing documents, and (ii) with respect to each U.S. Loan Party and Canadian Loan Party only, a good standing certificate for such U.S. Loan Party or Canadian Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization or the substantive equivalent available in the jurisdiction of organization for each such Loan Party from the appropriate governmental officer in such jurisdiction.
(i) Know-Your-Customer Requirements. (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least three days prior to the Closing Date to the extent requested at least five business days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information regarding the Borrowers (including the Closing Date Excluded Borrowers) and the U.S. Guarantors requested in connection with applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act and Beneficial Ownership Regulation and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 of Singapore, and (ii) the Administrative Agent and each requesting Lender shall have received, at least three days prior to the Closing Date, in connection with applicable beneficial ownership rules and regulations, a customary Beneficial Ownership Certification regarding beneficial ownership or control of each Borrower that qualifies as a legal entity customer in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each requesting Lender.
(j) Closing Certificate. The Lenders shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of a Guarantor (i) certifying as to compliance with the Financial Covenants set forth in Section 7.1 on a pro-forma basis on the Funding Date after giving effect to the incurrence of the Loans, which certificate shall include calculations in reasonable detail demonstrating such compliance, including as to the calculations of Unencumbered Asset Value and Total Asset Value, and (ii) confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 as of the Closing Date.
(k) Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate from a Responsible Officer of a Guarantor certifying that, as of the Closing Date, Parent Company and its Subsidiaries, and the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole and on a consolidated basis, immediately after the consummation of the Transactions, are Solvent.
(l) [Reserved].
(m) Borrowing Request; Letter of Direction. The Administrative Agent shall have received a completed borrowing request substantially in the form of Exhibit D and a letter of direction for the U.S. Term Loans to be disbursed on the Closing Date, in each case executed by a Responsible Officer of the Company.
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For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 5.1, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender.
5.2 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit. The agreement of each Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it on any date (including its initial extension of credit), and of the Issuing Lender to issue, amend or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than any representation or warranty qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language, which shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case they were true and correct on and as of such earlier date.
(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) Alternative Currency. In the case of Loans or Letters of Credit to be denominated in an Alternative Currency, there shall not have occurred any change in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls which in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, the Required Lenders (in the case of any Loans to be denominated in an Alternative Currency) or the Issuing Lender (in the case of any Letter of Credit to be denominated in an Alternative Currency) would make it impracticable for such Loan or Letter of Credit to be denominated in the relevant Alternative Currency.
Each borrowing by and issuance of a Letter of Credit on behalf of the Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the date of such extension of credit that the conditions contained in Section 5.2(a) and (b) have been satisfied.
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SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Parent Company, the other Guarantors and the Borrowers hereby jointly and severally agree that, so long as the Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding (except to the extent cash collateralized on a basis reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder (other than contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted), each of Parent Company, the other Guarantors and the Borrowers shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:
6.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly make such information available to the Lenders in accordance with customary practices):
(a) within 120 days (or (x) 150 days for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and for the first such financial statements after a Qualified IPO and (y) 90 days for all subsequent financial statements after a Qualified IPO) after the end of each fiscal year of Parent Company (commencing with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023), Parent Companys audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by KPMG or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (certified without qualification as to going concern or scope of the audit and without a going concern explanatory note (other than a going concern explanatory note or qualification resulting from (i) the maturity of the Loans or the loans under any Indebtedness of any Group Member permitted hereunder occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or (ii) anticipated (but not actual) covenant non-compliance hereunder or under Indebtedness of any Group Member permitted hereunder)) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and accompanied by a certificate of the accounting firm addressed to the Board of Directors of Parent Company or any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company, that reported on such financial statements stating that in the course of its regular audit of the business of Parent Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, which audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, such accounting firm has obtained no knowledge of any Event of Default relating to the Financial Covenants that has occurred and is continuing or, if in the opinion of such accounting firm such an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines); and
(b) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of the fiscal year of (i) prior to December 31, 2023, Holdings and (ii) from and after December 31, 2023, Parent Company (and with respect to the first three financial statements after a Qualified IPO, 60 days after the end of such fiscal quarter), its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by Financial Officer of Holdings or Parent Company, as applicable, as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings or Parent Company, as applicable, and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
Any financial statement or other document, reports, proxy statements or other materials required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 (to the extent any such financial statement or document, reports, proxy statements or other materials included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC, including Form 8-K, 10-K or 10-Q of Parent Company or any other Guarantor (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) may be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) such financial statements and/or
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other documents are posted on the SECs website on the Internet at www.sec.gov, (ii) on which Parent Company, a Guarantor or the Company (or any direct or indirect parent entity thereof) posts such documents, or provides a link thereto, on Parent Companys, a Guarantors or the Companys (or any such direct or indirect parent entitys) website address listed on Schedule 6.1(b) or (iii) on which such documents are posted on Parent Companys, a Guarantors or the Companys behalf on an Internet or Intranet website, if any, to which the Administrative Agent and each Lender has access (whether a commercial third-party website or a website sponsored by the Administrative Agent), provided that (A) Parent Company, a Guarantor or the Company shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, continue to deliver copies (which delivery may be by electronic transmission (including Adobe pdf copy)) of such documents to the Administrative Agent or such Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (B) Parent Company, a Guarantor or the Company shall notify (which notification may be by facsimile or electronic transmission (including Adobe pdf copy)) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents on any website. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by Parent Company, the Guarantors or the Company with any request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Administrative Agent and maintaining its copies of such documents.
6.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly make such information available to the Lenders in accordance with customary practices):
(a) concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (b) (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent, or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes) (x) a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Financial Officer of Parent Company or another Guarantor, as applicable, which Compliance Certificate shall (i) include a certification as to whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) set forth a narrative discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) for the reporting period then ended and for the period from the beginning of the then current fiscal year to the end of such period, and (iii) set forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with the Financial Covenants (including reasonably detailed calculations that confirm the computations of Unencumbered Asset Value and Total Asset Value that were utilized in calculating the Financial Covenants reflect the concentration limits included in the proviso to Unencumbered Asset Value or Total Asset Value, as applicable), and (y) together with such Compliance Certificate, each in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (it being agreed and acknowledged that any such form and detail consistent with that provided to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date shall be deemed satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (i) a statement of the EBITDA contribution by each component of Unencumbered Asset Value and Total Asset Value for the twelve month period ending at the end of the most recent fiscal quarter and summary Occupancy Rate reports for Development Properties and location of each Qualified Asset, (ii) a certification that all assets utilized in determining clauses (a) through (f) of Unencumbered Asset Value
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qualified as of the applicable Financial Covenant test date for which the Compliance Certificate is being delivered as Qualified Assets under the applicable Eligibility Criteria and (iii) a summary of all acquisitions, dispositions or other removals of Qualified Assets completed during the most recently ended calendar quarter.
(b) [reserved];
(c) [reserved];
(d) [reserved];
(e) promptly after the same are available, and only to the extent not publicly available on EDGAR, copies of each annual report, proxy, financial statement or other periodic report sent to the stockholders of Parent Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, in respect of any public securities of Parent Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which Parent Company or a Guarantor or the Company may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;
(f) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any notice of default received from or furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof pursuant to the terms of any material indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.1, Section 6.8 or any other clause of this Section 6.2;
(g) [reserved]; and
(h) promptly, such additional financial and other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of Parent Company, the Guarantors, the Company and their Subsidiaries as any Lender may from time to time reasonably request; provided that none of Parent Company, the Guarantors, the Company nor any Subsidiary will be required to disclose or permit the inspection or discussion of, any document, information or other matter (i) that constitutes trade secrets or similar commercially sensitive information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their representatives or contractors) is prohibited by law, would violate the fiduciary duties owed by the disclosing party or would violate any binding agreement or (iii) that is subject to attorney client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.
Each Borrower, Parent Company and each Guarantor and each Lender acknowledge that (a) the Administrative Agent, any Bookrunner and/or any Lead Arranger may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of such Loan Party hereunder (collectively, Borrower Materials) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar, or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the Platform) and (b) certain of the Lenders may be Public Lenders and, if documents or notices required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 6.2 or otherwise are being distributed through the Platform, any document or notice that any Borrower has indicated contains Private-Side Information shall not be posted on that portion of the Platform designated for such
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Public Lenders. Each Borrower agrees to clearly and conspicuously mark PUBLIC (which, at a minimum means that the word PUBLIC shall appear prominently on the first page thereof) on all Borrower Materials provided to the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of such Borrower which contains only Public-Side Information, and by doing so the Administrative Agent, the Bookrunners, the Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders shall be deemed to have been authorized to treat such Borrower Materials as containing only Public-Side Information. If none of any Borrower, Parent Company or any Guarantor has indicated whether a document or notice delivered pursuant to this Section 6.2 contains Private-Side Information, the Administrative Agent reserves the right to post such document or notice solely on that portion of the Platform designated for Private Lenders.
6.3 [Reserved].
6.4 Taxes. File or cause to be filed all federal, state and other tax returns and reports that are required to be filed and pay all Taxes on any assessments made against it or any of its property, and all other Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than (a) the amount or validity of which are contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP are provided on the books of the relevant Group Member or (b) where the failure to file or pay, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).
6.5 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Law. (a)(i) Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organizational existence and good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by Section 7.4 or Section 7.5 and except, in the case of clause (i) (solely with respect to good standing of Group Members other than Parent Company, the other Guarantors, the Company and the Borrowers) and clause (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) comply with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Company, the Borrowers, the other Group Members and their respective directors, officers and employees with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
6.6 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, keep Qualified Assets in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted and (b) maintain with insurance companies that the Company believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) are financially sound and reputable or with a Captive Insurance Subsidiary, insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability, product liability and business interruption) as are usually (as determined in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) insured against in the same general area by similarly situated companies either (x) engaged in the same or a similar business or (y) with comparable EBITDA.
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6.7 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions. (a) Keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct entries in all material respects in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities (it being understood and agreed that any Foreign Subsidiary may maintain additional individual books and records in a manner that permits preparation of its financial statements in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles that are applicable in its jurisdiction of organization and that such maintenance shall not constitute a breach of the representations, warranties or covenants hereunder) and (b) permit representatives of the Administrative Agent once each calendar year upon reasonable prior notice and at a time mutually agreed with the Company (or, after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or an Event of Default, at any time or frequency) to visit and inspect its properties (to the extent it is within such Persons control to permit such inspection), to examine and make extracts from its books and records (other than materials (i) that constitute trade secrets or similar commercially sensitive information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent (or its representatives or contractors) is prohibited by law, would violate the fiduciary duties owed by the disclosing party or would violate any binding agreement or (iii) that is subject to attorney client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product), and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers, in each case, at the expense of the Borrowers once each calendar year (or, after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or an Event of Default, at any time).
6.8 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent (for further distribution to each Lender) of:
(a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
(b) any litigation, investigation or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority (including any investigation by the SEC regarding financial results or other operational results of any Loan Party) against or affecting any Group Member that, if adversely determined, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) any action, suit, investigation or proceeding against any Group Member (i) that, if adversely determined, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) which relates to any Loan Document;
(d) the occurrence of any ERISA Event or any Canadian Pension Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events or Canadian Pension Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability to a Group Member in an aggregate amount exceeding $50,000,000;
(e) any transaction or occurrence that results in the material damage, destruction or rendering unfit for normal use of any of the facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by any Group Member, that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;
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(f) any pending or threatened notice or claim, administrative, regulatory or judicial action, suit, judgment, demand or other written communication by any other Person alleging or asserting the liability of any Group Member for investigatory costs, clean-up costs, governmental response costs, damages to natural resources or other property, personal injuries, fines or penalties or seeking injunctive relief, in each case relating to the presence, use or Release of any Material of Environmental Concern or the violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Law, that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(g) any development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(h) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; and
(i) of any announcement by S&P, Moodys or Fitch of any change in a Debt Rating.
Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.8 (other than Section 6.8(i)) shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of Parent Company, a Guarantor or the Company setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Loan Parties have taken and propose to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.8(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
6.9 Environmental Laws. Comply with, and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure compliance by all tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and comply with and maintain, and take commercially reasonable steps to ensure that all tenants and subtenants obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by applicable Environmental Laws, in each case, except for such non-compliance and failure to obtain and maintain that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(a) Except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under Environmental Laws and (ii) promptly comply with all lawful orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental Laws, other than such orders and directives which are being timely contested in good faith by proper proceedings.
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6.10 [Reserved].
6.11 Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit.
(a) Use the proceeds of the Loans and Letters of Credit solely for general corporate purposes of the Parent Company and its Subsidiaries including to consummate the Refinancing and for working capital and other lawful corporate purposes, in each case not in contravention of the Loan Documents or applicable law.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Borrower will request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and no Borrower shall use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of any Borrowing or any Letter of Credit (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Terrorism Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, (iii) in any manner that would result in a violation by any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Bookrunner, Lead Arranger, Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender, or otherwise) of Sanctions, or (iv) (A) for the purpose, whether immediate or ultimate, of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or (B) for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board.
6.12 Know Your Customer. Promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender, provide all documentation and other reasonably available information that the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Lender or such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 of Singapore.
6.13 Maintenance of REIT Status; Further Assurances.
(a) Cause Parent Company to continue to be treated as a REIT.
(b) Promptly upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, (a) correct any material defect or manifest error that may be discovered in any Loan Document, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, and take any and all such further acts, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to carry out more effectively the intention of the Loan Documents.
6.14 [Reserved].
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6.15 .
6.16 Accuracy of Information. Parent Company, the other Guarantors and the Borrowers will ensure that any written factual information, including financial statements or other documents, furnished on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with this Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder, other than projections, estimates, forecasts, budgets, forward-looking information or information of a general economic or industry nature, when taken as a whole, contains no material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, taken as a whole and in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.
SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
The Guarantors and the Borrowers hereby jointly and severally agree that, so long as the Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding (except to the extent cash collateralized on a basis reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder (other than contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted), each of the Guarantors and the Borrowers shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly (provided, that the second paragraph in Section 7.16 shall only apply to the Guarantors):
7.1 Financial Covenants. The Borrowers shall not permit:
(i) Total Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value (the Total Leverage Ratio) to exceed 60%; provided, that the Borrower Representative may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 60% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Total Leverage Ratio exceed 65% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
(ii) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) (i) EBITDA minus (ii) Maintenance Capital Expenditures to (b) Fixed Charges, each from the period of four fiscal quarters then ended, to be less than 1.5 to 1.0.
(iii) Unsecured Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Unsecured Indebtedness to Unencumbered Asset Value (the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio) to exceed 60%; provided, that the Borrower Representative may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 60% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio exceed 65% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
(iv) Secured Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Secured Indebtedness to Total Asset Value (the Secured Leverage Ratio) to exceed 40%; provided, that the Borrower Representative may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 40% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Secured Leverage Ratio exceed 45% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
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7.2 Indebtedness. Create, issue, incur, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness (including any Capital Lease Obligations, securitizations and similar obligations to the extent constituting Indebtedness), other than Permitted Indebtedness, unless at the time of such creation, issuance, incurrence, assumption or sufferance thereof (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (b) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
7.3 Liens. Directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on:
(a) any Qualified Asset, other than Permitted Encumbrances;
(b) any Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any Qualified Asset Owner, other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances; and
(c) any income or revenues from, or proceeds of, any of the foregoing;
or sign, file or authorize under the Uniform Commercial Code (of any jurisdiction) or the Canadian PPSA, a financing statement that includes in its collateral description any portion of any Qualified Asset or the Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any Qualified Asset Owner, or any income or revenue from, or proceeds of, any of the foregoing.
7.4 Fundamental Changes. Enter into any merger, demerger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or reorganize itself, in the case of a Domestic Subsidiary, in any non-U.S. jurisdiction, and in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, under the laws of any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, or Dispose (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a Division or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Group Members (taken as a whole), except that:
(a) any Domestic Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving Person, any Domestic Subsidiary other than the Company may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into a U.S. Borrower (other than the Company) in a transaction in which the U.S. Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving entity; and any Foreign Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into a Foreign Borrower in a transaction in which the Foreign Borrower, or a successor by merger, consolidation or amalgamation that becomes a Foreign Borrower upon such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall be the continuing or surviving entity;
(b) any Person other than Parent Company or Lineage OP may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving entity, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction and (b) Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants;
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(c) any Person other than the Company, Parent Company or Lineage OP may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into any other Subsidiary in a transaction in which the continuing or surviving entity is a Subsidiary, if (x) at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction and (b) Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants or (y) if both of the parties to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation are Subsidiaries but only one party is a Loan Party, the Loan Party or a successor by such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation that becomes the Loan Party upon such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation shall be the continuing or surviving entity (and, in the case where the other party to such merger or amalgamation is a Qualified Asset Owner, either the continuing or surviving entity shall be a Qualified Asset Owner or successor by amalgamation that becomes the Qualified Asset Owner or all Qualified Assets owned or leased by such Qualified Asset Owner shall, contemporaneously with such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation cease to be included as Qualified Assets in any calculations hereunder); provided, (1) no Domestic Subsidiary will merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate into a Foreign Subsidiary, (2) if both parties to such merger or amalgamation are Loan Parties and one of the parties thereto is a Qualified Asset Owner, either the Qualified Asset Owner or a successor by amalgamation that becomes the Qualified Asset Owner shall be the continuing or surviving entity or all Qualified Assets owned or leased by such Qualified Asset Owner shall, contemporaneously with such merger, cease to be included as Qualified Assets in any calculations hereunder), and (3) for the avoidance of doubt, Subsidiaries of Parent Company may merge, consolidate, amalgamate, or liquidate with or into another Subsidiary in a transaction that constitutes an Investment that is permitted by Section 7.8 (other than pursuant to clause (o) of the definition of Permitted Investment);
(d) (A) any Domestic Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets to the Company or to another Domestic Subsidiary; provided that, if one of the parties to such transaction is a U.S. Loan Party, either (1) the U.S. Loan Party shall be the transferee or (2) the transaction is permitted by Section 7.5; and (B) any Foreign Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets to the Company or to another Foreign Subsidiary; provided that, if one of the parties to such transaction is a Foreign Borrower, either (1) the Foreign Borrower shall be the transferee or (2) the transaction is permitted by Section 7.5;
(e) any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party or a Qualified Asset Owner may liquidate or dissolve itself if the Borrower Representative determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrowers or the Group Members; and
(f) Holdings may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into Lineage OP in a transaction in which Lineage OP is the surviving entity. Upon completion of the transaction contemplated by the foregoing sentence, all references herein to Holdings shall be deemed to refer to Lineage OP.
7.5 Disposition of Property. Dispose of any property or asset, including Equity Interests owned by it and including pursuant to any sale-leaseback transaction, other than a Permitted Disposition, unless immediately before and after giving effect to such Disposition (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such Disposition and (b) on a Pro Forma Basis Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
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7.6 Restricted Payments. Declare or pay any dividend on, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement, cancellation, termination or other acquisition of, any Equity Interests of any Group Member, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in respect thereof, whether in cash or property (collectively, Restricted Payments), directly or indirectly, except that:
(a) the Company and any Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional limited liability company interests or its common stock (or their respective equivalents in any jurisdiction),
(b) Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional Equity Interests,
(c) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends or distributions ratably with respect to their Equity Interests,
(d) Parent Company or any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments (including for the purposes of effectuating repurchases of Equity Interests) pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings and its Subsidiaries,
(e) Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, the Company and any Subsidiary may consummate any Qualified IPO, engage in any restructuring activity of any Group Member in connection with a Qualified IPO and may make any Restricted Payment, distribution in cash or in-kind securities in connection with any disposition of legacy Equity Interests following a Qualified IPO, or take any other actions to effect the disposition of legacy Equity Interests in connection with or following a Qualified IPO,
(f) Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, the Company and their Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments to their owners (A) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto, in an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) 95% of Normalized Adjusted FFO attributable to the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended plus (2) any additional minimum amount reasonably necessary to enable Parent Company and any REIT Subsidiary to make distributions to maintain Parent Companys and such REIT Subsidiarys status as a REIT and avoid the imposition of U.S federal income or excise taxes on Parent Company or such REIT Subsidiary and (B) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto, in an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) the minimum amount reasonably necessary to enable Parent Company and any REIT Subsidiary to make distributions to maintain Parent Companys and such REIT Subsidiarys status as a REIT and avoid the imposition of U.S federal income or excise taxes on Parent Company or such REIT Subsidiary, plus (2) $60,000,000 per fiscal year, plus (3) management fees payable by Parent Company pursuant to the Operating Agreement in an amount not to exceed $35,000,000 per fiscal year,
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(g) Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings may make Restricted Payments with any amounts received by it from the Company pursuant to clause (f) of this Section,
(h) Restricted Payments to Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings in such amounts as are necessary or appropriate to pay (i) administrative expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable directors fees, employee compensation and benefits, customary indemnity payments and payroll, social security or similar taxes) payable by Parent Company or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), (ii) nominal expenses to maintain the corporate existence of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), (iii) premiums and other charges necessary to maintain the insurance required under the terms of this Agreement and other commercially reasonable insurance acquired and maintained by Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), including director and officer, employment practices and other similar liability insurance and (iv) the payment of business related expenses which are incurred by Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) in the ordinary course of business, in each case, to the extent the incurrence of such expenses and other obligations, the taking of such actions, and the payment of such expenses and other obligations, as applicable are permitted by this Agreement,
(i) Restricted Payments, the proceeds of which shall be used by Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings to make (or to make a payment to any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings to enable it to make) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof,
(j) repurchases of Equity Interests in Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings), or any of its subsidiaries, deemed to occur upon cashless exercise of stock options or warrants,
(k) Restricted Payments the proceeds of which shall be used by Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay fees and expenses (other than to Affiliates) related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering not prohibited by this Agreement (in the case of any such parent or indirect parent, only to the extent such parent or indirect parent does not hold material assets other than those relating to Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings and its subsidiaries),
(l) (i) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (Retired Capital Stock) of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings or contributions to the equity capital of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings (other than any Disqualified Equity Interests or any Equity Interests sold to a subsidiary of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings) (collectively, including any such contributions, Refunding Capital Stock) and (ii) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a subsidiary of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings) of Refunding Capital Stock; provided that in, each of the causes of clause (i) and (ii), such Restricted Payment must be made within 90 days of the receipt of the proceeds from the issuance of such Equity Interests,
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(m) Restricted Payments to Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings to finance any Investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 7.8; provided, that such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing or consummation of such Investment,
(n) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, transactions expressly permitted by Section 7.4, Section 7.8, and Section 7.10 (other than Section 7.10(a), (h), (j) (to the extent relating to stock option plans) and (o)),
(o) for any taxable period in which (A) Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a member of a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar tax group (or comparable group under foreign law), or (B) any of Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a pass-through entity for income tax purposes (including under foreign tax law), Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, Borrowers or their respective applicable Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments in amounts required for such of its direct or indirect owners as are members of such group, or as are required to include the income of such pass-through entity in income for Tax purposes, to pay any Taxes imposed directly on such owners, to the extent such Taxes are attributable to the income, assets or activities of such entity and only after taking into account all available credits and deductions; provided, that no such entity shall make any Restricted Payment under this provision in any amount greater than the share of such Taxes arising out of such entitys net income calculated as if such entity filed tax returns on a standalone basis, and
(p) the redemption of units in (i) Holdings by Lineage OP and (ii) Lineage OP by Lineage OP or Parent Company, in each case, in accordance with the Operating Agreement.
In any event and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the extent any Subsidiary is permitted to make a Restricted Payment to Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings for any of the foregoing purposes, such Subsidiary may, alternatively, make any such payment directly to the applicable obligee or payee of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings on its behalf, and such payment shall be treated, for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as a permitted Restricted Payment.
7.7 [Reserved].
7.8 Investments. Make or allow any Investment, other than a Permitted Investment, unless immediately before and after giving effect to such Investment, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) on a Pro Forma Basis Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
7.9 Amendments to Governing Documents. Directly or indirectly, consent to, approve, authorize or otherwise suffer or permit any waiver, amendment, supplement, cancellation, termination or other modification of any Governing Document of Parent Company, any Borrower, any Guarantor or any Qualified Asset Owner, in each case if such waiver, amendment, supplement, cancellation, termination or modification would reasonably be expected to (a) adversely affect any Loan Partys ability to repay the Secured Obligations or (b) impair the rights or interests of the Administrative Agent or any Credit Party hereunder or under any Loan Document; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any such modifications to facilitate any Qualified IPO.
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7.10 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction, including any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property, the rendering of any service or the payment of any management, advisory or similar fees, with any Affiliate, except transactions among the Loan Parties and except:
(a) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.6;
(b) pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the business of Parent Company, any Guarantor or such Subsidiary upon fair and reasonable terms not materially less favorable to Parent Company, any Guarantor or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of Parent Company, any Guarantor or such Subsidiary;
(c) entering into employment and severance arrangements between Parent Company (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), any Subsidiary and any of their respective officers and employees, as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of the relevant Person;
(d) the payment of customary fees and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket costs of, and customary indemnities provided to or on behalf of, directors, officers, management, consultants and employees of Parent Company (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), Holdings, Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(e) the payment of fees, expenses, indemnities or other payments pursuant to, and transactions pursuant to any agreements in existence on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.10 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not materially more disadvantageous to the Lenders than the original agreement in effect on the Closing Date;
(f) transactions between or among (i) Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, (ii) between or among Parent Company and its Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties (on the one hand) and any Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (on the other hand) or (iii) Parent Company and its Subsidiaries;
(g) the issuance or transfer of Equity Interests in Parent Company or a Guarantor (other than any Disqualified Equity Interests) to the Investor or any Affiliate thereof, or to any current, former or future director, manager, employee or consultant (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) of Parent Company, a Guarantor, any of its subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent thereof or any Affiliate of Parent Company or a Guarantor;
(h) transactions contemplated by customary shareholders agreements entered into with holders of the Equity Interests of Parent Company;
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(i) the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses related to registration rights and indemnities provided to shareholders under any shareholders agreement referred to in clause (h) above;
(j) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) or advances to employees, officers, directors, members of management or consultants (or the estate, heirs, family members, spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner or any of the foregoing) of Parent Company or a Guarantor, any direct or indirect parent companies or any of its subsidiaries and employment agreements, consulting arrangements, severance arrangements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees, officers, directors, members of management or consultants (or the estate, heirs, family members, spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner of any of the foregoing);
(k) the entering into of any Tax sharing agreement or arrangement to the extent payments under such agreement or arrangement would otherwise be permitted under this Agreement;
(l) transactions permitted under Section 7.5 and/or Section 7.8 solely for the purpose of (a) reorganizing to facilitate any initial public offering of securities of Parent Company, a Guarantor, or any direct or indirect parent company (b) forming a holding company, or (c) reincorporating Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings or any Borrower in a new jurisdiction;
(m) the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for Tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business including making payments to an Affiliate to pay any Taxes due by such group that are permitted by Section 7.6;
(n) transactions for cash management and other management services for Parent Company and its Subsidiaries on customary terms;
(o) transactions contemplated by the Operating Agreement;
(p) the issuance of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the board of directors or manager of Parent Company or any direct or indirect parent company of Parent Company or a Subsidiary of Parent Company, as appropriate, in good faith; and
(q) Transactions between or among any of Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, the Company and any Subsidiary in connection with the consummation of any Qualified IPO, restructuring activity of any Group Member in connection with a Qualified IPO and the distribution in cash or in-kind securities in connection with any disposition of legacy Equity Interests following a Qualified IPO, or any other actions to effect the disposition of legacy Equity Interests in connection with or following a Qualified IPO.
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7.11 [Reserved].
7.12 Swap Agreements. Enter into or become obligated in respect of Swap Agreements other than Swap Agreements entered into (or guaranteed) by Parent Company, the Guarantors, the Company, any Loan Party or any such Subsidiary, which establish, or were intended to establish, an effective hedge in respect of liabilities, commitments or assets held or reasonably anticipated by Parent Company, such Guarantor, the Company, such other Loan Party or such other Subsidiary.
7.13 [Reserved].
7.14 Negative Pledge Clauses. Directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than any Loan Document) that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon the ability of (a) any Group Member to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets (including the Equity Interests owned by such Group Member), (b) any Group Member to make Restricted Payments to the Company or any other Loan Party or to make or repay loans or advances to the Company or any other Loan Party or to guarantee the Obligations or (c) Group Member to otherwise transfer (including by way of a pledge) property to a Borrower or a Loan Party; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions and conditions imposed by Requirements of Law or by Contractual Obligations in effect as of the Closing Date (and any extensions, renewals or modifications thereof) (and, for the avoidance of doubt, such restrictions do not apply to any Qualified Asset or to the Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any Qualified Asset Owner), (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary prohibitions, restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary or its assets pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary or assets that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement (including mortgage financings and CMBS Financings) if such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (and, for the avoidance of doubt, such restrictions do not apply to any Qualified Asset or to the Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any Qualified Asset Owner, except to the extent permitted by clause (x) below), (iv) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to Joint Ventures that are applicable solely to such Joint Venture and entered into in the ordinary course of business, (v) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions that are customary prohibitions, restrictions or conditions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions solely relate to the assets subject thereto, (vi) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions or conditions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, (vii) the foregoing shall not apply to provisions restricting the granting of a security interest in intellectual property contained in licenses or sublicenses by the Company and its Subsidiaries of such intellectual property, which licenses and sublicenses were entered into in the ordinary course of business (in which case such prohibition or restriction shall relate only to such intellectual property), (viii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions on cash or other deposits or minimum net worth requirements imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ix) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in any agreement that evidences Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement
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that are substantially similar to, or not materially more restrictive than, those prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in the Loan Documents, (x) the foregoing clause (a) shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in any mortgage financing, CMBS Financing or other financing on the pledge of Equity Interests in the direct or indirect parent of a Loan Party (other than a Qualified Asset Owner), Group Member (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) or a Qualified Asset Owner, (xi) the foregoing shall not apply to assets subject to retention of title and (xii) the foregoing shall not apply to any prohibitions, restrictions or conditions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (x) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower Representative, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions than those in place prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
7.15 Payments of Subordinate Debt. Make or offer to make any payment, prepayment, repurchase or redemption of or otherwise optionally or voluntarily defease or segregate funds (whether scheduled or voluntary) with respect to principal or interest on any Indebtedness which is subordinate in right of payment to the Secured Obligations pursuant to its express terms or a written agreement if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto.
7.16 Lines of Business. Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date or other business activities which are extensions thereof or otherwise incidental, reasonably related or ancillary thereto.
Parent Company and the other Guarantors shall not engage in any material business activities or own any material assets other than (a) direct or indirect ownership of the Equity Interests of the Company and other Subsidiaries, ownership of Equity Interests held pursuant to Investments permitted by this Agreement and ownership of commercially reasonable insurance policies, including director and officer, employment practices and similar liability insurance, (b) activities and contractual rights and obligations incidental to maintenance of its corporate existence (including the payment of accounting and other professional fees and expenses), (c) activities related to the payment of tax liabilities of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (d) entering into confidentiality agreements, (e) entering into any transactions not prohibited under this Agreement (including activities undertaken in connection with a Qualified IPO), (f) the performance of its obligations under the Loan Documents and, to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, agreements for other Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement, management agreements, transaction fee agreements, director indemnification agreements, unit appreciation rights agreements and acquisition agreements, (g) entering into, making and performing guaranties, option agreements, shareholder agreements and other incentive compensation agreements, in each case, to which Parent Company or another Guarantor is a party, (h) the Transactions on the Closing Date, and (i) other activities incidental to or in furtherance of any of the foregoing.
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SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:
(a) (i) the Borrowers or any other Loan Party shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any unreimbursed L/C Obligations, when due in accordance with the terms hereof and in the currency required hereunder; or (ii) the Borrowers or any other Loan Party shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document within five (5) Business Days after any such interest on any Loan, or any fee payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or (iii) the Borrowers or any other Loan Party shall fail to pay any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document not otherwise specified in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) within ten (10) Business Days after any such other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or
(b) any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or that is contained in any certificate or other document furnished by it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any such other Loan Document shall prove to have been inaccurate or misleading in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made (or, to the extent qualified by materiality, shall be inaccurate or misleading in any respect after giving effect to such qualification when made or deemed made); or
(c) the Company or any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in (i) Section 6.1(a) or (b), Section 6.2(a)(x), Section 6.5(a)(i) (solely with respect to the existence of the Company, any Borrower, any Qualified Asset Owner, or any Guarantor), Section 6.8, Section 6.10, Section 6.13 or Section 6.17 or Section 7 of this Agreement, or (ii) Section 6.2(a) (not specified in clause (i) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 15 days; or
(d) [intentionally omitted]; or
(e) any Group Member shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in Section 6.11; or
(f) 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 paragraphs (a) through (e) above), and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date upon which an officer of the Company or any Loan Party obtains knowledge of such default or (ii) the date upon which the Borrower Representative has received written notice of such default from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; provided, that, if such default is capable of being cured but cannot be cured within such 30 day period and so long as the applicable Loan Party shall have commenced to cure such default within such 30 day period and shall be diligently pursuing such cure, the applicable Loan Party shall have an additional 30 day period to cure such default; or
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(g) any Group Member shall (i) default in making any payment when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace or cure periods (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness (excluding any Indebtedness hereunder and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of (or, with respect to any Swap Agreements, a Swap Termination Value of) more than $100,000,000; or (ii) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, 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 beneficiary of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or beneficiary) or, in the case of a Swap Agreement, the applicable counterparty, to cause, with the giving of notice if required and after giving effect to any applicable grace periods thereunder, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due (or to be terminated) or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity or, in the case of any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee Obligation, to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded, or, in the case of a Swap Agreement, to cause the termination thereof or an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Agreement) results therefrom; provided that clauses (i) (other than in the case of clause (x) below) and (ii) shall not apply to (x) Secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the Disposition or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such Disposition or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness and (y) Indebtedness that is convertible into Equity Interests and has been converted to Equity Interests in accordance with its terms and such conversion is not prohibited hereunder; or
(h) (i) any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary shall commence or consent to the institution of any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any Debtor Relief Law, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, reconstruction, voluntary arrangement, scheme or arrangement, adjustment, administration, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, judicial management, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, receiver and manager, administrative receiver, interim receiver, monitor, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, interim liquidator, rehabilitator, Controller, administrator, statutory manager, judicial manager, interim judicial manager, nominee (which has the meaning given under section 273(1) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 of Singapore) or other similar official for it or for all or any material part of its property; or (ii) there shall be commenced against any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above that (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, unstayed or undischarged for a period of 60 days, or (C) declaring any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary at risk pursuant to the Corporations (Investigation and Management) Act 1989 (NZ); or (iii) there shall be commenced against any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a writ or warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all or any material part of its property that results in the entry of an order for any such relief that shall not have been released, vacated, discharged, or stayed or fully bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (iv) any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary shall become unable or admit in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due (or, in respect of any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary organized and existing under the laws of Australia (or any of its jurisdictions), is presumed under the Australian Corporations Act to be unable to pay its debts as they become due and payable whether at stated maturity or otherwise); or (v) any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
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(i) an ERISA Event or a Canadian Pension Event in connection with any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events or Canadian Pension Events, respectively, that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(j) (i) one or more final monetary judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Group Member involving in the aggregate a liability (to the extent not covered by insurance or third-party indemnities as to which the relevant insurance company or third party has not denied coverage) of $100,000,000 or more (excluding judgments or decrees with respect to Non-Recourse Indebtedness) or (ii) one or more non-monetary final judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Group Member that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (x) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree, or (y) there is a period of 45 consecutive days during which such judgment or decree is not vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal; or
(k) any Loan Party is declared by the Minister of Finance of Singapore to be a company to which Part 9 of the Companies Act 1967 of Singapore applies; or
(l) (i) any material provision of any Loan Document, including the Guarantee Obligations contained in the Guarantee Agreement, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Secured Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect or (ii) any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any material provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any material provision of any Loan Document; or
(m) a Change in Control;
then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (v) or (vi) of paragraph (h) above with respect to the Borrower, automatically the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (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) shall immediately become due and payable (and the obligation to deposit cash collateral for Letters of Credit described below shall become effectively immediately and such deposits shall become immediately 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 shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative
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Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower Representative, declare the Loans (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (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) to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable. In addition, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, and shall at the request of the Required Lenders, exercise all rights and remedies available under the Loan Documents and applicable law. With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit. Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be held as collateral for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations and shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay other obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrowers risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all Reimbursement Obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrower Representative (or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto). Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers.
In the event that following the occurrence or during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, receives any monies in connection with the enforcement of any the Loan Documents, such monies shall be distributed for application as follows:
(1) First, to the payment of, or (as the case may be) the reimbursement of the Administrative Agent for or in respect of, all reasonable costs, expenses, disbursements and losses which shall have been incurred or sustained by the Administrative Agent in connection with the collection of such monies by the Administrative Agent, for the exercise, protection or enforcement by the Administrative Agent of all or any of the rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in support of any provision of adequate indemnity to the Administrative Agent against any taxes or liens which by law shall have, or may have, priority over the rights of the Administrative Agent to such monies;
(2) Second, to pay any fees or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from the Loan Parties;
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(3) Third to pay interest then due and payable on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations ratably,
(4) Fourth, to payment of (i) Secured Obligations constituting principal on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations, (ii) an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the aggregate undrawn face amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and the aggregate amount of any unpaid Reimbursement Obligations, to be held as cash collateral for such Secured Obligations, and (iii) obligations under Cash Management Services and Lender Swap Agreements due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or other Person entitled thereto) by the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party, in each in this clause (iii) up to and including the amount most recently provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.26, in each case ratably among the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and their Affiliates (or other Person entitled thereto) in proportion to the amounts described in this clause Fourth payable to them;
(5) Fifth, to the payment of any other Secured Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or any Lender by the Loan Parties; and
(6) Sixth, the remainder (if any) to the Borrowers.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) amounts received from any Guarantor shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Guarantor, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation otherwise set forth in clauses (4) and (5) above, and (y) the application of monies described above is subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.
SECTION 9. THE AGENTS
9.1 Authorization and Action. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement and its successors and assigns to serve as the administrative agent under the Loan Documents and each Lender and each Issuing Lender authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under such agreements and to exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender and each Issuing Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, each of the Loan Documents to which the Administrative Agent is a party, and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies that the Administrative Agent may have under such Loan Documents. Each Lender hereunder (and by its acceptance of the benefits of the Loan Documents, each other Credit Party) authorizes and instructs Administrative Agent to enter into the intercreditor agreement dated as of April 7, 2014, among the Administrative Agent (as successor by joinder), and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, solely in its capacity as Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Cold Storage Trust 2017-ICE3, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-ICE3, as lender, (and their respective permitted successors and assigns).
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Without limiting the powers of the Administrative Agent, for the purposes of holding any hypothec granted to the Attorney (as defined below) pursuant to the laws of the Province of Québec to secure the prompt payment and performance of any and all Secured Obligations by any Loan Party, each of the Credit Parties hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent and, to the extent necessary, ratifies the appointment and authorization of the Administrative Agent, to act as the hypothecary representative of the creditors as contemplated under Article 2692 of the Civil Code of Québec (in such capacity, the Attorney), and to enter into, to take and to hold on their behalf, and for their benefit, any hypothec, and to exercise such powers and duties that are conferred upon the Attorney under any related deed of hypothec. The Attorney shall: (a) have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise, except as may be otherwise specifically restricted by the terms hereof, all rights and remedies given to the Attorney pursuant to any such deed of hypothec and applicable law, and (b) benefit from and be subject to all provisions hereof with respect to the Administrative Agent mutatis mutandis, including, without limitation, all such provisions with respect to the liability or responsibility to and indemnification by the Credit Parties and Loan Parties. Any person who becomes a Credit Party shall, by its execution of an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, be deemed to have consented to and confirmed the Attorney as the person acting as hypothecary representative holding the aforesaid hypothecs as aforesaid and to have ratified, as of the date it becomes a Secured Party, all actions taken by the Attorney in such capacity. The substitution of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.1(a) also constitute the substitution of the Attorney.
(a) As to any matters not expressly provided for herein and in the other Loan Documents (including enforcement or collection), the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the written instructions of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, pursuant to the terms in the Loan Documents), and, unless and until revoked in writing, such instructions shall be binding upon each Lender and each Issuing Lender; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that (i) the Administrative Agent in good faith believes exposes it to liability unless the Administrative Agent receives an indemnification and is exculpated in a manner satisfactory to it from the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders with respect to such action or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable law, including any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reconstruction, dissolution, judicial management or reorganization or relief of debtors or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution, judicial management or reorganization or relief of debtors; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may seek clarification or direction from the Required Lenders prior to the exercise of any such instructed action and may refrain from acting until such clarification or direction has been provided. Except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Parent Company, the other Guarantors, the Borrowers, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
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Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Administrative Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(b) In performing its functions and duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent is acting solely on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders (except in limited circumstances expressly provided for herein relating to the maintenance of the Register), and its duties are entirely mechanical and administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(i) the Administrative Agent does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or duty or any other relationship as the agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender, Issuing Lender or holder of any other obligation other than as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and it is understood and agreed that the use of the term agent (or any similar term) herein or in any other Loan Document with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary duty or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law, and that such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties); additionally, each Lender agrees that it will not assert any claim against the Administrative Agent based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement and/or the transactions contemplated hereby;
(ii) where the Administrative Agent is required or deemed to act as a trustee or agent in respect of any collateral over which a security interest has been created pursuant to a Loan Document expressed to be governed by the laws of each Specified Jurisdiction, or is required or deemed to hold any collateral on trust or as agent pursuant to the foregoing, the obligations and liabilities of the Administrative Agent to the Credit Parties in its capacity as trustee shall be excluded to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law;
(iii) [reserved];
(iv) to the extent that English law is applicable to the duties of the Administrative Agent under any of the Loan Documents, Part 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 of the United Kingdom shall not apply to the duties of the Administrative Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by that Loan Document; where there are inconsistencies between the Trustee Act 1925 or the Trustee Act 2000 of the United Kingdom and the provisions of this Agreement or such Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, prevail and, in the case of any inconsistency with the Trustee Act 2000 of the United Kingdom, the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of that Act;
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(v) to the extent that Singapore law is applicable to the duties of the Administrative Agent under any of the Loan Documents, Part 1A of the Trustee Act 1967 of Singapore shall not apply to the duties of the Administrative Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by that Loan Document; where there are inconsistencies between the Trustee Act 1967 of Singapore and the provisions of this Agreement or such Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, prevail and, in the case of any inconsistency with the Trustees Act 1967 of Singapore, the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of that Act;
(vi) in respect of any of the Loan Documents governed by Danish law, each Credit Party (other than the Administrative Agent) irrevocably and unconditionally appoints the Administrative Agent to hold the security interests governed by Danish law and act as agent and representative (in Danish: fuldmægtig og repræsentant) for the Credit Parties in accordance with Section 18(1), cf. Section 1(2) of the Danish Act on Capital Markets (in Danish: lov om kapitalmarkeder). Further, each Credit Party (other than the Administrative Agent) acknowledges that all actions taken by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents governed by Danish law will be deemed to be taken by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Credit Parties or any of them;
(vii) to the extent that Guernsey law is applicable to the duties of the Administrative Agent under any of the Loan Documents, sections 22 to 27 (inclusive) of the Trusts (Guernsey) law, 2007 shall not apply to the duties of the Administrative Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by that Loan Document; and
(viii) nothing in this Agreement or any Loan Document shall require the Administrative Agent to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by the Administrative Agent for its own account.
(c) The Administrative Agent may perform any of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of their respective duties and exercise their respective rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Section shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities pursuant to this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agent except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agent.
(d) None of any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, any Sustainability Agent or any Arranger shall have obligations or duties whatsoever in such capacity under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and shall incur no liability hereunder or thereunder in such capacity, but all such persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder.
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(e) In case of the pendency of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reconstruction, receivership, dissolution, judicial management or similar law now or hereafter in effect, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any Reimbursement Obligation 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) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Disbursements and all other Secured Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including without limitation any claim under Sections 2.8, 2.14, 2.19 and 10.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, interim receiver, judicial manager, interim judicial manager, nominee (which has the meaning given under section 273(1) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 of Singapore), monitor, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender, each Issuing Lender and each other Credit Party to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders or the other Credit Parties, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due to it, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, under the Loan Documents (including under Section 10.3). Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or Issuing Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Secured Obligations or the rights of any Lender or Issuing Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or Issuing Lender in any such proceeding.
(f) The provisions of this Section (other than Section 9.5) are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, and, except solely to the extent of the Borrowers rights to consent pursuant to and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section, none of the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary, or any of their respective Affiliates, shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary under any such provisions. Each Credit Party, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the collateral security and guarantee provided under the Loan Documents, to have agreed to the provisions of this Section.
9.2 Administrative Agents Reliance, Limitation of Liability, Etc. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be (i) liable to any of the Secured Parties for any action taken or omitted to be taken by such party, the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (x) with the consent of or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents) or (y) in the absence of
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its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (such absence to be presumed unless otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Administrative Agents reliance on any Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page) or for any failure of any Loan Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.
(a) The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any (i) notice of any of the events or circumstances set forth or described in Section 6.2 unless and until written notice thereof stating that it is a notice under Section 6.2 in respect of this Agreement and identifying the specific clause under said Section is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower Representative, or (ii) notice of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof (stating that it is a notice of Default or a notice of an Event of Default) is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Lender. Further, the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 5 or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items (which on their face purport to be such items) expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or (vi) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens granted pursuant to the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any Liabilities, costs or expenses suffered by any Loan Party, any Subsidiary, any Lender or any Issuing Lender as a result of, any determination of the Revolving Extensions of Credit or of any Tranche thereof, any of the component amounts thereof or any portion thereof attributable to each Lender or Issuing Lender, or any Dollar Equivalent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into or monitor compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Institutions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Institution or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, to any Disqualified Institution.
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(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent (i) may treat the payee of any promissory note as its holder until such promissory note has been assigned in accordance with Section 10.4, (ii) may rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section 10.4(b), (iii) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrowers), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts, (iv) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender or Issuing Lender and shall not be responsible to any Lender or Issuing Lender for any statements, warranties or representations made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (v) in determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Lender, may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Lender sufficiently in advance of the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (vi) shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper party or parties (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof).
(c) In the event that the Administrative Agent performs its duties hereunder through J.P. Morgan SE (formerly known as J.P. Morgan AG) (JPMSE), each of the Lenders hereby exempts the JPMSE from the restrictions pursuant to section 181 Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) and similar restrictions applicable to it pursuant to any other applicable law, in each case to the extent legally possible to such Lender. A Lender which cannot grant such exemption shall notify the Administrative Agent accordingly and, upon request of the Administrative Agent, either act in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and/or any other Loan Document as required pursuant to this Agreement and/or such other Loan Document or grant a special power of attorney to a party acting on its behalf, in a manner that is not prohibited pursuant to section 181 of the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) and/or any other applicable laws.
9.3 Posting of Communications. The Borrowers agree that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Communications available to the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders by posting the Communications on IntraLinks, DebtDomain, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any other electronic platform chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the Approved Electronic Platform).
(a) Although the Approved Electronic Platform and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Closing Date, a user ID/password authorization system) and the Approved Electronic Platform is secured through a per-deal authorization method whereby each user may access the Approved Electronic Platform only on a deal-by-deal basis, each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Lenders and the Borrowers acknowledge and agree that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of any Lender that are added to the Approved Electronic Platform, and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Lenders and each of the Borrowers hereby approves distribution of the Communications through the Approved Electronic Platform and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.
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(b) THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS ARE PROVIDED AS IS AND AS AVAILABLE. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY ARRANGER, ANY DOCUMENTATION AGENT, ANY SUSTAINABILITY AGENT, ANY SYNDICATION AGENT OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (COLLECTIVELY, APPLICABLE PARTIES) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN PARTYS OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENTS TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM.
Communications means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Approved Electronic Platform.
(c) Each Lender and each Issuing Lender agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that Communications have been posted to the Approved Electronic Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender and Issuing Lender agrees (i) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (which could be in the form of electronic communication) from time to time of such Lenders or Issuing Lenders (as applicable) email address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (ii) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such email address.
(d) Each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Lenders and each of the Borrowers agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store the Communications on the Approved Electronic Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agents generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.
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(e) Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.
9.4 The Administrative Agent Individually. With respect to its Commitment, Loans (including Swingline Loans), Letter of Credit Commitments and Letters of Credit, the Person serving as the Administrative Agent shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and is subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may be. The terms Issuing Lenders, Lenders, Required Lenders and any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender, Issuing Lender or as one of the Required Lenders, as applicable. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with, the Borrowers, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing as if such Person was not acting as the Administrative Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or the Issuing Lenders.
9.5 Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days prior written notice thereof to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Borrower Representative, whether or not a successor Administrative Agent has been appointed. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agents giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York or an Affiliate of any such bank. In either case, (other than if the Administrative Agent appoints one of its Affiliates acting through an office in the European Union as a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (i) above), such appointment shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Borrower Representative (which approval may not be unreasonably withheld and shall not be required while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing). Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall succeed to, and become vested with, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent. Upon the acceptance of appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Prior to any retiring Administrative Agents resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to assign to the successor Administrative Agent its rights as Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents.
(a) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section, in the event no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its intent to resign, the retiring Administrative Agent may give notice of the effectiveness of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Borrower, whereupon, on the date of effectiveness of such resignation stated in such notice, (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and
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obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided that, solely for purposes of maintaining any security interest granted to the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document for the benefit of the Credit Parties, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be vested with such security interest as collateral agent for the benefit of the Credit Parties, and continue to be entitled to the rights set forth in such Loan Documents, and, in the case of any collateral in the possession of the Administrative Agent, shall continue to hold such collateral, in each case until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment in accordance with this Section (it being understood and agreed that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any further action under any Loan Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any such security interest), and (ii) the Required Lenders shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent; provided that (A) all payments required to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Person other than the Administrative Agent shall be made directly to such Person and (B) all notices and other communications required or contemplated to be given or made to the Administrative Agent shall directly be given or made to each Lender and each Issuing Lender. Following the effectiveness of the Administrative Agents resignation from its capacity as such, the provisions of this Section and Section 10.3, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and in respect of the matters referred to in the proviso under clause (i) above.
9.6 Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Lenders. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and in providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender or Issuing Lender, in each case in the ordinary course of business, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument (and each Lender and each Issuing Lender agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing), (iii) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, any Sustainability Agent or any other Lender or Issuing Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder, and (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender or such Issuing Lender, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, any Sustainability Agent or any other Lender or Issuing Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrowers and their respective Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
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(a) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement on the Closing Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Closing Date.
(b) Each Lender and each Issuing Lender hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender or Issuing Lender that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender or Issuing 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 or Issuing Lender (whether or not known to such Lender or Issuing Lender), and demands the return of such Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender or Issuing Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, 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 or Issuing 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 or Issuing 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 or any Issuing Lender under this Section 9.6(c) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. Each Lender that fails to return such amounts under this clause (i) to the Administrative Agent within one (1) Business Day after receipt of such notice shall be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes under this Agreement.
(i) Each Lender and each Issuing Lender hereby further agrees 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 has been made with respect to such Payment. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender agrees that, in each such case, or if it otherwise becomes aware a Payment (or portion thereof) may have been sent in error, such Lender or Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, 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 or Issuing Lender to the
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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. Each Lender that fails to return such amounts under this clause (ii) to the Administrative Agent within one (1) Business Day after receipt of such notice shall be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes under this Agreement.
(ii) The Borrowers and each other Loan Party hereby agrees that (x) in the event an erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) are not recovered from any Lender or Issuing 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 or Issuing 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 Borrowers or any other Loan Party.
(iii) Each partys obligations under this Section 9.6(c) shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender or Issuing Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations under any Loan Document.
9.7 Guarantee and Collateral Matters. Except with respect to the exercise of setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.8 or with respect to a Credit Partys right to file a proof of claim in an insolvency proceeding, no Credit Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Secured Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Credit Parties in accordance with the terms thereof.
(a) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation thereof, no arrangements in respect of Cash Management Services and no Lender Swap Agreement, will create (or be deemed to create) in favor of any Cash Management Bank or Credit Party that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any collateral or of the obligations of any Loan Party under any Loan Document. By accepting the benefits of the Loan Documents, each Cash Management Bank and each Credit Party that is a party to any such arrangement in respect of Swap Agreements shall be deemed to have appointed the Administrative Agent to serve as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and agreed to be bound by the Loan Documents as a Credit Party thereunder, subject to the limitations set forth in this paragraph.
(b) The Credit Parties irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 7.3(a). The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of any collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agents Lien thereon or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders or any other Credit Party for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of any collateral.
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9.8 [Reserved].
9.9 Certain ERISA Matters. Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and, except as set forth in Section 4.21, 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 the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,
(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined 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 Lenders 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 Lenders entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or
(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.
(b) In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and each Arranger
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and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrowers or any other Loan Party, that none of the Administrative Agent, or any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, any Sustainability Agent or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (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 to hereto or thereto).
(c) The Administrative Agent, and each Arranger, Syndication Agent, Documentation Agent and Sustainability Agent hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide investment advice or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments, this Agreement and any other Loan Documents (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, bankers acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.
9.10 [Reserved]
9.11 Parallel Debt. (Covenant to Pay the Administrative Agent). In this Agreement:
(a) a Credit Party Claim means, in relation to any Loan Party, any Secured Obligation which that Loan Party owes to a Credit Party under or in connection with any Loan Document; and
(b) a Administrative Agent Claim has the meaning given to it in clause (c) below.
(c) Each Loan Party must pay the Administrative Agent, as an independent and separate creditor, an amount equal to each of its Credit Party Claims on its due date (each an Administrative Agent Claim).
(d) Unless expressly provided to the contrary in any Loan Document, the Administrative Agent holds:
(i) any security (or equivalent) created by a Loan Document;
(ii) the benefit of any Administrative Agent Claims; and
(iii) all proceeds of any security referred to in clause (i) above,
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for the benefit, and as the property, of the Credit Parties and so that they are not available to the personal creditors of the Administrative Agent.
(e) The Administrative Agent will separately identify in its records the property rights referred to in paragraph (d) above.
(f) Paragraphs (c) to (e) above do not apply to any security created by a Loan Document governed by Danish law. The provisions of this Section 9.11 in its entirety do not apply to any security created by a Loan Document governed by English law or Luxembourg law or to any Security Document governed by New York law or the law of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
(g) Each Administrative Agent Claim is created on the understanding that the Administrative Agent shall:
(i) share the proceeds of each Administrative Agent Claim with the other Credit Parties; and
(ii) pay those proceeds to the Credit Parties,
in accordance with their respective interests in the amounts outstanding under the Loan Documents.
(h) The Administrative Agent may enforce performance of any Administrative Agent Claim in its own name as an independent and separate right. This includes, without limitation, any filing, suit, execution, enforcement of security or any Loan Document, recovery of guarantees and applications for and voting in respect of any kind of insolvency proceeding.
(i) Each Credit Party shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent:
(i) do anything required in connection with the enforcement of any Administrative Agent Claim (including, without limitation, joining in any proceedings with the Administrative Agent); and
(ii) enforce its Credit Party Claim.
(j) Each Foreign Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right it may have to require a Credit Party to join in any proceedings with the Administrative Agent in respect of any Administrative Agent Claim.
(k) Discharge by a Foreign Borrower of a Credit Party Claim will discharge the corresponding Administrative Agent Claim in the same amount.
(l) Discharge by a Foreign Borrower of an Administrative Agent Claim will discharge the corresponding Credit Party Claim in the same amount.
(m) The aggregate amount of the Administrative Agent Claims will never exceed the aggregate amount of Credit Party Claims.
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(n) A defect affecting an Administrative Agent Claim against a Foreign Borrower will not affect any Credit Party Claim.
(o) A defect affecting a Credit Party Claim against a Foreign Borrower will not affect any Administrative Agent Claim.
(p) If the Administrative Agent returns to any Foreign Borrower, whether in any kind of insolvency proceedings or otherwise, any recovery in respect of which it has made a payment to a Credit Party, that Credit Party shall pay an amount equal to that recovery to the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Notices. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
To any Loan Party: |
Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC 46500 Humboldt Drive Novi, MI 48377 Attention: Michelle Domas Email: MDomas@onelineage.com | |
With a copy to: |
Latham & Watkins LLP 355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 100 Los Angeles, California 90071 Attention: Mark Morris Email: Mark.Morris@lw.com | |
Administrative Agent |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 131 S Dearborn St, Floor 04 Chicago, IL, 60603-5506 Attention: Loan and Agency Servicing Email: jpm.agency.cri@jpmorgan.com | |
Agency Withholding Tax Inquiries: Email: agency.tax.reporting@jpmorgan.com | ||
Agency Compliance/Financials/Virtual Data rooms:: Email: covenant.compliance@jpmchase.com |
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With a copy to (for requests relating to Loans and Letters of Credit denominated in PLN or NOK or to a Norwegian domiciled Borrower):
| ||
J.P.Morgan Europe Limited 25 Bank Street, Canary Wharf London E14 5JP Attention of The Manager, Loan & Agency Services Telecopy No. +44 207 777 2360, Email: loan_and_agency_london@jpmorgan.com | ||
With a copy to: | ||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 8501 N Scottsdale Rd Ste 240, Floor 02 Scottsdale, AZ, 85253 | ||
Attention: Ryan Dempsey | ||
Telephone: (480) 377-6875 | ||
To an Issuing Lender: |
to it at (A) in the case of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 131 S Dearborn St, Floor 04 Chicago, IL, 60603-5506 Attention: LC Agency Team Tel: 800-364-1969 Fax: 856-294-5267 Email: chicago.lc.agency.activity.team@jpmchase.com | |
With a copy to: | ||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 131 S Dearborn St, Floor 04 Chicago, IL, 60603-5506 Attention: Loan and Agency Servicing Email: jpm.agency.cri@jpmorgan.com | ||
and (B) in the case of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 333 S Grand Ave., 9th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 Telephone 213-358-7529 Attention: Nina Johnnie Nina.C.Johnnie@wellsfargo.com with a copy to Jade Ramirez, Jade.C.Ramirez@wellsfargo.com | ||
To any other Lender: |
to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire. |
Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through Approved Electronic Platforms, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).
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(a) Notices and other communications to the Borrowers, any Loan Party, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Approved Electronic Platforms pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Section 2 unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(b) Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.
(c) Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.
10.2 Waivers; Amendments. No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by Parent Company, the other Guarantors or the Borrowers therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.
(a) Subject to Section 2.16(b), (c) and (d), Section 10.19(a) and Section 10.2(c) and (d) below, neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower Representative and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or L/C Obligation or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected
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thereby (except (x) in connection with the waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates (which waiver shall be effective with the consent of the Required Lenders) and (y) any amendment or modification of defined terms used in the Financial Covenants shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (ii)), (iii) except as provided in Section 2.25, postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or L/C Obligation, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.9 or 2.17(a), (b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the ratable reduction of Commitments or the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change the allocation, reallocation and payment waterfall provisions of Section 2.24 or Section 8 without the written consent of each Lender, (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of Required Lenders, Required Tranche Lenders, Majority Facility Lenders, Majority Dollar Tranche Lenders or Majority Term Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender, (vii) release any Guarantee provided by Parent Company, Holdings, Lineage OP or the Company without the written consent of each Lender, (viii) [reserved], (ix) waive any condition set forth in Section 5.2 as to any Tranche of a Revolving Loan without the written consent of the Required Tranche Lenders of such Tranche, or (x) extend the expiry date of any Letter of Credit beyond the Revolving Termination Date without the written consent of each Dollar Tranche Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lenders or the Issuing Lenders hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lenders or the Issuing Lenders, as the case may be; provided further that no such agreement shall amend or modify the provisions of Section 3 without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lenders; provided further that no consent of the Lenders shall be required to effectuate the addition of any Alternative Currency approved by the applicable Lenders pursuant to Section 1.4 hereof; and provided further that any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document of the Lenders of a particular Class or Tranche (but not the Lenders of any other Class or Tranche), may be effected solely by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower Representative and the required number or percentage in interest of the affected Class or Tranche of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section if such Class or Tranche of Lenders were the only Class or Tranche of Lenders hereunder at the time.
(b) The Lenders and the Issuing Lender hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to (and the Administrative Agent shall) release any Guarantees provided by the Loan Parties and all Obligations of the Borrowers (A) upon the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations and (B) upon a Borrower ceasing to be a Borrower pursuant to Section 10.19(d) hereof or pursuant to a transaction permitted pursuant to Section 7.4 or Section 7.5 hereof; and
Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Secured Obligations (other than those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties. At the request and expense of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent shall execute, deliver and/or file any documents or instruments reasonably necessary to effect the foregoing. Any execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent of documents in connection with any such release shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.
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(c) If the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative together identify any ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect in any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative shall be permitted to amend, modify or supplement such provision to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect, and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.
10.3 Expenses; Limitation of Liability; Indemnity; Etc. Expenses. The U.S. Borrowers shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers taken as a whole, and if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, taken as a whole, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Lender in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder, and (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender (including the fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders taken as a whole, and if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, taken as a whole, and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where the Person affected by such conflict informs the Borrower Representative of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel (and, if reasonably necessary, one firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction) for such affected Person (or similarly affected Persons taken as a whole)), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(a) Limitation of Liability. To the extent permitted by applicable law (i) no Borrower or Loan Party shall assert, and each Borrower and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, any Sustainability Agent, any Issuing Lender, any Swingline Lender and any Lender, and any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called a Lender-Related Person) for any Liabilities arising from the use by others of information or other materials (including, without limitation, any personal data) obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), except as a result of the gross negligence of such Lender-Related Person as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-applicable judgment, and (ii) no party hereto (and their Affiliates and their respective
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officers, directors, employees, advisors and agents) shall assert, and each such party hereby waives, any Liabilities against any other party hereto, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that, nothing in this Section 10.3(b) shall relieve any Borrower or any Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee, as provided in Section 10.3(c), against any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party.
(b) Indemnity. The U.S. Borrowers shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Arranger, each Syndication Agent, each Documentation Agent, each Sustainability Agent, each Issuing Lender and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all Liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursement and other charges of one counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders taken as a whole, and if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, taken as a whole, and in the event of a conflict of interest, of one additional counsel for each group of similarly situated affected Indemnified Persons) incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) any action taken in connection with this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the payment of principal, interest and fees (other than any erroneous Payment as set forth under Section 9.6(c)), (iv) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (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), (v) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by Parent Company, the Company or any of their Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability resulting from the handling of Hazardous Materials or violation of Environmental Laws, related in any way to Parent Company, the Company or any of their Subsidiaries, and (vi) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation, arbitration or administrative, judicial or regulatory action or proceeding (each, a Proceeding) relating to any of the foregoing (including in relation to enforcing the terms of the limitation of liability and indemnification referred to above), regardless of whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and whether or not such Proceeding is brought by Parent Company, any Guarantor, the Company, their respective Affiliates or equity holders or any other Person; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such Liabilities or related expenses (A) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted primarily from (x) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee in performing its activities or in furnishing its commitments or services under the Loan Documents, or (y) the material breach by such Indemnitee of its obligations under the Loan Documents, (B) result from a claim not involving an act or omission of Parent Company, the Guarantors, the Company or any of their Subsidiaries and that is brought by an Indemnitee against another Indemnitee (other than an Arranger or the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such), or (C) relate to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, costs, expenses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.
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(c) Lender Reimbursement. Each Lender severally agrees to pay any amount required to be paid by the Borrowers under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 10.3 to the Administrative Agent, each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each, an Agent-Related Person) (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrowers and without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so), ratably according to their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentage in effect on the date on which such payment is sought under this Section (or, if such 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 such Aggregate Exposure Percentage immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all Liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent-Related Person in any way relating to or arising out of the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent-Related Person under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that the unreimbursed expense or Liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent-Related Person in its capacity as such; provided further that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such Liabilities, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from such Agent-Related Partys gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
(d) Payments. All amounts due under this Section 10.3 shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.
10.4 Successors and Assigns. 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 an Issuing Lender that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) Parent Company, the other Guarantors and the Borrowers may not assign or otherwise transfer any of their respective rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by Parent Company, a Guarantor or a Borrower without such consent shall be null and void (except (a) pursuant to any additional Designated Borrower or the release of any Borrower (other than the Company) pursuant to Section 10.19 hereof or (b) pursuant to a transaction permitted by Section 7.4 or Section 7.5)) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Lender that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
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(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment, participations in Letters of Credit and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:
(A) the Borrower Representative; provided that, the Borrower Representative shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof provided that no consent of the Borrower Representative shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other Eligible Assignee; provided that no such consent of the Borrower Representative shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(B) the Administrative Agent; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of (1) a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or (2) a Revolving Commitment to a Lender with a Revolving Commitment immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment;
(C) solely with respect to the assignment of Dollar Tranche Commitments and Dollar Tranche Loans, each Issuing Lender; and
(D) solely with respect to the assignment of Swingline Commitments and Swing line Loans, each Swingline Lender.
(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, an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $10,000,000 unless each of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent;
(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans;
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(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Assignment and Assumption or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and
(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more Credit Contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrowers, the Loan Parties and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignees compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.
(iii) No assignment shall be made to (x) any Disqualified Institution, (y) any Defaulting Lender or any of its subsidiaries, or (z) any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing persons described in this clause (iii). To the extent any assignment is purported to be made to a Person prohibited by this clause (iii), (A) such Person shall be required to immediately (and in any event within five Business Days) assign all Loans and Commitments then owned by such Person to another Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) or a Person other than an Ineligible Institution and the Borrowers shall be entitled to seek specific performance in any applicable court of law or equity to enforce this sentence, (B) no Disqualified Institution shall be permitted to (x) receive any information or reporting provided by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (y) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent or (z) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, (C) for purposes of voting, any Loans, Commitments or participations held by such Disqualified Institution shall be deemed not to be outstanding and such Disqualified Institution shall have no voting or consent rights with respect to Required Lender or Class votes or consents, in each case notwithstanding the provisions herein, (D) for purposes of any matter requiring the vote or consent of each Lender affected by any amendment or waiver, such Disqualified Institution shall be deemed to have voted or consented to approve such amendment or waiver if a majority of the affected Class so approves and (E) such Disqualified Institution shall not be entitled to any expense reimbursement or indemnification rights ordinarily afforded to Lenders or Participants hereunder or in any Loan Document and such Disqualified Institution shall be treated in all other respects as a Defaulting Lender; provided, that if any Lender becomes a Disqualified Institution after the time such Lender initially became a Lender hereunder, and any assignment is made to such Lender after the time such Lender became a Disqualified Institution, the Commitments assigned to such Lender after the time such Lender became a Disqualified Institution (but no other Commitments of such Lender) shall be treated as an assignment to a Disqualified Institution other than with respect to clause (B) above. The Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Borrowers hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent, to provide the list of Disqualified Institutions to each Lender requesting the same (including through the Electronic System).
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(iv) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lenders 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 Sections 2.18, 2.19, 2.20 and 10.3). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
(v) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in the United States a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and 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 Lenders and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower Representative, any Issuing Lender and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(vi) Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, the assignees completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Sections 3.4, 2.17(e) or 10.3(d), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
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(b) Any Lender may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lenders or the Issuing Lenders, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a Participant), other than an Ineligible Institution, in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations; and (C) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 10.2(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.18, 2.19 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Sections 2.19(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.19(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) and 2.20 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.18 or 2.19, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrowers request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.8 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.17 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participants interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the Participant Register); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participants interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Sections 5f.103-1(c) and 1.163-5 of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
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(c) Any Lender 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 other central bank having jurisdiction over it, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall (i) release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto, or (ii) be permitted to be made to a Disqualified Lender.
(d) Each party to this Agreement agrees that in case of a transfer or assignment pursuant to this Section 10.4 (Successors and Assigns) and for the purpose of any applicable law, any collateral granted by a Person under the Loan Documents shall be preserved for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the assignee and the remaining Lenders and Issuing Lenders.
(e) Any person who becomes a Lender after the date of this Agreement expressly waives any priority of ranking they may have in connection with the Loan Documents pursuant to Article 4 of the Belgian Mobilisation Law.
10.5 Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein and in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Documents shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.18, 2.19, 2.20 and 10.3 and Section 9 shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
10.6 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to (i) fees payable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) the reductions of the Letter of Credit Commitment of any Issuing Lender constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 5.1, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
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(a) Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of (x) this Agreement, (y) any other Loan Document and/or (z) any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any notice delivered pursuant to Section 10.1), certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or the transactions contemplated hereby and/or thereby (each an Ancillary Document) that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement, such other Loan Document or such Ancillary Document, as applicable. The words execution, signed, signature, delivery, and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept Electronic Signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent and pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept any Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrowers or any other Loan Party without further verification thereof and without any obligation to review the appearance or form of any such Electronic signature and (ii) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed counterpart. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrowers and each Loan Party hereby (i) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Borrowers and the Loan Parties, Electronic Signatures transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page and/or any electronic images of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, (ii) the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders may, at its option, create one or more copies of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document in the form of an imaged electronic record in any format, which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Persons business, and destroy the original paper document (and all such electronic records shall be considered an original for all purposes and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record), (iii) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement, such other Loan Document and/or such Ancillary Document, respectively, including with respect to any signature pages thereto and (iv) waives any claim against any Lender-Related Person for any Liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agents and/or any Lenders reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures and/or transmissions by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page, including any Liabilities arising as a result of the failure of the Borrowers and/or any Loan Party to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.
10.7 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
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10.8 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Lender, and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to setoff and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held, and other obligations at any time owing, by such Lender, such Issuing Lender or any such Affiliate, to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or such Issuing Lender or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, Issuing Lender or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch office or Affiliate of such Lender or such Issuing Lender different from the branch office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so setoff shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.24 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders, and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and Issuing Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
10.9 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. This Agreement (other than in respect of Section 9.10) and the other Loan Documents (unless expressly stated to the contrary therein) shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York; provided, however, that if the laws of any jurisdiction other than New York shall govern in regard to the validity, perfection or effect of perfection of any lien or in regard to procedural matters affecting enforcement of any liens in collateral, such laws of such other jurisdictions shall continue to apply to that extent.
(a) Each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, notwithstanding the governing law provisions of any applicable Loan Document, any claims brought against the Administrative Agent by any Credit Party relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or the consummation or administration of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
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(b) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan (or if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan), and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (unless expressly stated to the contrary therein) or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may (and any such claims, cross-claims or third party claims brought against the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties may only) be heard and determined in such Federal (to the extent permitted by law) or New York State court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against any Borrower, any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (c) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court. Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (c) above, in respect of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions relating hereto, in each case, involving a Loan Party incorporated or organized under the laws of Mexico, the parties hereto irrevocably waive any right to submit such action or proceeding to any courts other than the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan (or if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan) and any appellate court from any thereof.
(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.1. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
(e) For the avoidance of doubt and insofar as Belgian law would apply, the designation by each Belgian Loan Party of an agent to receive service of process constitutes an election of domicile within the meaning of Article 111 of the Belgian Civil Code.
10.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
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10.11 Headings. Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
10.12 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any Governmental Authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrowers and their obligations, (g) on a confidential basis to (1) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrowers or their Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided for herein or (2) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of identification numbers with respect to the credit facilities provided for herein, (h) with the consent of the Borrower or (i) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrowers. For the purposes of this Section, Information means all information received from the Borrowers relating to the Borrowers or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower and other than information pertaining to this Agreement routinely provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrowers after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
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10.13 Material Non-Public Information.
(a) EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 10.12 FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWERS AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
(b) ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWERS OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWER, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWERS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW.
10.14 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the Charges), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the Maximum Rate) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the NYFRB Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of Section 10.14, if any provision of any of the Loan Documents would obligate any Canadian domiciled Loan Party to make any payment of interest with respect to the Foreign Secured Obligations in an amount or calculated at a rate which would be prohibited by applicable law or would result in the receipt of interest with respect to the Foreign Secured Obligations at a criminal rate (as such terms are construed under the Criminal Code (Canada)), then notwithstanding such provision, such amount or rates shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by law or so result in a receipt by the applicable recipient of interest with respect to the Foreign Secured Obligations at a criminal rate, such adjustment to be effected, to the extent necessary, as follows: (i) first, by reducing the amount or rates of interest required to be paid by the Canadian domiciled Loan Parties to the applicable recipient under the Loan Documents; and (ii) thereafter, by reducing any fees, commissions, premiums and other amounts required to be paid by the Canadian domiciled Loan Parties to the applicable recipient which would constitute interest with respect to the Foreign Secured Obligations for purposes of Section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada). Notwithstanding the
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foregoing, and after giving effect to all adjustments contemplated thereby, if the applicable recipient shall have received an amount in excess of the maximum permitted by that section of the Criminal Code (Canada), then Canadian domiciled Loan Parties shall be entitled, by notice in writing to Administrative Agent, to obtain reimbursement from the applicable recipient in an amount equal to such excess, and pending such reimbursement, such amount shall be deemed to be an amount payable by the applicable recipient to the applicable Canadian domiciled Loan Party. Any amount or rate of interest with respect to the Foreign Secured Obligations referred to in this Section 10.14 shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial practices and principles as an effective annual rate of interest over the term that any Loans to Canadian domiciled Borrower remains outstanding on the assumption that any charges, fees or expenses that fall within the meaning of interest (as defined in the Criminal Code (Canada)) shall, if they relate to a specific period of time, be pro rated over that period of time and otherwise be pro rated over the period from the Closing Date to the date of full payment of the Foreign Secured Obligations, and, in the event of a dispute, a certificate of a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries appointed by Agent shall be conclusive for the purposes of such determination.
10.15 No Fiduciary Duty, etc. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries understanding, that no Credit Party will have any obligations except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and each Credit Party is acting solely in the capacity of an arms length contractual counterparty to the Borrowers with respect to the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated herein and therein and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Borrowers or any other person. Each Borrower agrees that it will not assert any claim against any Credit Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by such Credit Party in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Additionally, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Credit Party is advising the Borrowers as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction. Each Borrower shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated herein or in the other Loan Documents, and the Credit Parties shall have no responsibility or liability to the Borrowers with respect thereto. Each Borrower further acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries understanding, that each Credit Party, together with its Affiliates, is a full service securities or banking firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services. In the ordinary course of business, any Credit Party may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for its own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, the Borrowers and other companies with which the Borrowers may have commercial or other relationships. With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by any Credit Party or any of its customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion. In addition, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries understanding, that each Credit Party and its affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which the Borrowers may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise. No Credit Party will use confidential information obtained from the Borrowers by virtue of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or its other relationships with the Borrowers in connection with the performance by such Credit Party of services for other companies, and no Credit Party will furnish any such information to other companies. Each Borrower also acknowledges that no Credit Party has any obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, or to furnish to the Borrowers, confidential information obtained from other companies.
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10.16 USA PATRIOT Act.
Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrowers, which information includes the name and address of the Borrowers and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrowers in accordance with the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
10.17 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.
10.18 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support QFC Credit Support and each such QFC a Supported QFC), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):
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In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a Covered Party) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
10.19 Designated Borrowers.
(a) The Borrower Representative may at any time by notice from the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent request that a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings organized in a Specified Jurisdiction (or with the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lenders of the applicable Tranches, any other jurisdiction) (an Applicant Borrower) be designated as a Designated Borrower to receive Revolving Loans under a specified Tranche or Tranches or incur Incremental Commitments or loans under Incremental Commitments hereunder by delivering to the Administrative Agent a duly executed notice and agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit G (a Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement); provided that any Applicant Borrower shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may condition such approval upon the establishment of a sublimit of Loans to such Applicant Borrower. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Term Lenders and/or the Revolving Lenders of the applicable Tranche(s), as applicable, of each such designation by the Borrower Representative and the identity and jurisdiction of the Applicant Borrower. Following delivery of a Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement, the Borrower Representative shall promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender provide all documentation and other information concerning such Applicant Borrower that the Administrative Agent or such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 of Singapore. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that prior to any Applicant Borrower becoming entitled to utilize the credit facilities provided for herein the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received (i) all documentation and other information concerning such Applicant Borrower that the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its
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obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 of Singapore (the Required Information), (ii) such supporting resolutions, notarized power of attorney granted by the Applicant Borrower to the Borrower Representative (if required or customary in the jurisdiction of organization of the Applicant Borrower), incumbency certificates, opinions of counsel and other documents or information, in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as may be required by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, (iii) one or more Notes signed by such Applicant Borrower to the extent any applicable Lenders so require, and (iv) an updated Schedule 1.1D or Schedule 1.1E, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event that either (x) the results of any such know your customer or similar investigation conducted by the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender with respect to any Applicant Borrower is not reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender or (y) an Applicant Borrower is organized in Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany, France, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Finland or a Specified Jurisdiction that was approved by the Majority Lenders after the Closing Date and it is unlawful or impossible under any applicable law or regulation for any applicable Lender (any such Lender, a Restricted Jurisdictional Lender) under a specific Tranche or Tranches to make loans to a Person organized in such Specified Jurisdiction, then such Applicant Borrower shall not be permitted to become a Designated Borrower with respect to such Tranche or Tranches. To the extent any Lender is a Restricted Jurisdictional Lender pursuant to the prior sentence, the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent may amend this Agreement without the consent of any Lender to create a new Tranche or Tranches on the same terms as the applicable existing Tranches, in the same or lower commitment amounts as such applicable existing Tranche or Tranches, and with the same Lenders except for any Restricted Jurisdictional Lenders.
(b) Promptly following receipt, but in no event earlier than ten (10) Business Days following receipt by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lenders of the Required Information with respect to an Applicant Borrower organized under the laws of the United States (or such earlier date as the Administrative Agent may agree) and within such time period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative following receipt by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lenders of the Required Information with respect to any other Applicant Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall send a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit H (a Designated Borrower Notice) to the Borrower Representative and the applicable Lenders specifying the effective date upon which, subject to receipt of all resolutions, incumbency certificates, opinions of counsel and other documents or information requested or required pursuant to Section 10.19(a), the Applicant Borrower shall constitute a Designated Borrower for purposes hereof, whereupon each of the Lenders under the applicable Tranche(s) agree to permit such Designated Borrower to receive Revolving Loans under such Tranche(s) hereunder or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, and each of the parties agrees that such Designated Borrower otherwise shall be a Borrower for all purposes of this Agreement.
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(c) Each Designated Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints and consents to the Borrower Representative as its agent for all purposes relevant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents in accordance with Section 11.1 (and the Borrower Representative hereby accepts such appointment for service)). Any notice, demand, consent, acknowledgement, direction, certification or other communication delivered to the Borrower Representative in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been delivered to each Designated Borrower.
(d) The Borrower Representative may from time to time, upon not less than 5 Business Days notice from the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), terminate a Borrowers (other than the Companys) status as such by delivering to the Administrative Agent a duly executed notice in substantially the form of Exhibit I (a Borrower Termination Notice), provided that there are no outstanding Loans payable by such Borrower, or other amounts payable by such Borrower on account of any Loans or other extensions of credit made to it, as of the effective date of such termination. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the applicable Lenders of any such termination of a Borrowers status. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the delivery of a Borrower Termination Notice with respect to any Borrower shall not terminate (i) any obligation of such Borrower that remains unpaid at the time of such delivery (including without limitation any obligation arising thereafter in respect of such Borrower in accordance with the terms hereof) or (ii) the obligations of the other Loan Parties under the applicable Loan Document with respect to any such unpaid obligations; provided, this clause (e) shall not apply to any Borrower released pursuant to Section 10.2(c)(B).
(e) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that each of Lineage Norway Holdings I AS, Norwegian company, Lineage UK Holdings Limited, a Guernsey company, Lineage Customs Brokerage, LLC, a Washington limited liability company, or Preferred Freezer Logistics, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company (collectively, the Closing Date Excluded Borrowers), shall be terminated and released as a Borrower hereunder simultaneously with such Closing Date Excluded Borrowers release as an Obligor under and as defined in each Note Purchase Agreement for the Borrowers Guaranteed Senior Notes that constitute Pari Passu Capital Markets Indebtedness. Notwithstanding any Closing Date Excluded Borrowers status as a Borrower hereunder, no Closing Date Excluded Borrower shall be permitted to borrow any Loans until the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) any additional documentation and other information concerning such Closing Date Excluded Borrower that the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation and the Corruption, (ii) such supporting resolutions, notarized power of attorney granted by the Closing Date Excluded Borrower to the Borrower Representative (if required or customary in the jurisdiction of organization of the Closing Date Excluded Borrower), incumbency certificates, opinions of counsel and other documents or information, in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as may be required by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, and (iii) one or more Notes signed by such Closing Date Excluded Borrower to the extent any applicable Lenders so require.
(f) Clauses (a) through (c) of this Section 10.19 shall not apply to the Post-Closing Foreign Borrowers.
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10.20 Australian Banking Code of Practice. Each of the parties hereto agrees that the Australian Banking Code of Practice does not apply to this Agreement and the transactions in connection herewith.
10.21 Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Legislation. Each Loan Party acknowledges that, pursuant to the Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation, Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws and know your client laws, the Lenders may be required to obtain, verify and record information regarding the Loan Parties and their respective directors, authorized signing officers, direct or indirect shareholders or other Persons in control of the Loan Parties, and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Loan Party shall promptly provide all such information, including supporting documentation and other evidence, as may be reasonably requested by any Lender or any prospective assignee or participant of a Lender, any Issuing Lender or the Administrative Agent, in order to comply with any applicable Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation, Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws and know your client laws, whether now or hereafter in existence.
(a) If the Administrative Agent has ascertained the identity of any Loan Party or any authorized signatories of the Loan Parties for the purposes of applicable Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation, Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws and know your client laws, then the Administrative Agent:
(i) shall be deemed to have done so as an agent for each Lender, and this Agreement shall constitute a written agreement in such regard between each Lender and the Administrative Agent within the meaning of the applicable Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation, Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws and know your client laws; and
(ii) shall provide to each Lender copies of all information obtained in such regard without any representation or warranty as to its accuracy or completeness.
(b) Notwithstanding the preceding sentence and except as may otherwise be agreed in writing, each of the Lenders agrees that the Administrative Agent does not have any obligation to ascertain the identity of the Loan Parties or any authorized signatories of the Loan Parties on behalf of any Lender, or to confirm the completeness or accuracy of any information it obtains from any Loan Party or any such authorized signatory in doing so.
10.22 Personal Data Protection under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 of Singapore.
(a) If any Singapore Borrower provides any Lender with personal data of any individual as required by, pursuant to, or in connection with the Loan Documents, that Singapore Borrower represents and warrants to such Lender that it has, to the extent required by the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 of Singapore (i) notified the relevant individual of the purposes for which data will be collected, processed, used or disclosed; and (ii) has the lawful right to, or has obtained such individuals consent for, and hereby consents on behalf of such individual to, the collection, processing, use and disclosure of his/her personal data by the Lender, in each case, in accordance with or for the purposes of the Loan Documents, and confirms that it is authorized by such individual to provide such consent on his/her behalf.
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(b) Each Singapore Borrower agrees and undertakes to notify any Lender promptly upon it becoming aware of the withdrawal by the relevant individual of his/her consent to the collection, processing, use and/or disclosure by such Lender of any personal data provided by that Singapore Borrower to such Lender.
Any consent given pursuant to this Agreement in relation to personal data shall, subject to all applicable laws and regulations, survive death, incapacity, bankruptcy or insolvency of any such individual and the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
(c) In this Section 10.22, personal data has the meaning given to that term in the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 of Singapore.
10.23 Judgment Currency. If for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert an amount due hereunder in the currency in which it is due (the Original Currency) into another currency (the Second Currency), the rate of exchange applied shall be that at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Administrative Agent could purchase in the New York foreign exchange market, the Original Currency with the Second Currency on the date two (2) Business Days preceding that on which judgment is given. Each Borrower agrees that its obligation in respect of any Original Currency due from it hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment or payment in such other currency, be discharged only to the extent that, on the Business Day following the date the Administrative Agent receives payment of any sum so adjudged to be due hereunder in the Second Currency, the Administrative Agent may, in accordance with normal banking procedures, purchase, in the New York foreign exchange market, the Original Currency with the amount of the Second Currency so paid; and if the amount of the Original Currency so purchased or could have been so purchased is less than the amount originally due in the Original Currency, each Borrower agrees as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such payment or judgment to indemnify the Administrative Agent against such loss. The term rate of exchange in this Section 10.23 means the spot rate at which the Administrative Agent, in accordance with normal practices, is able on the relevant date to purchase the Original Currency with the Second Currency, and includes any premium and costs of exchange payable in connection with such purchase.
10.24 Transitional Arrangements.
(a) Existing Credit Agreement Superseded. This Agreement shall supersede the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety, except as provided in this Section 10.24. On the Closing Date, (i) the Loans and Letters of Credit outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement shall become Loans and Letters of Credit hereunder, respectively, (ii) the rights and obligations of the parties under each of the Existing Credit Agreement and the Notes defined therein shall be subsumed within and be governed by this Agreement and the Notes; provided however, that for purposes of this clause (ii) any of the Obligations (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be Obligations hereunder, (iii) this Agreement shall not in any way release or impair the rights, duties or Obligations created pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or
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affect the relative priorities thereof, in each case to the extent in force and effect thereunder as of the Closing Date, except as modified hereby or by documents, instruments and agreements executed and delivered in connection herewith, and all of such rights, duties and Obligations are assumed, ratified and affirmed by the Borrower; (iv) the Obligations incurred under the Existing Credit Agreement shall, to the extent outstanding on the Closing Date, continue outstanding under this Agreement and shall not be deemed to be paid, released, discharged or otherwise satisfied by the execution of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall not constitute a refinancing, substitution or novation of such Obligations or any of the other rights, duties and obligations of the parties hereunder; and (v) the execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of Lenders or the Administrative Agent under the Existing Credit Agreement, nor constitute a waiver of any covenant, agreement or obligation under the Existing Credit Agreement, except to the extent that any such covenant, agreement or obligation is no longer set forth herein or is modified hereby. The Lenders interests in such Obligations, and participations in such Letters of Credit, shall be reallocated on the Closing Date in accordance with each Lenders applicable Commitments hereunder. On the Closing Date, (a) the Commitments (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) of each Lender that is a party to the Existing Credit Agreement but is not a party to this Agreement (an Exiting Lender) shall be terminated, all outstanding Obligations owing to the Exiting Lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement on the Closing Date shall be paid in full, and each Exiting Lender shall cease to be a Lender under this Agreement, and (b) each Person listed on Schedule 1.1A attached to this Agreement shall be a Lender under this Agreement with the Commitments set forth opposite its name on such Schedule 1.1A.
(b) Interest and Fees under Existing Credit Agreement. All interest and all commitment, facility and other fees and expenses owing or accruing under or in respect of the Existing Credit Agreement shall be calculated as of the Closing Date (prorated in the case of any fractional periods), and shall be paid on the Closing Date in accordance with the method specified in the Existing Credit Agreement as if such agreement were still in effect.
SECTION 11. THE BORROWER REPRESENTATIVE.
11.1 Appointment; Nature of Relationship. The Company is hereby appointed by each of the Borrowers as its contractual representative (herein referred to as the Borrower Representative) hereunder and under each other Loan Document, and each of the Borrowers irrevocably authorizes the Borrower Representative to act as the contractual representative of such Borrower with the rights and duties expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. The Borrower Representative agrees to act as such contractual representative upon the express conditions contained in this Section 11. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective officers, directors, agents or employees, shall not be liable to the Borrower Representative or any Borrower for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 11.1.
11.2 Powers. The Borrower Representative shall have and may exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to the Borrower Representative by the terms of each thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Borrower Representative shall have no implied duties to the Borrowers, or any obligation to the Lenders to take any action thereunder except any action specifically provided by the Loan Documents to be taken by the Borrower Representative.
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11.3 Employment of Agents. The Borrower Representative may execute any of its duties as the Borrower Representative hereunder and under any other Loan Document by or through authorized officers.
11.4 Successor Borrower Representative. Upon the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative may resign at any time, such resignation to be effective upon the appointment of a successor Borrower Representative. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt written notice of such resignation to the Lenders.
11.5 Execution of Loan Documents. The Borrowers hereby empower and authorize the Borrower Representative, on behalf of the Borrowers, to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Loan Documents and all related agreements, certificates, documents, notices, or instruments as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, any amendments to the Loan Documents, the Borrowing Requests, notices under Sections 2.9, 2.10 and 2.12, and Compliance Certificates. Each Borrower agrees that any action taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and the exercise by the Borrower Representative of its powers set forth therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Borrowers.
11.6 Waiver of Limitations. Each Borrower hereby relieves the Borrower Representative to the fullest extent possible from the restrictions of Article 108 of the Polish Civil Code and similar restrictions applicable pursuant to any other applicable law.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
HOLDINGS: | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
PARENT COMPANY: | ||
LINEAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation | ||
By: | /s/ Kevin Marchetti | |
Name: | Kevin Marchetti | |
Title: | President |
LINEAGE OP: | ||
LINEAGE OP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: Lineage, Inc., its managing member | ||
By: | /s/ Kevin Marchetti | |
Name: | Kevin Marchetti | |
Title: | President |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
BORROWERS: | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC LINEAGE LOGISTICS PFS, LLC LINEAGE LOGISTICS SCS, LLC LINEAGE LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC LINEAGE MANUFACTURING, LLC LINEAGE TRANSPORTATION, LLC LINEAGE REDISTRIBUTION, LLC LINEAGE FOODSERVICE SOLUTIONS, LLC NOCS SOUTH ATLANTIC COLD STORAGE & WAREHOUSE, LLC NOCS WEST GULF, LLC NEW ORLEANS COLD STORAGE AND WAREHOUSE COMPANY, LLC LINEAGE LOGISTICS HCS, LLC LINEAGE AUS RE HOLDINGS, LLC LINEAGE LOGISTICS AFS, LLC LINEAGE LOGISTICS CANADA HOLDINGS, LLC each a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
PREFERRED FREEZER LOGISTICS, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
LINEAGE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE, LLC, a Washington limited liability company | ||
By: Lineage Transportation Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liabilitycompany, its sole member | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS LTD., | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS TRS LP, by its general partner: LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS TRS, GP LTD. | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS CANADA HOLDINGS LTD., | ||
By: | /s/ Ken MacLean | |
Name: Ken MacLean | ||
Title: Regional Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
Executed by each of:
Emergent Cold Bidco Pty Ltd
Emergent Cold Midco 3 Pty Ltd
Emergent Cold Pty Ltd
Lineage AUS TRS Pty Ltd,
in accordance with section 127 of the
Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) by:
|
/s/ Craig Bowyer | |
Sole Director signature | ||
CRAIG BOWYER | ||
Full name (BLOCK LETTERS) |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
LINEAGE LOGISTICS NEW ZEALAND, (NZ Company Number: 1232) By: |
||||
/s/ Guy Moniz | /s/ Mark Stevens | |||
Signature of Director | Signature of Director | |||
GUY MONIZ | MARK STEVENS | |||
Name of Director | Name of Director |
LINEAGE NZ TRS LIMITED, (NZ Company Number: 7967497) By: |
||||
/s/ Guy Moniz | /s/ Mark Stevens | |||
Signature of Director | Signature of Director | |||
GUY MONIZ | MARK STEVENS | |||
Name of Director | Name of Director |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
For and on behalf of |
Lineage Danish Bidco ApS, |
/s/ Harld Peters |
By: Harld Peters |
Title: Special Attorney |
/s/ Annegien Kooij |
By: Annegien Kooij |
Title: Special Attorney |
Lineage Norway Holdings I AS, | ||
By: | /s/ Annegien Kooij | |
Name: Annegien Kooij | ||
Title: Attorney-in-fact | ||
By: | /s/ Harld Peters | |
Name: Harld Peters | ||
Title: Attorney-in-fact |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
LINEAGE DUTCH BIDCO B.V., |
/s/ Harld Peters |
By: Harld Peters |
Title: Authorised Signatory |
/s/ Annegien Kooij |
By: Annegien Kooij |
Title: Authorised Signatory |
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V., |
/s/ Harld Peters |
By: Harld Peters |
Title: Authorised Signatory |
/s/ Annegien Kooij |
By: Annegien Kooij |
Title: Authorised Signatory |
LINEAGE DUTCH COOPERATIEF U.A., |
/s/ Harld Peters |
By: Harld Peters |
Title: Authorised Signatory |
/s/ Annegien Kooij |
By: Annegien Kooij |
Title: Authorised Signatory |
LINEAGE NL TRS B.V., |
/s/ Harld Peters |
By: Harld Peters |
Title: Authorised Signatory |
/s/ Annegien Kooij |
By: Annegien Kooij |
Title: Authorised Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
SIGNED for and on behalf of |
) | |||
LINEAGE UK HOLDINGS LIMITED, as Borrower, |
) ) |
|||
a company incorporated in Guernsey, acting by |
) | /s/ Annegien Kooij | ||
Annegien Kooij, who, in accordance with the laws of that territory, is acting under the authority of the company | ) ) ) ) |
Director |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
For and on behalf of Lineage UK T&F Holdings Limited
/s/ Annegien Kooij |
Name: Annegien Kooij |
Title: Director |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD., | ||
a company incorporated in Singapore, with registration number 202206184N, | ||
By: | /s/ Craig Bowyer | |
Name: Craig Bowyer | ||
Title: Director |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SINGAPORE INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., | ||
a company incorporated in Singapore, with registration number 202213934R, | ||
By: | /s/ Craig Bowyer | |
Name: Craig Bowyer | ||
Title: Director |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, an Issuing Lender and a Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Mayank Sinha | |
Name: Mayank Sinha | ||
Title: Executive Director |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as a Lender and an Issuing Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Cristina Johnnie | |
Name: Cristina Johnnie | ||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A. | ||
By: | /s/ Michael King | |
Name: Michael King | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Michael King | |
Name: Michael King | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA | ||
By: | /s/ Robert Ehudin | |
Name: Robert Ehudin | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Robert Ehudin | |
Name: Robert Ehudin | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
COÖPERATIEVE RABOBANK U.A., NEW YORK BRANCH | ||
By: | /s/ Justine Dupont-Nivet | |
Name: Justine Dupont-Nivet | ||
Title: Executive Director | ||
By: | /s/ Eli Goldman | |
Name: Eli Goldman | ||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
By: | /s/ Alexander P. Wilke | |
Name: Alexander P. Wilke | ||
Title: Duly Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. | ||
By: | /s/ Dennis Kwan | |
Name: Dennis Kwan | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
By: | /s/ Jim Komperda | |
Name: Jim Komperda | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA | ||
By: | /s/ Brian Gross | |
Name: Brian Gross | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK | ||
By: | /s/ Joe White | |
Name: Joe White | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
TRUIST BANK | ||
By: | /s/ C. Vincent Hughes, Jr. | |
Name: C. Vincent Hughes, Jr. | ||
Title: Director |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
MIZUHO BANK, LTD. | ||
By: | /s/ Donna DeMagistris | |
Name: Donna DeMagistris | ||
Title: Executive Director |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA | ||
By: | /s/ Chelsea McCune | |
Name: Chelsea McCune | ||
Title: Director |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
HSBC BANK USA, N.A. | ||
By: | /s/ Jillian Clemons | |
Name: Jillian Clemons | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
COBANK FCB | ||
By: | /s/ John Trawick | |
Name: John Trawick | ||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
COMPEER FINANCIAL, PCA | ||
By: | /s/ Betty Janelle | |
Name: Betty Janelle | ||
Title: Director, Capital Markets |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
REGIONS BANK | ||
By: | /s/ Nicholas R. Frerman | |
Name: Nicholas R. Frerman | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, PCA | ||
By: | /s/ Thomas L. Markowski | |
Name: Thomas L. Markowski | ||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
GREENSTONE FARM CREDIT SERVICES | ||
By: | /s/ Chuck Castles | |
Name: Chuck Castles | ||
Title: VP Capital Markets |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement]
Exhibit 10.33
TERM LOAN AGREEMENT
among
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC,
as Borrower Representative
THE BORROWERS PARTY HERETO
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC
as Holdings
LINEAGE OP, LLC,
as Lineage OP
LINEAGE, INC.,
as Parent Company
the Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties Hereto
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as Syndication Agent
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC,
and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
as Documentation Agents
Dated as of February 15, 2024
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. and WELLS FARGO SECURITIES LLC, as Joint Lead
Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
BOFA SECURITIES, INC., GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC,
and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
as Joint Lead Arrangers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1. |
DEFINITIONS | 1 | ||||
1.1 |
Defined Terms | 1 | ||||
1.2 |
Other Definitional Provisions | 56 | ||||
1.3 |
Disclaimer | 57 | ||||
1.4 |
[Reserved] | 57 | ||||
1.5 |
[Reserved] | 57 | ||||
1.6 |
Times of Day | 57 | ||||
1.7 |
[Reserved] | 57 | ||||
1.8 |
Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification | 57 | ||||
1.9 |
Divisions | 58 | ||||
1.10 |
Limited Condition Transactions | 58 | ||||
SECTION 2. |
AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS | 59 | ||||
2.1 |
Term Commitments | 59 | ||||
2.2 |
Procedure for U.S. Term Loan Borrowing | 59 | ||||
2.3 |
[Reserved] | 60 | ||||
2.4 |
[Reserved] | 60 | ||||
2.5 |
[Reserved] | 60 | ||||
2.6 |
[Reserved] | 60 | ||||
2.7 |
[Reserved] | 60 | ||||
2.8 |
Ticking Fees, etc | 60 | ||||
2.9 |
Termination or Reduction of Term Commitments | 61 | ||||
2.10 |
Prepayments | 61 | ||||
2.11 |
Repayment of Loans | 63 | ||||
2.12 |
Conversion and Continuation Options | 63 | ||||
2.13 |
Limitations on Term Benchmark Tranches | 64 | ||||
2.14 |
Interest Rates and Payment Dates | 64 | ||||
2.15 |
Computation of Interest and Fees | 65 | ||||
2.16 |
Alternate Rate of Interest | 65 | ||||
2.17 |
Pro Rata Treatment and Payments | 68 | ||||
2.18 |
Requirements of Law | 70 | ||||
2.19 |
Taxes | 71 |
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
2.20 |
Indemnity | 75 | ||||
2.21 |
Change of Lending Office | 75 | ||||
2.22 |
Replacement of Lenders | 76 | ||||
2.23 |
Incremental Commitments | 76 | ||||
2.24 |
Defaulting Lenders | 78 | ||||
2.25 |
Extension of Term Loan Maturity Date | 78 | ||||
2.26 |
Cash Management Services and Swap Agreements | 79 | ||||
2.27 |
Joint and Several Liability | 79 | ||||
SECTION 3. |
[RESERVED] | 81 | ||||
SECTION 4. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 81 | ||||
4.1 |
Financial Condition | 81 | ||||
4.2 |
No Change | 81 | ||||
4.3 |
Existence; Compliance with Law | 81 | ||||
4.4 |
Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations | 82 | ||||
4.5 |
No Legal Bar | 82 | ||||
4.6 |
Litigation | 82 | ||||
4.7 |
No Default | 83 | ||||
4.8 |
Ownership of Property; Liens; Qualified Assets; Casualty | 83 | ||||
4.9 |
Intellectual Property | 83 | ||||
4.10 |
Taxes | 83 | ||||
4.11 |
Federal Regulations | 84 | ||||
4.12 |
[Reserved] | 84 | ||||
4.13 |
ERISA; Foreign Pension Plans | 84 | ||||
4.14 |
Investment Company Act; Other Regulations | 84 | ||||
4.15 |
Subsidiaries | 84 | ||||
4.16 |
[Reserved] | 84 | ||||
4.17 |
Environmental Matters | 84 | ||||
4.18 |
Accuracy of Information, etc | 85 | ||||
4.19 |
Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions | 86 | ||||
4.20 |
Solvency | 86 | ||||
4.21 |
Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions | 86 |
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
4.22 |
REIT Status | 87 | ||||
4.23 |
[Reserved] | 87 | ||||
4.24 |
Affected Financial Institutions | 87 | ||||
SECTION 5. |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 87 | ||||
5.1 |
Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit | 87 | ||||
5.2 |
Conditions to Each Extension of Credit | 89 | ||||
SECTION 6. |
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | 90 | ||||
6.1 |
Financial Statements | 90 | ||||
6.2 |
Certificates; Other Information | 91 | ||||
6.3 |
[Reserved] | 93 | ||||
6.4 |
Taxes | 93 | ||||
6.5 |
Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Law | 93 | ||||
6.6 |
Maintenance of Property; Insurance | 94 | ||||
6.7 |
Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions | 94 | ||||
6.8 |
Notices | 94 | ||||
6.9 |
Environmental Laws | 95 | ||||
6.10 |
[Reserved] | 96 | ||||
6.11 |
Use of Proceeds | 96 | ||||
6.12 |
Know Your Customer | 96 | ||||
6.13 |
Maintenance of REIT Status; Further Assurances | 96 | ||||
6.14 |
[Reserved]. | 96 | ||||
6.15 |
[Reserved]. | 96 | ||||
6.16 |
Accuracy of Information | 96 | ||||
SECTION 7. |
NEGATIVE COVENANTS | 97 | ||||
7.1 |
Financial Covenants | 97 | ||||
7.2 |
Indebtedness | 97 | ||||
7.3 |
Liens | 98 | ||||
7.4 |
Fundamental Changes | 98 | ||||
7.5 |
Disposition of Property | 99 | ||||
7.6 |
Restricted Payments | 99 | ||||
7.7 |
[Reserved] | 102 |
-iii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
7.8 |
Investments | 102 | ||||
7.9 |
Amendments to Governing Documents | 102 | ||||
7.10 |
Transactions with Affiliates | 102 | ||||
7.11 |
[Reserved] | 104 | ||||
7.12 |
Swap Agreements | 104 | ||||
7.13 |
[Reserved] | 104 | ||||
7.14 |
Negative Pledge Clauses | 104 | ||||
7.15 |
Payments of Subordinate Debt | 106 | ||||
7.16 |
Lines of Business | 106 | ||||
SECTION 8. |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 106 | ||||
SECTION 9. |
THE AGENTS | 110 | ||||
9.1 |
Authorization and Action | 110 | ||||
9.2 |
Administrative Agents Reliance, Limitation of Liability, Etc | 113 | ||||
9.3 |
Posting of Communications | 115 | ||||
9.4 |
The Administrative Agent Individually | 116 | ||||
9.5 |
Successor Administrative Agent | 116 | ||||
9.6 |
Acknowledgements of Lenders | 118 | ||||
9.7 |
Guarantee and Collateral Matters | 119 | ||||
9.8 |
[Reserved] | 120 | ||||
9.9 |
Certain ERISA Matters | 120 | ||||
SECTION 10. |
MISCELLANEOUS | 121 | ||||
10.1 |
Notices | 121 | ||||
10.2 |
Waivers; Amendments | 123 | ||||
10.3 |
Expenses; Limitation of Liability; Indemnity; Etc | 124 | ||||
10.4 |
Successors and Assigns | 126 | ||||
10.5 |
Survival | 131 | ||||
10.6 |
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution | 131 | ||||
10.7 |
Severability | 132 | ||||
10.8 |
Right of Setoff | 132 | ||||
10.9 |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process | 133 | ||||
10.10 |
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 134 |
-iv-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
10.11 |
Headings | 134 | ||||
10.12 |
Confidentiality | 134 | ||||
10.13 |
Material Non-Public Information | 135 | ||||
10.14 |
Interest Rate Limitation | 135 | ||||
10.15 |
No Fiduciary Duty, etc | 136 | ||||
10.16 |
USA PATRIOT Act | 136 | ||||
10.17 |
Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions | 137 | ||||
10.18 |
Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs | 137 | ||||
10.19 |
Designated Borrowers | 138 | ||||
SECTION 11. |
THE BORROWER REPRESENTATIVE. | 140 | ||||
11.1 |
Appointment; Nature of Relationship | 140 | ||||
11.2 |
Powers | 140 | ||||
11.3 |
Employment of Agents | 140 | ||||
11.4 |
Successor Borrower Representative | 140 | ||||
11.5 |
Execution of Loan Documents | 140 |
-v-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
SCHEDULES:
1.1A | Loan Commitments | |
1.1C | Closing Date U.S. Borrowers | |
1.1E | Ground Leases | |
4.15 | Subsidiaries | |
6.1(b) | Company Website | |
7.2 | Existing Indebtedness | |
7.3 | Existing Liens | |
7.8 | Existing Investments | |
7.10 | Affiliate Transactions |
EXHIBITS:
A | Form of Guarantee Agreement | |
B | Form of Compliance Certificate | |
C | Form of Assignment and Assumption | |
D | Form of Borrowing Request | |
E | [Reserved] | |
F | Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates | |
G | Form of Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement | |
H | Form of Designated Borrower Notice | |
I | Form of Borrower Termination Notice | |
J | Form of Intercreditor Agreement |
-vi-
TERM LOAN AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of February 15, 2024, among LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), each Person listed on Schedule 1.1C as a U.S. Borrower as of the Closing Date, each Subsidiary of Parent Company that becomes a party hereto as a Borrower, LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Holdings), LINEAGE OP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Lineage OP), LINEAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation (Parent Company), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this Agreement (the Lenders), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as syndication agent (in such capacity, the Syndication Agent), the Documentation Agents listed on the cover to this Agreement, and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
WHEREAS, the Company and the other Borrowers have requested that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders provide a delayed-draw term loan facility to the Borrowers in the initial principal amount of $2,400,000,000;
WHEREAS, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are willing to provide such term loan facility on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement and agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.1.
ABR: for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 1⁄2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for a one month Interest Period as published two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day (or if such day is not a U.S. Government Business Day, the immediately preceding U.S. Government Business Day) plus 1%; provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for any day shall be based on the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m. Chicago time on such day (or any amended publication time for the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as specified by the CME Term SOFR Administrator in the Term SOFR Reference Rate methodology). Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, respectively. If the ABR is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.16 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until the Benchmark Replacement has been determined pursuant to Section 2.16(b)), then the ABR shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above. For the avoidance of doubt, if the ABR as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be less than 1.0%, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.0% for purposes of this Agreement.
ABR Borrowing: a Borrowing denominated in Dollars the rate of interest applicable to which is based on the ABR.
ABR Loans: Loans denominated in Dollars the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the ABR.
Additional Credit Extension Amendment: an amendment to this Agreement providing for any Incremental Commitments which shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of this Agreement relating to such Incremental Commitments and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.
Adjusted Daily Simple RFR: with respect to any RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Daily Simple RFR for Dollars, plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
Adjusted Term SOFR Rate: with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Term SOFR Rate for such Interest Period, plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
Administrative Agent: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., together with its affiliates and branches, as the administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with any of its successors.
Administrative Questionnaire: an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
Affected Financial Institution: (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
Affiliate: as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 25% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.
Agency Site: the Electronic System established by the Administrative Agent to administer this Agreement.
Aggregate Exposure: with respect to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the aggregate then unpaid principal amount of such Lenders Term Loans and (ii) the amount of such Lenders unused Term Commitment then in effect.
Aggregate Exposure Percentage: with respect to any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lenders Aggregate Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposures of all Lenders at such time.
Agreement: as defined in the preamble hereto.
2
Ancillary Document: has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.8(b).
Anti-Corruption Laws: the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and all laws, rules and regulations of any other jurisdiction applicable to Parent Company and its respective Subsidiaries concerning or relating to bribery or corruption including the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) and the Prevention of Corruption Act 1960 of Singapore.
Anti-Terrorism Laws: any Requirement of Law related to terrorism financing, economic sanctions or money laundering, including: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957; The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5332 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820b and 1951-1959), as amended by the Patriot Act, and their implementing regulations; the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., as amended), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq., as amended), Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001), and their implementing regulations and including Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation.
Applicable EBITDA: with respect to any Real Property that is (x) owned or ground leased by Parent Company or any Subsidiary or (y) a Leased Asset, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA attributable to such Real Property for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters.
Applicable Margin: for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan, RFR Loan, or Term Benchmark Loan, or with respect to the ticking fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum determined as set forth below.
(a) From and after the Closing Date and until the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date, for Term Loans, the Applicable Margin for Term Benchmark Loans, RFR Loans or ABR Loans, as the case may be, shall be determined by the range into which the Total Leverage Ratio falls in the table below:
RATIO LEVEL |
TOTAL LEVERAGE RATIO |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR TERM BENCHMARK LOANS OR RFR LOANS |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR ABR LOANS |
|||||||||
Level I |
< 50% | 1.60% | 0.60% | |||||||||
Level II |
|
> 50% and < 55% |
|
1.80% | 0.80% | |||||||
Level III |
|
> 55% and < 60% |
|
2.00% | 1.00% | |||||||
Level IV |
> 60% | 2.20% | 1.20% |
For purposes of this clause (a), any increase or decrease in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a compliance certificate is delivered in accordance with Section 6.2(a); provided, however, that if such compliance certificate is not delivered within three (3) Business Days of the date when due in accordance with Section 6.2(a), then the Applicable Margin shall be the percentage that would apply to the Level IV Ratio and it shall apply as of the fourth (4th) Business Day after the date on which such compliance certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until such compliance certificate is delivered. The Applicable Margin from the Closing Date until the delivery of the compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2023 shall be based on Level I.
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If at any time the financial statements upon which the Applicable Margin was determined were incorrect (whether based on a restatement, fraud or otherwise), the Borrower shall be required to retroactively pay any additional amount that the Borrower would have been required to pay if such financial statements had been accurate at the time they were delivered.
(b) From and after the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date, for Term Loans, the Applicable Margin for Term Benchmark Loans, RFR Loans or ABR Loans or the Ticking Fee Rate, as the case may be, shall be determined solely by the Debt Ratings in the table below:
RATINGS LEVEL |
MOODYS/ S&P/FITCH DEBT RATING |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR TERM BENCHMARK LOANS OR RFR LOANS |
APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR ABR LOANS |
TICKING FEE RATE | ||||
Level I Rating | A3/A- or higher | 0.85% | 0% | 0.125% | ||||
Level II Rating | Baa1/BBB+ | 0.925% | 0% | 0.150% | ||||
Level III Rating | Baa2/BBB | 1.05% | 0.05% | 0.20% | ||||
Level IV Rating | Baa3/BBB- | 1.30% | 0.30% | 0.20% | ||||
Level V Rating | Below Baa3/BBB- or unrated |
1.70% | 0.70% | 0.20% |
For purposes of this clause (b), if at any time Parent Company or another Guarantor has two (2) Debt Ratings, the Applicable Margin and Ticking Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum applicable to the highest Debt Rating; provided that if the highest Debt Rating and the lowest Debt Rating are more than one ratings category apart, the Applicable Margin and Ticking Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum applicable to Debt Rating that is one ratings category below the highest Debt Rating. If at any time Parent Company or another Guarantor has three (3) Debt Ratings, and such Debt Ratings are split, then: (A) if the difference between the highest and the lowest such Debt Ratings is one ratings category (e.g. Baa2 by Moodys and BBB- by S&P or Fitch), the Applicable Margin and Ticking Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the highest of the Debt Ratings were used; and (B) if the difference between such Debt Ratings is two ratings categories (e.g. Baa1 by Moodys and BBB- by S&P or Fitch) or more, the Applicable Margin and Ticking Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the average of the two (2) highest Debt Ratings were used, provided that if such average is not a recognized rating category, then the Applicable Margin and Ticking Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum that would be applicable if the second highest Debt Rating of the three were used. If at any time Parent Company or another Guarantor has only one Debt Rating (and such Debt Rating is from Moodys or S&P), the Applicable Margin and Ticking Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum applicable to such Debt Rating. If Parent Company or another Guarantor neither has a Debt Rating from Moodys nor S&P, the Applicable Margin and Ticking Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum applicable to a Debt Rating of below BBB-/Baa3 or unrated in the tables above.
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Each change in the Applicable Margin and Ticking Fee Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. If the rating system of Moodys, S&P or Fitch shall change, or if such rating agency shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Margin and Ticking Fee Rate shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation.
Applicant Borrower: as defined in Section 10.19.
Approved Fund: 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 of its business 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.
Arrangers: the financial institutions listed as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners on the cover page to this Agreement.
Asset Disposition: the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition of any owned or ground-leased real or personal property (including any sale and leaseback transaction, division, merger or disposition of Equity Interests), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; provided that Asset Disposition shall exclude any Excluded Disposition.
Assignment and Assumption: an Assignment and Assumption, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
Available Tenor: as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of Interest Period pursuant to clause (e) of Section 2.16.
Bail-In Action: means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
Bail-In Legislation: means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
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Bankruptcy Code: the provisions of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 USC §§ 101 et seq., as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
Bankruptcy Event: with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy, concurso mercantil or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, liquidator, monitor, supervisor, interim liquidator, statutory manager, judicial manager, interim judicial manager, nominee (which has the meaning given under section 273(1) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 of Singapore), conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, conciliador, sindico, interventor, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.
Benchmark: initially, with respect to any (i) RFR Loan, the Daily Effective SOFR or (ii) Term Benchmark Loan, the Term SOFR Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event, and the related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the applicable Relevant Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then Benchmark means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to clause (b) of Section 2.16.
Benchmark Replacement: for any Available Tenor, the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for syndicated credit facilities denominated in Dollars at such time in the United States and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to the above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Benchmark Replacement Adjustment: with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread
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adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for syndicated credit facilities denominated in Dollars at such time.
Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes: with respect to any Benchmark Replacement and/or any Term Benchmark Loan denominated in Dollars, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of ABR, the definition of Business Day, the definition of U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the definition of RFR Business Day, the definition of Interest Period, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides in its reasonable discretion may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides in its reasonable discretion is necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
Benchmark Replacement Date: with respect to any Benchmark, the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of Benchmark Transition Event, the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of Benchmark Transition Event, the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided, that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.
For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
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Benchmark Transition Event: with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(1) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(2) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), in each case, which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(3) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative.
For the avoidance of doubt, a Benchmark Transition Event will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
Benchmark Unavailability Period: with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (1) or (2) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.16 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.16.
Beneficial Ownership Certification: a certification regarding beneficial ownership or control as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
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Beneficial Ownership Regulation: means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
Benefit Plan: any of (a) an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a plan as defined in Section 4975 of the Code to which Section 4975 of the Code applies, and (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such employee benefit plan or plan.
BHC Act Affiliate of a party: an affiliate (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
Board: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).
Borrowers: each U.S. Borrower, including each Designated Borrower; provided, Borrowers shall not include any Borrower for whom a Borrower Termination Notice has been submitted and is effective in accordance with Section 10.19(d) hereof.
Borrower Materials as defined in Section 6.2.
Borrower Representative: as defined in Section 11.1.
Borrower Termination Notice: as defined in Section 10.19.
Borrowing: Loans of the same Type made, converted or continued on the same date, and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
Borrowing Date: any Business Day specified by the Borrower as a date on which the Borrower requests the relevant Lenders to make Loans hereunder.
Business: as defined in Section 4.17(b).
Business Day: any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in New York City; provided that, in addition to the foregoing, a Business Day shall be (a) in relation to RFR Loans and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such RFR Loan, or any other dealings of such RFR Loan, any such day that is only an RFR Business Day and (b) in relation to Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate and any interest rate settings, funding, disbursement, settlements or payments of any such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or any other dealings of such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, any such date that is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day.
Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation means, collectively, Parts II.1 and XII.2 of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, the Proceeds of Crime Act and the United Nations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. U-2 or any similar Canadian legislation, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto including, without limitation, the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on the Suppression of Terrorism and the United Nations Al Qaida and Taliban Regulations promulgated under the United Nations Act.
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Canadian Blocked Person: any Person that is a designated person, politically exposed foreign person or terrorist group as described in any Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws.
Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws: any Canadian laws, regulations or orders governing transactions in controlled goods or technologies or dealings with countries, entities, organizations, or individuals subject to economic sanctions and similar measures, including the Special Economic Measures Act (Canada), the United Nations Act (Canada), the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Canada), Part II.1 of the Criminal Code (Canada) and the Export and Import Permits Act (Canada), and any related regulations.
Capitalization Rate: (a) 6.5% for Real Property that is owned or subject to a ground lease and (b) 8.5% for Real Property that is a Leased Asset.
Capital Lease Obligations: as to any Person, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as finance leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.
Captive Insurance Subsidiary: any Subsidiary of Parent Company that is subject to regulation as an insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereof).
Cash Equivalents: (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the government of the United States, Canada or England and Wales or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, Canada or England and Wales, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers acceptances having maturities of 180 days or less from the date of acquisition issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof, or the laws of England and Wales having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000; (c) commercial paper of an issuer maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or Moodys; and (d) fully collateralized repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities described in clause (a) above; (e) money market funds that (x) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (y) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moodys and (z) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; or (f) solely with respect to any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, any investment that a Captive Insurance Subsidiary is not prohibited to make in accordance with applicable law.
Cash Management Banks: (a) a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent at the time such services are entered into or (b) any financial institution or commercial bank that notifies the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.26 hereof.
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Cash Management Services: any of the following provided to a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party by a Cash Management Bank; provided Cash Management Services provided by a Cash Management Bank pursuant to clause (b) of the definition thereof, shall not exceed in the aggregate $25,000,000 at any time outstanding: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, commercial credit cards and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts, cash pooling services and interstate depository network services), (e) bank guarantees and letters of credit, and (f) other cash management services.
Change in Control: shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(a) at any time prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO, the Investor shall, directly or indirectly, at any time collectively fail to own beneficially, directly or indirectly, voting Equity Interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Parent Company (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested); or
(b) at any time after the consummation of a Qualified IPO, any person or group (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person and its subsidiaries and any Person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Investor, acquires beneficial ownership of voting Equity Interests of the Parent Company representing (A) more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Parent Company (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested) and (B) more than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power that is at the time beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Investor, taken together (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested); or
(c) the Parent Company ceases to be sole managing member or general partner (as applicable) of Lineage OP or the Parent Company ceases to own and control at least 60% of the voting Equity Interests in Lineage OP;
(d) at any time prior to the merger or consolidation of Holdings with or into Lineage OP, Lineage OP cease to be the sole managing member or general partner (as applicable) of Holdings or Lineage OP ceases to own and control at least 60% of the voting Equity Interests in Holdings;
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(e) at any time prior to the merger or consolidation of Holdings with or into Lineage OP, Holdings ceases to own, beneficially and of record, one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of (x) the Company and (y) each of the other Borrowers except (in case of clause (y)) pursuant to a transaction or designation permitted under this Agreement; and at any time after the merger or consolidation of Holdings with or into Lineage OP, Lineage OP ceases to own, beneficially and of record, one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of (x) the Company and (y) each of the other Borrowers except (in case of clause (y)) pursuant to a transaction or designation permitted under this Agreement.
Change in Law: the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following: (a) the adoption of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.18(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lenders holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall be deemed to be a Change in Law regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
Closing Date: the date hereof.
Closing Date Excluded Borrower: as defined in Section 10.19(e).
CMBS Financing: any loans or notes incurred by or issued to Parent Company or any of its Subsidiaries as borrowers under commercial mortgage-backed securities financing transactions from time to time.
Code: the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
Commitments: as to any Lender, the Term Commitments of such Lender.
Commodity Exchange Act: the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
Communications: as defined in Section 9.3(c).
Company: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Compliance Certificate: a certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
Connection Income Taxes: Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
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Contractual Obligation: as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any legally binding contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, loan, instrument, lease, conditional sales contract, mortgage, license, franchise agreement, binding commitment or other arrangement, whether written or oral, to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound other than the Obligations.
Corresponding Tenor: with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.
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). |
Credit Party: the (a) Administrative Agent, (b) any other Lender, (c) each Cash Management Bank, (d) each counterparty to any Lender Swap Agreement, to the extent the obligations thereunder constitute Secured Obligations, (e) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document, and (f) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.
Daily Effective SOFR: for any day (a SOFR Rate Day), a rate per annum equal to SOFR for the day (such day SOFR Determination Date) that is (i) if such SOFR Rate Day is an RFR Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (ii) if such SOFR Rate Day is not an RFR Business Day, the RFR Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrators Website. Any change in Daily Effective SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Borrower.
Daily Simple RFR: for any day (an RFR Interest Day), an interest rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) Daily Effective SOFR, and (b) 0.00%.
Debtor Relief Laws: the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the Winding Up and Restructuring Act (Canada) and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, concurso mercantil, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, administration, insolvency, dissolution, judicial management, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America, Canada or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
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Debt Issuance: the incurrence of Indebtedness for borrowed money (including an issuance or offering of unsecured notes or the borrowing of incremental loans under a revolving credit or term loan facility pursuant to new commitments provided after the Closing Date) by the Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower; provided that Debt Issuance shall exclude (A) borrowings and repayments of the revolving credit facility under the Existing Credit Agreement, (B) any refinancings of existing Indebtedness that is in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced, plus interest, penalties, premiums and other customary amounts, (C) Borrowings under this Agreement, (D) any financing leases and (E) Indebtedness that is incurred to finance or assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets and/or Equity Interests.
Debt Rating: means, as of any date of determination, the rating as determined by S&P, Moodys and/or Fitch of Parent Companys or another Guarantors non-credit enhanced senior unsecured long-term debt.
Debt Rating Pricing Election Date: the date on which (a) an Investment Grade Rating Event has occurred and continues to exist on the date that the Borrower gives its election notice described below and (b) the Borrower Representative has delivered written notice to the Administrative Agent of its election (which shall be irrevocable) to have the Applicable Margins determined by reference to the Debt Ratings instead of the Total Leverage Ratio.
Default: any of the events specified in Section 8, whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
Defaulting Lender: any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans or (ii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lenders good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular Default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lenders good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular Default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Partys receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action or (e) is the Subsidiary of a Parent that has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action (or is a subsidiary of a Lender Parent that has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action). Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (e) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.24(e)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower and each Lender.
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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.
Designated Borrower: any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that becomes party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.19.
Designated Borrower Notice: as defined in Section 10.19.
Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement: as defined in Section 10.19.
Development Property: as of any date of determination, Real Property acquired or otherwise held for development or redevelopment on which the improvements related to the development or redevelopment have not been completed on such date; provided that such Real Property shall cease to be a Development Property, and shall thereafter be considered a Stabilized Property, upon the first to occur of (a) the date that is six full fiscal quarters following substantial completion (including issuance of a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy for the improvements under construction permitting the use and occupancy for their regular intended uses) of such Real Property, and (b) the first day of the first fiscal quarter following the date on which such Development Property has achieved an Occupancy Rate of at least 85%. For avoidance of doubt, any Real Property that is not (and has never been) a Development Property shall be considered a Stabilized Property from the first day of the first fiscal quarter following the date on which such Real Property has achieved an Occupancy Rate of at least 85%, and vacant land adjacent to and forming part of a Stabilized Property may become a Development Property if, as of any date of determination, the same is being developed with a new, improved or expanded facility. Similarly, a Stabilized Property may become a Development Property if, as of the date of determination, the same is being replaced, restored, remodeled or rebuilt where the purpose and effect of such work is to provide a functionally new, improved or expanded facility.
Direct Owner: has the meaning specified in the definition of Property Owning Subsidiary.
Disposition: with respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer, or other disposition thereof (in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a division or otherwise). The terms Dispose and Disposed of shall have correlative meanings.
Disqualified Equity Interests shall mean any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or requires the payment of any cash dividend or any other scheduled payment constituting a return of capital, in each case at any time on or prior to the date that is 91 days following the Maturity Date at the time of the issuance of such Equity Interest; provided, however, that (i) only the portion of such Equity Interest which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be a Disqualified Equity Interest, (ii) if such Equity Interests are issued to any current or former employees or other service providers or to any plan for the benefit of employees,
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directors, officers, members of management or consultants (including any equity or incentive compensation or benefit plan) of Parent Company or its subsidiaries or by any such compensation or plan to such current or former employees, other service providers, directors, officers, members of management or consultants, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such current or former employees, other service providers, directors, officers, management members or consultants termination, death or disability, (iii) any class of Equity Interests of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests, and (iv) Equity Interests will not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because of provisions giving holders thereof the right to require repurchase or redemption upon an initial public offering, asset sale or change of control occurring prior to such date; or (b) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interest referred to in clause (a) above, in each case at any time prior to the date that is 91 days following the Term Loan Maturity Date at the time of the issuance of such Equity Interest.
Disqualified Institution shall mean any (i) competitor of Parent Company or any of its subsidiaries and (ii) such other Person, in each case, identified in writing to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date, and, in the case of the foregoing clause (i) and (ii), the clearly identifiable (solely on the basis of the similarity of its name) affiliates of any of the foregoing; provided that, after the Closing Date, the Borrower Representative shall be permitted, upon three Business Days prior notice to the Administrative Agent, to supplement the list of competitors provided for in clause (i) to include additional competitors and/or any Affiliates thereof (such list, as so supplemented from time to time, the Disqualified Institution List); provided, further, that the foregoing shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in the Loans to the extent such party was not a Disqualified Institution at the time of the applicable assignment or participation, as the case may be. The Administrative Agent will make available to a Lender, upon the request of such Lender, the Disqualified Institution List.
Dividing Person has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of Division.
Division: the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the Dividing Person) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a plan of division or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.
Division Successor: any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.
Documentation Agents: the financial institutions listed as Documentation Agents on the cover page of this Agreement.
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Dollars and $: dollars in lawful currency of the United States.
Domestic Subsidiary: any Subsidiary of Parent Company organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof, the District of Columbia, or any other jurisdiction within the United States.
EBITDA: with respect to Parent Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, depletion and amortization calculated in accordance with GAAP, at all times excluding, without duplication, (i) impairment and other non-cash charges or gains including, for the avoidance of doubt, equity in earnings (but excluding any non-cash charge in respect of an item that was included in EBITDA in a prior period or any charges that result in a write-down or write-off of inventory and excluding amortization expense attributable to a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period), (ii) stock-based compensation expense, (iii) gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated assets, (iv) gains or losses from foreign exchange, (v) gains or losses from derivative instruments, (vi) gains or losses from the early extinguishment of indebtedness, (vii) severance and other non-recurring restructuring charges, (viii) transaction costs of acquisitions, dispositions, capital markets offerings, debt and equity financings and amendments thereto (in each case, whether or not consummated) not permitted to be capitalized pursuant to GAAP, (ix) other unusual, exceptional or extraordinary and non-recurring gains, losses, expenses or charges (whether or not classified as such under GAAP), (x) amounts accruing and/or payable pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement during such period and (xi) the amount of any minority interest expense attributable to minority interests of third parties in the positive income of any non-wholly owned Subsidiary; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for the purposes of determining the contribution to EBITDA of, or portion of EBITDA attributable to, any Real Property, any operating asset or any business managed or operated by Parent Company or any Subsidiary thereof, (1) EBITDA shall equal rents and other revenues in respect of such asset, less, without duplication, (A) operating expenses in respect of such asset (exclusive of corporate-level general and administrative and other overhead expenses, impairment on intangibles and long-lived assets and depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses) and (B) cash rent expenses of operating, finance and ground leases in respect of such asset, and shall at all times exclude unusual, extraordinary or exceptional and non-recurring gains, losses, expenses or charges (whether or not classified as such under GAAP) and (2) solely for purposes of calculating Total Asset Value and Unencumbered Asset Value, in no event shall EBITDA of any such Real Property, operating asset or business determined pursuant to clause (1) be less than zero. All of the foregoing shall be adjusted to include the pro rata share of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis of the net income or loss of all Joint Ventures for such period, determined and adjusted in the same manner as provided above in this definition with respect to the net income or loss of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
EEA Financial Institution: means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent;
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EEA Member Country: means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
EEA Resolution Authority: means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
Effective Date: the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.1 shall have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.2).
Electronic Signature: an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.
Electronic System: any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, Intralinks®, ClearPar®, Debt Domain, Syndtrak and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent and any of its respective Related Persons or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.
Eligibility Criteria: Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria or Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria, as applicable.
Eligible Assignee: (a) a Lender or any Affiliate or Approved Fund of such Lender, or (b) a bank, trust company, finance company, insurance company or any other Person that is regularly engaged in making, purchasing or investing in loans of a type similar to the Loans; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Eligible Assignee shall not include any Ineligible Institution.
Eligible Ground Leased Assets: any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) One hundred percent (100%) of such Real Property is ground leased directly or indirectly by one or more Qualified Asset Owners.
(b) Such Real Property is a Stabilized Property, a Development Property, undeveloped land or a Newly Acquired Property.
(c) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is improved with one or more completed warehouse/distribution buildings that are used as dry and/or cold storage facilities and such improvements are owned or held pursuant to such ground lease by a Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
(d) None of such leasehold interest or such improvements is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under the Loan Documents, and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests directly or indirectly owned by Parent Company of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
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(e) No event of default (i.e., after any applicable notice and cure period) has occurred and is continuing under the ground lease regarding such Real Property.
(f) The lessor under the ground lease regarding such Real Property shall not have the unilateral right to terminate such ground lease prior to the expiration of the stated term of such ground lease absent the occurrence of any casualty, condemnation or default thereunder by any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
(g) The lessee under the ground lease has the right to sublease, mortgage and encumber (subject to customary terms and limitations) its interest in such Real Property without the consent of the lessor (provided that a provision that if a consent of such ground lessor is required, such consent is subject to either an express reasonableness standard or an objective financial standard for the transferee that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent shall be deemed acceptable); provided, this clause (g) shall not apply to (i) the Real Property listed on Schedule 1.1E and (ii) such other Real Property as agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion from time to time.
(h) The ground lease regarding such Real Property has a remaining term (inclusive of any unexercised extension options as to which there is no condition precedent to the exercise thereof other than compliance of lessee with the terms of the applicable ground lease and the giving of a notice of exercise by the lessee) of 25 years or more from the date of relevant covenant calculation.
(i) (i) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is free of any material structural defects, and (ii) such Real Property is free of any material Environmental Liabilities and is in material compliance with all Environmental Laws.
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Ground Leased Asset.
Eligible Leased Assets: any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) Such Real Property is a Leased Asset and the lessee is one or more Qualified Asset Owners.
(b) Such leasehold interest is not directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under the Loan Documents, and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests directly or indirectly owned by Parent Company of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
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(c) No event of default (i.e., after any applicable notice and cure period) has occurred and is continuing under the operating lease regarding such Real Property.
(d) The lessor under the operating lease regarding such Real Property shall not have the unilateral right to terminate such operating lease prior to the expiration of the stated term of such operating lease absent the occurrence of any casualty, condemnation or default thereunder by any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Leased Asset.
Eligible Owned Asset: any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) (i) One hundred percent (100%) of such Real Property is owned in fee simple by one or more Qualified Asset Owners, or (ii) such Real Property satisfies the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria (other than clause (h) of that definition, whereby for the purposes of this definition the requirement shall be that there shall be not less than ninety-nine (99) years from the date of relevant covenant calculation).
(b) Such Real Property is a Stabilized Property, a Development Property, undeveloped land or a Newly Acquired Property.
(c) (i) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is free of any material structural defects, and (ii) such Real Property is free of any material Environmental Liabilities and is in material compliance with all Environmental Laws.
(d) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is improved with one or more completed warehouse/distribution buildings that are used as dry and/or cold storage facilities.
(e) Such Real Property (and any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is not directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under the Loan Documents and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests directly or indirectly owned by Parent Company of any applicable Borrower or Qualified Asset Owner (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Owned Asset.
Eligible Value: as of any date of determination, with respect to each Real Property that is (x) owned or ground leased by Parent Company or any Subsidiary or (y) a Leased Asset (i) the Applicable EBITDA with respect to such Real Property divided by (ii) the applicable Capitalization Rate.
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Environmental Laws: any and all foreign, federal, state, provincial, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments, notices or binding agreements issued by or entered into with any Governmental Authority, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning pollution, air emissions, the management, use or Release of Materials of Environmental Concern or protection of human health (to the extent such relates to Materials of Environmental Concern) or the environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.
Environmental Liability: all liabilities, obligations, damages, losses, claims, actions, suits, judgments, orders, fines, penalties, fees, expenses and costs (including administrative oversight costs, natural resource damages, monitoring and remediation costs and reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and consultants), whether contingent or otherwise, including those arising out of or relating to: (a) compliance or non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment, recycling, disposal (or arrangement for such activities) of any Materials of Environmental Concern, (c) exposure to any Materials of Environmental Concern, (d) the presence or release of any Materials of Environmental Concern or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
Equity Interests: shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.
Equity Issuance: the issuance or offering of common or preferred equity securities by the Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings or any Borrower pursuant to (A) a Qualified IPO or (B) a generally offered equity raise and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any issuances for management equity or similar or other issuances. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term Equity Issuance shall not include (A) any Asset Disposition or (B) any Debt Issuance.
ERISA: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
ERISA Affiliate: any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrowers, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code and, for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code, any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or 414(o) of the Code.
ERISA Event: (a) any reportable event, as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived), (b) the failure of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to satisfy the minimum funding standard with respect to a Plan within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 or 303 of ERISA, as applicable, or the failure of any Borrower or any ERISA
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Affiliate to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code or Section 303(j) of ERISA with respect to a Plan or the failure of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan, (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, (d) the incurrence by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan, (d) the occurrence of a non-exempt Prohibited Transaction with respect to which any Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is a disqualified person (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) which could result in the incurrence by any Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of any material liability, (e) the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of notice from any Multiemployer Plan (1) imposing Withdrawal Liability on any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, (2) notifying any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate that such Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in Insolvency, if applicable or (3) notifying any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate that such Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in endangered or critical status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA, if applicable), or (f) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in at risk status (as defined in Section 430(i)(4) of the Code or Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA, if applicable).
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule: means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.
Event of Default: any of the events specified in Section 8, provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
Excluded Disposition means:
(a) the disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents in exchange for other cash or Cash Equivalents and having reasonably equivalent value therefor;
(b) the lease or sublease of assets and properties in the ordinary course of business; and
(c) disposition of surplus, obsolete, damaged or worn out equipment or other property in the ordinary course of business.
Excluded Swap Obligation: with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Guarantor of , or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) (a) by virtue of such Guarantors failure for any reason to constitute an eligible contract participant as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or (b) in the case of a Swap Obligation subject to a clearing requirement pursuant to Section 2(h) of the Commodity Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto), because such Guarantor is a financial entity, as defined in Section
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2(h)(7)(C)(i) the Commodity Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto), at the time the guarantee of such Guarantor becomes or would become effective with respect to such related Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.
Excluded Taxes: any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect (and at the applicable rate in effect) on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower Representative under Section 2.22) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office (for the avoidance of doubt, in each case, excluding any imposition of, or increase in the rate of, any withholding Taxes due to a Change in Law after such date) except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.19, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lenders assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipients failure to comply with Section 2.19(f) and (d) any Taxes imposed under FATCA and/or any implementation of the OECD Common Reporting Standard in the legislation applicable to the Borrowers.
Existing Credit Agreement: the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders party thereto.
FATCA: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant thereto, including any intergovernmental agreements and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to such intergovernmental agreements.
Federal Funds Effective Rate: for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such days federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as shall be set forth in the NYFRBs 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 the purposes of this Agreement.
Federal Reserve Board: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.
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Fee Payment Date: the fifteenth (15th) Business Day following the last day of each March, June, September and December and the Term Loan Commitment End Date.
Financial Covenants: the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.1.
Financial Officer: the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.
Fitch: Fitch, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Fixed Charges: for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (i) Interest Expense, plus (ii) regularly scheduled installments (whether or not paid) of principal payable with respect to Total Indebtedness (excluding scheduled balloon principal payments due on maturity of any such Indebtedness and including Parent Companys pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures), plus (iii) the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid or required to be paid by any of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in cash to any third party during such period in respect of its preferred capital stock but excluding redemption payments or repurchases or charges in connection with the mandatory final redemption or repurchase in whole of any preferred capital stock plus (iv) all income tax payments with respect to the taxable REIT Subsidiaries of Parent Company and the Company (including Foreign Subsidiaries).
Floor: the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt the initial Floor for each of Adjusted Term SOFR Rate and Adjusted Daily Simple RFR shall be 0%.
Foreign Lender: a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.
Foreign Subsidiary: any Subsidiary of Parent Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
Funding Date: the date on which the Term Loans are funded hereunder pursuant to Section 2.1.
Funding Office: the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Section 10.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the Borrower Representative and the Lenders.
GAAP: generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, except that for purposes of Section 7.1, GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such principles in effect on the date hereof and consistent with those used in the preparation of the most recent audited financial statements referred to in Section 4.1(b). In the event that any Accounting Change (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect equitably such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrowers financial condition shall be the
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same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. Accounting Changes refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC.
Governing Documents: (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction), (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of incorporation, formation or organization and operating agreement, the company constitution or memorandum and articles of association, and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and, if applicable, any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
Governmental Authority: any nation or government, any state or local or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank, supranational organisation or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).
Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria: has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Ground Leased Assets.
Group Members: the collective reference to Parent Company and its Subsidiaries.
Guarantee: of or by any Person (the guarantor) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the primary obligor) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
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Guarantee Agreement: the Guarantee Agreement to be executed and delivered on the Closing Date by the Guarantors substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
Guarantee Obligation: as to any Person (the guaranteeing person), any obligation, including a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, of the guaranteeing Person that guarantees or in effect guarantees, or which is given to induce the creation of a separate obligation by another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) that guarantees or in effect guarantees, 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 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 (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) 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, or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or Disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee 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 persons maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower Representative in good faith.
Guarantors: the collective reference to Parent Company, Holdings and Lineage OP.
Holdings: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Immaterial Subsidiary: any Subsidiary of Parent Company that on a consolidated basis with its respective Subsidiaries and treated as if all such Subsidiaries and their respective Subsidiaries were combined and consolidated as a single Subsidiary, holds assets that constitute less than 7.5% of Total Asset Value.
Increased Amount Date: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
Incremental Commitments: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
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Indebtedness: of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding (A) accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business, (B) any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP (excluding disclosure on the notes and footnotes thereto) and if not paid after becoming due and payable, (C) obligations in respect of employment and consulting services, and (D) deferred obligations under any management services agreement, deferred rent obligations, taxes and compensation and any pension-related or post-employment liabilities), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed (valued in the case of this clause (e) at the lesser of (A) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (B) if such Indebtedness is non-recourse, the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith), (f) all guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others (except for guarantees of exceptions to non-recourse liabilities), (g) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, and (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers acceptances. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Persons ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
Indemnified Taxes: (a) any Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document or required to be deducted or withheld from any such payment and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a) hereof, Other Taxes.
Indirect Owner: has the meaning specified in the definition of Property Owning Subsidiary.
Ineligible Institution: (a) a natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or its Lender Parent, (c) a Disqualified Institution, (d) a Lender that is not a Non-Public Lender, (e) a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof or (f) any Borrower or any of its Affiliates; provided that, with respect to clause (e), such holding company, investment vehicle or trust shall not constitute an Ineligible Institution if it (x) has not been established for the primary purpose of acquiring any Loans or Commitments, (y) is managed by a professional advisor, who is not such natural person or a relative thereof, having significant experience in the business of making or purchasing commercial loans, and (z) has assets greater than $500,000,000 and a significant part of its activities consist of making or purchasing commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.
Insolvency: with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.
Insolvency Regulation: Council Regulation (EC) No 1346/2000 of 29 May 2000 on insolvency proceedings or, with respect to insolvency proceedings opened as from 26 June 2017, Regulation (EU) 2015/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on insolvency proceedings (recast).
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Intellectual Property: the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses, industrial designs, technology, know-how and processes, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.
Intercreditor Agreement: that certain Intercreditor Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit J, with respect to the Pari Passu Capital Markets Indebtedness.
Interest Election Request: as defined in Section 2.16.
Interest Expense: for any period, an amount equal to the sum of the following with respect to Total Indebtedness: (i) total interest expense, accrued in accordance with GAAP plus (ii) all capitalized interest determined in accordance with GAAP (including in the case of (i) and (ii), Parent Companys pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures), and excluding non-cash amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs or debt discount (including Parent Companys pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures).
Interest Payment Date: (a) as to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December to occur while such Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any Term Benchmark Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Term Benchmark Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day that is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the last day of such Interest Period, (d) as to any RFR Loan, the fifth (5th) Business Day of each calendar month for the preceding calendar month and (e) as to any Loan, the date of any repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof.
Interest Period: as to any Term Benchmark Loan, (a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Term Benchmark Loan and ending one, three or six months thereafter (in each case, subject to the availability for the Benchmark applicable to the relevant Loan or Commitment), 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 Term Benchmark Loan and ending one, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date that is (x) three (3) Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period; 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) the Borrower Representative may not select an Interest Period with respect to any Loan that would extend beyond the Term Loan Maturity Date for such Loan;
(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;
(iv) the Borrower Representative shall select Interest Periods so as not to require a payment or prepayment of any Term Benchmark Loan during an Interest Period for such Loan; and
(v) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.16(e) shall be available for specification in such notice of borrowing or notice of conversion.
Investment Grade Rating: a non-credit enhanced senior unsecured long-term debt rating for Parent Company or another Guarantor of BBB- or better from S&P or Baa3 or better from Moodys.
Investment Grade Rating Event: the achievement of an Investment Grade Rating by Parent Company or another Guarantor.
Investment: (a) any purchase or other acquisition for value by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Equity Interests of any other Person; (b) any purchase or other acquisition for value by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries from any Person of all or a substantial portion of the business, property or fixed assets of such Person or any division or line of business or other business unit of such Person; and (c) any loan, advance or capital contributions by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries to, or Guarantee Obligations with respect to any obligations of, any other Person, including all indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the outstanding amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
Investor: (i) BG Lineage Holdings, LLC (formerly BG LLH, LLC,) a Delaware limited liability company, LLH MGMT Profits, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and BG Maverick, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or (ii) any other Person that is managed and controlled by any of Bay Grove Management Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, any other Affiliate of Bay Grove Management Company, LLC or Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, BG Lineage Holdings, LLC (formerly BG LLH, LLC), LLH MGMT Profits, LLC, LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC and/or BG Maverick, LLC.
IRS: the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Joint Ventures: any unconsolidated joint ventures of Parent Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
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Lamb Weston Mortgage: the second ranking deed of mortgage dated 25 August 2017 between Lineage Bergen op Zoom B.V. as mortgagor and the Lamb Weston entities as mortgagees in respect of a mortgage over the parcels of land, locally known as Blankenweg 2 and 4 in Bergen op Zoom, cadastrally known as municipality of Bergen op Zoom, section I, number 712, 713 and 775 or any replacement of that right of mortgage.
LCT Election shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.10.
LCT Test Date shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.10.
Leased Asset: any Real Property that operates as a warehouse/distribution facility or is Development Property or undeveloped land and that is leased by Parent Company or a Subsidiary thereof pursuant to a lease (other than a ground lease) with a remaining term (including any unexercised extension options at the option of the tenant) of not less than 10 years from the Closing Date and otherwise on market terms (as determined by the Borrower Representative in good faith).
Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Leased Assets.
Lender Parent: with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.
Lender-Related Person has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.3(b).
Lender Swap Agreement: any Swap Agreement that (i) was in effect on the Closing Date between a Loan Party or a Subsidiary of a Loan Party and a counterparty that is a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent as of the Closing Date or (ii) is or was entered into after the Closing Date between a Loan Party or a Subsidiary of a Loan Party and any counterparty that is a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into.
Lenders: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Liabilities: any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.
Lien: any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, assignment by way of security, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing); provided, that, in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to be a Lien.
Limited Condition Eligible Transaction: any acquisition by Parent Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries, including by way of merger or amalgamation, of any assets, business or Person permitted pursuant to this Agreement whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing, in each case, solely to the extent made using identifiable proceeds from a New Term Loan.
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Limited Condition Transaction shall mean any Limited Condition Eligible Transaction with respect to which the Borrower Representative has made an LCT Election.
Lineage OP: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Loan: any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this Agreement.
Loan Documents: this Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement, the Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement, each Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement, any document granting a Lien on cash collateral pursuant to Section 3 or Section 8, the fee agreements described in Section 2.8(b), and any amendment, waiver, supplement or other modification to any of the foregoing.
Loan Parties: the Guarantors and the Borrowers.
Maintenance Capital Expenditures: for any period, all capital expenditures actually made in cash by Parent Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (and the pro rata share of capital expenditures made in cash by Joint Ventures) during such period for the maintenance of capital assets of such Person, excluding capital expenditures for modernization and in any event excluding any capital expenditures for expansions.
Mandatory Prepayment Event: any event triggering a prepayment requirement of Section 2.10(b).
Material Acquisition: any individual Permitted Acquisition or a series of Permitted Acquisitions (whether by direct purchase, merger or otherwise and whether in one or more related transactions) within a four fiscal quarter period by Parent Company or any of its Subsidiaries in which the purchase price of the assets acquired (on a cumulative basis since the Closing Date or the beginning of such four fiscal quarter period, as applicable) exceeds an amount equal to 10% of Total Asset Value as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.
Material Adverse Effect: any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property or financial condition of Parent Company, the Company and their subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.
Materials of Environmental Concern: any substances, materials or wastes defined in or regulated under any Environmental Law, including any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products, asbestos, anhydrous ammonia, ozone-depleting substances, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
Material Subsidiary: any Subsidiary of Parent Company other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.
Moodys: Moodys Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
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Multiemployer Plan: a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and in respect of which the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate is an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
Negative Pledge: with respect to a given asset, any provision of a document, instrument or agreement (other than any Loan Document) which prohibits or purports to prohibit the creation or assumption of any Lien on such asset as security for Indebtedness of the Person owning such asset or any other Person; provided, however, that any provision of a document, instrument or an agreement that either (a) conditions a Persons ability to encumber its assets upon the maintenance of one or more specified ratios or financial tests (including any financial ratio such as a maximum ratio of unsecured debt to unencumbered assets) that limit such Persons ability to encumber its assets but that do not generally prohibit the encumbrance of its assets, or the encumbrance of specific assets or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure Unsecured Indebtedness if a Lien is granted to secure the Secured Obligations or other Unsecured Indebtedness of such Person, shall not constitute a Negative Pledge; provided, however, no restriction under a CMBS Financing, mortgage financing or other financing on the pledge of Equity Interest in the direct or indirect parent of a Qualified Asset Owner, Group Member (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) or Loan Party (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) shall be considered a Negative Pledge.
Net Cash Proceeds: as applicable, (a) with respect to any Asset Disposition, all cash proceeds (including cash and Cash Equivalents) received by any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries therefrom (including any cash or Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) in connection with such transaction or event less the sum of (i) all income Taxes and other Taxes assessed by, or reasonably estimated to be payable to, a Governmental Authority as a result of such transaction or event (provided that if estimated Taxes exceed the amount of actual Taxes required to be paid in cash in respect of such Asset Disposition, the amount of such excess shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds if such excess is greater than $1,000,000), (ii) all reasonable and customary out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with such transaction or event (including, to the extent reasonable and customary, accounting and investment banking fees, payments made in order to obtain a necessary consent or required by applicable law, brokers fees or commissions, legal fees, consulting fees, title insurance premiums paid in connection therewith, survey costs and mortgage recording and transfer Tax paid in connection therewith, and costs and expenses in connection with unwinding any derivatives contract in connection therewith), (iii) the principal amount of, premium or penalty (including a prepayment premium or exit fee), if any, interest, breakage costs and other amounts on any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents) secured by a Lien on the asset (or a portion thereof) disposed of, which Indebtedness is required to be repaid in connection with such transaction or event, and (iv) all amounts that are set aside as a reserve (A) for adjustments in respect of the purchase price of such assets, (B) for any liabilities associated with such transaction or event, to the extent such reserve is established in accordance with GAAP or as otherwise required pursuant to the documentation with respect to such Asset Disposition, (C) for the payment of unassumed liabilities relating to the assets sold or otherwise disposed of at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such sale or other disposition and (D) for the payment of indemnification obligations; provided that, to the extent and at the time any such amounts are released from such reserve and received by such Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries, such amounts shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds, and (b) with respect to any Equity Issuance or Debt Issuance, the gross cash proceeds received by any Loan
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Party or any of their Subsidiaries therefrom less the sum of (i) all reasonable and customary fees, commissions, investment banking fees, consulting fees, attorneys fees, accountants fees, underwriting fees, costs, underwriting discounts and other expenses incurred in connection therewith, and (ii) amounts required to be deposited or maintained in segregated accounts as reserves in connection with any such Debt Issuance; provided, however, that if any Debt Issuance refinances, refunds or replaces the then-existing Indebtedness, such proceeds shall be limited to the amount in excess of the principal amount of such refinanced Indebtedness plus interest, fees, original issue discount, premiums, expenses and other customary amounts in connection with such refinanced Indebtedness. Net Cash Proceeds received by any Subsidiary of the Company other than a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company shall equal a percentage of the Net Cash Proceeds received by such Subsidiary pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above equal to the percentage that corresponds to the Loan Parties aggregate ownership share of such Subsidiary.
Net Cash Proceeds Receipt Date: with respect to any Mandatory Prepayment Event, the date of receipt of Net Cash Proceeds from such Mandatory Prepayment Event required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.10(b).
Newly Acquired Property: as of any date, a Real Property (other than a Development Property or undeveloped land), that has been owned or ground leased or leased by Parent Company or a Subsidiary for less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date.
Newly Stabilized Property: as of any date, a Real Property owned or ground leased or leased by Parent Company or a Subsidiary that has been a Stabilized Property for less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date.
New Term Commitments: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
New Term Lender: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
New Term Loan: as defined in Section 2.23(a).
Non-Consenting Lender: any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (a) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 10.2 and (b) has been approved by the Required Lenders.
Non-recourse Indebtedness: (a) with respect to a Person, Indebtedness in respect of which recourse for payment (except for exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, violation of special purpose entity covenants and other exceptions to nonrecourse liability customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements) is contractually limited to specific assets of such Person encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary that is a special purpose entity or a special purpose holding company of such special purpose entity, Indebtedness of such Subsidiary so long as there is no recourse to Parent Company or any of its other Subsidiaries other than (i) its direct special purpose entity subsidiary or (ii) recourse in respect of guaranties of customary exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, violation of special purpose entity covenants and other exceptions to nonrecourse liability customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements, and for the avoidance of doubt, any Indebtedness incurred by any Subsidiary under or in connection with any CMBS Financing shall constitute Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
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Normalized Adjusted FFO: for any fiscal period, funds from operations of the Group Members as defined in accordance with resolutions adopted by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts as in effect from time to time; provided that Normalized Adjusted FFO shall (a) be based on net income after payment of distributions to holders of preferred stock or preferred partnership units in Parent Company or another Guarantor and, without duplication, distributions necessary to pay holders of preferred stock or preferred partnership units of Parent Company or another Guarantor and (b) exclude gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated non-real estate assets, non-real estate depreciation, depletion and amortization, amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of debt discount, amortization of above or below market leases, adjustments for straight line rents, non-cash or extraordinary gains or losses from foreign exchange, non-cash or extraordinary gains or losses from derivative instruments and other extraordinary or non-recurring charges.
Notes: the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing Loans.
NYFRB: means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
NYFRB Rate: means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day(or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term NYFRB Rate means the rate for a Federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. (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.
NYFRBs Website: the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.
Obligations: the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization, dissolution, judicial management or like proceeding, relating to the Borrowers, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other document made, delivered or given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid by the Borrowers pursuant hereto) or otherwise; provided, however, that the definition of Obligations shall not create any guarantee by any Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Guarantor.
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Occupancy Rate: at any time, with respect to any Real Property, the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the rentable operating square footage of such Real Property actually leased by tenants paying rent at rates not materially less than rates generally prevailing at the time the applicable lease was entered into, pursuant to binding leases as to which no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing to (b) the aggregate rentable operating square footage of such Real Property.
OFAC: the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Operating Agreement shall mean, collectively, (i) that certain Seventh Amended and Restated Operating Services Agreement dated as of August 3, 2020, by and between Holdings and Bay Grove Management Company, LLC, (ii) that certain Sixteenth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement dated as of October 11, 2023, by and between Lineage OP and Bay Grove Management Company, LLC and (iii) any transition services agreement entered into by Parent Company and Bay Grove Management Company, LLC in connection with a Qualified IPO.
Other Connection Taxes: with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
Other Taxes: all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.22).
Overnight Bank Funding Rate: for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the NYFRBs Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.
Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Owned Asset.
Paid in Full or Payment in Full: (a) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all outstanding Loans, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (b) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the accrued and unpaid fees, (c) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all accrued and unpaid reimbursable expenses and other Secured Obligations (other than Unliquidated Obligations for which no claim has been made and other obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination of this Agreement), together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (d) the termination of all Commitments, and (e) the termination of the Lender Swap Agreements and the Cash Management Services, or entering into other arrangements satisfactory to the Credit Parties counterparties thereto.
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Parent: with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.
Parent Company: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Pari Passu Capital Markets Indebtedness: any issuance of Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than convertible debt securities), including any issuance of one or more series of notes pursuant to public or 144a private placements or other substantially similar placements of Indebtedness; provided that such Indebtedness (i) shall be unsecured, (ii) shall have no guarantors or obligors other than the Borrowers and the Guarantors party to the Loan Documents, and (iii) shall not have any scheduled amortization or mature prior to the one year anniversary of the Term Loan Maturity Date (after giving effect to any permitted extensions).
Participant: as defined in Section 10.4(c).
Participant Register: as defined in Section 10.4(c).
Participating Member States: any member state of the European Union that has the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
Patriot Act: the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, Oct. 26, 2001).
Payment has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.6(c).
Payment Notice has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.6(c).
Permitted Acquisition: any acquisition, whether by purchase, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise, of (x) all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, or a business line or unit or a division of any Person, or any parcel of Real Property and any improvements thereto or (y) the Equity Interests of any Person such that such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that:
(a) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;
(b) before and after giving effect thereto, Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the Financial Covenants; and
(c) after giving effect thereto, Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with Section 7.16.
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Permitted Dispositions:
(a) Dispositions of (i) worn-out, obsolete or surplus property, in each case in the ordinary course of business or (ii) property that is reasonably determined by the applicable Loan Party or Subsidiary to be no longer economically practicable to maintain or no longer useful in any material respect in the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties and their subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(b) licenses and sublicenses granted by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary and leases and subleases (by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary as lessor or sub-lessor) to third parties in each case not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Loan Parties or the subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or otherwise in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Disposition or abandonment of any Intellectual Property that is reasonably determined by the applicable Loan Party or Subsidiary to be no longer economically practicable to maintain or worth the cost of maintaining or no longer useful in any material respect in the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties and their subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(d) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Dispositions of cash or cash equivalents;
(f) transfers of property between and among Parent Company and its Subsidiaries;
(g) Disposition of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;
(h) Liens permitted by Section 7.3, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.6, Investments permitted by Section 7.8 and transactions permitted by Section 7.4;
(i) the discount or write-off of accounts receivable for the purpose of collection to any collection agency, in each case in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Dispositions of receivables in connection with the settlement of delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;
(j) transfers of property (i) subject to casualty events upon receipt of the net cash proceeds of such casualty event, (ii) by reason of the exercise of termination rights under any lease, sublease, license, sublicense, concession or other agreement or (iii) pursuant to buy/sell or other similar arrangements under any joint venture or similar agreement or arrangement;
(k) the unwinding of any Swap Agreement pursuant to its terms;
(l) Dispositions required to be made to comply with the order of any Governmental Authority or applicable law;
(m) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;
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(n) Dispositions of property acquired, constructed, renovated or improved after the Closing Date in connection with the financing of such acquisition, construction, renovation or improvement; provided, that, (i) any such financing which is permitted under Section 7.2, (ii) such Disposition occurs within 180 days after the applicable acquisition, construction, renovation or improvement; and
(o) with respect to assets that are not Qualified Assets, Dispositions of such assets permitted by the documentation governing any CMBS Financing or other financing that relates to such assets.
Permitted Encumbrances:
(a) Liens outstanding on (or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on) the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 7.3 and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(b) Liens imposed by law and other non-consensual Liens, in each case for Taxes or other related governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Group Member in conformity with GAAP;
(c) landlords, carriers, warehousemens, landlords mortgagees, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens, construction contractors, vendors and other similar Liens and agricultural and similar Liens, in each case, imposed by law or otherwise non-consensual, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 60 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(d) judgments and Liens in respect of judgements, orders or decrees for the payment of money or other court proceedings that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8(j);
(e) (i) easements, servitudes, restrictions, licenses, rights-of-way, use restrictions, rights of first refusal, site plan agreements, development agreements, cross easement or reciprocal agreements and other non-monetary encumbrances on Real Property that do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of Borrower or any Subsidiary (taken as a whole) or the operation of such Real Property for its intended purpose, (ii) title defects or irregularities with respect to Real Property which are of a minor nature and which in the aggregate do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of any Borrower or any Subsidiary (taken as a whole) or the operation of such Real Property for its intended purpose, or (iii) other exceptions to title approved by Administrative Agent;
(f) any zoning or similar law, restriction or right reserved to, or vested in, any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any Real Property that does not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Group Members (taken as a whole);
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(g) Liens affecting title on Real Property that have been fully paid off and satisfied and which remain of record through no fault of the Person that owns such Real Property and that, in any event do not have a material and adverse effect with respect to the use or operations of the affected Real Property or with respect to the ownership of the affected Real Property, and do not interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the applicable Group Member;
(h) rights of lessors under Eligible Ground Leased Assets and Eligible Leased Assets;
(i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law which secure payment of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;
(j) with respect to leasehold interests, any mortgages, obligations, Liens and other encumbrances incurred, created, assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord, ground lessor or owner of the leased property, with or without the consent of the lessee; provided, that (i) this clause (j) shall not apply if the leasehold interest is protected by law or (ii) with respect to mortgages by the ground lessor or owner of a ground leased property, such mortgages are either subordinate to such ground leasehold interest or pursuant to which the lender thereunder has provided a customary non-disturbance agreement with respect to such ground leasehold interests;
(k) intercompany leases and leases in favor of third parties in the ordinary course of business;
(l) any Lien arising under Article 24 or 26 of the general terms and conditions (Algemene Bank Voorwaarden) of any member of the Dutch Bankers Association (Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken) or any similar term applied by a financial institution in the Netherlands pursuant to its general terms and conditions;
(m) any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any Loan Party in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debt and credit balances;
(n) any netting or set-off as a result of a fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch tax purposes;
(o) the Lamb Weston Mortgage; and
(p) Intercompany mortgages securing Indebtedness among Group Members; provided, that any mortgagee under any such mortgage shall be a Borrower.
Permitted Equity Encumbrances:
(a) Liens and Negative Pledges pursuant to any Loan Document;
(b) Liens imposed by law and other non-consensual Liens for Taxes or other related governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Group Member in conformity with GAAP;
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(c) Liens arising from judgments or decrees for the payment of money in circumstances that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8(j);
(d) Liens arising from pledges of Equity Interests in Lineage OP or the Parent Company, in each case solely with respect to Equity Interests held by non-Group Members; and
(e) Intercompany pledges of Equity Interests securing Indebtedness among Group Members; provided that any pledgee under any such pledge shall be a Borrower.
Permitted Indebtedness:
(a) (x) Indebtedness incurred or created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including Indebtedness created under Section 2.23 and Section 2.25), and (y) Indebtedness constituting Cash Management Services;
(b) Indebtedness outstanding on (or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on) the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 7.2 and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(c) intercompany Indebtedness among Parent Company and its Subsidiaries;
(d) Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take or pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation, severance and health and retirement benefits or the equivalent thereof to employees, directors, management and consultants of Parent Company or the Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Indebtedness consisting of obligations with respect to indemnification, the adjustment of the purchase price (including customary earnouts) or similar adjustments incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment or Disposition expressly permitted hereunder;
(g) (i) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Indebtedness in respect of credit card processing agreements, automatic clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections and similar arrangements in each case in connection with cash management and deposit accounts and in the ordinary course of business;
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(h) Indebtedness incurred by Parent Company or any Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers acceptances, warehouse receipts or similar instruments, in each case, issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits (including with respect to immediate family members of employees, directors or members of management) or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims or obligations referred to in paragraph (m) below, letters of credit in the nature of a security deposit (or similar deposit or security) given to a lessor under an operating lease of Real Estate under which such Person is lessee, and letters of credit in connection with the maintenance of, or pursuant to the requirements of, environmental or other permits or licenses from Governmental Authorities, and any refund, replacement, refinancing or defeasance of any of the foregoing;
(i) obligations in respect of surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by Parent Company or any of the Subsidiaries, in each case, issued or created in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
(j) Indebtedness arising under Swap Agreements not incurred for purposes of speculation;
(k) Guarantees of Indebtedness of Parent Company or any Subsidiary, which Indebtedness is otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that (x) if such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations, such guarantee shall be subordinated to the same extent and (y) no such Guarantee by a Loan Party shall be permitted under this paragraph (k) of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, other than Guarantees constituting an Investment permitted under Section 7.8;
(l) Indebtedness owing to current or former officers, directors, managers, consultants or employees of Parent Company or any Guarantor or immediate family members to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of Parent Company or any Guarantor (or any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company or any Guarantor);
(m) Indebtedness of Parent Company or any Subsidiary owing to any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) that is not a subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with the cash management operations (including with respect to intercompany self-insurance arrangements);
(n) Indebtedness of Parent Company or any Subsidiary arising pursuant to arrangements contemplated in Section 7.10(k), (m) or (n);
(o) Indebtedness arising under guarantees entered into pursuant to article 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code in respect of a Dutch Loan Party and any residual liability with respect to such guarantees arising under article 2:404 of the Dutch Civil Code;
(p) any joint and several liability as a result of a fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch tax purposes; and
(q) Indebtedness that is a refinancing, replacement, restatement or modification of any existing Indebtedness provided that such refinancing, replacement, restatement or modification does not result in an increase to the then outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced, except to the extent of accrued interest, fees, premium (if any) and expenses.
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Permitted Investments:
(a) Investments existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.8 or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification, renewal, replacement or reinvestment of any such Investment that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(b) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;
(c) Investments (i) by any Loan Party in any other Loan Party, (ii) by any Subsidiary of Parent Company that is not a Loan Party in any Loan Party or in any other Subsidiary of Parent Company that is also not a Loan Party, and (iii) by any Loan Party in any Subsidiary of Parent Company that is not a Loan Party that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis,
(d) Investments acquired in connection with the settlement of delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;
(e) loans or advances to officers, directors, members of management, and employees of Parent Company or a Guarantor or any of their subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company or a Guarantor) (i) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding, for business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes and (ii) for any other purposes not described in the foregoing clause (i) (in each of clauses (i) and (ii) determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans or advances); provided, that the aggregate amount outstanding at any time under clause (ii) above shall not exceed $9,000,000;
(f) accounts receivable owing to Parent Company or the Subsidiaries, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary terms;
(g) Investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 7.12;
(h) Investments consisting of promissory notes or other non-cash consideration received in connection with a permitted Disposition;
(i) Investments consisting of non-cash loans made by Parent Company or a Guarantor to management, executives, officers, directors, consultants, professional advisors and/or employees of a Subsidiary which are used by such Persons to simultaneously purchase Equity Interests of Parent Company or a Guarantor;
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(j) Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;
(k) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of (i) endorsements for collection or deposit or (ii) customary trade arrangements with customers;
(l) loans and advances to Parent Company or a Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent thereof in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments permitted to be made to Parent Company or a Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent thereof in accordance with Section 7.6;
(m) (i) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business and (ii) prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits and advance payments (including retainers) for goods or services paid or provided, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(n) Investments held by a Person that becomes a Subsidiary (or is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into a Subsidiary) after the Closing Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; and
(o) to the extent constituting Investments, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.6, Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2 and transactions permitted by Section 7.4.
Person: an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.
Plan: any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
Plan Asset Regulations: 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 et seq., as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.
Platform: as defined in Section 6.2.
Prime Rate: the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the Prime Rate in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the bank prime loan rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.
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Private Lenders: Lenders that wish to receive Private-Side Information.
Private-Side Information: any information with respect to Parent Company and its Subsidiaries that is not Public-Side Information.
Proceeds of Crime Act: the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), as amended from time to time, and including all regulations thereunder.]
Pro Forma Basis: with respect to the calculation of the Financial Covenants as of any date (and the definitions used therein), that such calculation shall give pro forma effect to all Permitted Acquisitions and other Investments, all issuances, incurrences, assumptions, redemptions, retirements, repayments or extinguishments of Indebtedness (with any such Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable testing period in accordance with its terms) and all sales, transfers or other Dispositions of any material assets outside the ordinary course of business that have occurred during (or, if such calculation is being made for the purpose of determining whether any proposed acquisition will constitute a Permitted Acquisition, since the beginning of) the then-applicable testing period as if they occurred on the first day of such testing period (excluding cost savings, synergies, operating expense reductions and other operating improvements). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Swap Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such Swap Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months).
Prohibited Transaction: a non-exempt prohibited transaction as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975(c) of the Code.
Properties: as defined in Section 4.17(a).
Property Owning Subsidiary: a Subsidiary of Parent Company that directly operates, owns or leases a Qualified Asset (each, a Direct Owner) and each Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect owner of any such Direct Owner (as to such Qualified Asset, an Indirect Owner).
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.
Public Lenders: Lenders that do not wish to receive Private-Side Information.
Public-Side Information: information that is either (a) available to all holders of Traded Securities of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries or (b) not material non-public information (for purposes of United States federal, state or other applicable securities laws).
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).
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Qualified Asset: any Eligible Owned Asset, Eligible Ground Leased Asset or Eligible Leased Asset; provided, that the Borrower Representative may from time to time by written notice to the Administrative Agent upon a Qualified Asset ceasing to satisfy the applicable Eligibility Criteria in a transaction permitted by this Agreement designate a Qualified Asset as a non-Qualified Asset and, from the date of any such written notice, such Qualified Asset shall cease to be a Qualified Asset.
Qualified Asset Owners: as to any Qualified Asset, means each owner, lessee or lessor thereof that is either (a) a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Parent Company or (b) a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Parent Company that is at least 50% owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent Company so long as Parent Company jointly controls the sale, encumbrance and financing of such Qualified Asset.
Qualified IPO shall mean an underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) of the Equity Interests of Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof which results in such Equity Interests being listed on a nationally-recognized stock exchange in the applicable jurisdiction.
Real Property: at any time of determination, all right, title and interest (including any leasehold estate) in and to any and all parcels of or interests in real property owned in fee or leased by Parent Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures (or equivalent interest in any applicable jurisdiction), together with, in each case, all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances relating thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures incidental to the ownership or lease thereof.
Recipient: (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) any Lender, as applicable.
Recourse Indebtedness: with respect to a Person, Indebtedness of such Person other than Non-recourse Indebtedness of such Person.
Reference Time: with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (1) if such Benchmark is the Term SOFR Rate, 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the day that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (2) if the RFR for such Benchmark is Daily Effective SOFR, then the next RFR Business Day after such setting or (3) if such Benchmark is none of the Term SOFR Rate or Daily Effective SOFR, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.
Refrigerated Railcar Business means the refrigerated and insulated railcar business segment of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries.
Register: as defined in Section 10.4(b)(v).
Regulation U: Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.
REIT shall mean a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code.
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REIT Subsidiary shall mean any Subsidiary of Parent Company that intends to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Related Parties: with respect to any specified Person, such Persons Affiliates and the respective directors, partners, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Persons Affiliates.
Release: any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the indoor or outdoor environment.
Relevant Governmental Body: the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto.
Relevant Rate: (i) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or (ii) with respect to any RFR Borrowing, the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, as applicable.
Relevant Screen Rate: with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Term SOFR Reference Rate.
Required Information: as defined in Section 10.19(a).
Required Lenders: at any time, subject to Section 2.24(b), the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the sum of (a) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans plus (b) the Total Unused Term Commitments then in effect.
Requirement of Law: as to any Person, the Governing Documents of such Person, and any law, 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 property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
Resolution Authority: an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
Responsible Officer: the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, managing director, controller, treasurer, vice president or secretary of Parent Company or a Guarantor, the sole member of the general partner of the Borrower Representative, but in any event, with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer or controller of Parent Company or a Guarantor, the sole member of the general partner of the Borrower Representative.
Restricted Payments: as defined in Section 7.6.
Reuters: means, as applicable, Thomson Reuters Corp., Refinitiv, or any successor thereto.
RFR: Daily Effective SOFR.
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RFR Borrowing: as to any Borrowing, the RFR Loans comprising such Borrowing.
RFR Business Day: a U.S. Government Securities Business Day.
RFR Interest Day: has the meaning specified in the definition of Daily Simple RFR.
RFR Loan: a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on Daily Simple RFR.
Sanctioned Country: at any time, a country, region or territory which is the subject or target of any Sanctions (as of the Closing Date, the so - called Donetsk Peoples Republic, the so - called Luhansk Peoples Republic, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).
Sanctioned Person: at any time, any Person (a) that is the subject of Sanctions or listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, the United Nations, His Majestys Treasury or any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over any Loan Party, (b) operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) that is publicly identified as prohibited from doing business with the United States under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act, or any other Requirement of Law, (d) that is a Canadian Blocked Person, or (e) owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons.
Sanctions: economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, the United Nations, His Majestys Treasury, the federal government of Canada, the government of Singapore and sanctions under other similar Requirements of Law of other jurisdictions in which a Person conducts its business.
S&P: S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
SEC: the Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor thereto and any analogous Governmental Authority.
Secured Indebtedness: with respect to any Person, Indebtedness of such Person that is secured by a Lien. Indebtedness of Parent Company or a Subsidiary secured solely by a pledge of Equity Interests in one or more Subsidiaries shall not be treated as Secured Indebtedness but shall be treated as Unsecured Indebtedness.
Secured Leverage Ratio: as defined in Section 7.1(b)(iv).
Secured Obligations: all Obligations, together with all (a) Cash Management Services and (b) Swap Obligations owing; provided, however, that the definition of Secured Obligations shall not create any guarantee by any Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Guarantor.
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Securities: any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as securities or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.
SOFR: a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
SOFR Administrator: the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
SOFR Administrators Website: the NYFRBs Website, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.
SOFR Determination Date: has the meaning specified in the definition of Daily Effective SOFR.
SOFR Rate Day: has the meaning specified in the definition of Daily Effective SOFR.
Solvent: with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the present fair saleable value (determined on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value (determined on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured in the ordinary course, (c) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its business as contemplated on the date hereof and (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature or fall due in the ordinary course.
Specified Default: an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8(a) or Section 8(h).
Specified Jurisdictions: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales, Scotland, Guernsey, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Sweden, Singapore, Spain, Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Finland; and such other jurisdictions as may be agreed after the Closing Date by the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders.
Stabilized Property has the meaning specified in the definition of Development Property.
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Subsidiary: as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity 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 or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a Subsidiary or to Subsidiaries in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Parent Company.
Swap Agreement: any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.
Swap Obligations: with respect to any Person, any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Lender Swap Agreements, and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Lender Swap Agreement transaction, including any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a swap within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Swap Termination Value: in respect of any one or more Swap Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any netting agreements relating to such Swap Agreements (to the extent, and only to the extent, such netting agreements are legally enforceable in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding against the applicable counterparty obligor thereunder), (i) for any date on or after the date such Swap Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (ii) for any date prior to the date referenced in preceding clause (i), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Agreements, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Agreements (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
Syndication Agent: as defined in the preamble hereto.
Tangible Net Worth: as of any date of determination, Total Asset Value less Total Indebtedness.
Taxes: all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Term Benchmark: when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate.
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Term Benchmark Tranche: the collective reference to Term Benchmark Loans 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 Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).
Term Commitments: as to any Lender, its U.S. Term Commitment.
Term Facilities: the U.S. Term Facility.
Term Loan Commitment End Date: as defined in the definition of Term Loan Commitment Period.
Term Loan Commitment Period: the period from the Effective Date until the earliest of (the Term Loan Commitment End Date): (a) 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the Term Loan Commitment Expiry Date, (b) the funding of the U.S. Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.1, or (c) the date of termination of the U.S. Term Commitments pursuant to Section 8.
Term Loan Commitment Expiry Date: May 10, 2024.
Term Loans: the U.S. Term Loans.
Term Loan Maturity Date: the earlier of (a) February 14, 2025 and (b) the maturity date of the revolving credit facility under the Existing Credit Agreement.
Term Percentage: the U.S. Term Percentage.
Term SOFR Determination Day: has the meaning assigned to it under the definition of Term SOFR Reference Rate.
Term SOFR Rate: with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator.
Term SOFR Reference Rate: for any day and time (such day, the Term SOFR Determination Day), with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the rate per annum published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and identified by the Administrative Agent as the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. If by 5:00 pm (New York City time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate has not occurred, then, so long as such day is otherwise a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.
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Ticking Fee: as defined in Section 2.8(a).
Ticking Fee Rate: (a) prior to the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date, 0.20% per annum and (b) from and after the Debt Rating Pricing Election Date, the rate per annum set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin herein.
Total Asset Value: on any date, without duplication, the sum of:
(a) with respect to Real Property (other than Newly Acquired Properties, Development Properties, Newly Stabilized Properties and undeveloped land) that is (x) owned or ground leased or (y) a Leased Asset as of such date by Parent Company or any Subsidiary, the sum of the Eligible Values at such time of each such Real Property; provided that the manufacturing EBITDA from the Centralia, Washington facility and the high pressure processing EBITDA from the Allentown, Pennsylvania facility shall be valued as Real Property pursuant to this clause (a);
(b) with respect to the transportation and other ancillary businesses (including the Refrigerated Railcar Business) as of such date of Parent Company or any Subsidiary, the sum of the portion of EBITDA attributable to each such business segment for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 9.0; provided, that with respect to any such business segment of Parent Company or such Subsidiary that has been owned for less than four full quarters as of such date, the purchase price paid for such business segment;
(c) with respect to any Newly Acquired Property (other than a Development Property, a Newly Stabilized Property or undeveloped land), EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended for such Real Property, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(d) with respect to any (i) Development Property (until such Development Property becomes a Stabilized Property), (ii) Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for less than one full fiscal quarter as of such date and (iii) undeveloped land, the lesser of (x) cost (including the cost of the land and all hard and soft costs) or (y) book value in accordance with GAAP;
(e) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least one full fiscal quarter but less than two full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent full fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date in respect of which financial statements for such quarter or fiscal year have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(f) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least two full fiscal quarters but less than three full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of two full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for such each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 2, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
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(g) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least three full fiscal quarters but less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of three full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4/3, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(h) unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents and unrestricted marketable securities of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000;
(i) the sum of (x) the book value of other assets consisting of inventory, accounts receivable not more than 90 days past due or otherwise in payment default, and other tangible assets of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries minus (y) the book value of accounts payable of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries; and
(j) solely with respect to the calculation of Total Leverage Ratio herein, the amount of cash contributions that the direct or indirect owners of the Equity Interests of Parent Company have irrevocably committed to contribute to Parent Company when requested by Parent Company pursuant to subscription agreements or similar agreements, which commitments were received on or prior to the date of delivery of the applicable Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.2(a), or on or prior to the date of the applicable pro forma financial covenant calculation, as applicable, but have not yet funded;
provided that not more than 15% of the Total Asset Value at any time may be attributable to undeveloped land and Development Properties, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Total Asset Value.
Parent Companys pro rata share of assets held by Joint Ventures will be included in the calculation of Total Asset Value consistent with the above-described treatment for assets owned by Subsidiaries.
Total Indebtedness: the sum of all Indebtedness of Parent Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and the pro rata share of all Indebtedness of Joint Ventures.
Total Leverage Ratio: as defined in Section 7.1(i).
Total Secured Indebtedness: the portion of Total Indebtedness that is Secured Indebtedness.
Total Unused Term Commitments: at any time, the aggregate amount of the unused Term Commitments then in effect.
Total Unsecured Indebtedness: the portion of Total Indebtedness that is Unsecured Indebtedness.
Traded Securities: any debt or equity Securities issued pursuant to a public offering or Rule 144A offering or other similar private placement.
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Transaction Costs: all fees, costs and expenses incurred by Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions.
Transactions: the collective reference to (a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement), the borrowing of the Loans, and the use of proceeds thereof and (b) the payment of the Transaction Costs.
Type: when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, or the ABR.
UK Financial Institutions: any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from 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.
Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement: the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
Unencumbered Asset Value: as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, without duplication, the sum of:
(a) (i) Unencumbered NOI for Qualified Assets that are not Newly Acquired Properties, Development Properties, Newly Stabilized Properties or undeveloped land for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended, divided by (ii) the applicable Capitalization Rate; provided that the manufacturing EBITDA from the Centralia, Washington facility and the high pressure processing EBITDA from the Allentown, Pennsylvania facility shall be valued as Real Property pursuant to this clause (a);
(b) with respect to any Qualified Asset that is a Newly Acquired Property (other than a Development Property or a Newly Stabilized Property), the EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended for such Qualified Asset, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(c) with respect to Qualified Asset that is a (i) Development Property (until such Development Property becomes a Stabilized Property), a (ii) Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for less than one full fiscal quarter as of such date or (iii) undeveloped land, the lesser of (x) cost or (y) book value in accordance with GAAP;
(d) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least one full fiscal quarter but less than two full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent full fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date in respect of which financial statements for such quarter or fiscal year have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
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(e) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least two full fiscal quarters but less than three full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of two full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 2, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(f) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least three full fiscal quarters but less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of three full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4/3, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(g) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000; and
(h) with respect to the Refrigerated Railcar Business as of such date, the sum of the portion of the EBITDA attributable to the Refrigerated Railcar Business for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 9.0; provided that with respect to any Refrigerated Railcar Business that has been owned for less than four full quarters as of such date, the purchase price paid for such Refrigerated Railcar Business; and provided further that not more than 15% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to the Refrigerated Railcar Business, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
provided that:
(i) not more than 20% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets located in jurisdictions outside the Specified Jurisdictions, Qualified Assets that are owned or leased by a non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Parent Company, and undeveloped land and Development Properties, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value; and
(ii) not more than 25% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Eligible Leased Assets, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
(iii) not more than 10% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets that are owned or leased by a Subsidiary which (together with any other Subsidiary that is the direct or indirect holder of Equity Interests in such Subsidiary, referred to as the Parent Subsidiary) has outstanding Recourse Indebtedness for borrowed money at such time (unless such Subsidiary or Parent Subsidiary is a U.S. Loan Party or the lender of such Indebtedness is a party to the Intercreditor Agreement), with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value; and
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(iv) not more than the lesser of (x) $400,000,000 or (y) 5% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets and assets set forth in clauses (g) and (h) of this definition of a Qualified Asset Owner described in clause (b) of the definition thereof, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value.
Unencumbered NOI: as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, the aggregate portion of EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended that is attributable to Qualified Assets.
United States: the United States of America.
Unliquidated Obligations: at any time, any Secured Obligations (or portion thereof) that are contingent in nature or unliquidated at such time, including any Secured Obligation that is: (a) an obligation to reimburse a bank for drawings not yet made under a letter of credit issued by it; (b) any other obligation (including any guarantee) that is contingent in nature at such time; or (c) an obligation to provide collateral to secure any of the foregoing types of obligations.
Unsecured Indebtedness: with respect to any Person, Indebtedness of such Person that is not Secured Indebtedness.
U.S. Borrower: (i) as of the Closing Date, the Company and each Subsidiary of Holdings set forth on Schedule 1.1C hereof (the Closing Date US Borrowers); provided, (A) as of the Closing Date each Closing Date U.S. Borrower shall be permitted to borrow only the currencies set forth on Schedule 1.1C and (B) after the Closing Date, prior to any U.S. Borrower becoming entitled to borrow Loans in any currency other than the currencies set forth on Schedule 1.1C, the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lenders shall have received the Required Information for such U.S. Borrower and currency and (ii) thereafter, the Closing Date US Borrowers and each Designated Borrower that is a Domestic Subsidiary.
U.S. Government Securities Business Day: any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
U.S. Guarantor: at any time, the Guarantors and each other Person that is a Guarantor at such time pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement, including by way of its joinder thereto.
U.S. Loan Party: at any time, a U.S. Borrower or a U.S. Guarantor at such time.
U.S. Person: a United States person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate: as defined in Section 2.19(f)(ii)(B)(3).
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U.S. Term Commitment: as to any Lender, (a) the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make a U.S. Term Loan to one or more of the U.S. Borrowers in a principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading U.S. Term Commitment opposite such Lenders name on Schedule 1.1A, as may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.9, or (b) any incremental Commitments of such Lender to make New Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.23. The initial aggregate amount of the U.S. Term Commitments is $2,400,000,000.
U.S. Term Facility: the U.S. Term Commitments and the U.S. Term Loans made thereunder.
U.S. Term Lender: each Lender that has a U.S. Term Commitment or that holds a U.S. Term Loan.
U.S. Term Loan: as defined in Section 2.1(a) and including any incremental U.S. Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.23.
U.S. Term Percentage: as to any U.S. Term Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lenders U.S. Term Commitment then constitutes of the aggregate U.S. Term Commitments (or, at any time after the Funding Date, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lenders U.S. Term Loans then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of all of the U.S. Term Loans then outstanding).
Wholly Owned Subsidiary: as to any Person, any other Person all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares required by law) is owned by such Person directly and/or through other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; provided that, (i) at any time prior to the merger or consolidation of Holdings with or into Lineage OP, any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings will be deemed to be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of each of Parent Company and Lineage OP and (ii) at any time after to the merger or consolidation of Holdings with or into Lineage OP, any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Lineage OP will be deemed to be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Parent Company.
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, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any 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.
1.2 Other Definitional Provisions(a) . (a) Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.
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(b) As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i) accounting terms relating to any Group Member not defined in Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP, (ii) the words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation, (iii) the word incur shall be construed to mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist (and the words incurred and incurrence shall have correlative meanings), (iv) the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, Equity Interests, securities, revenues, accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights, and (v) references to agreements or other Contractual Obligations shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements or Contractual Obligations as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
(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, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
(d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
1.3 Disclaimer. The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of Term SOFR Rate or Daily Simple RFR or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto.
1.4 [Reserved].
1.5 [Reserved].
1.6 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
1.7 [Reserved].
1.8 Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification. The interest rate on a Loan denominated in Dollars may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that may be discontinued or is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, Section 2.16 provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission, performance or any other matter related to any interest rate used in this Agreement, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof, including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the existing interest rate being replaced or have the same volume or liquidity as did any existing interest rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates and/or other related entities may engage
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in transactions that affect the calculation of any interest rate used in this Agreement or any alternative, successor or alternative rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) and/or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrowers. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any interest rate used in this Agreement, any component thereof, or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrowers, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.
1.9 Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdictions laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized and acquired on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.
1.10 Limited Condition Transactions. In connection with the establishment of any New Term Commitments and the availability of borrowings under such New Term Commitments solely in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of (a) determining compliance with the Financial Covenants, (b) determining the accuracy of representations and warranties and (c) determining whether a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in each case, at the option of the Borrower Representative (the Borrower Representatives election to exercise such option in connection with such a Limited Condition Transaction, an LCT Election), the date of determination of any such compliance, accuracy or occurrence of a Default or Event of Default hereunder shall be deemed to be the date the definitive agreements with respect to such Limited Condition Transaction are entered into (in each case, 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 of Debt or Liens and the use of proceeds thereof) as if they had occurred at the beginning of the most recent period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or prior to the LCT Test Date (or, if such date is not the last day of any fiscal quarter, the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (b)), the Borrowers could have taken such action on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with the Financial Covenants or requirement with respect to the accuracy of representations and warranties or absence of Defaults or Events of Default, such Financial Covenants or requirement shall be deemed to have been complied with. If the Borrower Representative has made an LCT Election for any Limited Condition Transaction, then, in connection with any subsequent calculation of the Financial Covenants on or following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of (i) the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or (ii) the date that the definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated or expires without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such Financial Covenant shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming such Limited Condition Transaction and other transactions in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Debt or Liens and the use of proceeds thereof) have been consummated.
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SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS
2.1 Term Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each U.S. Term Lender severally agrees to make a term loan (the U.S. Term Loan) to the Borrowers in Dollars as requested by the Borrower Representative in a borrowing request pursuant to Section 2.2 in one (1) Borrowing during the Term Loan Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Term Loans to be made by such U.S. Term Lender exceeding its U.S. Term Commitment or (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all U.S. Term Loans made by the U.S. Term Lenders exceeding the total U.S. Term Commitments. The U.S. Term Loans may from time to time be Term Benchmark Loans, RFR Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower Representative and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.12. The U.S. Term Commitments of the U.S. Term Lenders to make the Term Loans shall automatically expire and terminate on Term Loan Commitment End Date (whether or not the Borrower has fully utilized the U.S. Term Commitments). Any portion of the Term Loans that is repaid may not be reborrowed.
2.2 Procedure for U.S. Term Loan Borrowing. The Borrower Representative shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice in the form of Exhibit D (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time, (a) one Business Day prior to the proposed funding date in the case of an ABR Borrowing, (b) three Business Days prior to the proposed funding date in the case of an Term Benchmark Borrowing, and (c) five Business Days prior to the proposed funding date in the case of an RFR Borrowing ) requesting that the U.S. Term Lenders make the U.S. Term Loans on such funding date, specifying the amount to be borrowed and whether such U.S. Term Loan shall be Term Benchmark Loans, RFR Loans or ABR Loans and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, the initial Interest Period applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of Interest Period; provided, such notice may be conditioned on the occurrence of such funding date. Upon receipt of such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each U.S. Term Lender thereof. Not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the proposed funding date each U.S. Term Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent at the Funding Office an amount in Dollars in immediately available funds equal to the U.S. Term Loan to be made by such Lender. The Administrative Agent shall credit the account of the relevant U.S. Borrowers on the books of such office of the Administrative Agent with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the U.S. Term Lenders in immediately available funds.
If no election as to the Type of U.S. Term Loan is specified, then the requested U.S. Term Loan shall be an ABR Loan. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Term Benchmark Tranche, then Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one months duration. Promptly following receipt of a borrowing request in the form of Exhibit D and in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each U.S. Term Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such U.S. Term Lenders U.S. Term Loan to be made.
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Each U.S. Term Loan shall be made by the U.S. Term Lenders ratably in accordance with their applicable U.S. Term Commitments; provided that the failure of any U.S. Term Lender to make its U.S. Term Loan shall not in itself relieve any other U.S. Term Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder (it being understood, however, that no U.S. Term Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other U.S. Term Lender to make any U.S. Term Loan required to be made by such other U.S. Term Lender). ABR Loans and RFR Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000. Term Benchmark Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000.
Subject to Sections 2.16 and 2.18, each Term Benchmark Tranche shall be comprised entirely of Term Benchmark Loans as Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each U.S. Term Lender may at its option make any Term Benchmark Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such U.S. Term Lender to make such U.S. Term Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of Borrower to repay such U.S. Term Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Borrowings of U.S. Term Loans of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time, subject to Section 2.13. For purposes of the foregoing, Term Benchmark Tranches having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate borrowings.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Term Benchmark Tranche if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Term Loan Maturity Date.
2.3 [Reserved].
2.4 [Reserved].
2.5 [Reserved].
2.6 [Reserved].
2.7 [Reserved].
2.8 Ticking Fees, etc.
(a) During the Term Loan Commitment Period, the Borrowers agree to pay the Administrative Agent, for the account of each U.S. Term Lender, a ticking fee (the Ticking Fee) in Dollars equal to the then applicable Ticking Fee Rate on the actual Total Unused Term Commitments during the period for which such payment is made, such fee being payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first day of the fiscal quarter next succeeding the Effective Date.
(b) The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the amounts and on the dates as set forth in any fee agreements with the Administrative Agent and to perform any other obligations contained therein.
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2.9 Termination or Reduction of Term Commitments.
(a) The U.S. Term Commitments shall automatically terminate on the Term Loan Commitment End Date.
(b) If (i) a Mandatory Prepayment Event occurs at any time during the Term Loan Commitment Period and (ii) the Funding Date has not occurred prior to such date, then on the date of such Mandatory Prepayment Event, the unused U.S. Term Commitments shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Parent, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower from such Mandatory Prepayment Event that would have been required to prepay Loans pursuant to Section 2.10(b). On the date of such Mandatory Prepayment Event, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower confirming the reduction of the U.S. Term Commitments and setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of the Net Cash Proceeds to be applied to such reduction of the U.S. Term Commitments, whereupon the U.S. Term Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced by an amount equal to such Lenders U.S. Term Percentage of such Net Cash Proceeds.
(c) The Borrower Representative shall have the right to terminate any of the unused U.S. Term Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the amount of any of the unused U.S. Term Commitments. Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to $10,000,000, or a whole multiple thereof, and shall reduce permanently the unused U.S. Term Commitments then in effect. The Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce any of the unused U.S. Term Commitments under this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the applicable Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower Representative pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the unused U.S. Term Commitments delivered by the Borrower Representative may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower Representative (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the unused Term Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the unused U.S. Term Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective U.S. Term Commitments.
2.10 Prepayments.
(a) Optional. The Borrowers may at any time and from time to time prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (except as set forth below), upon irrevocable notice delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, (i) three Business Days prior thereto, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans and (ii) one Business Day prior thereto, in the case of ABR Loans and RFR Loans denominated in Dollars, which notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Term Benchmark Loans, RFR Loans or ABR Loans; provided, that if a Term Benchmark Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the applicable Borrower shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.20. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. Partial prepayments of Term Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Any portion of the Term Loans that is prepaid may not be reborrowed
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(b) Mandatory Prepayments. Unless otherwise consented to by the Required Lenders, the Borrowers will be required to prepay Loans as set forth in this Section 2.10(b):
(i) Equity Issuances. The Borrower shall make mandatory principal prepayments of the Loans in the manner set forth in Section 2.10(c) in an amount equal to 100% of all aggregate Net Cash Proceeds from any Equity Issuance. Such prepayment shall be made within five (5) Business Days after the Net Cash Proceeds Receipt Date of any such Equity Issuance.
(ii) Debt Issuances. If the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds of all such Mandatory Prepayment Events consisting of Debt Issuances exceeds $100,000,000 (on a cumulative basis for all such Debt Issuances), the Borrower shall make mandatory principal prepayments of the Loans in the manner set forth in Section 2.10(c) in an amount equal to 100% of all such aggregate Net Cash Proceeds (excluding the initial $100,000,000 portion thereof) from any Debt Issuance. Such prepayment shall be made within five (5) Business Days after the Net Cash Proceeds Receipt Date of any such Debt Issuance.
(iii) Asset Dispositions. If the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds of all such Mandatory Prepayment Events consisting of Asset Dispositions exceeds $100,000,000 (on a cumulative basis for all such Asset Dispositions), the Borrower shall make mandatory principal prepayments of the Loans in the manner set forth in Section 2.10(c) in amounts equal to 100% of all such aggregate Net Cash Proceeds (excluding the initial $100,000,000 portion thereof) from any Asset Disposition. Such prepayments shall be made within five (5) Business Days after the Net Cash Proceeds Receipt Date of such Asset Disposition.
(c) Notice; Manner of Payment. Upon the occurrence of any Mandatory Prepayment Event, the Borrower shall promptly deliver notice thereof to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, five Business Days before the date of prepayment and upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Lenders. Unless otherwise agreed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders after the Effective Date, such Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied to the repayment of the U.S. Term Loans until the U.S. Term Loans are paid in full. Prepayments shall be applied first, ratably to any ABR Loans then outstanding, second, ratably to any RFR Loans then outstanding, and, third, ratably to any Term Benchmark Loans then outstanding, and if more than one Term Benchmark Loan is then outstanding, to each such Term Benchmark Loan in order of priority beginning with the Term Benchmark Loan with the least number of days remaining in the Interest Period applicable thereto and ending with the Term Benchmark Loan with the most number of days remaining in the Interest Period applicable thereto. Each prepayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.20. Any portion of the Term Loans that is prepaid may not be reborrowed
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2.11 Repayment of Loans.
(a) On or before December 31, 2024, the U.S. Borrowers shall repay outstanding U.S. Term Loans in an amount equal to at least 20% of the aggregate principal amount of U.S. Term Loans made on the Funding Date.
(b) The U.S. Borrowers promise to repay all outstanding U.S. Term Loans on the Term Loan Maturity Date or such earlier date as required herein.
(c) The application of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11 of Loans shall be made, first, to ABR Loans, and second to Term Benchmark Loans and RFR Loans. Each prepayment of the Loans under Section 2.11 shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid.
2.12 Conversion and Continuation Options.
(a)
(i) The Borrower Representative may elect from time to time to convert Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars to ABR Loans or RFR Loans by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date, provided that any such conversion of Term Benchmark Loans may only be made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto.
(ii) The Borrower Representative may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans or RFR Loans to Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor), provided that no ABR Loan or RFR Loan may be converted into a Term Benchmark Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Required Lenders have notified the Administrative Agent not to permit such conversions.
(iii) The Borrower Representative may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans to RFR Loans denominated in Dollars by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date, provided that no ABR Loan may be converted into an RFR Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Required Lenders have notified the Administrative Agent not to permit such conversions.
(iv) Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.
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(b) Any Term Benchmark Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the Borrower Representative giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent by the time that a borrowing request would be required to be delivered under Section 2.5, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the term Interest Period set forth in Section 1.1, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans (or, if none is specified, one month), provided that no Term Benchmark Loan may be continued as such when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Required Lenders have notified the Administrative Agent not to permit such continuations, and provided, further, that if the Borrower Representative shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this paragraph or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso then such Loans shall be automatically continued as Term Benchmark Loans with an Interest Period of one month on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period (unless such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso, in which case such Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period). Upon receipt of any such notice (or any such automatic conversion or continuation) the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.
2.13 Limitations on Term Benchmark Tranches. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings, conversions and continuations of Term Benchmark Loans and all selections of Interest Periods shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, no more than ten (10) Term Benchmark Tranches shall be outstanding at any one time.
2.14 Interest Rates and Payment Dates.
(a) Each Term Benchmark Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, for the applicable Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin.
(b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.
(c) [Reserved].
(d) Each RFR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR plus the Applicable Margin.
(e) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any Loan shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) or if an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8(h) has occurred, all overdue outstanding principal with respect to Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section plus 2% and (ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable on any Loan or any Ticking Fee or other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) or if an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8(h) has occurred, such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate then applicable to ABR Loans plus 2%, in each case, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid in full (as well after as before judgment). In addition, at the request of the Required Lenders during the existence of any other Event of Default, all outstanding Obligations shall bear interest at the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans plus 2% and shall be payable upon demand.
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(f) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section shall be payable from time to time on demand of the Administrative Agent.
2.15 Computation of Interest and Fees.
(a) Interest and fees payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to ABR Loans the rate of interest on which is calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed. Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the ABR shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes effective.
(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 applicable Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error.
2.16 Alternate Rate of Interest. Subject to clauses (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Section 2.16, if:
(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate (including because the Relevant Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for such Interest Period, or (B) at any time, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR; or
(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period or (B) at any time, the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, telecopy or electronic mail as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrower delivers a new conversion or continuation request (an Interest Election Request) in accordance with the terms of Section 2.12 or a new borrowing request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.5, (1) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Term Benchmark Borrowing and any borrowing request that requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be an Interest Election Request or a
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borrowing request, as applicable, for (x) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not also the subject of Section 2.16(a)(i) or (ii) above or (y) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings also is the subject of Section 2.16(a)(i) or (ii) above and (2) any borrowing request that requests an RFR Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be a borrowing request, as applicable, for an ABR Borrowing; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then all other Types of Borrowings shall be permitted. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrowers receipt of the notice from the Administrative Agent referred to in this Section 2.16(a) with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrower delivers a new Interest Election Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.12 or a new borrowing request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.5, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not also the subject of Section 2.16(a)(i) or (ii) above or (y) an ABR Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings also is the subject of Section 2.16(a)(i) or (ii) above, on such day, and (2) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute an ABR Loan.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(c) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (e) below and (v) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.16, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.16.
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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Rate) and either (a) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (b) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of Interest Period for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of Interest Period for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
(e) Upon the Borrowers receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing or RFR Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, either the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to (A) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (B) an ABR Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of ABR based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of ABR. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrowers receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, then until such time as a Benchmark Replacement is implemented pursuant to this Section 2.16, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, (x) an RFR Borrowing denominated in Dollars so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (y) an ABR Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Dollar Borrowings is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event, on such day and (2) any RFR Loan shall on and from such day be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute an ABR Loan.
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(f) If any Lender determines that any Requirement of Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain, or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Term Benchmark Rate or the RFR Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Term Benchmark Rate or RFR Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London or other applicable offshore interbank market, then, upon notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower (through the Administrative Agent), (a) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans or, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, to convert ABR Loans to Term Benchmark Loans shall be suspended, and (b) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining ABR Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Term SOFR Rate component of the ABR, the interest rate on which ABR Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to clause (c) of the definition of ABR, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice,(i) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Term Benchmark Loans of such Lender to ABR Loans (in each case, the interest rate on which ABR Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to clause (c) of the definition of ABR), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Term Benchmark Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Term Benchmark Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the ABR applicable to such Lender without reference to clause (c) of the definition of ABR until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Term Benchmark Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.20.
2.17 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments.
(a) Each borrowing by a Borrower from the Lenders hereunder, each payment by a Borrower on account of any Ticking Fee and any reduction of the Commitments of the Lenders shall be made pro rata according to the respective Term Percentages of the applicable Lenders.
(b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the U.S. Borrowers on account of principal of and interest on the U.S. Term Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the U.S. Term Loans then held by the U.S. Term Lenders. Amounts repaid or prepaid on account of the U.S. Term Loans may not be reborrowed.
(c) [Reserved].
(d) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by a Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim. All payments shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, at the Funding Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such
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payments to the applicable Lenders promptly upon receipt in like funds as received. If any payment hereunder (other than payments on the Term Benchmark Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Term Benchmark Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.
(e) 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 Borrower 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 greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, 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 paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If such Lenders share of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days after such Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans, on demand, from the Borrower.
(f) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by the Borrower Representative prior to the date of any payment due to be made by the Borrowers hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers are making such payment, and the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares of a corresponding amount. If such payment is not made to the Administrative Agent by the Borrowers within three Business Days after such due date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence, such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrowers.
(g) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.5, Section 2.7(b), Section 2.7(c), Section 2.17(d), Section 2.17(e), Section 3.4(a) or Section 9.7, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lenders obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under such Sections; in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.
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2.18 Requirements of Law. (a) If any Change in Law:
(i) shall subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (h) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;
(ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity, 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 that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, as applicable; or
(iii) shall impose on such Lender or the applicable interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes);
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender by an amount that such Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Loans, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the applicable 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. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this paragraph, it shall promptly notify the Borrower Representative (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.
(b) If any Lender shall have determined that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements or ratios shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders capital or on the capital of such Lenders holding company, if any, as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or such Lenders holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or such holding companys policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after submission by such Lender to the Borrower Representative (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor, the Borrowers shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such holding company for such reduction.
(c) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted by any Lender to the Borrower Representative (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any amounts incurred more than nine months prior to the date that such notifies the Borrower
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Representative of such Lenders intention to claim compensation therefor; provided that, if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such nine-month period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect. The obligations of the Borrowers pursuant to this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
2.19 Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then an additional amount is payable by the applicable Loan Party as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.19) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(c) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.19, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(d) Indemnification by Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by or on behalf of such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower Representative by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(e) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lenders failure to comply with the
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provisions of Section 10.4 relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).
(f) Status of Lenders. Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to withholding, including backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.19(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lenders reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(i) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that any Borrower is a U.S. Borrower,
(A) any Lender to such U.S. Borrower that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender to such U.S. Borrower under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. Federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any Foreign Lender to such U.S. Borrower shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
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(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the interest article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the business profits or other income article of such tax treaty;
(2) executed copies of an IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a 10 percent shareholder of such U.S. Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a controlled foreign corporation described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate) and (y) executed copies of an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or
(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. Federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
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(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lenders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.19 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.19), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.19 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
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(h) Survival. Each partys obligations under this Section 2.19 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.
(i) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 2.19, the term applicable law includes FATCA.
2.20 Indemnity.
(a) The U.S. Borrowers agree to indemnify each Lender for, and to hold each Lender harmless from, any loss, cost or expense (including any foreign exchange losses) that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the U.S. Borrowers in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans after the Borrower Representative has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by the U.S. Borrowers in making any prepayment of or conversion from Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans after the Borrower Representative has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (c) the making of a prepayment of Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period (or the Interest Payment Date, in the case of RFR Loans) with respect thereto, or (d) the assignment of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period pursuant to a request by the Borrower Representative under Section 2.22. In the case of a Term Benchmark Loan or RFR Loan, such indemnification shall be deemed to include the amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, at the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate that would have been applicable for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such 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 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) that 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. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted to the Borrower Representative by any Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
(b) This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder. This Section 2.20 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than Taxes that represent losses, costs, expenses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claims.
2.21 Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.18 or 2.19 with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrowers, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event with the object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided, that such designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its lending office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the Borrowers or the rights of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19(a).
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2.22 Replacement of Lenders. The Borrowers shall be permitted to replace any Lender that (a) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19 or (b) becomes a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, with a replacement financial institution; provided that (i) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) if applicable, prior to any such replacement, such Lender shall have taken no action under Section 2.21 so as to eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19, (iv) the replacement financial institution shall purchase, at par, all Loans and other amounts owing to such replaced Lender on or prior to the date of replacement, (v) the Borrowers shall be liable to such replaced Lender under Section 2.20 if any Term Benchmark Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (vi) if not already a Lender, the Administrative Agent shall have consented to the replacement financial institution if such consent would otherwise be required pursuant to Section 10.4(b)(i)(B), (vii) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.4 (provided that the Borrowers shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein), (viii) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrowers shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19, as the case may be, and (ix) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender.
2.23 Incremental Commitments. On one or more occasions at any time after the Closing Date, the Borrower Representative may by written notice to the Administrative Agent elect to request the establishment of one or more new term loan commitments denominated in Dollars (the New Term Commitments or the Incremental Commitments), by up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000,000 for all Incremental Commitments entered into after the Closing Date (so that the principal amount of Term Loans made hereunder does not exceed $2,900,000,000). Each such notice shall specify the date (each, an Increased Amount Date) on which the Borrower Representative proposes that such Incremental Commitments shall be effective. The Administrative Agent and/or its Affiliates shall use commercially reasonable efforts, with the assistance of the Borrower, to arrange a syndicate of Lenders or other Persons that are Eligible Assignees willing to hold the requested Incremental Commitments; provided that (x) any Incremental Commitments on any Increased Amount Date shall be in the minimum aggregate amount of $25,000,000, (y) any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of the Incremental Commitments may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide an Incremental Commitment, and (z) any Lender or other Person that is an Eligible Assignee (each, including any existing Lender that provides Incremental Commitments, a New Term Lender) to whom any portion of such Incremental Commitment shall be allocated shall be subject to the approval of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to the extent such consent would otherwise be required pursuant to Section 10.4(b).
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The terms and provisions of any New Term Commitments and any New Term Loans shall (a) provide that at the time of incurrence of such New Term Loan Commitments, the maturity date of any New Term Loan that is a separate tranche shall be no earlier than the Term Loan Maturity Date for the existing Term Loans and the weighted average life to maturity of such New Term Loans shall not be shorter than the weighted average life to maturity of the existing Term Loans, and such New Term Loans shall not have any scheduled amortization payments, (b) share ratably in any prepayments of the existing Term Facilities, unless the Borrower Representative and the New Term Lenders in respect of such New Term Loans elect lesser payments and (c) except for arrangement, underwriting, structuring and similar fees (which shall be agreed between the Borrower Representative and the New Term Lender), otherwise be identical to the existing Term Loans or reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative and each New Term Lender.
The effectiveness of any Incremental Commitments and the availability of any borrowings under any such Incremental Commitments shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent: (x) after giving pro forma effect to such Incremental Commitments and borrowings and the use of proceeds thereof, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist (or, solely with respect to any Incremental Commitments requested and incurred in connection with an acquisition or investment, in each case, permitted hereunder, then no Specified Default shall exist; provided, that any such request for Incremental Commitments by the Borrower Representative shall specify that such condition is to apply) and (ii) as of the last day of the most recent calendar quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.1, the Borrowers would have been in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.1; (y) subject to customary SunGard or other certain funds conditionality provisions solely with respect to any Incremental Commitments requested and incurred in connection with an acquisition or investment, in each case, permitted hereunder (provided, that any such request for Incremental Commitments by the Borrower Representative shall specify the conditionality provisions that are to apply), the representations and warranties made or deemed made by the Borrower in any Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than any representation or warranty qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language, which shall be true and correct in all respects) on the effective date of such Incremental Commitments except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date); and (z) the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (i) if not previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, copies certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of all corporate or other necessary action taken by the applicable Borrowers to authorize such Incremental Commitments; and (ii) a customary opinion of counsel to the applicable Borrowers (which may be in substantially the same form as delivered on the Closing Date), and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the New Term Lenders, and (iii) if requested by any Lender, new Notes executed by the applicable Borrowers, payable to any new Lender, and replacement Notes executed by the Borrower, payable to any existing Lenders.
On any Increased Amount Date on which any New Term Commitments are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, (i) each New Term Lender shall make a Loan to the Borrower (a New Term Loan) in an amount equal to its New Term Commitment, and (ii) each New Term Lender shall become a Term Lender hereunder with respect to the New Term Commitment and the New Term Loans made pursuant thereto.
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The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly upon receipt of the Borrower Representatives notice of each Increased Amount Date and in respect thereof the New Term Commitments and the New Term Lenders, as applicable.
The fees (if any) payable by the applicable Borrower to the Administrative Agent upon any such Incremental Commitments shall be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and Borrower Representative at the time of such increase.
The Incremental Commitments shall be evidenced pursuant to one or more Additional Credit Extension Amendments executed and delivered by the applicable Borrowers, the New Term Lenders, and the Administrative Agent, and each of which shall be recorded in the Register. Each Additional Credit Extension Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.23, subject to the approval of the Borrower Representative (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
2.24 Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:
(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the unused portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.8; and
(b) the Commitments and Term Loans of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders or the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 10.1), provided that any waiver, amendment or modification that increases the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender, forgives all or any portion of the principal amount of any Loan or interest thereon owing to a Defaulting Lender, reduces the Applicable Margin on the underlying interest rate options owing to a Defaulting Lender or extends the Term Loan Maturity Date applicable to such Defaulting Lender shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.
2.25 Extension of Term Loan Maturity Date. The Borrower Representative may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify each of the Lenders) given at least thirty (30) days but not more than ninety (90) days prior to the then current Term Loan Maturity Date, extend the then current Term Loan Maturity Date one (1) time up to the date that is the earliest of (x) twelve (12) months after the then current Term Loan Maturity Date, (y) November 9, 2025, if the CMBS financing known as Cold Storage Trust, 2020-ICE5 is not extended (beyond the date that is twelve (12) months after the Term Loan Maturity Date), refinanced, or repaid prior to such date and (z) the maturity date of the revolving credit facility under the Existing Credit Agreement so long as (A) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such written notice and on the last day of the then current Term Loan Maturity Date, and (B) the Borrowers pay an aggregate extension fee for such extension equal to 0.25% of the then outstanding principal amount of Term Loans to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the extending Lenders.
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2.26 Cash Management Services and Swap Agreements. Each Cash Management Bank and each Lender or Affiliate thereof having Swap Agreements with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, promptly after entering into such Cash Management Services or Swap Agreements, written notice setting forth the aggregate amount of all Cash Management Services and Swap Obligations of such Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof to such Cash Management Bank, Lender or Affiliate (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent). In addition, each such Cash Management Bank, Lender or Affiliate thereof shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, from time to time after a significant change therein or upon a request therefor, a summary of the amounts due or to become due in respect of such Cash Management Services and Swap Obligations. The most recent information provided to the Administrative Agent shall be used in determining the amounts to be applied in respect of such Cash Management Services and/or Swap Obligations pursuant to Section 8. For the avoidance of doubt, so long as JPMCB or its Affiliate is the Administrative Agent, neither JPMCB nor any of its Affiliates providing Cash Management Services for, or having Swap Agreements with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall be required to provide any notice described in this Section 2.26 in respect of such Cash Management Services or Swap Agreements.
2.27 Joint and Several Liability.
(i) Each of the U.S. Borrowers is accepting joint and several liability hereunder in consideration of the financial accommodation to be provided by the Lenders under this Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each of the U.S. Borrowers and in consideration of the undertakings of each of the U.S. Borrowers to accept joint and several liability for the obligations of each of them.
(ii) Each of the U.S. Borrowers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co debtor, joint and several liability with the other U.S. Borrowers with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Secured Obligations, it being the intention of the parties hereto that all of the Secured Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each of the U.S. Borrowers without preferences or distinction among them.
(iii) If and to the extent that any of the U.S. Borrowers shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the obligations hereunder as and when due or to perform any of such obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event, the other U.S. Borrowers will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such obligation.
(iv) The obligations of each U.S. Borrower under the provisions of this Section 2.27(a) constitute full recourse obligations of such U.S. Borrower, enforceable against it to the full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other circumstances whatsoever.
(v) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each U.S. Borrower hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint and several liability, notice of occurrence of any Default or Event of Default (except to the extent notice is expressly required to be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) or of any demand for any payment under this Agreement (except to the extent demand is expressly required to be given pursuant to
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the terms of this Agreement), notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by the Lenders under or in respect of any of the Secured Obligations, any requirement of diligence and, generally, all demands, notices and other formalities of every kind in connection with this Agreement. Each U.S. Borrower hereby assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the payment of any of the Secured Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by the Lenders at any time or times in respect of any default by any Borrower in the performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement, any and all other indulgences whatsoever by the Lenders in respect of any of the Secured Obligations, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of such Secured Obligations or the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of any Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each U.S. Borrower assents to any other action or delay in acting or any failure to act on the part of the Lenders, including, without limitation, any failure strictly or diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with applicable laws or regulations thereunder which might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.27(a), afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving such U.S. Borrower, in whole or in part, from any of its obligations under this Section 2.27(a), it being the intention of each U.S. Borrower that, so long as any of the Secured Obligations remain unsatisfied, the obligations of such U.S. Borrower under this Section 2.27(a) shall not be discharged except by performance and then only to the extent of such performance. The obligations of each U.S. Borrower under this Section 2.27(a) shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any Borrower or any Lender. The joint and several liability of the U.S. Borrowers hereunder shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any absorption, merger, amalgamation or any other change whatsoever in the name, membership, constitution or place of formation of any Borrower or any Lender.
(vi) The provisions of this Section 2.27(a) are made for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their respective successors and assigns, and may be enforced by any such Person from time to time against any of the U.S. Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of any Lender first to marshal any of its claims or to exercise any of its rights against any of the other Borrowers or to exhaust any remedies available to it against any of the other Borrowers or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Secured Obligations or to elect any other remedy. The provisions of this Section 2.27(b) shall remain in effect until all of the Secured Obligations hereunder shall have been Paid in Full. If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in respect of any of the Secured Obligations, is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Lenders upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any of the Borrowers, or otherwise, the provisions of this Section 2.27(a) will forthwith be reinstated and in effect as though such payment had not been made.
(vii) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the obligations of each U.S. Borrower hereunder shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law or any Debtor Relief Laws.
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(viii) The U.S. Borrowers hereby agree as among themselves that, in connection with payments made hereunder, each such Person shall have a right of contribution from each other Borrower in accordance with applicable Laws. Such contribution rights shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the Secured Obligations until such time as the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, and none of the U.S. Borrowers shall exercise any such contribution rights until the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full.
SECTION 3. [RESERVED]
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans, Parent Company, each other Guarantor and each Borrower hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:
4.1 Financial Condition.
(a) The audited financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2022 (i) present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date of such financial statement and (ii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the period covered thereby except as otherwise expressly noted therein.
(b) The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at September 30, 2023 delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(b) and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date of such financial statement and (ii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the period covered thereby except to the extent provided in the notes to such financial statements, subject to year-end audit adjustments.
4.2 No Change. Since December 31, 2022, there has been no development or event that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.3 Existence; Compliance with Law. Each Group Member (a) is duly organized, incorporated, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except as otherwise permitted by Section 7.4 or Section 7.5 or, solely with respect to good standing (other than good standing of Parent Company, each other Guarantor, the Company or the Borrowers), where the failure to be in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and
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to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged except for where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) is duly qualified to do business in, and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of, each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification except for where failure to do so could not reasonably be 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 could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. Each Loan Party has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and the legal right, to enter into and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of each Borrower, to obtain extensions of credit hereunder. Each Loan Party has taken all necessary 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 on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the extensions of credit hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents to which any Loan Party is a party, except consents, authorizations, filings, notices and other acts that (i) have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect or (ii) are contemplated pursuant to Section 4.23. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
4.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance by the applicable Loan Party of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof will not (i) violate any Requirement of Law, any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding on a Loan Party or its assets, or any Governing Document of any Loan Party, except where such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any such indenture, agreement or other instrument.
4.6 Litigation. No action, litigation, arbitration, suit, investigation or proceeding of or claim before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in writing against any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries or against any of their respective property as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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4.7 No Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party.
4.8 Ownership of Property; Liens; Qualified Assets; Casualty. (a) Subject to Liens not prohibited by Section 7.3, each Group Member has good and valid title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all of its Real Property that is material to the operation of its business, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or the right to use, all its other property that is material to the operation of its business, in each case other than (x) minor defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, or (y) where the failure to have such title, interest or other right to use would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Qualified Assets or the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner is subject to any Lien except Permitted Encumbrances and Permitted Equity Encumbrances.
Each Qualified Asset included in any calculation of the Financial Covenants satisfied, at the time of such calculation, all of the Eligibility Criteria with respect to the applicable category of Qualified Assets.
Neither the businesses nor the properties of any Group Member are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.9 Intellectual Property. Each Group Member owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, except to the extent that the failure to so own or license such Intellectual Property, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been asserted against any Group Member and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nor does any Borrower know of any valid basis for any such claim in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The use of Intellectual Property by each Group Member does not infringe on the rights of any Person except to the extent that such infringements, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.10 Taxes. Each Group Member has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state and other material tax returns and reports that are required to have been filed and has paid all Taxes on any assessments made against it or any of its property, and all other material Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any Taxes the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the relevant Group Member), in each case, except where the failure to file or pay, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Tax Lien has been filed with respect to any Qualified Asset that is not a Permitted Encumbrance, and as of the Closing Date, to the knowledge of the Company or any Borrower, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Taxes, fees or other charges of any Loan Party that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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4.11 Federal Regulations. (a) No part of the proceeds of any Loans, and no other extensions of credit hereunder, will be used by any Loan Party (i) for the purpose, whether immediate or ultimate, of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or (ii) for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board.
No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying margin stock.
4.12 [Reserved].
4.13 ERISA. Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) each Group Member and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Code relating to Plans and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder; and (ii) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur.
4.14 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations. No Group Member is an investment company required to be registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
4.15 Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 4.15 or as created by the Loan Documents, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, acquisition rights or other similar agreements or similar commitments (other than (i) stock options granted to employees or directors and (ii) directors qualifying shares) of any nature relating to any Equity Interests of the Company or any Guarantor.
4.16 [Reserved].
4.17 Environmental Matters. Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) the facilities and real properties owned, leased or operated by any Group Member (the Properties) do not contain any Materials of Environmental Concern in amounts or concentrations or under circumstances that constitute a violation of Environmental Law or would reasonably be expected to result in any Environmental Liability;
(b) no Group Member has received any written notice from any Person alleging, or knows of any basis for, any Environmental Liability with regard to any Group Member, the Properties or the business operated by any Group Member (the Business);
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(c) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or disposed of to, at or from the Properties by or on behalf of any Group Member in violation of Environmental Law or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability, nor have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, used, treated or stored at, on or under any of the Properties in violation of Environmental Law or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability;
(d) no claim, proceeding, suit, action or, to the knowledge of Parent Company, any Guarantor or any Borrower, investigation is pending or, to the knowledge of Parent Company, any Guarantor or any Borrower, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which any Group Member is or, to the knowledge of Parent Company, any Guarantor or any Borrower, will be named as a party, nor are there any judicial decrees, consent decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other governmental orders outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to any Group Member, the Properties or the Business;
(e) there has been no Release of or exposure to nor, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threat of Release of Materials of Environmental Concern at, in, on, under or from the Properties or any other location that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability;
(f) neither the Group Members nor their respective operations at the Properties have failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law; and
(g) no Group Member has retained or assumed (by contract or operation of law) any Environmental Liability of any other Person or with respect to any former or predecessor operations or properties.
4.18 Accuracy of Information, etc. All written factual information contained in this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other document or certificate heretofore furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, other than projections, estimates, budgets, forward looking statements and information of a general economic or industry nature concerning the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, does not and will not, when furnished, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein (taken as a whole) not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were or are made, supplemented or updated from time to time. The projections contained in the materials referenced above will have been prepared in good faith based upon reasonable assumptions believed by management of the Loan Parties to be reasonable at the time made and at the time such projections are made, it being recognized by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that such projections are not to be viewed as facts or a guarantee of performance and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies many of which are beyond the control of the Loan Parties, that no assurance can be given that any particular projections will be realized and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ from the projected results, and such differences may be material.
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(a) As of the Closing Date, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification provided on or prior to the Closing Date to any Lender in connection with this Agreement is true and correct in all respects.
4.19 Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Parent Company, each other Guarantor and the Borrowers have implemented and maintain in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by Parent Company, each other Guarantor, the Borrowers, the other Group Members and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and Parent Company, the other Guarantors, the other Group Members and their respective officers and employees and, to the knowledge of Parent Company, the Guarantors and the Borrowers after reasonable due diligence, their respective directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of Parent Company, each other Guarantor, any of the Borrowers, any of their respective Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Parent Company, any Borrower, any other Guarantor or any such Subsidiary, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person, (iii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to any Anti-Terrorism Law or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purposes of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate any Anti-Terrorism Laws. All borrowings, use of proceeds and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will comply with applicable Sanctions in all material respects, and no borrowing, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will violate Anti-Corruption Laws (including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall require Parent Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any director, officer, employee, agent or Affiliate of Parent Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are registered or incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province thereof to commit an act or omission that contravenes the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures (United States) Order, 1992. This clause shall not be interpreted or applied in relation to it or any other person or for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, and any Lender and any Lender-Related Person to the extent that the representations made pursuant to this clause violate or expose such entity or party or any director, officer or employee thereof to any liability under any applicable anti-boycott or blocking law, regulation or statute that is in force from time to time in the European Union (and/or any of its member states).
4.20 Solvency. As of the Closing Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries, and Parent Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole and on a consolidated basis, immediately after the consummation of the Transactions, are Solvent.
4.21 Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions. None of Parent Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is an entity deemed to hold plan assets (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations), and, assuming and provided that the Lenders representations and covenants set forth in any of Sections 9.9(a)(i)-(iii) are and continue to be true, neither the execution, delivery nor performance of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, including the making of any Loan hereunder, will give rise to a non-exempt Prohibited Transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
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4.22 REIT Status. Parent Company (i) qualifies as a REIT for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, (ii) has elected to be treated as a REIT beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2020 and (iii) is in compliance with all other requirements and conditions imposed under the Code to allow it to maintain its status as a REIT.
4.23 [Reserved].
4.24 Affected Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution, or, with respect to any Danish Loan Party its registered office is located in Denmark.
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
5.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit. The agreement of each Lender to make the initial extension of credit requested to be made by it is subject to the satisfaction, prior to or concurrently with the making of such extension of credit on the Funding Date, of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Credit Agreement; Guarantee Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent, the Guarantors, the Company and each Borrower listed on Schedules 1.1C and 1.1D, and (ii) the Guarantee Agreement, executed and delivered by the Guarantors.
(b) Financial Statements. The Lenders shall have received (i) audited consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the 2021 and 2022 fiscal year and (ii) unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal quarter in 2023 ended at least 60 days prior to the Closing Date, and such financial statements shall not, in the reasonable judgment of the Lenders, reflect any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, as reflected in the financial statements.
(c) Projections. The Lenders shall have received satisfactory projections through 2025.
(d) Approvals. All material governmental and third party approvals necessary in connection with the continuing operations of the Group Members and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority that would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the financing contemplated hereby.
(e) Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in each of the jurisdictions where the U.S. Loan Parties are organized.
(f) Fees. The Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all reasonable and documented expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of a single legal counsel for the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arrangers, taken as a whole, and if reasonably necessary one local counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction for the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arrangers, taken as a whole), at least two (2) Business Day before the Effective Date.
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(g) Legal Opinion. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received a legal opinion of:
(i) Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, with respect to New York law and the U.S. Loan Parties organized under the laws of Delaware; and
(ii) Venable LLP, counsel to the Parent Company, with respect to Maryland laws.
(h) Secretarys Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party in a form customary in the jurisdiction of organization of that Loan Party, dated the Closing Date and executed by its Secretary, Assistant Secretary, manager, director, or other authorized officer, which shall to the extent applicable in the relevant jurisdiction (A) certify the resolutions of its board of directors, members or other body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the officers of such Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party and (C) contain appropriate attachments, including the certificate or articles of incorporation, organization or registration of each Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party and a true and correct copy of its by-laws or operating, management or partnership agreement, articles of association or other organizational or governing documents, and (ii) a good standing certificate for such Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization or the substantive equivalent available in the jurisdiction of organization for each such Loan Party from the appropriate governmental officer in such jurisdiction.
(i) Know-Your-Customer Requirements. (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least three days prior to the Closing Date to the extent requested at least five business days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information regarding the Borrowers (including the Closing Date Excluded Borrowers) and the U.S. Guarantors requested in connection with applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and Beneficial Ownership Regulation, and (ii) the Administrative Agent and each requesting Lender shall have received, at least three days prior to the Closing Date, in connection with applicable beneficial ownership rules and regulations, a customary Beneficial Ownership Certification regarding beneficial ownership or control of each Borrower that qualifies as a legal entity customer in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each requesting Lender.
(j) Closing Certificate. The Lenders shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of a Guarantor (i) certifying as to compliance with the Financial Covenants set forth in Section 7.1 on a pro-forma basis on the Effective Date after giving effect to the incurrence of any Loans, which certificate shall include calculations in reasonable detail demonstrating such compliance, including as to the calculations of Unencumbered Asset Value and Total Asset Value, and (ii) confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 as of the Closing Date.
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(k) Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate from a Responsible Officer of a Guarantor certifying that, as of the Closing Date, Parent Company and its Subsidiaries, and the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole and on a consolidated basis, immediately after the consummation of the Transactions, are Solvent.
(l) [Reserved].
(m) Borrowing Request; Letter of Direction. The Administrative Agent shall have received a completed borrowing request substantially in the form of Exhibit D and a letter of direction for the U.S. Term Loans to be disbursed on the Closing Date, in each case executed by a Responsible Officer of the Company.
For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 5.1, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender.
5.2 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit. The agreement of each Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it on any date (including its initial extension of credit) is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than any representation or warranty qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language, which shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case they were true and correct on and as of such earlier date.
(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) Compliance Certificate. The Lenders shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of a Guarantor (i) certifying as to compliance with the Financial Covenants set forth in Section 7.1 on a pro-forma basis on the Funding Date after giving effect to the incurrence of any Loans, which certificate shall include calculations in reasonable detail demonstrating such compliance, including as to the calculations of Unencumbered Asset Value and Total Asset Value, and (ii) confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 as of the Funding Date.
Each borrowing by the Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the date of such extension of credit that the conditions contained in Section 5.2(a) and (b) have been satisfied.
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SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Parent Company, the other Guarantors and the Borrowers hereby jointly and severally agree that, so long as the Commitments remain in effect, any Loan remains outstanding or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder (other than contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted), each of Parent Company, the other Guarantors and the Borrowers shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:
6.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly make such information available to the Lenders in accordance with customary practices):
(a) within 120 days (or (x) 150 days for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and for the first such financial statements after a Qualified IPO and (y) 90 days for all subsequent financial statements after a Qualified IPO) after the end of each fiscal year of Parent Company (commencing with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023), Parent Companys audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by KPMG or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (certified without qualification as to going concern or scope of the audit and without a going concern explanatory note (other than a going concern explanatory note or qualification resulting from (i) the maturity of the Loans or the loans under any Indebtedness of any Group Member permitted hereunder occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or (ii) anticipated (but not actual) covenant non-compliance hereunder or under Indebtedness of any Group Member permitted hereunder)) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and accompanied by a certificate of the accounting firm addressed to the Board of Directors of Parent Company or any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company, that reported on such financial statements stating that in the course of its regular audit of the business of Parent Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, which audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, such accounting firm has obtained no knowledge of any Event of Default relating to the Financial Covenants that has occurred and is continuing or, if in the opinion of such accounting firm such an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines); and
(b) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of the fiscal year of (i) prior to December 31, 2023, Holdings and (ii) from and after December 31, 2023, Parent Company (and with respect to the first three financial statements after a Qualified IPO, 60 days after the end of such fiscal quarter), its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by Financial Officer of Holdings or Parent Company, as applicable, as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings or Parent Company, as applicable, and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
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Any financial statement or other document, reports, proxy statements or other materials required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 (to the extent any such financial statement or document, reports, proxy statements or other materials included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC, including Form 8-K, 10-K or 10-Q of Parent Company or any other Guarantor (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) may be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) such financial statements and/or other documents are posted on the SECs website on the Internet at www.sec.gov, (ii) on which Parent Company, a Guarantor or the Company (or any direct or indirect parent entity thereof) posts such documents, or provides a link thereto, on Parent Companys, a Guarantors or the Companys (or any such direct or indirect parent entitys) website address listed on Schedule 6.1(b) or (iii) on which such documents are posted on Parent Companys, a Guarantors or the Companys behalf on an Internet or Intranet website, if any, to which the Administrative Agent and each Lender has access (whether a commercial third-party website or a website sponsored by the Administrative Agent), provided that (A) Parent Company, a Guarantor or the Company shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, continue to deliver copies (which delivery may be by electronic transmission (including Adobe pdf copy)) of such documents to the Administrative Agent or such Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (B) Parent Company, a Guarantor or the Company shall notify (which notification may be by facsimile or electronic transmission (including Adobe pdf copy)) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents on any website. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by Parent Company, the Guarantors or the Company with any request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Administrative Agent and maintaining its copies of such documents.
6.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly make such information available to the Lenders in accordance with customary practices):
(a) concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (b) (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent, or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes) (x) a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Financial Officer of Parent Company or another Guarantor, as applicable, which Compliance Certificate shall (i) include a certification as to whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) set forth a narrative discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) for the reporting period then ended and for the period from the beginning of the then current fiscal year to the end of such period, and (iii) set forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with the Financial Covenants (including reasonably detailed calculations that confirm the computations of Unencumbered Asset Value and Total Asset Value that were utilized in calculating the Financial Covenants reflect the
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concentration limits included in the proviso to Unencumbered Asset Value or Total Asset Value, as applicable), and (y) together with such Compliance Certificate, each in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (it being agreed and acknowledged that any such form and detail consistent with that provided to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date shall be deemed satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (i) a statement of the EBITDA contribution by each component of Unencumbered Asset Value and Total Asset Value for the twelve month period ending at the end of the most recent fiscal quarter and summary Occupancy Rate reports for Development Properties and location of each Qualified Asset, (ii) a certification that all assets utilized in determining clauses (a) through (f) of Unencumbered Asset Value qualified as of the applicable Financial Covenant test date for which the Compliance Certificate is being delivered as Qualified Assets under the applicable Eligibility Criteria and (iii) a summary of all acquisitions, dispositions or other removals of Qualified Assets completed during the most recently ended calendar quarter.
(b) [reserved];
(c) [reserved];
(d) [reserved];
(e) promptly after the same are available, and only to the extent not publicly available on EDGAR, copies of each annual report, proxy, financial statement or other periodic report sent to the stockholders of Parent Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, in respect of any public securities of Parent Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which Parent Company or a Guarantor or the Company may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;
(f) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any notice of default received from or furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof pursuant to the terms of any material indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.1, Section 6.8 or any other clause of this Section 6.2;
(g) [reserved]; and
(h) promptly, such additional financial and other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of Parent Company, the Guarantors, the Company and their Subsidiaries as any Lender may from time to time reasonably request; provided that none of Parent Company, the Guarantors, the Company nor any Subsidiary will be required to disclose or permit the inspection or discussion of, any document, information or other matter (i) that constitutes trade secrets or similar commercially sensitive information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their representatives or contractors) is prohibited by law, would violate the fiduciary duties owed by the disclosing party or would violate any binding agreement or (iii) that is subject to attorney client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.
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Each Borrower, Parent Company and each Guarantor and each Lender acknowledge that (a) the Administrative Agent, any Bookrunner and/or any Lead Arranger may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of such Loan Party hereunder (collectively, Borrower Materials) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar, or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the Platform) and (b) certain of the Lenders may be Public Lenders and, if documents or notices required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 6.2 or otherwise are being distributed through the Platform, any document or notice that any Borrower has indicated contains Private-Side Information shall not be posted on that portion of the Platform designated for such Public Lenders. Each Borrower agrees to clearly and conspicuously mark PUBLIC (which, at a minimum means that the word PUBLIC shall appear prominently on the first page thereof) on all Borrower Materials provided to the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of such Borrower which contains only Public-Side Information, and by doing so the Administrative Agent, the Bookrunners, the Lead Arrangers, and the Lenders shall be deemed to have been authorized to treat such Borrower Materials as containing only Public-Side Information. If none of any Borrower, Parent Company or any Guarantor has indicated whether a document or notice delivered pursuant to this Section 6.2 contains Private-Side Information, the Administrative Agent reserves the right to post such document or notice solely on that portion of the Platform designated for Private Lenders.
6.3 [Reserved].
6.4 Taxes. File or cause to be filed all federal, state and other tax returns and reports that are required to be filed and pay all Taxes on any assessments made against it or any of its property, and all other Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than (a) the amount or validity of which are contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP are provided on the books of the relevant Group Member or (b) where the failure to file or pay, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).
6.5 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Law. (a)(i) Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organizational existence and good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by Section 7.4 or Section 7.5 and except, in the case of clause (i) (solely with respect to good standing of Group Members other than Parent Company, the other Guarantors, the Company and the Borrowers) and clause (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) comply with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Company, the Borrowers, the other Group Members and their respective directors, officers and employees with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
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6.6 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, keep Qualified Assets in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted and (b) maintain with insurance companies that the Company believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) are financially sound and reputable or with a Captive Insurance Subsidiary, insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability, product liability and business interruption) as are usually (as determined in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) insured against in the same general area by similarly situated companies either (x) engaged in the same or a similar business or (y) with comparable EBITDA.
6.7 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions. (a) Keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct entries in all material respects in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities (it being understood and agreed that any Foreign Subsidiary may maintain additional individual books and records in a manner that permits preparation of its financial statements in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles that are applicable in its jurisdiction of organization and that such maintenance shall not constitute a breach of the representations, warranties or covenants hereunder) and (b) permit representatives of the Administrative Agent once each calendar year upon reasonable prior notice and at a time mutually agreed with the Company (or, after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or an Event of Default, at any time or frequency) to visit and inspect its properties (to the extent it is within such Persons control to permit such inspection), to examine and make extracts from its books and records (other than materials (i) that constitute trade secrets or similar commercially sensitive information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent (or its representatives or contractors) is prohibited by law, would violate the fiduciary duties owed by the disclosing party or would violate any binding agreement or (iii) that is subject to attorney client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product), and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers, in each case, at the expense of the Borrowers once each calendar year (or, after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or an Event of Default, at any time).
6.8 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent (for further distribution to each Lender) of:
(a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
(b) any litigation, investigation or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority (including any investigation by the SEC regarding financial results or other operational results of any Loan Party) against or affecting any Group Member that, if adversely determined, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) any action, suit, investigation or proceeding against any Group Member (i) that, if adversely determined, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) which relates to any Loan Document;
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(d) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability to a Group Member in an aggregate amount exceeding $50,000,000;
(e) any transaction or occurrence that results in the material damage, destruction or rendering unfit for normal use of any of the facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by any Group Member, that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;
(f) any pending or threatened notice or claim, administrative, regulatory or judicial action, suit, judgment, demand or other written communication by any other Person alleging or asserting the liability of any Group Member for investigatory costs, clean-up costs, governmental response costs, damages to natural resources or other property, personal injuries, fines or penalties or seeking injunctive relief, in each case relating to the presence, use or Release of any Material of Environmental Concern or the violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Law, that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(g) any development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(h) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; and
(i) of any announcement by S&P, Moodys or Fitch of any change in a Debt Rating.
Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.8 (other than Section 6.8(i)) shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of Parent Company, a Guarantor or the Company setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Loan Parties have taken and propose to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.8(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
6.9 Environmental Laws. Comply with, and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure compliance by all tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and comply with and maintain, and take commercially reasonable steps to ensure that all tenants and subtenants obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by applicable Environmental Laws, in each case, except for such non-compliance and failure to obtain and maintain that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(a) Except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under Environmental Laws and (ii) promptly comply with all lawful orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental Laws, other than such orders and directives which are being timely contested in good faith by proper proceedings.
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6.10 [Reserved].
6.11 Use of Proceeds .
(a) Use the proceeds of the Loans solely for repayment of Indebtedness and other general corporate purposes of the Parent Company and its Subsidiaries and for working capital and other lawful corporate purposes, in each case not in contravention of the Loan Documents or applicable law.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Borrower will request any Borrowing, and no Borrower shall use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of any Borrowing (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Terrorism Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, (iii) in any manner that would result in a violation by any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Bookrunner, Lead Arranger, Administrative Agent, or otherwise) of Sanctions, or (iv) (A) for the purpose, whether immediate or ultimate, of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or (B) for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board.
6.12 Know Your Customer. Promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other reasonably available information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
6.13 Maintenance of REIT Status; Further Assurances.
(a) Cause Parent Company to continue to be treated as a REIT.
(b) Promptly upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, (a) correct any material defect or manifest error that may be discovered in any Loan Document, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, and take any and all such further acts, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to carry out more effectively the intention of the Loan Documents.
6.14 [Reserved].
6.15 [Reserved].
6.16 Accuracy of Information. Parent Company, the other Guarantors and the Borrowers will ensure that any written factual information, including financial statements or other documents, furnished on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with this Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder, other than projections, estimates, forecasts, budgets, forward-looking information or information of a general economic or industry nature, when taken as a whole, contains no material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, taken as a whole and in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.
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SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
The Guarantors and the Borrowers hereby jointly and severally agree that, so long as the Commitments remain in effect, any Loan remains outstanding or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder (other than contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted), each of the Guarantors and the Borrowers shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly (provided, that the second paragraph in Section 7.16 shall only apply to the Guarantors):
7.1 Financial Covenants. The Borrowers shall not permit:
(i) Total Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value (the Total Leverage Ratio) to exceed 60%; provided, that the Borrower Representative may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 60% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Total Leverage Ratio exceed 65% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
(ii) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) (i) EBITDA minus (ii) Maintenance Capital Expenditures to (b) Fixed Charges, each from the period of four fiscal quarters then ended, to be less than 1.5 to 1.0.
(iii) Unsecured Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Unsecured Indebtedness to Unencumbered Asset Value (the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio) to exceed 60%; provided, that the Borrower Representative may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 60% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio exceed 65% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
(iv) Secured Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Secured Indebtedness to Total Asset Value (the Secured Leverage Ratio) to exceed 40%; provided, that the Borrower Representative may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 40% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Secured Leverage Ratio exceed 45% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
7.2 Indebtedness. Create, issue, incur, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness (including any Capital Lease Obligations, securitizations and similar obligations to the extent constituting Indebtedness), other than Permitted Indebtedness, unless at the time of such creation, issuance, incurrence, assumption or sufferance thereof (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (b) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
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7.3 Liens. Directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on:
(a) any Qualified Asset, other than Permitted Encumbrances;
(b) any Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any Qualified Asset Owner, other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances; and
(c) any income or revenues from, or proceeds of, any of the foregoing;
or sign, file or authorize under the Uniform Commercial Code (of any jurisdiction), a financing statement that includes in its collateral description any portion of any Qualified Asset or the Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any Qualified Asset Owner, or any income or revenue from, or proceeds of, any of the foregoing.
7.4 Fundamental Changes. Enter into any merger, demerger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or reorganize itself, in the case of a Domestic Subsidiary, in any non-U.S. jurisdiction, and in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, under the laws of any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, or Dispose (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a Division or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Group Members (taken as a whole), except that:
(a) any Domestic Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving Person, any Domestic Subsidiary other than the Company may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into a U.S. Borrower (other than the Company) in a transaction in which the U.S. Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving entity; and any Foreign Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into another Foreign Subsidiary;
(b) any Person other than Parent Company or Lineage OP may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving entity, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction and (b) Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants;
(c) any Person other than the Company, Parent Company or Lineage OP may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into any other Subsidiary in a transaction in which the continuing or surviving entity is a Subsidiary, if (x) at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction and (b) Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants or (y) if both of the parties to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation are Subsidiaries but only one party is a Loan Party, the Loan Party or a successor by such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation that becomes the Loan Party upon such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation shall be the continuing or surviving entity (and, in the case where the other party to such merger or amalgamation is a Qualified Asset Owner, either the continuing or surviving entity shall be a Qualified Asset Owner or successor by
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amalgamation that becomes the Qualified Asset Owner or all Qualified Assets owned or leased by such Qualified Asset Owner shall, contemporaneously with such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation cease to be included as Qualified Assets in any calculations hereunder); provided, (1) no Domestic Subsidiary will merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate into a Foreign Subsidiary, (2) if both parties to such merger or amalgamation are Loan Parties and one of the parties thereto is a Qualified Asset Owner, either the Qualified Asset Owner or a successor by amalgamation that becomes the Qualified Asset Owner shall be the continuing or surviving entity or all Qualified Assets owned or leased by such Qualified Asset Owner shall, contemporaneously with such merger, cease to be included as Qualified Assets in any calculations hereunder), and (3) for the avoidance of doubt, Subsidiaries of Parent Company may merge, consolidate, amalgamate, or liquidate with or into another Subsidiary in a transaction that constitutes an Investment that is permitted by Section 7.8 (other than pursuant to clause (o) of the definition of Permitted Investment);
(d) (A) any Domestic Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets to the Company or to another Domestic Subsidiary; provided that, if one of the parties to such transaction is a U.S. Loan Party, either (1) the U.S. Loan Party shall be the transferee or (2) the transaction is permitted by Section 7.5; and (B) any Foreign Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets to the Company or to another Foreign Subsidiary;
(e) any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party or a Qualified Asset Owner may liquidate or dissolve itself if the Borrower Representative determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrowers or the Group Members; and
(f) Holdings may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into Lineage OP in a transaction in which Lineage OP is the surviving entity. Upon completion of the transaction contemplated by the foregoing sentence, all references herein to Holdings shall be deemed to refer to Lineage OP.
7.5 Disposition of Property. Dispose of any property or asset, including Equity Interests owned by it and including pursuant to any sale-leaseback transaction, other than a Permitted Disposition, unless immediately before and after giving effect to such Disposition (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such Disposition and (b) on a Pro Forma Basis Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
7.6 Restricted Payments. Declare or pay any dividend on, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement, cancellation, termination or other acquisition of, any Equity Interests of any Group Member, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in respect thereof, whether in cash or property (collectively, Restricted Payments), directly or indirectly, except that:
(a) the Company and any Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional limited liability company interests or its common stock (or their respective equivalents in any jurisdiction),
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(b) Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional Equity Interests,
(c) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends or distributions ratably with respect to their Equity Interests,
(d) Parent Company or any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments (including for the purposes of effectuating repurchases of Equity Interests) pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings and its Subsidiaries,
(e) Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, the Company and any Subsidiary may consummate any Qualified IPO, engage in any restructuring activity of any Group Member in connection with a Qualified IPO and may make any Restricted Payment, distribution in cash or in-kind securities in connection with any disposition of legacy Equity Interests following a Qualified IPO, or take any other actions to effect the disposition of legacy Equity Interests in connection with or following a Qualified IPO,
(f) Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, the Company and their Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments to their owners (A) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto, in an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) 95% of Normalized Adjusted FFO attributable to the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended plus (2) any additional minimum amount reasonably necessary to enable Parent Company and any REIT Subsidiary to make distributions to maintain Parent Companys and such REIT Subsidiarys status as a REIT and avoid the imposition of U.S federal income or excise taxes on Parent Company or such REIT Subsidiary and (B) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto, in an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) the minimum amount reasonably necessary to enable Parent Company and any REIT Subsidiary to make distributions to maintain Parent Companys and such REIT Subsidiarys status as a REIT and avoid the imposition of U.S federal income or excise taxes on Parent Company or such REIT Subsidiary, plus (2) $60,000,000 per fiscal year, plus (3) management fees payable by Parent Company pursuant to the Operating Agreement in an amount not to exceed $35,000,000 per fiscal year,
(g) Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings may make Restricted Payments with any amounts received by it from the Company pursuant to clause (f) of this Section,
(h) Restricted Payments to Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings in such amounts as are necessary or appropriate to pay (i) administrative expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable directors fees, employee compensation and benefits, customary indemnity payments and payroll, social security or similar taxes) payable by Parent Company or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), (ii) nominal expenses to maintain the corporate existence of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), (iii) premiums and other charges necessary to maintain the insurance required under the terms of this Agreement and other commercially reasonable insurance acquired and maintained by Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), including director and officer, employment practices and other similar liability insurance and (iv) the payment of business related expenses which are incurred by Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) in the ordinary course of business, in each case, to the extent the incurrence of such expenses and other obligations, the taking of such actions, and the payment of such expenses and other obligations, as applicable are permitted by this Agreement,
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(i) Restricted Payments, the proceeds of which shall be used by Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings to make (or to make a payment to any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings to enable it to make) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof,
(j) repurchases of Equity Interests in Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings), or any of its subsidiaries, deemed to occur upon cashless exercise of stock options or warrants,
(k) Restricted Payments the proceeds of which shall be used by Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay fees and expenses (other than to Affiliates) related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering not prohibited by this Agreement (in the case of any such parent or indirect parent, only to the extent such parent or indirect parent does not hold material assets other than those relating to Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings and its subsidiaries),
(l) (i) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (Retired Capital Stock) of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings or contributions to the equity capital of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings (other than any Disqualified Equity Interests or any Equity Interests sold to a subsidiary of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings) (collectively, including any such contributions, Refunding Capital Stock) and (ii) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a subsidiary of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings) of Refunding Capital Stock; provided that in, each of the causes of clause (i) and (ii), such Restricted Payment must be made within 90 days of the receipt of the proceeds from the issuance of such Equity Interests,
(m) Restricted Payments to Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings to finance any Investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 7.8; provided, that such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing or consummation of such Investment,
(n) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, transactions expressly permitted by Section 7.4, Section 7.8, and Section 7.10 (other than Section 7.10(a), (h), (j) (to the extent relating to stock option plans) and (o)),
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(o) for any taxable period in which (A) Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a member of a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar tax group (or comparable group under foreign law), or (B) any of Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a pass-through entity for income tax purposes (including under foreign tax law), Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, Borrowers or their respective applicable Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments in amounts required for such of its direct or indirect owners as are members of such group, or as are required to include the income of such pass-through entity in income for Tax purposes, to pay any Taxes imposed directly on such owners, to the extent such Taxes are attributable to the income, assets or activities of such entity and only after taking into account all available credits and deductions; provided, that no such entity shall make any Restricted Payment under this provision in any amount greater than the share of such Taxes arising out of such entitys net income calculated as if such entity filed tax returns on a standalone basis, and
(p) the redemption of units in (i) Holdings by Lineage OP and (ii) Lineage OP by Lineage OP or Parent Company, in each case, in accordance with the Operating Agreement.
In any event and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the extent any Subsidiary is permitted to make a Restricted Payment to Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings for any of the foregoing purposes, such Subsidiary may, alternatively, make any such payment directly to the applicable obligee or payee of Parent Company, Lineage OP or Holdings on its behalf, and such payment shall be treated, for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as a permitted Restricted Payment.
7.7 [Reserved].
7.8 Investments. Make or allow any Investment, other than a Permitted Investment, unless immediately before and after giving effect to such Investment, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) on a Pro Forma Basis Parent Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
7.9 Amendments to Governing Documents. Directly or indirectly, consent to, approve, authorize or otherwise suffer or permit any waiver, amendment, supplement, cancellation, termination or other modification of any Governing Document of Parent Company, any Borrower, any Guarantor or any Qualified Asset Owner, in each case if such waiver, amendment, supplement, cancellation, termination or modification would reasonably be expected to (a) adversely affect any Loan Partys ability to repay the Secured Obligations or (b) impair the rights or interests of the Administrative Agent or any Credit Party hereunder or under any Loan Document; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any such modifications to facilitate any Qualified IPO.
7.10 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction, including any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property, the rendering of any service or the payment of any management, advisory or similar fees, with any Affiliate, except transactions among the Loan Parties and except:
(a) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.6;
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(b) pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the business of Parent Company, any Guarantor or such Subsidiary upon fair and reasonable terms not materially less favorable to Parent Company, any Guarantor or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of Parent Company, any Guarantor or such Subsidiary;
(c) entering into employment and severance arrangements between Parent Company (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), any Subsidiary and any of their respective officers and employees, as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of the relevant Person;
(d) the payment of customary fees and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket costs of, and customary indemnities provided to or on behalf of, directors, officers, management, consultants and employees of Parent Company (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), Holdings, Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(e) the payment of fees, expenses, indemnities or other payments pursuant to, and transactions pursuant to any agreements in existence on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.10 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not materially more disadvantageous to the Lenders than the original agreement in effect on the Closing Date;
(f) transactions between or among (i) Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, (ii) between or among Parent Company and its Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties (on the one hand) and any Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (on the other hand) or (iii) Parent Company and its Subsidiaries;
(g) the issuance or transfer of Equity Interests in Parent Company or a Guarantor (other than any Disqualified Equity Interests) to the Investor or any Affiliate thereof, or to any current, former or future director, manager, employee or consultant (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) of Parent Company, a Guarantor, any of its subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent thereof or any Affiliate of Parent Company or a Guarantor;
(h) transactions contemplated by customary shareholders agreements entered into with holders of the Equity Interests of Parent Company;
(i) the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses related to registration rights and indemnities provided to shareholders under any shareholders agreement referred to in clause (h) above;
(j) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) or advances to employees, officers, directors, members of management or consultants (or the estate, heirs, family members, spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner or any of the foregoing) of Parent Company or a Guarantor, any direct or indirect parent companies or any of its subsidiaries and employment agreements, consulting arrangements, severance arrangements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees, officers, directors, members of management or consultants (or the estate, heirs, family members, spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner of any of the foregoing);
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(k) the entering into of any Tax sharing agreement or arrangement to the extent payments under such agreement or arrangement would otherwise be permitted under this Agreement;
(l) transactions permitted under Section 7.5 and/or Section 7.8 solely for the purpose of (a) reorganizing to facilitate any initial public offering of securities of Parent Company, a Guarantor, or any direct or indirect parent company (b) forming a holding company, or (c) reincorporating Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings or any Borrower in a new jurisdiction;
(m) the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for Tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business including making payments to an Affiliate to pay any Taxes due by such group that are permitted by Section 7.6;
(n) transactions for cash management and other management services for Parent Company and its Subsidiaries on customary terms;
(o) transactions contemplated by the Operating Agreement;
(p) the issuance of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the board of directors or manager of Parent Company or any direct or indirect parent company of Parent Company or a Subsidiary of Parent Company, as appropriate, in good faith; and
(q) transactions between or among any of Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings, the Company and any Subsidiary in connection with the consummation of any Qualified IPO, restructuring activity of any Group Member in connection with a Qualified IPO and the distribution in cash or in-kind securities in connection with any disposition of legacy Equity Interests following a Qualified IPO, or any other actions to effect the disposition of legacy Equity Interests in connection with or following a Qualified IPO.
7.11 [Reserved].
7.12 Swap Agreements. Enter into or become obligated in respect of Swap Agreements other than Swap Agreements entered into (or guaranteed) by Parent Company, the Guarantors, the Company, any Loan Party or any such Subsidiary, which establish, or were intended to establish, an effective hedge in respect of liabilities, commitments or assets held or reasonably anticipated by Parent Company, such Guarantor, the Company, such other Loan Party or such other Subsidiary.
7.13 [Reserved].
7.14 Negative Pledge Clauses. Directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than any Loan Document) that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon the ability of (a) any Group Member to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets (including the Equity Interests owned by such Group Member), (b) any Group Member to make Restricted Payments to the Company or any other Loan Party or
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to make or repay loans or advances to the Company or any other Loan Party or to guarantee the Obligations or (c) Group Member to otherwise transfer (including by way of a pledge) property to a Borrower or a Loan Party; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions and conditions imposed by Requirements of Law or by Contractual Obligations in effect as of the Closing Date (and any extensions, renewals or modifications thereof) (and, for the avoidance of doubt, such restrictions do not apply to any Qualified Asset or to the Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any Qualified Asset Owner), (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary prohibitions, restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary or its assets pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary or assets that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement (including mortgage financings and CMBS Financings) if such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (and, for the avoidance of doubt, such restrictions do not apply to any Qualified Asset or to the Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any Qualified Asset Owner, except to the extent permitted by clause (x) below), (iv) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to Joint Ventures that are applicable solely to such Joint Venture and entered into in the ordinary course of business, (v) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions that are customary prohibitions, restrictions or conditions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions solely relate to the assets subject thereto, (vi) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions or conditions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, (vii) the foregoing shall not apply to provisions restricting the granting of a security interest in intellectual property contained in licenses or sublicenses by the Company and its Subsidiaries of such intellectual property, which licenses and sublicenses were entered into in the ordinary course of business (in which case such prohibition or restriction shall relate only to such intellectual property), (viii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions on cash or other deposits or minimum net worth requirements imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ix) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in any agreement that evidences Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement that are substantially similar to, or not materially more restrictive than, those prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in the Loan Documents, (x) the foregoing clause (a) shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in any mortgage financing, CMBS Financing or other financing on the pledge of Equity Interests in the direct or indirect parent of a Loan Party (other than a Qualified Asset Owner), Group Member (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) or a Qualified Asset Owner, (xi) the foregoing shall not apply to assets subject to retention of title and (xii) the foregoing shall not apply to any prohibitions, restrictions or conditions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (x) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower Representative, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions than those in place prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
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7.15 Payments of Subordinate Debt. Make or offer to make any payment, prepayment, repurchase or redemption of or otherwise optionally or voluntarily defease or segregate funds (whether scheduled or voluntary) with respect to principal or interest on any Indebtedness which is subordinate in right of payment to the Secured Obligations pursuant to its express terms or a written agreement if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto.
7.16 Lines of Business. Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by Parent Company, Lineage OP, Holdings and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date or other business activities which are extensions thereof or otherwise incidental, reasonably related or ancillary thereto.
Parent Company and the other Guarantors shall not engage in any material business activities or own any material assets other than (a) direct or indirect ownership of the Equity Interests of the Company and other Subsidiaries, ownership of Equity Interests held pursuant to Investments permitted by this Agreement and ownership of commercially reasonable insurance policies, including director and officer, employment practices and similar liability insurance, (b) activities and contractual rights and obligations incidental to maintenance of its corporate existence (including the payment of accounting and other professional fees and expenses), (c) activities related to the payment of tax liabilities of Parent Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (d) entering into confidentiality agreements, (e) entering into any transactions not prohibited under this Agreement (including activities undertaken in connection with a Qualified IPO), (f) the performance of its obligations under the Loan Documents and, to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, agreements for other Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement, management agreements, transaction fee agreements, director indemnification agreements, unit appreciation rights agreements and acquisition agreements, (g) entering into, making and performing guaranties, option agreements, shareholder agreements and other incentive compensation agreements, in each case, to which Parent Company or another Guarantor is a party, (h) the Transactions on the Closing Date, and (i) other activities incidental to or in furtherance of any of the foregoing.
SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:
(a) (i) the Borrowers or any other Loan Party shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan, when due in accordance with the terms hereof and in the currency required hereunder; or (ii) the Borrowers or any other Loan Party shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document within five (5) Business Days after any such interest on any Loan, or any fee payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or (iii) the Borrowers or any other Loan Party shall fail to pay any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document not otherwise specified in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) within ten (10) Business Days after any such other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or
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(b) any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or that is contained in any certificate or other document furnished by it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any such other Loan Document shall prove to have been inaccurate or misleading in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made (or, to the extent qualified by materiality, shall be inaccurate or misleading in any respect after giving effect to such qualification when made or deemed made); or
(c) the Company or any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in (i) Section 6.1(a) or (b), Section 6.2(a)(x), Section 6.5(a)(i) (solely with respect to the existence of the Company, any Borrower, any Qualified Asset Owner, or any Guarantor), Section 6.8, Section 6.10, Section 6.13 or Section 6.17 or Section 7 of this Agreement, or (ii) Section 6.2(a) (not specified in clause (i) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 15 days; or
(d) [intentionally omitted]; or
(e) any Group Member shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in Section 6.11; or
(f) 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 paragraphs (a) through (e) above), and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date upon which an officer of the Company or any Loan Party obtains knowledge of such default or (ii) the date upon which the Borrower Representative has received written notice of such default from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; provided, that, if such default is capable of being cured but cannot be cured within such 30 day period and so long as the applicable Loan Party shall have commenced to cure such default within such 30 day period and shall be diligently pursuing such cure, the applicable Loan Party shall have an additional 30 day period to cure such default; or
(g) any Group Member shall (i) default in making any payment when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace or cure periods (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness (excluding any Indebtedness hereunder and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of (or, with respect to any Swap Agreements, a Swap Termination Value of) more than $100,000,000; or (ii) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, 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 beneficiary of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or beneficiary) or, in the case of a Swap Agreement, the applicable counterparty, to cause, with the giving of notice if required and after giving effect to any applicable grace periods thereunder, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due (or to be terminated) or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity or, in the case
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of any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee Obligation, to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded, or, in the case of a Swap Agreement, to cause the termination thereof or an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Agreement) results therefrom; provided that clauses (i) (other than in the case of clause (x) below) and (ii) shall not apply to (x) Secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the Disposition or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such Disposition or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness and (y) Indebtedness that is convertible into Equity Interests and has been converted to Equity Interests in accordance with its terms and such conversion is not prohibited hereunder; or
(h) (i) any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary shall commence or consent to the institution of any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any Debtor Relief Law, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, reconstruction, voluntary arrangement, scheme or arrangement, adjustment, administration, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, judicial management, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, receiver and manager, administrative receiver, interim receiver, monitor, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, interim liquidator, rehabilitator, Controller, administrator, statutory manager, judicial manager, interim judicial manager, nominee (which has the meaning given under section 273(1) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 of Singapore) or other similar official for it or for all or any material part of its property; or (ii) there shall be commenced against any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above that (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, unstayed or undischarged for a period of 60 days, or (C) declaring any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary at risk pursuant to the Corporations (Investigation and Management) Act 1989 (NZ); or (iii) there shall be commenced against any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a writ or warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all or any material part of its property that results in the entry of an order for any such relief that shall not have been released, vacated, discharged, or stayed or fully bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (iv) any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary shall become unable or admit in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due (or, in respect of any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary organized and existing under the laws of Australia (or any of its jurisdictions), is presumed under the Australian Corporations Act to be unable to pay its debts as they become due and payable whether at stated maturity or otherwise); or (v) any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(i) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(j) (i) one or more final monetary judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Group Member involving in the aggregate a liability (to the extent not covered by insurance or third-party indemnities as to which the relevant insurance company or third party has not denied coverage) of $100,000,000 or more (excluding judgments or decrees with respect to Non-Recourse Indebtedness) or (ii) one or more non-monetary final judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Group Member that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (x) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree, or (y) there is a period of 45 consecutive days during which such judgment or decree is not vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal; or
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(k) [reserved]; or
(l) (i) any material provision of any Loan Document, including the Guarantee Obligations contained in the Guarantee Agreement, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Secured Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect or (ii) any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any material provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any material provision of any Loan Document; or
(m) a Change in Control;
then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (v) or (vi) of paragraph (h) above with respect to the Borrower, automatically the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents 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 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 (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable. In addition, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, and shall at the request of the Required Lenders, exercise all rights and remedies available under the Loan Documents and applicable law. Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers.
In the event that following the occurrence or during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, receives any monies in connection with the enforcement of any the Loan Documents, such monies shall be distributed for application as follows:
(1) First, to the payment of, or (as the case may be) the reimbursement of the Administrative Agent for or in respect of, all reasonable costs, expenses, disbursements and losses which shall have been incurred or sustained by the Administrative Agent in connection with the collection of such monies by the Administrative Agent, for the exercise, protection or enforcement by the Administrative Agent of all or any of the rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in support of any provision of adequate indemnity to the Administrative Agent against any taxes or liens which by law shall have, or may have, priority over the rights of the Administrative Agent to such monies;
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(2) Second, to pay any fees or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from the Loan Parties;
(3) Third to pay interest then due and payable on the Loans ratably,
(4) Fourth, to payment of (i) Secured Obligations constituting principal on the Loans, and (ii) obligations under Cash Management Services and Lender Swap Agreements due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or other Person entitled thereto) by the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party, in each in this clause (ii) up to and including the amount most recently provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.26, in each case ratably among the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and their Affiliates (or other Person entitled thereto) in proportion to the amounts described in this clause Fourth payable to them;
(5) Fifth, to the payment of any other Secured Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or any Lender by the Loan Parties; and
(6) Sixth, the remainder (if any) to the Borrowers.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) amounts received from any Guarantor shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Guarantor, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation otherwise set forth in clauses (4) and (5) above, and (y) the application of monies described above is subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.
SECTION 9. THE AGENTS
9.1 Authorization and Action. Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement and its successors and assigns to serve as the administrative agent under the Loan Documents and each Lender authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under such agreements and to exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, each of the Loan Documents to which the Administrative Agent is a party, and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies that the Administrative Agent may have under such Loan Documents. Each Lender hereunder (and by its acceptance of the benefits of the Loan Documents, each other Credit Party) authorizes and instructs Administrative Agent to enter into the intercreditor agreement dated as of [April 7, 2014], among the Administrative Agent (as successor by joinder), and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, solely in its capacity as Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Cold Storage Trust 2017-ICE3, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-ICE3, as lender, (and their respective permitted successors and assigns).
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(a) As to any matters not expressly provided for herein and in the other Loan Documents (including enforcement or collection), the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the written instructions of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, pursuant to the terms in the Loan Documents), and, unless and until revoked in writing, such instructions shall be binding upon each Lender; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that (i) the Administrative Agent in good faith believes exposes it to liability unless the Administrative Agent receives an indemnification and is exculpated in a manner satisfactory to it from the Lenders with respect to such action or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable law, including any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reconstruction, dissolution, judicial management or reorganization or relief of debtors or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution, judicial management or reorganization or relief of debtors; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may seek clarification or direction from the Required Lenders prior to the exercise of any such instructed action and may refrain from acting until such clarification or direction has been provided. Except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Parent Company, the other Guarantors, the Borrowers, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Administrative Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(b) In performing its functions and duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent is acting solely on behalf of the Lenders (except in limited circumstances expressly provided for herein relating to the maintenance of the Register), and its duties are entirely mechanical and administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(i) the Administrative Agent does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or duty or any other relationship as the agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender or holder of any other obligation other than as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and it is understood and agreed that the use of the term agent (or any similar term) herein or in any other Loan Document with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary duty or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law, and that such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties); additionally, each Lender agrees that it will not assert any claim against the Administrative Agent based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement and/or the transactions contemplated hereby;
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(ii) where the Administrative Agent is required or deemed to act as a trustee or agent in respect of any collateral over which a security interest has been created pursuant to a Loan Document expressed to be governed by the laws of each Specified Jurisdiction, or is required or deemed to hold any collateral on trust or as agent pursuant to the foregoing, the obligations and liabilities of the Administrative Agent to the Credit Parties in its capacity as trustee shall be excluded to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; and
(iii) nothing in this Agreement or any Loan Document shall require the Administrative Agent to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by the Administrative Agent for its own account.
(c) The Administrative Agent may perform any of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of their respective duties and exercise their respective rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Section shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities pursuant to this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agent except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agent.
(d) None of any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, or any Arranger shall have obligations or duties whatsoever in such capacity under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and shall incur no liability hereunder or thereunder in such capacity, but all such persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder.
(e) In case of the pendency of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reconstruction, receivership, dissolution, judicial management or similar law now or hereafter in effect, 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) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, and all other Secured 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 without limitation any claim under Sections 2.8, 2.14, 2.19 and 10.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
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and any custodian, receiver, interim receiver, judicial manager, interim judicial manager, nominee (which has the meaning given under section 273(1) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 of Singapore), monitor, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and each other Credit Party to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders or the other Credit Parties, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due to it, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, under the Loan Documents (including under Section 10.3). Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Secured Obligations or the rights of any Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
(f) The provisions of this Section (other than Section 9.5) are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and, except solely to the extent of the Borrowers rights to consent pursuant to and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section, none of the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary, or any of their respective Affiliates, shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary under any such provisions. Each Credit Party, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the collateral security and guarantee provided under the Loan Documents, to have agreed to the provisions of this Section.
9.2 Administrative Agents Reliance, Limitation of Liability, Etc. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be (i) liable to any of the Secured Parties for any action taken or omitted to be taken by such party, the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (x) with the consent of or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents) or (y) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (such absence to be presumed unless otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Administrative Agents reliance on any Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page) or for any failure of any Loan Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.
(a) The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any (i) notice of any of the events or circumstances set forth or described in Section 6.2 unless and until written notice thereof stating that it is a notice under Section 6.2 in respect of this Agreement and identifying the specific clause under said Section is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower Representative, or (ii) notice of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof (stating that it is a notice of Default or a notice of an Event of
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Default) is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender. Further, the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 5 or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items (which on their face purport to be such items) expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or (vi) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens granted pursuant to the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any Liabilities, costs or expenses suffered by any Loan Party, any Subsidiary, or any Lender as a result of, any determination of the Loans, any of the component amounts thereof or any portion thereof attributable to each Lender. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into or monitor compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Institutions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Institution or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, to any Disqualified Institution.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent (i) may treat the payee of any promissory note as its holder until such promissory note has been assigned in accordance with Section 10.4, (ii) may rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section 10.4(b), (iii) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrowers), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts, (iv) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender and shall not be responsible to any Lender for any statements, warranties or representations made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (v) in determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender sufficiently in advance of the making of such Loan and (vi) shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper party or parties (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof).
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(c) In the event that the Administrative Agent performs its duties hereunder through J.P. Morgan SE (formerly known as J.P. Morgan AG) (JPMSE), each of the Lenders hereby exempts the JPMSE from the restrictions pursuant to section 181 Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) and similar restrictions applicable to it pursuant to any other applicable law, in each case to the extent legally possible to such Lender. A Lender which cannot grant such exemption shall notify the Administrative Agent accordingly and, upon request of the Administrative Agent, either act in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and/or any other Loan Document as required pursuant to this Agreement and/or such other Loan Document or grant a special power of attorney to a party acting on its behalf, in a manner that is not prohibited pursuant to section 181 of the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) and/or any other applicable laws.
9.3 Posting of Communications. The Borrowers agree that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Communications available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on IntraLinks, DebtDomain, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any other electronic platform chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the Approved Electronic Platform).
(a) Although the Approved Electronic Platform and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Closing Date, a user ID/password authorization system) and the Approved Electronic Platform is secured through a per-deal authorization method whereby each user may access the Approved Electronic Platform only on a deal-by-deal basis, each of the Lenders and the Borrowers acknowledge and agree that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of any Lender that are added to the Approved Electronic Platform, and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders and each of the Borrowers hereby approves distribution of the Communications through the Approved Electronic Platform and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.
(b) THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS ARE PROVIDED AS IS AND AS AVAILABLE. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY ARRANGER, ANY DOCUMENTATION AGENT, ANY SYNDICATION AGENT OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (COLLECTIVELY, APPLICABLE PARTIES) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN PARTYS OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENTS TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM.
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Communications means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Approved Electronic Platform.
(c) Each Lender agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that Communications have been posted to the Approved Electronic Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender agrees (i) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (which could be in the form of electronic communication) from time to time of such Lenders email address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (ii) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such email address.
(d) Each of the Lenders and each of the Borrowers agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store the Communications on the Approved Electronic Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agents generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.
(e) Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.
9.4 The Administrative Agent Individually. With respect to its Commitment and Loans, the Person serving as the Administrative Agent shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and is subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender. The terms Lenders, Required Lenders and any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender or as one of the Required Lenders, as applicable. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with, the Borrowers, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing as if such Person was not acting as the Administrative Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
9.5 Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days prior written notice thereof to the Lenders, and the Borrower Representative, whether or not a successor Administrative Agent has been appointed. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agents giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York or an Affiliate of any such bank. In either case, (other than if the Administrative Agent
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appoints one of its Affiliates acting through an office in the European Union as a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (i) above), such appointment shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Borrower Representative (which approval may not be unreasonably withheld and shall not be required while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing). Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall succeed to, and become vested with, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent. Upon the acceptance of appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Prior to any retiring Administrative Agents resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to assign to the successor Administrative Agent its rights as Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents.
(a) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section, in the event no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its intent to resign, the retiring Administrative Agent may give notice of the effectiveness of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower, whereupon, on the date of effectiveness of such resignation stated in such notice, (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided that, solely for purposes of maintaining any security interest granted to the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document for the benefit of the Credit Parties, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be vested with such security interest as collateral agent for the benefit of the Credit Parties, and continue to be entitled to the rights set forth in such Loan Documents, and, in the case of any collateral in the possession of the Administrative Agent, shall continue to hold such collateral, in each case until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment in accordance with this Section (it being understood and agreed that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any further action under any Loan Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any such security interest), and (ii) the Required Lenders shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent; provided that (A) all payments required to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Person other than the Administrative Agent shall be made directly to such Person and (B) all notices and other communications required or contemplated to be given or made to the Administrative Agent shall directly be given or made to each Lender. Following the effectiveness of the Administrative Agents resignation from its capacity as such, the provisions of this Section and Section 10.3, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and in respect of the matters referred to in the proviso under clause (i) above.
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9.6 Acknowledgements of Lenders. Each Lender represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and in providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender in the ordinary course of business, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument (and each Lender agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing), (iii) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder, and (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrowers and their respective Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
(a) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement on the Closing Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Closing Date.
(b) Each Lender hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent notifies 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 thereafter, 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 Section 9.6(c) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. Each Lender that fails to return such amounts under this clause (i) to the Administrative Agent within one (1) Business Day after receipt of such notice shall be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes under this Agreement.
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(i) Each Lender hereby further agrees 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 has been made with respect to such Payment. Each Lender agrees that, in each such case, or if it otherwise becomes aware a Payment (or portion thereof) may have been sent in error, such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, 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. Each Lender that fails to return such amounts under this clause (ii) to the Administrative Agent within one (1) Business Day after receipt of such notice shall be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes under this Agreement.
(ii) The Borrowers 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 Borrowers or any other Loan Party.
(iii) Each partys obligations under this Section 9.6(c) 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.
9.7 Guarantee and Collateral Matters. Except with respect to the exercise of setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.8 or with respect to a Credit Partys right to file a proof of claim in an insolvency proceeding, no Credit Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Secured Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Credit Parties in accordance with the terms thereof.
(a) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation thereof, no arrangements in respect of Cash Management Services and no Lender Swap Agreement, will create (or be deemed to create) in favor of any Cash Management Bank or Credit Party that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any collateral or of the obligations of any Loan Party under any Loan Document. By accepting the benefits of the Loan Documents, each Cash Management Bank and each Credit Party that is a party to any such arrangement in respect of Swap Agreements shall be deemed to have appointed the Administrative Agent to serve as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and agreed to be bound by the Loan Documents as a Credit Party thereunder, subject to the limitations set forth in this paragraph.
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(b) The Credit Parties irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 7.3(a). The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of any collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agents Lien thereon or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders or any other Credit Party for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of any collateral.
9.8 [Reserved].
9.9 Certain ERISA Matters. Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and, except as set forth in Section 4.21, 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 the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans or the Commitments,
(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined 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 Lenders 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 Lenders entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, or
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(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 sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrowers or any other Loan Party, that none of the Administrative Agent, or any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (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 to hereto or thereto).
(c) The Administrative Agent, and each Arranger, Syndication Agent, and Documentation Agent hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide investment advice or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Commitments, this Agreement and any other Loan Documents (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, bankers acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Notices. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
To any Loan Party: | Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC 46500 Humboldt Drive Novi, MI 48377 Attention: Michelle Domas Email: MDomas@onelineage.com |
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With a copy to: | Latham & Watkins LLP 355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 100 Los Angeles, California 90071 Attention: Mark Morris Email: Mark.Morris@lw.com | |
Administrative Agent: | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 131 S Dearborn St, Floor 04 Chicago, IL 60603-5506 Attention:Loan and Agency Servicing Email: jpm.agency.cri@jpmorgan.com
Agency Withholding Tax Inquiries: Email: agency.tax.reporting@jpmorgan.com
Agency Compliance/Financials/Virtual Data rooms: Email: covenant.compliance@jpmchase.com | |
With a copy to:
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 8501 N Scottsdale Rd Ste 240, Floor 02 Scottsdale, AZ, 85253 | ||
Attention: Ryan Dempsey | ||
Telephone: (480) 377-6875 |
Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through Approved Electronic Platforms, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).
(a) Notices and other communications to the Borrowers, any Loan Party and the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Approved Electronic Platforms pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Section 2 unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(b) Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.
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(c) Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.
10.2 Waivers; Amendments. No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by Parent Company, the other Guarantors or the Borrowers therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.
(a) Subject to Section 2.16(b), (c) and (d) and Section 10.2(c) and (d) below, neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower Representative and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby (except (x) in connection with the waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates (which waiver shall be effective with the consent of the Required Lenders) and (y) any amendment or modification of defined terms used in the Financial Covenants shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (ii)), (iii) except as provided in Section 2.25, postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.9 or 2.17(a), (b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the ratable reduction of Commitments or the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change the allocation, reallocation and payment waterfall provisions of Section 2.24 or Section 8 without the written consent of each Lender, (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender, or (vii) release any Guarantee provided by Parent Company, Holdings, Lineage OP or the Company without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.
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(b) The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to (and the Administrative Agent shall) release any Guarantees provided by the Loan Parties and all Obligations of the Borrowers (A) upon the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations and (B) upon a Borrower ceasing to be a Borrower pursuant to Section 10.19(d) hereof or pursuant to a transaction permitted pursuant to Section 7.4 or Section 7.5 hereof; and
Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Secured Obligations (other than those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties. At the request and expense of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent shall execute, deliver and/or file any documents or instruments reasonably necessary to effect the foregoing. Any execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent of documents in connection with any such release shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.
(c) If the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative together identify any ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect in any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative shall be permitted to amend, modify or supplement such provision to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect, and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.
10.3 Expenses; Limitation of Liability; Indemnity; Etc. Expenses. The U.S. Borrowers shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers taken as a whole, and if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, taken as a whole, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) [reserved], and (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including the fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders taken as a whole, and if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, taken as a whole, and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where the Person affected by such conflict informs the Borrower Representative of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel (and, if reasonably necessary, one firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction) for such affected Person (or similarly affected Persons taken as a whole)), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.
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(a) Limitation of Liability. To the extent permitted by applicable law (i) no Borrower or Loan Party shall assert, and each Borrower and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent and any Lender, and any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called a Lender-Related Person) for any Liabilities arising from the use by others of information or other materials (including, without limitation, any personal data) obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), except as a result of the gross negligence of such Lender-Related Person as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-applicable judgment, and (ii) no party hereto (and their Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors and agents) shall assert, and each such party hereby waives, any Liabilities against any other party hereto, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that, nothing in this Section 10.3(b) shall relieve any Borrower or any Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee, as provided in Section 10.3(c), against any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party.
(b) Indemnity. The U.S. Borrowers shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Arranger, each Syndication Agent, each Documentation Agent and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all Liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursement and other charges of one counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders taken as a whole, and if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, taken as a whole, and in the event of a conflict of interest, of one additional counsel for each group of similarly situated affected Indemnified Persons) incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) any action taken in connection with this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the payment of principal, interest and fees (other than any erroneous Payment as set forth under Section 9.6(c)), (iv) any Loan or the use of the proceeds therefrom, (v) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by Parent Company, the Company or any of their Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability resulting from the handling of Hazardous Materials or violation of Environmental Laws, related in any way to Parent Company, the Company or any of their Subsidiaries, and (vi) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation, arbitration or administrative, judicial or regulatory action or proceeding (each, a Proceeding) relating to any of the foregoing (including in relation to enforcing the terms of the limitation of liability and indemnification referred to above), regardless of whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and whether or not such Proceeding is brought by Parent Company, any Guarantor, the Company, their respective Affiliates or equity holders or any other Person; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such Liabilities or related expenses (A) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted primarily from (x) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee in performing its activities or in furnishing its commitments or services under the Loan Documents, or (y) the material breach by such Indemnitee of its obligations under the Loan Documents, (B) result from a claim not involving an act or omission of Parent Company, the Guarantors, the Company or any of their Subsidiaries and that is brought by an Indemnitee against another Indemnitee (other than an Arranger or the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such), or (C) relate to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, costs, expenses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.
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(c) Lender Reimbursement. Each Lender severally agrees to pay any amount required to be paid by the Borrowers under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 10.3 to the Administrative Agent, and each Related Party of the Administrative Agent (each, an Agent-Related Person) (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrowers and without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so), ratably according to their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentage in effect on the date on which such payment is sought under this Section (or, if such 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 such Aggregate Exposure Percentage immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all Liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent-Related Person in any way relating to or arising out of the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent-Related Person under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that the unreimbursed expense or Liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent-Related Person in its capacity as such; provided further that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such Liabilities, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from such Agent-Related Partys gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
(d) Payments. All amounts due under this Section 10.3 shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.
10.4 Successors and Assigns. 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) Parent Company, the other Guarantors and the Borrowers may not assign or otherwise transfer any of their respective rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by Parent Company, a Guarantor or a Borrower without such consent shall be null and void (except (a) pursuant to any additional Designated Borrower or the release of any Borrower (other than the Company) pursuant to Section 10.19 hereof or (b) pursuant to a transaction permitted by Section 7.4 or Section 7.5)) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
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(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:
(A) the Borrower Representative; provided that, the Borrower Representative shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof provided that no consent of the Borrower Representative shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other Eligible Assignee; provided that no such consent of the Borrower Representative shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and
(B) the Administrative Agent; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, 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, an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $10,000,000 unless each of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent;
(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement;
(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Assignment and Assumption or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and
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(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more Credit Contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrowers, the Loan Parties and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignees compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.
(iii) No assignment shall be made to (x) any Disqualified Institution, (y) any Defaulting Lender or any of its subsidiaries, or (z) any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing persons described in this clause (iii). To the extent any assignment is purported to be made to a Person prohibited by this clause (iii), (A) such Person shall be required to immediately (and in any event within five Business Days) assign all Loans and Commitments then owned by such Person to another Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) or a Person other than an Ineligible Institution and the Borrowers shall be entitled to seek specific performance in any applicable court of law or equity to enforce this sentence, (B) no Disqualified Institution shall be permitted to (x) receive any information or reporting provided by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (y) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent or (z) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, (C) for purposes of voting, any Loans, Commitments or participations held by such Disqualified Institution shall be deemed not to be outstanding and such Disqualified Institution shall have no voting or consent rights with respect to Required Lender, in each case notwithstanding the provisions herein, (D) for purposes of any matter requiring the vote or consent of each Lender affected by any amendment or waiver, such Disqualified Institution shall be deemed to have voted or consented to approve such amendment or waiver if a majority of the affected Lenders so approves and (E) such Disqualified Institution shall not be entitled to any expense reimbursement or indemnification rights ordinarily afforded to Lenders or Participants hereunder or in any Loan Document and such Disqualified Institution shall be treated in all other respects as a Defaulting Lender; provided, that if any Lender becomes a Disqualified Institution after the time such Lender initially became a Lender hereunder, and any assignment is made to such Lender after the time such Lender became a Disqualified Institution, the Commitments assigned to such Lender after the time such Lender became a Disqualified Institution (but no other Commitments of such Lender) shall be treated as an assignment to a Disqualified Institution other than with respect to clause (B) above. The Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Borrowers hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent, to provide the list of Disqualified Institutions to each Lender requesting the same (including through the Electronic System).
(iv) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement, such
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Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.18, 2.19, 2.20 and 10.3). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
(v) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in the United States a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans 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, and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower Representative, and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(vi) Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, the assignees completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Sections 3.4, 2.17(e) or 10.3(d), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
(b) Any Lender may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a Participant), other than an Ineligible Institution, in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations; and (C) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will
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not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 10.2(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.18, 2.19 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Sections 2.19(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.19(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) and 2.20 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.18 or 2.19, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrowers request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.8 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.17 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participants interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the Participant Register); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participants interest in any Commitments, Loans, or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, or other obligation is in registered form under Sections 5f.103-1(c) and 1.163-5 of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(c) Any Lender 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 other central bank having jurisdiction over it, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall (i) release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto, or (ii) be permitted to be made to a Disqualified Lender.
(d) Each party to this Agreement agrees that in case of a transfer or assignment pursuant to this Section 10.4 (Successors and Assigns) and for the purpose of any applicable law, any collateral granted by a Person under the Loan Documents shall be preserved for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the assignee and the remaining Lenders.
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10.5 Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein and in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Documents shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.18, 2.19, 2.20 and 10.3 and Section 9 shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
10.6 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 5.1, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
(a) Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of (x) this Agreement, (y) any other Loan Document and/or (z) any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any notice delivered pursuant to Section 10.1), certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or the transactions contemplated hereby and/or thereby (each an Ancillary Document) that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement, such other Loan Document or such Ancillary Document, as applicable. The words execution, signed, signature, delivery, and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept Electronic Signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent and pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept any Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrowers or any other Loan Party without further verification thereof and without
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any obligation to review the appearance or form of any such Electronic signature and (ii) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed counterpart. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrowers and each Loan Party hereby (i) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Borrowers and the Loan Parties, Electronic Signatures transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page and/or any electronic images of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, (ii) the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders may, at its option, create one or more copies of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document in the form of an imaged electronic record in any format, which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Persons business, and destroy the original paper document (and all such electronic records shall be considered an original for all purposes and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record), (iii) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement, such other Loan Document and/or such Ancillary Document, respectively, including with respect to any signature pages thereto and (iv) waives any claim against any Lender-Related Person for any Liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agents and/or any Lenders reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures and/or transmissions by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page, including any Liabilities arising as a result of the failure of the Borrowers and/or any Loan Party to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.
10.7 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
10.8 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to setoff and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held, and other obligations at any time owing, by such Lender or any such Affiliate, to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch office or Affiliate of such Lender different from the branch office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so setoff shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.24 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the
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Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
10.9 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. This Agreement (other than in respect of Section 9.10) and the other Loan Documents (unless expressly stated to the contrary therein) shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York; provided, however, that if the laws of any jurisdiction other than New York shall govern in regard to the validity, perfection or effect of perfection of any lien or in regard to procedural matters affecting enforcement of any liens in collateral, such laws of such other jurisdictions shall continue to apply to that extent.
(a) Each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, notwithstanding the governing law provisions of any applicable Loan Document, any claims brought against the Administrative Agent by any Credit Party relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or the consummation or administration of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
(b) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan (or if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan), and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (unless expressly stated to the contrary therein) or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may (and any such claims, cross-claims or third party claims brought against the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties may only) be heard and determined in such Federal (to the extent permitted by law) or New York State court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against any Borrower, any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (c) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
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(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.1. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
10.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
10.11 Headings. Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
10.12 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any Governmental Authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrowers and their obligations, (g) on a confidential basis to (1) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrowers or their Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided for herein or (2) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of identification numbers with respect to the credit facilities provided for herein, (h) with the consent of the Borrower or (i) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrowers. For the purposes of this Section, Information means all information received from the Borrowers relating to the Borrowers or
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their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower and other than information pertaining to this Agreement routinely provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrowers after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
10.13 Material Non-Public Information.
(a) EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 10.12 FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWERS AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
(b) ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWERS OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWER, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWERS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW.
10.14 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the Charges), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the Maximum Rate) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the NYFRB Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
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10.15 No Fiduciary Duty, etc. Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries understanding, that no Credit Party will have any obligations except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and each Credit Party is acting solely in the capacity of an arms length contractual counterparty to the Borrowers with respect to the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated herein and therein and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Borrowers or any other person. Each Borrower agrees that it will not assert any claim against any Credit Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by such Credit Party in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Additionally, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Credit Party is advising the Borrowers as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction. Each Borrower shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated herein or in the other Loan Documents, and the Credit Parties shall have no responsibility or liability to the Borrowers with respect thereto. Each Borrower further acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries understanding, that each Credit Party, together with its Affiliates, is a full service securities or banking firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services. In the ordinary course of business, any Credit Party may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for its own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, the Borrowers and other companies with which the Borrowers may have commercial or other relationships. With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by any Credit Party or any of its customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion. In addition, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries understanding, that each Credit Party and its affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which the Borrowers may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise. No Credit Party will use confidential information obtained from the Borrowers by virtue of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or its other relationships with the Borrowers in connection with the performance by such Credit Party of services for other companies, and no Credit Party will furnish any such information to other companies. Each Borrower also acknowledges that no Credit Party has any obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, or to furnish to the Borrowers, confidential information obtained from other companies.
10.16 USA PATRIOT Act.
Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrowers, which information includes the name and address of the Borrowers and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrowers in accordance with the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
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10.17 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.
10.18 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support QFC Credit Support and each such QFC a Supported QFC), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):
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
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under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
10.19 Designated Borrowers.
(a) The Borrower Representative may at any time by notice from the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent request that a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings organized in the United States (an Applicant Borrower) be designated as a Designated Borrower to receive Loans or incur Incremental Commitments or loans under Incremental Commitments hereunder by delivering to the Administrative Agent a duly executed notice and agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit G (a Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement); provided that any Applicant Borrower shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may condition such approval upon the establishment of a sublimit of Loans to such Applicant Borrower. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Term Lenders of each such designation by the Borrower Representative and the identity and jurisdiction of the Applicant Borrower. Following delivery of a Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement, the Borrower Representative shall promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender provide all documentation and other information concerning such Applicant Borrower that the Administrative Agent or such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that prior to any Applicant Borrower becoming entitled to utilize the credit facilities provided for herein the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received (i) all documentation and other information concerning such Applicant Borrower that the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation (the Required Information), (ii) such supporting resolutions, incumbency certificates, opinions of counsel and other documents or information, in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as may be required by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, (iii) one or more Notes signed by such Applicant Borrower to the extent any applicable Lenders so require, and (iv) an updated Schedule 1.1D, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event that the results of any such know your customer or similar investigation conducted by the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender with respect to any Applicant Borrower is not reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender, then such Applicant Borrower shall not be permitted to become a Designated Borrower.
(b) Promptly following receipt, but in no event earlier than ten (10) Business Days following receipt by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lenders of the Required Information with respect to an Applicant Borrower (or such earlier date as the Administrative Agent may agree), the Administrative Agent shall send a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit H (a Designated Borrower Notice) to the Borrower Representative and the applicable Lenders specifying the effective date upon which, subject to receipt of all resolutions, incumbency
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certificates, opinions of counsel and other documents or information requested or required pursuant to Section 10.19(a), the Applicant Borrower shall constitute a Designated Borrower for purposes hereof, whereupon each of the applicable Lenders agree to permit such Designated Borrower to receive Loans hereunder or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, and each of the parties agrees that such Designated Borrower otherwise shall be a Borrower for all purposes of this Agreement.
(c) Each Designated Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints and consents to the Borrower Representative as its agent for all purposes relevant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents in accordance with Section 11.1 (and the Borrower Representative hereby accepts such appointment for service)). Any notice, demand, consent, acknowledgement, direction, certification or other communication delivered to the Borrower Representative in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been delivered to each Designated Borrower.
(d) The Borrower Representative may from time to time, upon not less than 5 Business Days notice from the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), terminate a Borrowers (other than the Companys) status as such by delivering to the Administrative Agent a duly executed notice in substantially the form of Exhibit I (a Borrower Termination Notice), provided that there are no outstanding Loans payable by such Borrower, or other amounts payable by such Borrower on account of any Loans or other extensions of credit made to it, as of the effective date of such termination. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the applicable Lenders of any such termination of a Borrowers status. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the delivery of a Borrower Termination Notice with respect to any Borrower shall not terminate (i) any obligation of such Borrower that remains unpaid at the time of such delivery (including without limitation any obligation arising thereafter in respect of such Borrower in accordance with the terms hereof) or (ii) the obligations of the other Loan Parties under the applicable Loan Document with respect to any such unpaid obligations; provided, this clause (e) shall not apply to any Borrower released pursuant to Section 10.2(c)(B).
(e) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that each of Lineage Customs Brokerage, LLC, a Washington limited liability company, and Preferred Freezer Logistics, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company (collectively, the Closing Date Excluded Borrowers), shall be terminated and released as a Borrower hereunder simultaneously with such Closing Date Excluded Borrowers release as an Obligor under and as defined in each Note Purchase Agreement for the Borrowers Guaranteed Senior Notes that constitute Pari Passu Capital Markets Indebtedness. Notwithstanding any Closing Date Excluded Borrowers status as a Borrower hereunder, no Closing Date Excluded Borrower shall be permitted to borrow any Loans until the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) any additional documentation and other information concerning such Closing Date Excluded Borrower that the Administrative Agent or any applicable Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation and the Corruption, (ii) such supporting resolutions, incumbency certificates, opinions of counsel and other documents or information, in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as may be required by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, and (iii) one or more Notes signed by such Closing Date Excluded Borrower to the extent any applicable Lenders so require.
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SECTION 11. THE BORROWER REPRESENTATIVE.
11.1 Appointment; Nature of Relationship. The Company is hereby appointed by each of the Borrowers as its contractual representative (herein referred to as the Borrower Representative) hereunder and under each other Loan Document, and each of the Borrowers irrevocably authorizes the Borrower Representative to act as the contractual representative of such Borrower with the rights and duties expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. The Borrower Representative agrees to act as such contractual representative upon the express conditions contained in this Section 11. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective officers, directors, agents or employees, shall not be liable to the Borrower Representative or any Borrower for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 11.1.
11.2 Powers. The Borrower Representative shall have and may exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to the Borrower Representative by the terms of each thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Borrower Representative shall have no implied duties to the Borrowers, or any obligation to the Lenders to take any action thereunder except any action specifically provided by the Loan Documents to be taken by the Borrower Representative.
11.3 Employment of Agents. The Borrower Representative may execute any of its duties as the Borrower Representative hereunder and under any other Loan Document by or through authorized officers.
11.4 Successor Borrower Representative. Upon the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative may resign at any time, such resignation to be effective upon the appointment of a successor Borrower Representative. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt written notice of such resignation to the Lenders.
11.5 Execution of Loan Documents. The Borrowers hereby empower and authorize the Borrower Representative, on behalf of the Borrowers, to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Loan Documents and all related agreements, certificates, documents, notices, or instruments as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, any amendments to the Loan Documents, the Borrowing Requests, notices under Sections 2.9, 2.10 and 2.12, and Compliance Certificates. Each Borrower agrees that any action taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and the exercise by the Borrower Representative of its powers set forth therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Borrowers.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
HOLDINGS: | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement]
PARENT COMPANY: | ||
LINEAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation | ||
By: | /s/ Kevin Marchetti | |
Name: Kevin Marchetti | ||
Title: President | ||
LINEAGE OP: | ||
LINEAGE OP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: Lineage, Inc., its managing member | ||
By: | /s/ Kevin Marchetti | |
Name: Kevin Marchetti | ||
Title: President |
[Signature Page to Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement]
BORROWERS: | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS PFS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SCS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC | ||
LINEAGE MANUFACTURING, LLC | ||
LINEAGE TRANSPORTATION, LLC | ||
LINEAGE REDISTRIBUTION, LLC | ||
LINEAGE FOODSERVICE SOLUTIONS, LLC | ||
NOCS SOUTH ATLANTIC COLD STORAGE & WAREHOUSE, LLC NOCS WEST GULF, LLC | ||
NEW ORLEANS COLD STORAGE AND WAREHOUSE COMPANY, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HCS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE AUS RE HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS AFS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS CANADA HOLDINGS, LLC each a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
PREFERRED FREEZER LOGISTICS, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
LINEAGE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE, LLC, a Washington limited liability company | ||
By: Lineage Transportation Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole member | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Agreement]
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and a Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Mayank Sinha | |
Name: Mayank Sinha | ||
Title: Executive Director |
[Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement]
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. | ||
By: | /s/ Cristina Johnnie | |
Name: Cristina Johnnie | ||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement]
MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A. | ||
By: | /s/ Mrinalini MacDonough | |
Name: Mrinalini MacDonough | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement]
MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Mrinalini MacDonough | |
Name: Mrinalini MacDonough | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement]
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA | ||
By: | /s/ Robert Ehudin | |
Name: Robert Ehudin | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement]
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. | ||
By: | /s/ Dennis Kwan | |
Name: Dennis Kwan | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement]
Exhibit 10.34
LOAN AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 21, 2020
Between
EACH OF THE PARTIES SET FORTH ON
SCHEDULE 1.1.1
collectively, jointly and severally, as Borrower
and
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,
MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
collectively, as Lender
ADJUSTABLE RATE MULTI-PROPERTY LOAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
I. |
DEFINITIONS; PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION | 1 | ||||
Section 1.1. Definitions | 1 | |||||
Section 1.2. Principles of Construction | 48 | |||||
II. |
GENERAL TERMS | 49 | ||||
Section 2.1. Loan Commitment; Disbursement to Borrower | 49 | |||||
Section 2.2. Interest Rate | 49 | |||||
Section 2.3. Loan Payment | 55 | |||||
Section 2.4. Prepayments | 55 | |||||
Section 2.5. Release of Property | 57 | |||||
Section 2.6. Cash Management | 67 | |||||
Section 2.7. Withholding Taxes; Gross Up | 71 | |||||
Section 2.8. Extension Options. | 75 | |||||
III. |
INTENTIONALLY OMITTED | 76 | ||||
IV. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 76 | ||||
Section 4.1. Borrower Representations | 76 | |||||
Section 4.2. Survival of Representations | 89 | |||||
V. |
BORROWER COVENANTS | 89 | ||||
Section 5.1. Affirmative Covenants | 89 | |||||
Section 5.2. Negative Covenants | 106 | |||||
VI. |
INSURANCE; CASUALTY; CONDEMNATION | 113 | ||||
Section 6.1. Insurance | 113 | |||||
Section 6.2. Casualty | 117 | |||||
Section 6.3. Condemnation | 117 | |||||
Section 6.4. Restoration | 118 | |||||
Section 6.5. Third Party Sublease Properties | 122 | |||||
VII. |
RESERVE FUNDS | 123 | ||||
Section 7.1. Required Repair Funds | 123 | |||||
Section 7.2. Environmental Remediation Fund | 124 | |||||
Section 7.3. Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund | 125 | |||||
Section 7.4. Replacements and Replacement Reserve Fund | 126 | |||||
Section 7.5. Unfunded Obligations Reserve Fund | 129 | |||||
Section 7.6. Rate Cap Reserve Account | 130 | |||||
Section 7.7. Reserve Funds, Generally | 131 | |||||
Section 7.8. Earn-out Reserve Fund | 132 |
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
VIII. |
DEFAULTS | 133 | ||||
Section 8.1. Event of Default | 133 | |||||
Section 8.2. Remedies | 136 | |||||
IX. |
SPECIAL PROVISIONS | 138 | ||||
Section 9.1. Securitization | 138 | |||||
Section 9.2. Securitization Indemnification | 143 | |||||
Section 9.3. Exculpation | 147 | |||||
Section 9.4. Servicer | 150 | |||||
Section 9.5. Administration of Bankruptcy Claims | 150 | |||||
X. |
MISCELLANEOUS | 151 | ||||
Section 10.1. Survival | 151 | |||||
Section 10.2. Lenders Discretion | 151 | |||||
Section 10.3. Governing Law | 151 | |||||
Section 10.4. Modification, Waiver in Writing | 153 | |||||
Section 10.5. Delay Not a Waiver | 153 | |||||
Section 10.6. Notices | 153 | |||||
Section 10.7. Trial by Jury | 155 | |||||
Section 10.8. Headings | 155 | |||||
Section 10.9. Severability | 155 | |||||
Section 10.10. Preferences | 155 | |||||
Section 10.11. Waiver of Notice | 155 | |||||
Section 10.12. Remedies of Borrower | 156 | |||||
Section 10.13. Expenses; Indemnity | 156 | |||||
Section 10.14. Schedules Incorporated | 158 | |||||
Section 10.15. Offsets, Counterclaims and Defenses | 158 | |||||
Section 10.16. No Joint Venture or Partnership; No Third Party Beneficiaries | 158 | |||||
Section 10.17. Publicity | 159 | |||||
Section 10.18. Waiver of Marshalling of Assets | 159 | |||||
Section 10.19. Waiver of Counterclaim | 159 | |||||
Section 10.20. Conflict; Construction of Documents; Reliance | 160 | |||||
Section 10.21. Brokers and Financial Advisors | 160 | |||||
Section 10.22. Prior Agreements | 160 | |||||
Section 10.23. Joint and Several Liability | 160 | |||||
Section 10.24. Certain Additional Rights of Lender (VCOC) | 160 | |||||
Section 10.25. Reserved. | 161 | |||||
Section 10.26. Confidentiality | 161 | |||||
Section 10.27. USA PATRIOT Act Records | 161 | |||||
Section 10.28. No Fiduciary Duty | 161 | |||||
Section 10.29. EU Bail-in Rule | 163 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
XI. |
JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY; WAIVERS | 163 | ||||
Section 11.1. Joint and Several Liability; Primary Obligors | 163 | |||||
Section 11.2. Waivers | 163 | |||||
Section 11.3. Other Actions Taken or Omitted | 166 | |||||
Section 11.4. Contribution | 166 | |||||
Section 11.5. Co-Lenders | 167 |
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SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.1.1 | Individual Borrowers, Individual Properties, Organizational Identification Number and Allocated Loan Amounts | |
Schedule 1.1.1-B | Sole Members | |
Schedule 1.1.2 | Lineage Subleases and Subtenants | |
Schedule 1.1.3 | Approved Management Agreements | |
Schedule 1.1.4 | Third-Party Subtenants and Properties | |
Schedule 1.1.5 | Master Leases and Master Tenants | |
Schedule 2.5.3 | Individual Properties Not Subject to Substitution | |
Schedule 2.5.5(A) | Condemnation Parcel | |
Schedule 2.5.5(B) | Form of Endorsement | |
Schedule 4.1.1 | Organizational Chart of Borrower | |
Schedule 4.1.4 | Litigation | |
Schedule 4.1.6 | Liens | |
Schedule 4.1.9 | ERISA | |
Schedule 4.1.12 | Condemnation | |
Schedule 4.1.14 | Access | |
Schedule 4.1.22 | Certificate of Occupancy; Licenses | |
Schedule 4.1.26 | Rent Roll/Identified Option Contract | |
Schedule 4.1.30 | Recycled SPE | |
Schedule 4.1.38 | Ground Lease Exceptions | |
Schedule 5.1.11 | Form of Annual Budget | |
Schedule 5.1.19 | O&M Program | |
Schedule 5.1.20 | Master Lease Rents for Earn-Out Properties | |
Schedule 7.1.1 | Required Repairs | |
Schedule 7.2.1 | Required Remediation | |
Schedule 7.4.1 | Cubic Feet of Properties | |
Schedule 7.5.1 | Unfunded Obligations | |
Schedule 7.8-A | Earn-Out Conditions | |
Schedule 7.8-B | Form of CityIce Estoppel | |
Schedule 7.8-C | Form of Trident Amendment to Ground Lease | |
Schedule 7.8-D | Form of Trident Estoppel |
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LOAN AGREEMENT
THIS LOAN AGREEMENT, dated as of October 21, 2020 (as amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this Agreement), between GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA (GS), MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A. (MS)and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (JPM and together with GS and MS and their respective successors and assigns, each a Co-Lender and, collectively, Lender), and EACH OF THE PARTIES SET FORTH ON SCHEDULE 1.1.1 and any entity that executes a joinder to this Agreement (each, an Individual Borrower and collectively, jointly and severally, Borrower).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Borrower desires to obtain the Loan (as hereinafter defined) from Lender; and
WHEREAS, Lender is willing to make the Loan to Borrower, subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as hereinafter defined).
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the making of the Loan by Lender and the covenants, agreements, representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto hereby covenant, agree, represent and warrant as follows:
I. DEFINITIONS; PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION
Section 1.1. Definitions. For all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly required or unless the context clearly indicates a contrary intent:
Acceptable Counterparty shall mean a counterparty to the Interest Rate Cap Agreement (or the guarantor of such counterpartys obligations) that (a) has and shall maintain (or has a Credit Support Provider (as defined in the applicable Interest Rate Cap Agreement) that has and shall maintain), until the expiration of the applicable Interest Rate Cap Agreement, (i) a long-term unsecured debt rating of not less than A+ by S&P, which rating shall not include a t or otherwise reflect a termination risk or otherwise be qualified, and (ii) a long-term unsecured debt rating of not less than A1 from Moodys, which rating shall not include a t or otherwise reflect a termination risk or otherwise be qualified, or (b) is otherwise acceptable to Lender, or if a Securitization has occurred, the Approved Rating Agencies, as evidenced by a Rating Agency Confirmation to the effect that such counterparty shall not cause a downgrade, withdrawal or qualification of the ratings assigned, or to be assigned, to the Securities or any class thereof in any Securitization. Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees that, as of the Closing Date, SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., whose obligations under the Interest Rate Cap Agreement are guaranteed by SMBC Derivative Products Limited or Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation pursuant to a Guaranty of even date herewith, constitutes an Acceptable Counterparty.
Additional Insolvency Opinion shall mean a non-consolidation opinion letter (or an update to the Insolvency Opinion) delivered in connection with the Loan subsequent to the Closing Date reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Lender and, following a Securitization, satisfactory in form and substance to the Approved Rating Agencies, and from counsel reasonably acceptable to Lender and, following a Securitization, the Approved Rating Agencies.
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Additional True-Lease Opinion shall mean a true-lease opinion letter (or update to the applicable True-Lease Opinion) with respect to any applicable Master Lease delivered in connection with the Loan subsequent to the Closing Date reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Lender and, following a Securitization, satisfactory in form and substance to the Approved Rating Agencies, and from counsel reasonably acceptable to Lender and, following a Securitization, the Approved Rating Agencies.
Adjusted Release Amount shall mean, for each Individual Property to be released, (i) one hundred five percent (105%) of the Allocated Loan Amount for such Individual Property, if the Aggregate Release Amounts, together with the Allocated Loan Amount for such Individual Property and any other Individual Property being released simultaneously with such Individual Property, is equal to or less than ten percent (10%) of the Original Principal Indebtedness; (ii) one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Allocated Loan Amount for such Individual Property, if the Aggregate Release Amounts, together with the Allocated Loan Amount for such Individual Property and any other Individual Property being released simultaneously with such Individual Property, is greater than ten percent (10%) of the Original Principal Indebtedness but less than or equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Original Principal Indebtedness, and (iii) one hundred fifteen percent (115%) of the Allocated Loan Amount for such Individual Property, if the Aggregate Release Amounts, together with the Allocated Loan Amount for such Individual Property and any other Individual Property being released simultaneously with such Individual Property, is greater than twenty percent (20%) of the Original Principal Indebtedness.
Affected Property shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.3.
Affiliate shall mean, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in Control of, is Controlled by or is under common Control with such Person or is a director or officer of such Person or of an Affiliate of such Person.
Affiliate TRS shall mean any Affiliate of Borrower and/or Guarantor that is a Taxable REIT Subsidiary.
Aggregate Release Amounts shall mean, as of any date, the aggregate Allocated Loan Amounts for all Individual Properties previously released pursuant to Section 2.5.2.
Allocated Loan Amount shall mean, as of the date of determination for an Individual Property, (i) with respect to each initial Property, the amount set forth on Schedule 1.1.1 with respect thereto, and (ii) with respect to any Qualified Substitute Property added to the Collateral in connection with a Property Substitution pursuant to Section 2.5.3, the Allocated Loan Amount of the related Replaced Property. Notwithstanding the fact that the Individual Properties in Salem, Oregon known as the Madrona Campus have separate Allocated Loan Amounts, such Individual Properties cannot be released from the Lien of the Loan Documents separately (but they may be released together).
ALTA shall mean American Land Title Association, or any successor thereto.
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Alternate Strike Price shall mean a strike price greater than the Strike Price or the Extension Strike Price, as applicable, with respect to which the Alternate Strike Price Condition has been satisfied.
Alternate Strike Price Condition shall mean that Borrower has deposited in the Rate Cap Reserve Account the applicable Rate Cap Reserve Amount.
Annual Budget shall mean the operating budget, including all planned Capital Expenditures, for each Individual Property prepared, or caused to be prepared, by Borrower in form and substance substantially similar to the form of annual budget delivered to Lender on or prior to the Closing Date or such other form reasonably approved by Lender.
Annual Financial Statements shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.11(b).
Appraisal shall mean, with respect to each Qualified Substitute Property, an as-is appraisal of such Property that is prepared by a member of the Appraisal Institute selected by Lender, meets the minimum appraisal standards for national banks promulgated by the Comptroller of the Currency pursuant to Title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, as amended (FIRREA) and complies with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
Approved Borrower Joinders means the Approved Conklin Joinder and the Approved TX Terrell Joinder.
Approved Borrower Merger means the merger after the Blackout Window of each of Lineage Master RE 6, Lineage IL Chicago & Lyons RE and Lineage Bedford Park RE 2 (collectively, the Merged Entities) into Lineage Master RE 7, subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) delivery to Lender of an Officers certificate attaching the certificate of merger filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware and an updated organizational chart, and certifying that (a) Lineage Master RE 7 (1) assumes all covenants, obligations and liabilities of the Merged Entities under the Loan Documents, (2) ratifies the security interests granted to Lender under the Loan Documents in the Properties owned by the Merged Entities, (3) remakes the representations in the Loan Agreement as to itself and the Properties owned by the Merged Entities, (b) Guarantor has consented to such merger and (c) the applicable Master Leases have been updated to reflect the removal of the Merged Entities and addition of Lineage Master RE 7 as a party, to the extent required to reflect such merger; (ii) delivery to Lender of a reasonably acceptable amendment of each Mortgage to which any Merged Entity is a party, unless Lineage Master RE 7 is already a party thereto; and (iii) if the amendment to Mortgage in prior clause (ii) is required, and if available in the particular jurisdiction, delivery to Lender of an endorsement to the applicable Title Policy insuring the continued priority of the applicable Mortgage.
Approved Conklin Joinder means the joinder of Lineage NY Conklin RE, LLC (NY Conklin) as a Borrower to the Loan and the transfer of the Maines Corporate Property to NY Conklin, subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
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(i) delivery to Lender of:
(A) a joinder agreement to the applicable Loan Documents executed by NY Conklin in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender,
(B) a good standing certificate for NY Conklin in the State of New York;
(C) an executed operating agreement for NY Conklin in a form substantially similar to the operating agreements of the other Individual Borrowers,
(D) authorizing resolutions for NY Conklin substantially in the form of the resolutions delivered as of the Closing Date with respect to the other Individual Properties;
(E) an executed deed transferring title to the Maines Corporate Property to NY Conklin;
(F) an amendment to the Master Lease to assign the original Individual Borrowers interest in Maines Corporate Property to NY Conklin;
(G) an amendment of the Mortgage granting a Lien on the Maines Corporate Property showing NY Conklin as the owner of such Individual Property (and the payment of any transfer or mortgage recording taxes, to the extent applicable),
(H) if available in the particular jurisdiction, an endorsement to the applicable Title Policy insuring the continued priority of the applicable Mortgage and naming NY Conklin as the owner of the Maines Corporate Property,
(I) an updated organizational chart and Schedule 1.1.1 that reflects the addition of NY Conklin as an Individual Borrower under one of the existing Sole Members with an Officers certificate certifying that such organizational chart and Schedule 1.1.1 is true and correct;
(J) a legal opinion with respect to NY Conklin from Borrowers New York and Delaware counsel providing substantially similar opinions to the opinions provided in the legal opinions delivered at the Closing;
(K) an update to the Insolvency Opinion and True Lease Opinion delivered at Closing, or an Additional Insolvency Opinion and Additional True Lease Opinion, in either case, that takes into account the transactions contemplated by this definition;
(ii) Lender shall have completed any remaining know your customer diligence regarding NY Conklin;
(iii) Borrower shall have paid all of Lenders actual, out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable legal expenses) in connection with the transaction contemplated by this definition.
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Approved TX Terrell Joinder means the joinder of Lineage TX Terrell RE, LLC (TX Terrell) as a Borrower to the Loan and the transfer of the Darden Terrell Property to TX Terrell, subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(i) delivery to Lender of:
(A) a joinder agreement to the applicable Loan Documents executed by NY Conklin in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender,
(B) a good standing certificate for TX Terrell in the State of Texas;
(C) an executed operating agreement for TX Terrell in a form substantially similar to the operating agreements of the other Individual Borrowers,
(D) authorizing resolutions for TX Terrell substantially in the form of the resolutions delivered as of the Closing Date with respect to the other Individual Properties;
(E) an executed deed transferring title to the Darden Terrell Property to TX Terrell;
(F) an amendment to the Master Lease to assign the original Individual Borrowers interest in Darden Terrell Property to TX Terrell;
(G) an amendment of the Mortgage granting a Lien on the Darden Terrell Property showing TX Terrell as the owner of such Individual Property (and the payment of any transfer or mortgage recording taxes, to the extent applicable),
(H) if available in the particular jurisdiction, an endorsement to the applicable Title Policy insuring the continued priority of the applicable Mortgage and naming TX Terrell as the owner of the Darden Terrell Property,
(I) an updated organizational chart and Schedule 1.1.1 that reflects the addition of TX Terrell as an Individual Borrower under one of the existing Sole Members with an Officers certificate certifying that such organizational chart and Schedule 1.1.1 is true and correct;
(J) a legal opinion with respect to TX Terrell from Borrowers New York and Delaware counsel providing substantially similar opinions to the opinions provided in the legal opinions delivered at the Closing;
(K) an update to the Insolvency Opinion and True Lease Opinion delivered at Closing, or an Additional Insolvency Opinion and Additional True Lease Opinion, in either case, that takes into account the transactions contemplated by this definition;
(ii) Lender shall have completed any remaining know your customer diligence regarding TX Terrell;
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(iii) Borrower shall have paid all of Lenders actual, out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable legal expenses) in connection with the transaction contemplated by this definition.
Approved Management Agreement shall mean (i) those certain property management agreements between the applicable Borrower or Master Tenant and an Approved Property Manager, as set forth on Schedule 1.1.3, and (ii) any other management agreement that is approved by Lender in its reasonable discretion and with respect to which Rating Agency Confirmation has been received, in each case, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance herewith.
Approved Property Manager shall mean (i) each property manager that is a party to an Approved Management Agreement as set forth on Schedule 1.1.3 or (ii) any other management company approved by Lender in its reasonable discretion and with respect to which Rating Agency Confirmation is received, in each case unless and until Lender requests the termination of that management company pursuant to Section 5.1.22.
Approved Rating Agencies shall mean each of S&P and Moodys or any other nationally-recognized statistical rating agency which, in each case, has been approved by Lender and designated by Lender to assign a rating to the Securities.
Assignment of Interest Rate Cap Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.7(a).
Assignment of Leases shall mean, with respect to each Individual Property located in a State requiring under applicable law that a separate assignment of leases be delivered in order for the same to be effective, each assignment of leases and rents, in a form reasonably approved by Lender, from each applicable Individual Borrower, as assignor, to Lender, as assignee, assigning to Lender all of such Individual Borrowers right, title and interest in and to the Leases and Rents of such Individual Borrower as security for the Loan, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Award shall mean any compensation paid by any Governmental Authority in connection with a Condemnation.
Bankruptcy Action shall mean with respect to any Person (a) such Person filing a voluntary petition under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state, local or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law; (b) the filing of an involuntary petition against such Person under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state, local or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law or soliciting or causing to be solicited petitioning creditors for any involuntary petition against such Person; (c) such Person filing an answer consenting to or otherwise acquiescing in or joining in any involuntary petition filed against it, by any other Person under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal, state, local or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law; (d) such Person consenting to or acquiescing in or joining in an application for the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee, or examiner for such Person or any portion of any Individual Property; or (e) such Person making an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admitting, in writing or in any legal proceeding, its insolvency or inability to pay its debts as they become due; or (f) to take action in furtherance of any of the foregoing.
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Bankruptcy Code shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §101, et seq., as the same may be amended from time to time, and any successor statute or statutes and all rules and regulations from time to time promulgated thereunder, and any comparable foreign laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or creditors rights or any other Federal, state, local or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law.
Bartlett Property shall mean that certain Individual Property located at 1544-46 Hecht Drive, Bartlett, Illinois.
Basic Carrying Costs shall mean, for any period, the sum of the following costs: (a) Property Taxes, (b) Other Charges, (c) Insurance Premiums and (d) Ground Rent.
Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3 hereof.
Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3 hereof.
Benchmark shall mean, initially, LIBOR; provided that, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to LIBOR or the then-current Benchmark, then Benchmark means the applicable Benchmark Replacement.
Benchmark Replacement shall mean the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by Lender as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:
1. the sum of (a) Term SOFR and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
2. the sum of (a) Compounded SOFR and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
3. the sum of (a) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
4. the sum of: (a) the ISDA Fallback Rate and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; and
5. the sum of (a) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected by Lender as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate CMBS loans at such time and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
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provided that, in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above, such rate, or the underlying rates component thereof, is or are displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate or rates from time to time as selected by Lender in its reasonable discretion. If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to any of the clauses above would be less than zero, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.
Benchmark Replacement Adjustment means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by Lender as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:
1. the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected, endorsed or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement;
2. if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA Fallback Adjustment; and
3. the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by Lender giving due consideration to any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate CMBS loans at such time;
provided that, in the case of clause (1) and (2) above, such adjustment is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such Benchmark Replacement Adjustment from time to time as selected by Lender in its reasonable discretion.
Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes shall mean, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of Interest Period, and Payment Date timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, preceding and succeeding business day conventions and other administrative matters) that Lender decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by Lender in a manner substantially consistent with market practice for floating rate CMBS loans (or, if Lender decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if Lender determines that no market practice for the administration of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as Lender decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement).
Benchmark Replacement Date shall mean the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
1. in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of Benchmark Transition Event, the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Benchmark; and
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2. in the case of clause (3) of the definition of Benchmark Transition Event, the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.
For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination.
Benchmark Transition Event shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
1. a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark;
2. a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark, the central bank for the currency of the Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark, which states that the administrator of the Benchmark has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark; or
3. a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative.
Blackout Window shall mean the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the earlier of (a) the 30th day following the final settlement of the Securitization of 100% of the Loan (less any amount retained by Lender to comply with Risk Retention Requirements, to the extent Lender does not satisfy such requirements through the retention of securities issues in connection with a Securitization), and (b) the 180th day following the Closing Date.
Borrower shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereto, together with its successors and permitted assigns.
Borrower Agent shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.6.
Borrower Entity shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.
Borrower Financial Statements shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.11(b).
Borrower Legal Cost Cap shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.4.
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Breakage Costs shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.3(i).
Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which national banks in New York, New York, or the place of business of the trustee under a Securitization (or, if no Securitization has occurred, Lender), or any Servicer or the financial institution that maintains any collection account for or on behalf of any Servicer or any Reserve Funds or the New York Stock Exchange or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is not open for business.
Capital Expenditures shall mean, for any period, the amount expended for items capitalized under GAAP (including expenditures for building improvements or major repairs, leasing commissions and tenant improvements).
Cash Management Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.2(a) hereof.
Cash Management Agreement shall mean that certain Cash Management Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Borrower, Cash Management Bank and Lender, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Cash Management Bank shall mean Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, or any successor Eligible Institution acting as Cash Management Bank under the Cash Management Agreement.
Cash Sweep Event shall mean (a) the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement or (b) any Bankruptcy Action of Borrower.
Cash Sweep Event Cure shall mean, (i) if the Cash Sweep Event is caused by an Event of Default, the acceptance by Lender of a cure of such Event of Default (which cure Lender is not obligated to accept and may reject or accept in its sole and absolute discretion) or (ii) if the Cash Sweep Event is a result of any Bankruptcy Action of Borrower, the cure of Bankruptcy Action of Borrower prior to the same becoming an Event of Default; provided, however, that, such Cash Sweep Event Cure set forth in this definition shall be subject to the following conditions, (a) as of the date of such Cash Sweep Event Cure, no other Cash Sweep Event shall have occurred and be continuing and (b) Borrower shall have paid all of Lenders reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such Cash Sweep Event Cure, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses.
Cash Sweep Period shall mean each period commencing on the occurrence of a Cash Sweep Event and continuing until the earlier of (a) the day immediately prior to the Payment Date next occurring following the related Cash Sweep Event Cure, or (b) until payment in full of all principal and interest on the Loan and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents or defeasance of the Loan in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents.
Casualty shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2 hereof.
Casualty Consultant shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b)(iii) hereof.
Casualty Retainage shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b)(iv) hereof.
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Cause shall mean, with respect to an Independent Director, (a) acts or omissions by such Independent Director that constitute systematic and persistent or willful disregard of such Independent Directors duties; (b) such Independent Director has been indicted or convicted for any crime or crimes of moral turpitude or dishonesty or for any violation of any Legal Requirements, (c) such Independent Director no longer satisfies the requirements set forth in the definition of Independent Director; (d) the fees charged for the services of such Independent Director are materially in excess of the fees charged by the other providers of Independent Directors listed in the definition of Independent Director; or (e) any other reason for which the prior written consent of Lender shall have been obtained.
Closing Date shall mean the date hereof.
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as it may be further amended from time to time, and any successor statutes thereto, and applicable U.S. Department of Treasury regulations issued pursuant thereto in temporary or final form.
Co-Lender shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereto, together with its successors and assigns.
Collateral shall mean all assets owned or ground leased from time to time by Borrower in which Lender has been granted a security interest pursuant to the Loan Documents.
Compounded SOFR shall mean the compounded average of SOFRs for a one-month period, with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate (which may include compounding in arrears with a lookback and/or suspension period as a mechanism to determine the interest amount payable prior to the end of each Interest Period) being established by Lender in accordance with:
1. the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining compounded SOFR; provided that:
2. if, and to the extent that, Lender determines that Compounded SOFR cannot be determined in accordance with clause (1) above, then the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate, that have been selected by Lender giving due consideration to any industry-accepted market practice for similar U.S. dollar denominated CMBS transactions at such time (as a result of amendment or as originally executed).
provided, further, that if Lender decides that any such rate, methodology or convention determined in accordance with clause (1) or clause (2) is not administratively feasible for Lender, then Compounded SOFR will be deemed unable to be determined for purposes of the definition of Benchmark Replacement.
Condemnation shall mean a temporary or permanent taking by any Governmental Authority as the result or in lieu or in anticipation of the exercise of the right of condemnation or eminent domain, of all or any part of any Individual Property, or any interest therein or right accruing thereto, including any right of access thereto or any change of grade affecting any Individual Property or any part thereof.
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Condemnation Parcel shall mean that portion of the Individual Property located in Round Rock, Texas identified on Schedule 2.5.5.
Condemnation Proceeds shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b) hereof.
Condemnation PSA shall mean a Real Estate Contract in the form delivered to Lender as of the Closing anticipated to be entered into by and between Lineage Master RE 6, LLC and the City of Round Rock, Texas after the Closing Date with respect to the Condemnation Parcel.
Connection Income Taxes shall mean Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
Control shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management, policies or activities of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Controlled and Controlling shall have correlative meanings.
Covered Disclosure Information shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(b) hereof.
Covered Income shall mean, with respect to any Individual Property for any period, the sum, without duplication, of the following with respect to such Individual Property for such period: (a) EBITDA; (b) real and personal property rents payable during such period; (c) fixed and other costs that would continue in the event of a major Casualty (including, without limitation, management payroll and benefits, approximately 25% of hourly payroll and benefits) with respect to such period; (d) real and personal property taxes payable during such period; (e) basic utilities on a non-operating basis during such period; and (f) all other expenses that would be incurred during such period on a non-operating basis.
Covered Rating Agency Information shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(d) hereof.
Darden Terrell Property shall mean that certain Individual Property located at 3000 Airport Road, Terrell, Texas.
Debt shall mean the Principal Indebtedness together with all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other sums (including, but not limited to, any Spread Maintenance Payment and/or Breakage Costs) due to Lender in respect of the Loan under the Note, this Agreement, the Mortgages or any other Loan Document.
Debt Service shall mean, with respect to any particular period of time, scheduled principal, if any, and interest payments due under this Agreement and the Note.
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Debt Yield shall mean, as of any date of determination, the percentage obtained by dividing:
(a) the Net Operating Income for the Properties for the most recently ended Test Period as set forth in the statements required hereunder, including, for purposes of calculating the Operating Expense component of Net Operating Income for purposes of this definition of Debt Yield (i) Replacement Reserve Fund contributions equal to $0.02 per temperature-controlled cubic foot per annum of gross rentable space at the Properties (without duplication of any repair and maintenance expenses included or deemed included in the definition of Operating Expenses) and (ii)a management fee equal to three percent (3%) of Gross Income from Operations (without duplication of any management fees included or deemed included in the definition of Operating Expenses); provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the definition of Properties, the Net Operating Income under this clause (a) shall include the Net Operating Income of each Earn-Out Property (as if each Earn-Out Property were an Individual Property) to the extent that the Earn-Out Amount for such Earn-Out Property has not been previously used to prepay the Loan in accordance with Section 7.8(c); by
(b) the Principal Indebtedness.
Default shall mean the occurrence of any event hereunder or under any other Loan Document which, but for the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
Default Rate shall mean a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (a) the Maximum Legal Rate and (b) four percent (4%) above the Interest Rate.
Defaulting Borrower shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.4.2.
Disclosure Documents shall mean, collectively, any written materials used or provided to any prospective investors and/or the Rating Agencies in connection with any public offering or private placement in connection with a Securitization (including, without limitation, a prospectus, prospectus supplement, private placement memorandum, offering memorandum, offering circular, term sheet, road show presentation materials or other offering documents, marketing materials or information provided to prospective investors), in each case in preliminary or final form and including any amendments, supplements, exhibits, annexes and other attachments thereto.
Division shall mean, as to any Person, the division of assets, liabilities and/or obligations of such Person (whether pursuant to a plan of division or otherwise) pursuant to §18-217 of the Act.
DSCR shall mean, as of any date of determination, the quotient of:
(a) Net Operating Income for the Properties for the most recently ended Test Period as set forth in the statements required hereunder, including, for purposes of calculating the Operating Expense component of Net Operating Income for purposes of this definition of DSCR (i) Replacement Reserve Fund contributions equal to $0.02 per temperature-controlled cubic foot per annum of gross rentable space at the Properties (without duplication of any repair and maintenance expenses included or deemed included in the definition of Operating Expenses) and (ii) a management fee equal to three percent (3%) of Gross Income from Operations (without duplication of any management fees included or deemed included in the definition of Operating Expenses); divided by
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(b) the actual aggregate Monthly Debt Service Payment Amounts that would be payable on the Principal Indebtedness (with respect to determining DSCR in connection with any Extension Term, calculated as of the first day of the applicable Extension Term) on the next 12 succeeding Payment Dates, assuming there is no prepayment of the Principal Indebtedness and that LIBOR or the Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, as applicable, is at all times equal to (x) prior to the exercise of any Extension Term (if any), the Strike Price and (y) during any Extension Term, the applicable Extension Strike Price.
Earn-Out Aggregate Amount shall mean $133,808,440.00.
Earn-Out Cap shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(d).
Earn-Out Disbursement Conditions shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8.
Earn-Out Property shall mean, individually or collectively, Earn-Out Property (Brooks), Earn-Out Property (Charleston EC), Earn-Out Property (Dallas Hunt SW), Earn-Out Property (CityIce) and Earn-Out Property (Trident).
Earn-Out Property Amount shall mean, with respect to Earn-Out Property (Brooks), $22,452,510; Earn-Out Property (Charleston EC), $21,346,270; with respect to Earn-Out Property (Dallas Hunt SW), $75,549,350; with respect to Earn-Out Property (CityIce), $3,717,300; with respect to Earn-Out Property (Trident), $10,743,010.
Earn-Out Property (Brooks) shall mean the Property having the address 4735 Brooklake Road NE, Salem, Oregon.
Earn-Out Property (Charleston EC) shall mean the Property having the address 1091 Remount Road in Charleston, South Carolina.
Earn-Out Property (CityIce) shall mean the Property having the address 2001 West Garfield Street, #C 100, Pier 90, Building 86 in Seattle, Washington.
Earn-Out Property (Dallas Hunt SW) shall mean the Property having the address 8200 Will Rogers Boulevard in Fort Worth, Texas.
Earn-Out Property (Trident) shall mean the Property having the address 2001 W. Garfield St. #C100, Pier 90 in Seattle, Washington.
Earn-Out Reserve Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8.
Earn-Out Reserve Fund shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.8.
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EEA Bail-In Action shall mean the exercise of any EEA Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.
EEA Bail-In Legislation shall mean, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EEA Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
EEA Bail-In Legislation Schedule shall mean the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.
EEA Financial Institution shall mean (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
EEA Member Country shall mean any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
EEA Resolution Authority shall mean 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.
EEA Write-Down and Conversion Powers shall mean, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the EEA Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EEA Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
Eligible Account shall mean a separate and identifiable account from all other funds held by the holding institution that is either (a) a segregated account or accounts maintained with a federal or state-chartered depository institution or trust company which complies with the definition of Eligible Institution or (b) a segregated trust account or accounts maintained with a federal or state chartered depository institution or trust company acting in its fiduciary capacity and which, in the case of a state chartered depository institution or trust company, is subject to regulations substantially similar to 12 C.F.R. § 9.10(b), having in either case a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal and state authority, as applicable, in each case, which complies with the definition of Eligible Institution. An Eligible Account will not be evidenced by a certificate of deposit, passbook or other instrument.
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Eligible Institution shall mean (a) a depository institution or trust company insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the short-term unsecured debt obligations or commercial paper of which are rated at least A-1+ by S&P and P-1 by Moodys in the case of accounts in which funds are held for thirty (30) days or less (or, in the case of letters of credit and accounts in which funds are held for more than thirty (30) days, the long-term unsecured debt obligations of which are rated at least A+ by S&P and A1 by Moodys), (b) in its capacity as Cash Management Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., provided that, its ratings are not reduced below the ratings in effect as of the Closing Date, or (c) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., provided that, its ratings are not reduced below the ratings in effect as of the Closing Date.
Embargoed Person shall mean any person, entity or government subject to trade restrictions under U.S. law, including, but not limited to, The USA PATRIOT Act (including the anti-terrorism provisions thereof), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701, et seq., The Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq., and any Executive Orders or regulations promulgated thereunder including those related to Specially Designated Nationals and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, with the result that the investment in Borrower or Guarantor, as applicable (whether directly or indirectly), is prohibited by law or the Loan made by the Lender is in violation of law.
Environmental Indemnity shall mean that certain Environmental Indemnity Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, executed by Borrower and Guarantor in connection with the Loan for the benefit of Lender, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Equipment shall mean, with respect to any Individual Property, any equipment now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower, which is used at or in connection with the applicable Improvements or such Individual Property or is located thereon or therein, including, without limitation, all machinery, equipment, furnishings, and electronic data-processing and other office equipment now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower (and any and all additions, substitutions and replacements of any of the foregoing), together with all attachments, components, parts, equipment and accessories installed thereon or affixed thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Equipment shall not include any property belonging to tenants or occupants under Leases or customers, suppliers, vendors or other parties under any agreements or contracts except to the extent that Borrower shall have any right or interest therein and then only to the extent of such right or interest therein.
ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and the rulings issued thereunder.
ERISA Affiliate shall mean (a) any corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code of which Borrower or Guarantor is a member; (b) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code of which Borrower or Guarantor is a member; and (c) solely for purposes of Sections 302 and 303 of ERISA and Sections 412 and 430 of the Code, any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or (o) of the Code of which Borrower or Guarantor is a member. Any former ERISA Affiliate of Borrower or Guarantor shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate of Borrower or Guarantor within the meaning of this definition with respect to the period such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of Borrower or Guarantor and with respect to liabilities arising after such period for which Borrower or Guarantor would be liable under ERISA or the Code.
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ERISA Event shall mean (a) the occurrence with respect to a Plan of a reportable event, within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, unless the 30-day notice requirement with respect thereto has been waived by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (or any successor) (PBGC); (b) the application for a minimum funding waiver with respect to a Single Employer Plan; (c) the provision by the administrator of any Single Employer Plan of a notice of intent to terminate such plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA (including any such notice with respect to a plan amendment referred to in Section 4041(e) of ERISA); (d) the cessation of operations at a facility of Borrower, Guarantor, or any ERISA Affiliates in the circumstances described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (e) the withdrawal by Borrower, Guarantor, or any ERISA Affiliates from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year for which it was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (f) the conditions set forth in Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303(k) of ERISA to the creation of a lien upon property or assets or rights to property or assets of Borrower, Guarantor, or any ERISA Affiliates for failure to make a required payment to a Plan are satisfied; (g) the termination of a Plan by the PBGC pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA, or the occurrence of any event or condition described in Section 4042 of ERISA that constitutes grounds for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, a Plan; (h) any failure by any Single Employer Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards, within the meaning of Sections 412 or 430 of the Code or Sections 302 or 303 of ERISA, whether or not waived; (i) the determination that any Single Employer Plan is or is expected to be in at-risk status, within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA, or (j) the receipt by Borrower, Guarantor, or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice concerning the imposition of liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from a Multiemployer Plan or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA), in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA) or in endangered or critical status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA).
Event of Default shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(a) hereof.
Excess Cash Flow shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.4 hereof.
Excess Cash Flow Reserve Funds shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.5(c) hereof.
Exchange Act shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(a) hereof.
Excluded Taxes shall mean any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to Lender or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to Lender, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of Lender being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.7, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lenders assignor or participating Lender immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Lenders failure to comply with Section 2.7(e) and (d) any Taxes imposed under FATCA.
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Extended Maturity Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.1.
Extension Option shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.1.
Extension Strike Price shall mean the greater of (x) 5.00% and (y) a strike rate which, together with the Spread, would result in a DSCR of 1.10x (calculated as if LIBOR or the Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, as applicable, were equal to such strike rate), as reasonably determined by Lender.
Extension Term shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8.1.
FATCA shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code or otherwise pursuant to any of the foregoing, and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.
Fiscal Quarter shall mean the three-month period ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year.
Fiscal Year shall mean each twelve (12) month period commencing on January 1 and ending on December 31 during each year of the term of the Loan.
Fixtures shall mean, with respect to any Individual Property, all Equipment now owned, or the ownership of which is hereafter acquired, by Borrower which is so related to the Land and the Improvements forming part of such Individual Property in question that it is deemed fixtures or real property under applicable Legal Requirements, including, without limitation, all building or construction materials intended for construction, reconstruction, alteration, decoration or repair of or installation on such Individual Property, construction equipment, appliances, machinery, plant equipment, fittings, apparatuses, fixtures and other items now or hereafter attached to, installed in or used in connection with (temporarily or permanently) any of the Improvements or the Land, including, but not limited to, engines, devices for the operation of pumps, pipes, plumbing, call and sprinkler systems, fire extinguishing apparatuses and equipment, heating, ventilating, incinerating, electrical, air conditioning and air cooling equipment and systems, gas and electric machinery, appurtenances and equipment, pollution control equipment, security systems, disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators and ranges, recreational equipment and facilities of all kinds, and water, electrical, storm and sanitary sewer facilities, utility lines and equipment (whether owned individually or jointly with others, and, if owned jointly, to the extent of Borrowers interest therein) and all other utilities whether or not situated in easements, all water tanks, water supply, water power sites, fuel stations, fuel tanks, fuel supply, and all other structures, together with all accessions, appurtenances, additions, replacements, betterments and substitutions or any of the foregoing and the proceeds thereof, in each case to the extent any of the foregoing is
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so related to the Land and Improvements forming part of the Property that it is deemed fixtures or real property under the law of the particular state in which the Equipment is located. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Fixtures shall not include any property belonging to tenants or occupants under Leases or customers, suppliers, vendors or other parties under any agreements or contracts except to the extent that any Individual Borrower shall have any right or interest therein and then only to the extent of such right or interest therein.
Foreign Lender shall mean a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.
Foreign Plan shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.9(a).
GAAP shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as of the date of the applicable financial report.
Governmental Authority shall mean any court, board, agency, commission, office or other authority of any nature whatsoever for any governmental unit (foreign, federal, state, county, district, municipal, city or otherwise) whether now or hereafter in existence.
Grantor Trust shall mean a grantor trust as defined in Subpart E, Part I of Subchapter J of the Code that holds the Note or a portion thereof.
Gross Income from Operations shall mean, during any period, all sustainable income of Borrower, any Master Tenant or any Lineage Subtenant or any Affiliate TRS under any sub-sublease (or further level thereof), license or sub-license (or further level thereof) of any Master Lease (and, with respect to any Individual Property that is not subject to a Lineage Master Lease, any Lease) or under any engagement to manage all or any portion of an Individual Property or to perform services in connection with the operation thereof, as reported on the financial statements delivered by Borrower in accordance with this Agreement, computed in accordance with GAAP, derived from the ownership and operation of the Properties from whatever source during such period, including, but not limited to, (i) rent, freezing, and storage and handling income, including Rents from Tenants that are in occupancy, open for business and paying full contractual rent without right of offset or credit, (ii) redistribution and manufacturing revenues, (iii) utility charges, (iv) escalations, (v) forfeited security deposits, (vi) interest on credit accounts, (vii) service fees or charges, (viii) license fees, (ix) parking fees, (x) rent concessions or credits, (xi) income from vending machines, (xii) business interruption or other loss of income or rental insurance proceeds, (xiii) other required pass-throughs, (xiv) interest on each Reserve Fund, if any, (xv) management and participation fees paid to any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant and/or any Affiliate TRS, and (xvi) other revenue incidental to the operation of a temperature controlled warehousing and logistics facility but excluding (I) Rents payable by any Master Tenant under its Master Lease, Rents payable by any Lineage Subtenant under the applicable Lineage Sublease or Rents payable by any Affiliate TRS under any sub-sublease (or further level thereof), license or sublicense (or further level thereof) of any Master Lease, (II) Rents from Tenants that are then subject to any Bankruptcy Action, (III) sales, use and occupancy or other taxes on receipts required to be accounted for by any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant, any Affiliate TRS or Borrower to any Governmental Authority, (IV) refunds and uncollectible accounts, (V) gain or loss on sales of furniture, fixtures and equipment, (VI) Insurance Proceeds (other than business interruption or other loss of income or rental insurance), (VII) Condemnation Proceeds, (VIII) unforfeited security deposits and (IX) utility and other similar deposits and (X) any disbursements to Borrower from the Reserve Funds, if any.
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Ground Lease shall mean, individually or collectively, as the context may require, (a) (i) the Ground Lease (Salem), (ii) the Ground Lease (Cedar Rapids) and Ground Lease (Twin Falls) and (b) upon the applicable Earn-Out Property becoming an Individual Property, (i) the Ground Lease (CityIce) and (ii) the Ground Lease (Trident).
Ground Lease (Cedar Rapids) shall mean that Ground Lease Agreement dated July 31, 2002, by and between Kraft Heinz Foods Company (as successor to H.J. Heinz Company, L.P.), as lessor, and Lineage IA Cedar Rapids RE, LLC (as successor to Ryan Companies US, Inc.), as lessee, as modified by that certain Ground Lessors Estoppel Certificate and Amendment to Ground Lease, dated as of March 12, 2014, filed March 18, 2014 in Book 8924, at Page 198, records of Linn County, Iowa, as document 2257066, and as further modified by that certain Ground Lessors Estoppel Certificate and Amendment to Ground Lease, dated as of September 22, 2020, as the same may be further amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance herewith.
Ground Lease (CityIce) shall mean that certain Port of Seattle Lease, dated as of November 10, 1987, by and between Port of Seattle, as landlord, and City Ice and Cold Storage Co., Inc., as lessee, as amended pursuant to that certain First Amendment to Lease, dated as of May 14, 1991, that certain Second Amendment to Lease, dated as of June 8, 1993, that certain Third Amendment to Lease, dated as of May 30, 2003, that certain Fourth Amendment to Lease, dates as of August 27, 2009 and that certain Fifth Amendment to Lease, dates as of December 22, 2009, as the same may be further amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance herewith.
Ground Lease (Salem) shall mean that certain Ground Lease , dated as of March 25, 2013, by and between Lineage HCS Master RE, LLC (as the last and current successor in interest to NORPAC Foods, Inc.) and Lineage Master RE 7, LLC (as the last and current successor in interest to Henningsen Cold Storage Co.), as the same may be further amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance herewith.
Ground Lease (Trident) shall mean that certain Amended and Restated Lease Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2019, between the Port of Seattle, as landlord, and Lineage WA POS RE, LLC, as tenant, as amended pursuant to that certain First Amendment to Amended and Restated Lease Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2020, as the same may be further amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance herewith.
Ground Lease (Twin Falls) shall mean that certain Ground Lease with Option to Purchase, dated as of October 21, 2020 between Lineage HCS VL RE, LLC, as landlord, and Lineage HCS Master RE, LLC, as tenant, as the same may be further amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance herewith.
Ground Leased Parcel shall mean any portion of the Property that is ground leased to any Individual Borrower as the lessee under a Ground Lease.
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Ground Rent shall mean, with respect to each Ground Lease, the rent payable by Borrower thereunder.
GS shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereto, together with its successors and assigns.
Guarantor shall mean Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Guarantor Estoppel shall mean one or more estoppel certificates, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender, delivered by Guarantor in lieu of a Tenant estoppel certificate pursuant to Section 5.1.29 hereof.
ICE Disclosure Detail shall mean, with respect to any Leases, tenants, customers or customer agreements with respect to the Properties, information of substantially the same content and detail as set forth in that certain Offering Circular dated April 20, 2017 with respect to those certain Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2017-ICE3.
Identified Option Contracts shall mean each of the contracts identified on Schedule 4.1.26.
Improvements shall have the meaning set forth in the granting clause of the Mortgage.
Indebtedness of a Person, at a particular date, shall mean the sum (without duplication) at such date of (a) all indebtedness or liability of such Person (including, without limitation, amounts for borrowed money and indebtedness in the form of mezzanine debt or preferred equity); (b) obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments; (c) obligations for the deferred purchase price of property or services (including trade obligations); (d) obligations under letters of credit; (e) obligations under acceptance facilities; (f) all guaranties, endorsements (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business) and other contingent obligations to purchase, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds, to invest in any Person or entity, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss; and (g) obligations secured by any Liens, whether or not the obligations have been assumed.
Indemnified Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.13(b) hereof.
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Parties shall mean (a) (i) Lender; (ii) any Affiliate of Lender that has filed any registration statement relating to the Securitization or has acted as the sponsor or depositor in connection with the Securitization; (iii) any Affiliate of Lender that acts as an underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser of Securities issued in the Securitization; (iv) any other co-underwriters, co-placement agents or co-initial purchasers of Securities issued in the Securitization; and (v) each of their respective officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives, agents and Affiliates and each Person or entity who Controls any such Person within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act; (b) any Person who is or will have been involved in the origination of the Loan; (c) any Person who is or will have been involved in the servicing of the Loan; (d) any Person in whose name the encumbrance created by the Mortgages is or will have been recorded; and (e) the respective directors, officers, shareholders, partners, employees, agents, servants, representatives, contractors, subcontractors, affiliates, subsidiaries, participants, successors and assigns of any and all of the foregoing.
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Indemnified Taxes shall mean (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.
Indemnifying Person shall mean each of Borrower and Guarantor.
Independent Director shall mean an individual who has prior experience as an independent director, independent manager or independent member with at least three years of employment experience and who is provided by CT Corporation, Corporation Service Company, National Registered Agents, Inc., Wilmington Trust Company, Stewart Management Company, Lord Securities Corporation or, if none of those companies is then providing professional Independent Directors, another nationally-recognized company reasonably approved by Lender, in each case that is not an Affiliate of Borrower and that provides professional Independent Directors and other corporate services in the ordinary course of its business, and which individual is duly appointed as an Independent Director and is not, and has never been, and will not while serving as Independent Director be, any of the following:
(a) a member, partner, equity holder, manager, director, officer or employee of Borrower or any of its equity holders or Affiliates (other than serving as a special or springing member or an Independent Director of Borrower or an Affiliate of Borrower that is required by a creditor to be a single purpose bankruptcy remote entity, provided that (i) such Independent Director is employed by a company that routinely provides professional Independent Directors or managers in the ordinary course of its business, and (ii) no single Person in the direct chain of ownership of Borrower may have more than one special or springing member or Independent Director that is also a special or springing member or Independent Director of any other single Person in the direct chain of ownership of Borrower);
(b) a creditor, supplier or service provider (including provider of professional services) to Borrower or any of its equity holders or Affiliates (other than a nationally-recognized company that routinely provides professional Independent Directors and other corporate services to Borrower or any of its Affiliates in the ordinary course of its business);
(c) a family member of any such member, partner, equity holder, manager, director, officer, employee, creditor, supplier or service provider; or
(d) a Person that Controls (whether directly, indirectly or otherwise) any of (a), (b) or (c) above.
A natural person who otherwise satisfies the foregoing definition and satisfies subparagraph (a) above by reason of being the Independent Director of a special purpose entity Affiliated with Borrower shall be qualified to serve as an Independent Director of Borrower, provided that the fees that such individual earns from serving as an Independent Director of Affiliates of Borrower in any given year constitute in the aggregate less than five percent (5%) of such individuals annual income for that year. For purposes of this paragraph, a special purpose entity is an entity, whose organizational documents contain restrictions on its activities and impose requirements intended to preserve such entitys separateness that are substantially similar to those contained in the definition of Special Purpose Entity of this Agreement.
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Individual Borrower shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereto, together with its successors and permitted assigns.
Individual Property or Property shall mean, as the context may require, each parcel of real property, the Improvements thereon and all personal property owned by any Individual Borrower and encumbered by a Mortgage, together with all rights of such Individual Borrower pertaining to such real property and the Improvements and personal property, as more particularly described in the granting clauses of each Mortgage and referred to therein as the Property; provided, that, an Earn-Out Property shall not be deemed an Individual Property or a Property until the Earn-Out Property Amount for the particular Earn-Out Property is released to Borrower and Borrower has delivered to Lender, or to the title company on Lenders behalf, a Mortgage in respect of such Earn-Out Property, each in accordance with Section 7.8.
Individual Property Financial Statements shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.11(b).
Insolvency Opinion shall mean that certain non-consolidation opinion letter dated the date hereof delivered by Sharma, Smith & Gray, P.C. in connection with the Loan.
Insurance Premiums shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(b) hereof.
Insurance Proceeds shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b) hereof.
Interest Period shall mean, in connection with the calculation of interest accrued with respect to any specified Payment Date, including the Maturity Date, the period commencing on and including the ninth (9th) day of the prior calendar month and ending on and including the eighth (8th) day of the calendar month in which such Payment Date occurs.
Interest Rate shall mean the rate at which the outstanding principal amount of the Loan bears interest from time to time in accordance with Section 2.2.3.
Interest Rate Cap Agreement shall mean, collectively, one or more interest rate protection agreements (together with the confirmation and schedules relating thereto) reasonably acceptable to Lender, between an Acceptable Counterparty and Borrower obtained by Borrower as and when required pursuant to Section 2.2.7 as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. After delivery of a Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement to Lender, the term Interest Rate Cap Agreement shall be deemed to mean such Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement and such Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement shall be subject to all requirements applicable to the Interest Rate Cap Agreement.
ISDA Definitions shall mean the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time.
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ISDA Fallback Adjustment means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the then-current Benchmark.
ISDA Fallback Rate means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the then-current Benchmark, excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment.
JPM shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereto, together with its successors and assigns.
Land shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in each Mortgage.
Lead Lender shall mean GS or, from time to time, a single Lender that is either then the sole Lender or has otherwise been designated as the replacement Lead Lender by the then current Lead Lender.
Lease shall mean any lease (including each Master Lease), sublease (including each Third Party Sublease and Lineage Sublease (if any)) or sub-sublease, letting, license, concession or other agreement (whether written or oral and whether now or hereafter in effect) pursuant to which any Person is granted a possessory interest in, or right to use or occupy all or any portion of any Individual Property, and (a) every modification, amendment or other agreement relating to such lease, sublease, sub-sublease, or other agreement entered into in connection with such lease, sublease, sub-sublease, or other agreement and (b) every guarantee of the performance and observance of the covenants, conditions and agreements to be performed and observed by the other party thereto.
Legal Requirements shall mean, with respect to each Individual Property, all federal, state, county, municipal and other governmental statutes, laws, rules, orders, regulations, ordinances, judgments, decrees and injunctions of Governmental Authorities affecting such Individual Property or any part thereof, or the construction, use, alteration or operation thereof, or any part thereof, whether now or hereafter enacted and in force, and all permits, licenses and authorizations and regulations relating thereto, and all covenants, agreements, restrictions and encumbrances contained in any instruments, either of record or known to Borrower, any Master Tenant or any Lineage Subtenant, at any time in force affecting Borrower, any Master Tenant or any Lineage Subtenant, such Individual Property or any part thereof, including, without limitation, any which may (a) require repairs, modifications or alterations in or to such Individual Property or any part thereof, or (b) in any way limit the use and enjoyment thereof.
Lender shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereto, together with their respective successors and assigns and, for purposes of Sections 2.2.3(c)(iii) and 2.7, their respective participants. If the beneficial owner of the Loan for U.S. federal income tax purposes is a REMIC Trust or a Grantor Trust, Lender shall mean the REMIC Trust or Grantor Trust, as applicable.
Lender Indemnitees shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.13(b) hereof.
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Lending Parties shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.28 hereof.
Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(b) hereof.
LIBOR shall mean, with respect to each Interest Period, the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded up to the next nearest 1/1000 of 1%) for deposits in U.S. dollars, for a one-month period, that appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or the successor thereto) as of the related Reference Time. If such rate does not appear on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page as of the Reference Time, LIBOR shall be the arithmetic mean of the offered rates (expressed as a percentage per annum) for deposits in U.S. dollars for a one-month period that appear on the Reuters Screen Libor Page as of the Reference Time, if at least two such offered rates so appear. If fewer than two such offered rates appear on the Reuters Screen Libor Page as of the Reference Time, Lender (or Servicer, on Lenders behalf) shall request the principal London office of any four major reference banks in the London interbank market selected by Lender to provide such banks offered quotation (expressed as a percentage per annum) to prime banks in the London interbank market for deposits in U.S. dollars for a one-month period as of the Reference Time for the amounts of not less than U.S. $1,000,000. If at least two such offered quotations are so provided, LIBOR shall be the arithmetic mean of such quotations. If fewer than two such quotations are so provided, Lender (or Servicer, on Lenders behalf) shall request any three major banks in New York City selected by Lender to provide such banks rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a one-month period as of the applicable Reference Time for amounts of not less than U.S. $1,000,000. If at least two such rates are so provided, LIBOR shall be the arithmetic mean of such rates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall LIBOR be less than zero.
Licenses shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.22 hereof.
Lien shall mean, with respect to each Individual Property, any mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, indemnity deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security interest, or any other encumbrance or charge of, on or affecting any Individual Borrower, any Individual Property, any portion thereof or any interest therein, including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, the filing of any financing statement, and mechanics, materialmens and other similar liens and encumbrances.
Limited Recourse Guaranty shall mean that certain Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, from Guarantor to Lender, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Lineage Logistics shall mean Lineage Logistics, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Lineage Sublease shall mean each sublease with respect to an applicable Individual Property identified on Schedule 1.1.2 between the applicable Master Tenant, as sublandlord, and the applicable Lineage Subtenant, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
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Lineage Subtenant shall mean, with respect to each applicable Individual Property, each Affiliate of the applicable Master Tenant that is a subtenant under a Lineage Sublease, as identified on Schedule 1.1.2.
Loan shall mean the loan made by Lender to Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.
Loan Documents shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, the Note, the Mortgages, the Assignments of Leases, the Environmental Indemnity, the Limited Recourse Guaranty, the Cash Management Agreement, the Recycled SPE Certificates, any Assignment of Interest Rate Cap Agreement, each Subordination of Management Agreement, the Post-Closing Agreement, and all other documents executed and/or delivered by Borrower and/or Guarantor in connection with the Loan.
Loan-to-Value Ratio shall mean the ratio, as of a particular date, in which the numerator is equal to the Principal Indebtedness and the denominator is equal to the fair market value of the Properties (for purposes of the REMIC provisions, counting only real property and excluding any personal property or going-concern value), as determined, in Lenders sole discretion, by any commercially reasonable method permitted to a REMIC Trust.
London Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in London, England are not open for business.
Maines Corporate Property shall mean that certain Individual Property located at 101 Broome Corporate Pkwy., Conklin, New York.
Master Landlord shall mean each of the Persons listed on Schedule 1.1.5 under the column heading Master Landlord, as the context may require. The Master Lease and Master Tenant related to each Master Landlord are as indicated on Schedule 1.1.5.
Master Lease shall mean each of the leases listed on Schedule 1.1.5 under the column heading Master Lease, or any subsequent master lease entered into pursuant to the terms of this Agreement in connection with the joinder of a new Individual Borrower to the Loan as a condition to a release of funds from the Earn-Out Reserve Account, in each case, by and between Borrower, as landlord, and the applicable Master Tenant, as tenant, as the context may require, each as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. The Master Tenant and Master Landlord related to each Master Lease as of the Closing Date are as indicated on Schedule 1.1.5.
Master Tenant shall mean each of the Persons listed on Schedule 1.1.5 under the column heading Master Tenant, and any other Affiliate of Borrower that becomes a tenant under a Master Lease as a condition to a release of funds from the Earn-Out Reserve Account, as the context may require. The Master Lease and Master Tenant Landlord related to each Master Tenant as of the Closing Date are as indicated on Schedule 1.1.5.
Master Tenant Financial Statements shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.11(b).
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Material Adverse Effect shall mean a material adverse effect on (a) Borrowers financial condition, (b) the value of any Individual Property or (c) Net Operating Income.
Material Lease shall mean any Lease that (a) either individually or when taken together with any other Lease with the same Tenant or its Affiliates, demises in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of the gross rentable square feet at any Individual Property, (b) is made with a Tenant that is paying base rent per annum in an amount equal to or exceeding Two Million Five Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($2,500,000), (c) contains an option or preferential right in favor of the Tenant thereunder to purchase all or any portion of any of the Properties, or (d) is with an Affiliate of Borrower as Tenant, excluding, in each case, each Master Lease and any sublease, sub-sublease (or further level thereof), license or sub-license (or further level thereof) of any Master Lease with an Affiliate of Borrower or any Affiliate TRS and any engagement of any Affiliate TRS to manage all or any portion of an Individual Property subject thereto or to perform services in connection with the operation thereof.
Maturity Date shall mean November 9, 2023, as such date may be extended pursuant to Section 2.8.1, or such other date on which the final payment of principal of the Note becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at such stated maturity date, by declaration of acceleration, or otherwise.
Maximum Legal Rate shall mean the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the indebtedness evidenced by the Note and as provided for herein or the other Loan Documents, under the laws of such state or states whose laws are held by any court of competent jurisdiction to govern the interest rate provisions of the Loan.
Monthly Debt Service Payment Amount shall mean, on each Payment Date, the amount of applicable interest which accrues on the Principal Indebtedness for the related Interest Period, which interest shall be calculated in accordance with Section 2.2.
Moodys shall mean Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
Mortgage shall mean, with respect to each Individual Property, that certain first priority Mortgage (or Deed of Trust or Deed to Secure Debt), Assignment of Leases and Rents and Security Agreement (or similarly titled document), dated the date hereof or, in the case of an Earn-Out Property, on or about the date the Earn-Out Property Amount for such Earn-Out Property is released to Borrower, as applicable, executed and delivered by the related Individual Borrower to Lender as security for the Loan and encumbering such Individual Property, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
MS shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereto, together with its successors and assigns.
MT Enforcement Rights shall mean each of the enforcement rights of MT Secured Lenders pursuant to the related MT Financing Documents, including, any foreclosure of the direct or indirect equity interests in any Master Tenant, any subtenant of any Master Tenant and any Taxable REIT Subsidiary.
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MT Financing Documents has the meaning set forth in the definition of MT Secured Lenders.
MT Secured Lenders shall mean, individually and/or collectively (as the context requires), (i) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., together with its successors, assigns or designees, in its capacity as administrative and collateral agent pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2018, by and among, certain parties as more particularly identified therein (such credit agreement, together with all documents, agreements or other instruments executed and delivered in connection therewith, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms or replaced in connection with a refinancing of the indebtedness evidenced thereby, ABL Financing Documents) acting for and on behalf of the secured parties under such credit agreement, and any successor or permitted replacement agent and (ii) Credit Suisse AG, together with its successors, assigns or designees, in its capacity as administrative and collateral agent pursuant to that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 27, 2018, by and among, certain parties as more particularly identified therein (such credit agreement, together with all documents, agreements or other instruments executed and delivered in connection therewith, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms or replaced in connection with a refinancing of the indebtedness evidenced thereby, the Term Loan Financing Documents; together with the ABL Financing Documents, the MT Financing Documents) acting for and on behalf of the secured parties under such credit agreement, and any successor or permitted replacement agent.
Multiemployer Plan shall mean a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, as applicable, in respect of which Borrower, Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise.
Multiple Employer Plan shall mean a single employer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (a) is maintained for employees of Borrower, Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one Person other than Borrower, Guarantor and the ERISA Affiliates, or (b) was so maintained, and in respect of which Borrower, Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate would have liability under Sections 4062-4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were to be terminated.
Net Operating Income shall mean, as of any date of determination, the amount obtained by subtracting Operating Expenses for the most recently ended Test Period from Gross Income from Operations for such most recently ended Test Period, in each case determined on a pro forma basis to (x) exclude all Operating Expenses and Gross Income from Operations from Properties that were released from the Lien of the Mortgage during such most recently ended Test Period, (y) include a full 12 months of Gross Income from Operations and Operating Expenses from Individual Properties that became subject to the Lien of the Mortgage during such most recently ended Test Period (as reasonably determined by Lender) and (z) exclude interest on credit accounts.
Net Proceeds shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b) hereof.
Net Proceeds Deficiency shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b)(vi) hereof.
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New Lease shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.20.
New Note shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.3.
Note shall mean, collectively, (a) Note A-1, (b) Note A-2, and (c) Note A-3.
Note A-1 shall mean that certain Replacement Amended and Restated Promissory Note A-1 of even date herewith in the principal amount of $792,000,000, made by Borrower in favor of GS, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented, consolidated, extended, renewed, severed, split or otherwise modified from time to time.
Note A-2 shall mean that certain Replacement Amended and Restated Promissory Note A-2 of even date herewith in the principal amount of $330,000,000, made by Borrower in favor of MS, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented, consolidated, extended, renewed, severed, split or otherwise modified from time to time.
Note A-3 shall mean that certain Replacement Amended and Restated Promissory Note A-3 of even date herewith in the principal amount of $198,000,000, made by Borrower in favor of JPM, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented, consolidated, extended, renewed, severed, split or otherwise modified from time to time.
Note Components shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.1(a)(vi).
O&M Program shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.19 hereof.
Obligations shall mean Borrowers obligation to pay the Debt and perform its obligations under the Note, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Officers Certificate shall mean a certificate delivered to Lender by Borrower which is signed by an authorized senior officer of the manager, managing member or sole member of Borrower or Borrower Agent.
Operating Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.2(c) hereof.
Operating Expenses shall mean, as of any date of determination and for any period, the total of all expenditures of Borrower, any Master Tenant and/or any Lineage Subtenant, computed in accordance with GAAP, of whatever kind during such period relating to the operation, maintenance and management of the Properties that are incurred on a regular monthly or other periodic basis, including without limitation, bad debt, utilities, ordinary repairs and maintenance (which ordinary repairs and maintenance for the purposes of this definition shall be the greater of (a) an assumed expense of $0.15 per square foot of gross rentable area per year in the aggregate for all of the Properties and (b) the actual total of expenditures for such period for ordinary repair and maintenance for all of the Properties), insurance, license fees, property taxes and assessments, advertising expenses, management fees, payroll and related taxes, computer processing charges, operational equipment or other lease payments, and other similar costs, but excluding depreciation and amortization, Debt Service, Capital Expenditures, and contributions to the Reserve Funds.
Original Principal Indebtedness shall mean $1,320,000,000.
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Other Borrower Collateral shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.1.
Other Borrowers shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.
Other Charges shall mean all ground rents, maintenance charges, impositions other than Property Taxes, and any other charges, including, without limitation, vault charges and license fees for the use of vaults, chutes and similar areas adjoining any Individual Property, now or hereafter levied or assessed or imposed against such Individual Property or any part thereof.
Other Connection Taxes shall mean Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between Lender and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Lender having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
Other Obligations shall have the meaning as set forth in the Mortgages.
Other Properties shall mean any and all real property and the improvements thereon previously owned by an Individual Borrower.
Other Taxes shall mean all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.
Overpaying Entity shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.4.1.
Participant Register shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.1(c) hereof.
Payment Date shall mean the ninth (9th) day of each calendar month during the term of the Loan or, if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day.
PBGC shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the definition of ERISA Event.
Permitted Debt shall mean, collectively with respect to Borrower, (a) the Note and the other obligations, indebtedness and liabilities specifically provided for in any Loan Document and secured by the Mortgage and the other Loan Documents; (b) trade payables (including Indebtedness consisting of the financing of Insurance Premiums) incurred in the ordinary course of Borrowers business not secured by Liens on Borrowers interest in any Individual Property (other than Liens being properly contested in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement), provided that such trade payables (i) are in amounts not to exceed, in the aggregate, three percent (3%) of the Original Principal Indebtedness, (ii) are normal and reasonable under the circumstances, (iii) are payable by or on behalf of Borrower for or in respect of the operation of any Individual Property in the ordinary course of the operation and routine administration of Borrowers business, (iv) are paid within sixty (60) days following the later of (1) the date on
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which such amount is incurred and (2) the date invoiced, and (v) are not evidenced by a note; (c) Permitted Equipment Financings, (d) [intentionally omitted], (e) [intentionally omitted] and (f) such other indebtedness for which Borrower shall have obtained Lenders prior written approval (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to require Borrower to pay any trade payable so long as Borrower is in good faith at its own expense, and by proper legal proceedings, diligently contesting the validity, amount or application thereof, provided that in each case, at the time of the commencement of any such action or proceeding, and during the pendency of such action or proceeding (I) no Event of Default shall exist and be continuing hereunder, (II) neither the applicable Individual Property nor any material part thereof or material interest therein will be in material danger of being immediately sold or forfeited, and (III) Borrower shall furnish such security as may be required in the proceeding, or as may be reasonably requested by Lender to insure the payment of any amounts contested, together with all interest and penalties thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall at any time all outstanding trade payables permitted pursuant to clause (b) above and the aggregate outstanding amount of Permitted Equipment Financings exceed three percent (3%) of the Original Principal Indebtedness in the aggregate.
Permitted Encumbrances shall mean, with respect to any Individual Property, collectively, (a) the Liens and security interests created by the Loan Documents, (b) all Liens, encumbrances and other matters disclosed in the Title Insurance Policy, (c) Liens, if any, for Property Taxes not yet delinquent, (d) each Master Lease, each Lineage Sublease, each Third Party Sublease and other Leases permitted by this Agreement, (e) Liens on any asset securing Permitted Equipment Financings so long as any such Lien attaches solely to the Equipment acquired or leased with the proceeds thereof concurrently with or within ninety (90) days after the acquisition or leasing thereof; provided that Permitted Equipment Financings may be cross-collateralized to other financings provided by such lender or its Affiliates, (f) Liens on any unearned Insurance Premiums securing the financing of any Policies, (g) Liens for Other Charges not yet delinquent, (h) Liens permitted by the Loan Documents, including Permitted Transfers, (i) the Condemnation PSA, and (j) such other title and survey exceptions as Lender has approved or may approve in writing in Lenders reasonable discretion, which such title and survey exceptions under this clause (j) in the aggregate, when combined with any other title and survey exceptions, do not materially adversely affect the value or use of such Individual Property or Borrowers ability to repay the Loan.
Permitted Equipment Financings shall mean one or more Liens incurred by one or more Individual Borrowers in connection with the acquisition or leasing of Equipment used in the operation of one or more Individual Properties, which Indebtedness shall be secured only by Liens on the Borrowers interest in such Equipment.
Permitted Investments shall mean any one or more of the following obligations or securities acquired at a purchase price of not greater than par, including those issued by Servicer, or any trustee under any Securitization or any of their respective Affiliates, payable on demand or having a maturity date not later than the Business Day immediately prior to the first Payment Date following the date of acquiring such investment and meeting one of the appropriate standards set forth below:
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(i) obligations of, or obligations fully guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by, the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof provided such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America including, without limitation, obligations of: the U.S. Treasury (all direct or fully guaranteed obligations), the Farmers Home Administration (certificates of beneficial ownership), the General Services Administration (participation certificates), the U.S. Maritime Administration (guaranteed Title XI financing), the Small Business Administration (guaranteed participation certificates and guaranteed pool certificates), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (local authority bonds) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (guaranteed transit bonds); provided, however, that the investments described in this clause (i) (A) must have a predetermined fixed dollar of principal due at maturity that cannot vary or change, (B) if rated by S&P, must not have an r highlighter affixed to their rating, (C) if such investments have a variable rate of interest, such interest rate must be tied to a single interest rate index plus a fixed spread (if any) and must move proportionately with that index, (D) must not be subject to liquidation prior to their maturity and (E) must have maturities of not more than 365 days;
(ii) Federal Housing Administration debentures having maturities of not more than 365 days;
(iii) obligations of the following United States government sponsored agencies: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (debt obligations), the Farm Credit System (consolidated systemwide bonds and notes), the Federal Home Loan Banks (consolidated debt obligations), the Federal National Mortgage Association (debt obligations), the Financing Corp. (debt obligations), and the Resolution Funding Corp. (debt obligations); provided, however, that the investments described in this clause (iii) (A) must have a predetermined fixed dollar of principal due at maturity that cannot vary or change, (B) if rated by S&P, must not have an r highlighter affixed to their rating, (C) if such investments have a variable rate of interest, such interest rate must be tied to a single interest rate index plus a fixed spread (if any) and must move proportionately with that index, (D) must not be subject to liquidation prior to their maturity and (E) must have maturities of not more than 365 days;
(iv) federal funds, unsecured certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers acceptances and repurchase agreements or obligations with maturities of not more than 365 days issued or held by any depository institution or trust company incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof and subject to supervision and examination by federal or state banking authorities, so long as the commercial paper or other short term obligations of which at all times are rated in the highest short term rating category by each Rating Agency (or, if not rated by all Rating Agencies, rated by at least one Rating Agency in the highest short term rating category and otherwise acceptable to each other Rating Agency, as confirmed in writing that such investment would not, in and of itself, result in a downgrade, qualification or withdrawal of the initial, or, if higher, then current ratings assigned to the Securities); provided, however, that the investments described in this clause (iv) (A) must have a predetermined fixed dollar of principal due at maturity that cannot vary or change, (B) if rated by S&P, must not have an r highlighter affixed to their rating, (C) if such investments have a variable rate of interest, such interest rate must be tied to a single interest rate index plus a fixed spread (if any) and must move proportionately with that index, (D) must not be subject to liquidation prior to their maturity and (E) must have maturities of not more than 365 days;
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(v) fully Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured demand and time deposits in, or certificates of deposit of, or bankers acceptances issued by, any bank or trust company, savings and loan association or savings bank, the short term obligations of which at all times are rated in the highest short term rating category by each Rating Agency (or, if not rated by all Rating Agencies, rated by at least one Rating Agency in the highest short term rating category and otherwise acceptable to each other Rating Agency, as confirmed in writing that such investment would not, in and of itself, result in a downgrade, qualification or withdrawal of the initial, or, if higher, then current ratings assigned to the Securities); provided, however, that the investments described in this clause (v) (A) must have a predetermined fixed dollar of principal due at maturity that cannot vary or change, (B) if rated by S&P, must not have an r highlighter affixed to their rating, (C) if such investments have a variable rate of interest, such interest rate must be tied to a single interest rate index plus a fixed spread (if any) and must move proportionately with that index, and (D) such investments must not be subject to liquidation prior to their maturity;
(vi) [intentionally omitted];
(vii) [intentionally omitted];
(viii) units of taxable money market funds, which funds are regulated investment companies, seek to maintain a constant net asset value per share and invest solely in obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, which funds have the highest rating available from each Rating Agency (or, if not rated by all Rating Agencies, rated by at least one Rating Agency and otherwise acceptable to each other Rating Agency, as confirmed in writing that such investment would not, in and of itself, result in a downgrade, qualification or withdrawal of the initial, or, if higher, then current ratings assigned to the Securities) for money market funds; and
(ix) any other security, obligation or investment which has been approved as a Permitted Investment in writing by (a) Lender and (b) each Rating Agency, as evidenced by a written confirmation that the designation of such security, obligation or investment as a Permitted Investment will not, in and of itself, result in a downgrade, qualification or withdrawal of the initial, or, if higher, then current ratings assigned to the Securities by such Rating Agency;
provided, however, that no obligation or security shall be a Permitted Investment if (A) such obligation or security evidences a right to receive only interest payments or (B) the right to receive principal and interest payments on such obligation or security are derived from an underlying investment that provides a yield to maturity in excess of 120% of the yield to maturity at par of such underlying investment. No investment shall be made which requires a payment above par for an obligation if the obligation may be prepaid at the option of the issuer thereof prior to its maturity.
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Permitted Transfer shall mean any of the following Transfers, to the extent the same does not result in a Prohibited Change of Control:
(a) any Transfer (other than a pledge or other grant of security interest) of any direct or indirect equity interest in any Sole Member, provided that after giving effect to such Transfer, Guarantor or one or more Permitted Transferees shall directly or indirectly own not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the equity interests in, and shall Control, such Sole Member;
(b) any Transfer by or to a direct or indirect subsidiary of Guarantor (other than a pledge or other grant of security interest) of any indirect equity interest in Sole Member in connection with an internal reorganization by Guarantor or any Restricted Party, provided that after giving effect to any such Transfer, Guarantor or one or more Permitted Transferees shall directly or indirectly own not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the equity interests in, and shall Control, Sole Member and, to the extent that any such Transfer changes any of the assumptions contained in the Insolvency Opinion or Additional Insolvency Opinion, Lender and the Approved Rating Agencies receive an Additional Insolvency Opinion or an update of the Insolvency Opinion indicating that such internal reorganization does not affect the opinions set forth therein;
(c) any Transfer of (i) any Individual Property or portion thereof in connection with a release of such Individual Property consummated in accordance with Section 2.5.2 or Section 2.5.3 hereof, (ii) direct equity interests in any Individual Borrower, provided that such Transfer includes, or occurs concurrently with or after, the transfer pursuant to Section 2.5.2 or Section 2.5.3 hereof of all Properties owned by such Individual Borrower, or (iii) a Transfer of all of the Properties in connection with the assumption of the Loan pursuant to Section 5.2.10(f);
(d) any (i) immaterial Transfers of portions of any Individual Property to governmental authorities for dedication or public use or portions of such Individual Property; or (ii) any grant of easements, restrictions, covenants, reservations and rights-of-way (including reciprocal easements and operating agreements) in the ordinary course of business for access, water and sewer lines, telephone or other fiber optic or other data transmission lines, electric lines or other utilities, shared parking, common areas or for other purposes customary for properties similar to any Individual Property, or that facilitate or benefit the operation of any Individual Property in question; provided that no such Transfer would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (it being agreed that the release of vacant land will not in and of itself be deemed to have a Material Adverse Effect on the value of the applicable Individual Property except to the extent, if any, such land was assigned value in the appraisals contemporaneously performed); Lender will reasonably cooperate with Borrower, at Borrowers sole cost and expense, in executing documents reasonably acceptable to Lender necessary for Borrower to effectuate the Transfers contemplated by this clause (d);
(e) the transfer or issuance of any securities issued by Guarantor or any Person that owns a direct or indirect interest in Guarantor if Guarantors or such Persons common equity securities are publicly listed or traded (or, in connection with such transfer or issuance will become publically listed or traded) on a national securities exchange or other electronic quotation system (regardless whether such transfer or issuance is of publicly listed or traded securities or interests), provided that no Person or Persons acting in concert other than Bay Grove Management Company LLC, BG LLH, LLC, BG LLH Intermediate, LLC, a Principal Controlled Entity or a Public Company GP (or a Person Controlled by Bay Grove Management Company LLC, BG LLH, LLC, BG LLH Intermediate, LLC, a Principal Controlled Entity or a Public Company GP) or one or more Permitted Transferees owns thirty-three percent (33%) or more of the direct or indirect interest in Guarantor;
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(f) the merger or consolidation of Guarantor or any Person that directly or indirectly Controls Guarantor with or into any Permitted Transferee or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Guarantor or any Person that directly or indirectly Controls Guarantor to any Permitted Transferee (each, a Guarantor Transfer and, collectively, the Guarantor Transfers); provided, that, if any Guarantor Transfer or series of Guarantor Transfers shall result in Bay Grove Management Company LLC, BG LLH, LLC, BG LLH Intermediate, LLC, a Principal Controlled Entity or a Public Company GP (or a Person Controlled by Bay Grove Management Company LLC, BG LLH, LLC, BG LLH Intermediate, LLC, a Principal Controlled Entity or a Public Company GP) directly or indirectly owning less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the direct or indirect equity interests in, or otherwise not Controlling Guarantor, then a Rating Agency Confirmation shall be required in connection with such Guarantor Transfer;
(g) the pledge, hypothecation, or encumbrance of any interests in Guarantor or of any Person that owns a direct or indirect interest in Guarantor;
(h) the transfer or issuance of any securities issued by Guarantor or any Person that owns a direct or indirect interest in Guarantor, provided that after giving effect to such transfer or issuance the owners of Guarantor or any Person that owns a direct or indirect interest in Guarantors prior to such transfer and all other Persons Controlled by Bay Grove Management Company LLC, BG LLH, LLC, BG LLH Intermediate, LLC, any Principal Controlled Entity, a Public Company GP or one or more Permitted Transferees, in the aggregate, continue to own not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the equity interests in Guarantor, directly or indirectly;
(i) A transfer (whether pursuant to merger, consolidation or otherwise) pursuant to which a Public Company GP becomes the general partner or managing member of Guarantor or any Person that owns a direct or indirect interest in Guarantor;
(j) any Transfer of customary non-voting (absent failure to pay dividends), non-Controlling preferred shares or preferred limited liability company interests in any real estate investment trust that owns a direct or indirect interest in any Individual Borrower, provided that such shares or interests are included in a class or series of shares or interests the aggregate issue price of which does not exceed $150,000;
(k) any Lease entered into in compliance with the provisions of Section 5.1.20;
(l) any assignment, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance by any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant, any Affiliate TRS or any other subtenant (or sub-subtenant) or licensee which is a subsidiary of Guarantor of any interest in any Lease or any sublease, sub-sublease, license or sub-license of any Individual Property;
(m) any Permitted Encumbrance;
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(n) the transfer of a Sole Members equity interests in any Individual Borrower to another Sole Member, so long as the transferring Sole Member and transferee Sole Member were each Sole Members as of the Closing Date;
(o) the Approved Borrower Merger;
(p) the Approved Borrower Joinders; and
(q) any Transfer of worn out or obsolete Personal Property that is promptly replaced with property of equivalent value and functionality if reasonably necessary or that is no longer necessary in connection with the operation of the applicable Individual Property.
None of the foregoing shall be deemed mutually exclusive of any other Permitted Transfer and to the extent a Transfer is permitted under any of the clause(s) above, such Transfer shall for all purposes be deemed a Permitted Transfer and notwithstanding that another clause may otherwise limit such Transfer to the extent provided therein.
Permitted Transferee shall mean any Person that is (or is or is wholly owned by a Person that is) (x) (i) either is experienced in owning and operating a portfolio of warehouses or other industrial properties similar in size to the Properties or retains a majority of the senior management of Guarantor following such Transfer, and (ii) (A) has a net worth immediately prior to the date of the Transfer of at least $1,000,000,000 exclusive of any direct or indirect interest that such Person holds in the Properties and (B) immediately prior to such Transfer, owns and controls warehouse and industrial properties with a fair market value of at least $2,000,000,000, or (y) is approved by Lender and with respect to which a Rating Agency Confirmation is received.
Person shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, unincorporated association, any federal, state, county or municipal government or any bureau, department or agency thereof and any fiduciary acting in such capacity on behalf of any of the foregoing.
Personal Property shall have the meaning set forth in the granting clause of the Mortgage.
Phase I Environmental Report and Phase I Environmental Reports shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.1.
Plan shall mean a Single Employer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan.
PML shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a)(i) hereof.
Policies or Policy shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1(b) hereof.
Portfolio Earthquake PML shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a)(i) hereof.
Post-Closing Agreement shall mean that certain Post-Closing Obligations Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between Borrower and Lender, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
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Prescribed Laws shall mean, collectively, (a) the USA Patriot Act, (b) Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 24, 2001, and relating to Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism, (c) the International Emergency Economic Power Act, 50 U.S.C. §1701 et seq. and (d) all other Legal Requirements relating to money laundering or terrorism.
Principal Controlled Entity shall mean any business entity Controlled by any of Kevin Marchetti, Adam Forste and/or David Brandes.
Principal Indebtedness shall mean the principal balance of the Loan outstanding from time to time. For the avoidance of doubt, the Principal Indebtedness shall include all amounts on deposit in the Earn-Out Reserve Account from time to time.
Prohibited Change of Control shall mean it ceasing to be the case that Guarantor or one or more Permitted Transferees both (i) owns, directly or indirectly, at least 51% of the equity interests in, and the right to at least 51% of the distributions from, Borrower and (ii) possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of Borrower, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise, in each case without the prior written consent of Lender, which consent may be granted or withheld in Lenders sole discretion.
Properties or Property shall mean, collectively, as the context may require each and every Individual Property or Property which is subject to the terms of this Agreement, to the extent the same is encumbered by a Mortgage, in each case including each Qualified Substitute Property, and excluding any Replaced Property and any Property that is released pursuant to the terms hereof; provided, that, an Earn-Out Property shall not be deemed a Property until the Earn-Out Property Amount for the particular Earn-Out Property is released to Borrower and Borrower has delivered to Lender, or to the title company on Lenders behalf, a Mortgage in respect of such Earn-Out Property, each in accordance with Section 7.8.
Property Substitution shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.3(a) hereof.
Property Taxes shall mean all real estate and personal property taxes, assessments, water rates or sewer rents, now or hereafter levied or assessed or imposed against any Individual Property or part thereof.
Pro Rata Cap shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.1.
Provided Information shall mean any and all financial and other information provided at any time by, or on behalf of, any Indemnifying Person with respect to the Properties, Borrower, any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant, Sole Member and Guarantor.
Public Advertising shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.17 hereof.
Public Company GP shall mean any corporation or other business entity (i) that (or whose direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary) is admitted as the sole general partner or managing member of Guarantor or any Person that owns a direct or indirect interest in Guarantor and (ii) whose common equity securities are publicly listed or traded (or, in connection with such admission as the sole general partner or managing member, will become publically listed or traded) on a national securities exchange or other electronic quotation system (regardless whether such transfer or issuance is of publicly listed or traded securities or interests).
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Qualified Substitute Property shall mean real property, together with all buildings and other improvements thereon and leasehold interests therein, which real property is primarily used as a temperature controlled warehousing and logistics facility and is added to the Collateral in connection with a Property Substitution pursuant to Section 2.5.3.
Ratable Share shall mean, with respect to any Co-Lender, its share of the Loan based on the proportion of the Principal Indebtedness advanced by such Co-Lender to the total Principal Indebtedness. The Ratable Share of each Co-Lender on the date of this Agreement after giving effect to the funding of the Loan on the Closing Date is as follows: (a) GS60%; (b) MS25%; and (c) JPM15%.
Rate Cap Reserve Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.6.
Rate Cap Reserve Amount shall mean an amount equal to the interest that would accrue on the Principal Indebtedness during the initial term or applicable Extension Term, as applicable, if the interest rate were equal to the Strike Price Delta, based on a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed, all as reasonably calculated by Lender.
Rate Cap Reserve Fund shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.6.
Rating Agencies shall mean each of S&P and Moodys, or any other nationally recognized statistical rating agency which has assigned a rating to the Securities.
Rating Agency Confirmation shall mean, collectively, a written affirmation from each of the Approved Rating Agencies that the credit rating of the Securities given by such Approved Rating Agency of such Securities immediately prior to the occurrence of the event with respect to which such Rating Agency Confirmation is sought will not be qualified, downgraded or withdrawn as a result of the occurrence of such event, which affirmation may be granted or withheld in such Approved Rating Agencys sole and absolute discretion. In the event that, at any given time, no Approved Rating Agency has elected to consider whether to grant or withhold such an affirmation and Lender does not otherwise have an approval right with respect to such event, then the term Rating Agency Confirmation shall be deemed instead to require the written reasonable approval of Lender based on its good faith determination of whether the Approved Rating Agencies would issue a Rating Agency Confirmation; provided that the foregoing shall be inapplicable in any case in which Lender has an independent approval right in respect of the matter at issue pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including in connection with any Transfer, and provided further, in the case of a Property Substitution, Lender approval shall not be required but instead the requirement for Rating Agency Confirmation shall be deemed satisfied for such Property Substitution.
Recycled SPE Certificate shall mean, that certain Exhibit A to Substantive Non-Consolidation Opinion Letter Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company Certificate attached to the Insolvency Opinion.
Re-Dating shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.2 hereof.
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Reference Time shall mean, with respect to any Interest Period, (x) if the Benchmark is LIBOR, 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) London Business Days prior to the fifteenth (15th) day of the calendar month in which such Interest Period commences, and (y) if the Benchmark is not LIBOR, the date and time determined by Lender in accordance with the Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Reference Time with respect to the Interest Period beginning on the Closing Date shall be 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) London Business Days prior to the Closing Date.
Register shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.1(b) hereof.
Regulation AB shall mean Regulation AB under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as such Regulation may be amended from time to time.
Relevant Governmental Body shall mean the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto.
REMIC Trust shall mean a real estate mortgage investment conduit within the meaning of Section 860D of the Code that holds the Note or a portion thereof.
Rents shall mean, with respect to each Individual Property, (a) all amounts payable to Borrower on account of or by virtue of each Master Lease (including, without limitation, all Annual Rent and additional rent (in each case as such terms are defined in the applicable Master Lease) and, without duplication, to the extent actually payable to Borrower, all rents payable under any Lineage Sublease or any Third Party Sublease) or other Lease, and (b) all other rents (including, without limitation, percentage rents), rent equivalents, moneys payable as damages or in lieu of rent or rent equivalents, royalties (including, without limitation, all oil and gas or other mineral royalties and bonuses), income, receivables, receipts, revenues, deposits (including, without limitation, security, utility and other deposits), accounts, cash, issues, profits, charges for services rendered, all other amounts payable as rent under any Lease or other agreement relating to such Individual Property, including, without limitation, charges for electricity, oil, gas, water, steam, heat, ventilation, air-conditioning and any other energy, telecommunication, telephone, utility or similar items or time use charges, HVAC equipment charges, sprinkler charges, escalation charges, license fees, maintenance fees, charges for Taxes, operating expenses or other reimbursables payable to Borrower, any Master Tenant or any Lineage Subtenant under any Lease relating to such Individual Property and other consideration of whatever form or nature received by or paid to or for the account of or benefit of Borrower, any Master Tenant or any Lineage Subtenant or their agents or employees from any and all sources arising from or attributable to such Individual Property, and proceeds, if any, from business interruption or other loss of income insurance, in each case under this clause (b), other than with respect to the applicable Master Lease or the applicable Lineage Sublease.
Replaced Property and Replaced Properties shall have the meanings set forth in Section 2.5.3(a) hereof.
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Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement shall mean, collectively, one or more interest rate protection agreements, reasonably acceptable to Lender, from an Acceptable Counterparty with terms substantially similar to the Interest Rate Cap Agreement except that the same shall be effective as of the date required in Section 2.2.7(c); provided that to the extent any such interest rate protection agreements do not meet the foregoing requirements, a Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement shall be such interest rate protection agreements approved in writing by the Approved Rating Agencies with respect thereto.
Replacement Reserve Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.1 hereof.
Replacement Reserve Fund shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.1 hereof.
Replacement Reserve Monthly Deposit shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.1 hereof.
Replacements shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.1 hereof.
Required Remediation shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.1 hereof.
Required Remediation Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.1 hereof.
Required Remediation Funds shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.1 hereof.
Required Repair Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.1 hereof.
Required Repair Funds shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.1 hereof.
Required Repairs shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.1 hereof.
Reserve Account shall mean, individually and collectively as the context may require, the Rate Cap Reserve Account, the Replacement Reserve Account, the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Account, the Required Remediation Account, the Required Repair Account, the Unfunded Obligations Account and the Earn-Out Reserve Account.
Reserve Funds shall mean, collectively, the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund, the Replacement Reserve Fund, the Required Repair Funds, the Required Remediation Funds, the Excess Cash Flow Reserve Funds, the Unfunded Obligations Reserve Funds, the Rate Cap Reserve Fund, the Earn-Out Reserve Fund and any other escrow fund established pursuant to the Loan Documents.
Restoration shall mean the repair and restoration of an Individual Property after a Casualty or Condemnation as nearly as possible to the condition such Individual Property was in immediately prior to such Casualty or Condemnation, with such alterations as may be reasonably approved by Lender.
Restricted Party shall mean, collectively (a) Borrower, Sole Member and Guarantor and (b) any shareholder, partner, member, non-member manager, direct or indirect legal or beneficial owner of, Borrower, Sole Member, Guarantor or any non-member manager.
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Risk Retention Requirements shall mean the credit risk retention requirements of Section 15G of the Exchange Act, as added by Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the credit risk retention rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
S&P shall mean Standard & Poors Ratings Services.
Sale or Pledge shall mean a voluntary or involuntary sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, encumbrance, pledge, grant of option or other transfer or disposal of a legal or beneficial interest (including any right to receive distributions, but excluding any distributions actually received), whether direct or indirect.
Satisfied Earn-Out Disbursement Conditions shall mean, with respect to each Earn-Out Property, the Earn-Out Disbursement Conditions with respect to such Earn-Out Property that have been satisfied with respect thereto as of the Closing Date, as set forth on Schedule 7.8-A under the column heading Satisfied as of the Closing Date with respect to the following Earn-Out Properties and with respect to which Borrower shall have no further obligation to satisfy in connection with disbursements to Borrower from the Earn-Out Reserve Account with respect to such Earn-Out Property.
Securities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.1 hereof.
Securities Act shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(a) hereof.
Securitization shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.1 hereof.
Servicer shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.4 hereof.
Servicing Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.4 hereof.
Severed Loan Documents shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(c) hereof.
Similar Law shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.9(b).
Single Employer Plan shall mean a single employer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA that (a) is maintained for employees of Borrower, Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate and no Person other than Borrower, Guarantor and the ERISA Affiliates, or (b) was so maintained, and in respect of which Borrower, Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate would have liability, whether contingent or otherwise, under Sections 4062-4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were to be terminated.
SOFR with respect to any day means the secured overnight financing rate published for such day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator), on the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.
Sole Member shall mean, individually or collectively, as the context may require, the sole member of each Borrower as shown on Schedule 1.1.1-B.
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Special Purpose Entity shall mean a limited partnership or limited liability company that, since the date of its formation and at all times on and after the date hereof, has complied with and shall comply with the following requirements except as set forth in the Recycled Entity Certificates or unless it has received prior consent to do otherwise from Lender or Servicer, and, while the Loan is securitized, a Rating Agency Confirmation from each of the Approved Rating Agencies, and an Additional Insolvency Opinion, in each case:
(a) is and shall be organized solely for the purpose of:
(i) in the case of an Individual Borrower, acquiring, developing, owning, holding, selling, leasing, financing, transferring, exchanging, managing and operating the related Individual Property or Properties, entering into and performing its obligations under the Loan Documents with Lender, entering into and performing its obligations under the applicable Master Lease, refinancing the related Individual Property or Properties in connection with a permitted repayment of the Loan or the release of a related Individual Property or Properties from the Loan, and transacting lawful business that is incident, necessary and appropriate to accomplish the foregoing;
(ii) in the case of Sole Member, acting as a general partner of the limited partnerships that own the Properties or as member or managing member of the limited liability companies that directly or indirectly own the Properties and transacting lawful business that is incident, necessary and appropriate to accomplish the foregoing;
(b) has not engaged and shall not engage in any business unrelated to (i) the acquisition, development, ownership, sale, lease, transfer, finance, exchange, management or operation of the related Individual Property or Properties, or (ii) in the case of Sole Member, acting as general partner of the limited partnerships that own the Properties or acting as a member or managing member of the limited liability companies that directly or indirectly own the Properties, as applicable;
(c) shall not acquire or own any real property other than, in the case of an Individual Borrower, the related Individual Property or Properties;
(d) shall not acquire or own any assets other than (i) in the case of an Individual Borrower, the related Individual Property or Properties and personal property necessary or incidental to its ownership and operation of such Individual Property or Properties, or (ii) in the case of Sole Member, its partnership interest in the limited partnerships or the member interest in the limited liability companies that directly or indirectly own all or any portion of the Properties and personal property necessary or incidental to its ownership of such interests;
(e) except as permitted by this Agreement and the Loan Documents, shall not engage in, seek, consent to or permit (i) any dissolution, Division, winding up, liquidation, consolidation or merger, (ii) any sale or other transfer of all or substantially all of its assets or any sale of assets outside the ordinary course of its business, or (iii) in the case of Sole Member, any transfer of its partnership or membership interests in any Individual Borrower(s);
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(f) shall not cause, consent to or permit any amendment of its limited partnership agreement, certificate of formation, operating agreement or other formation document or organizational document (as applicable) with respect to the matters set forth in this definition;
(g) if such entity is a limited partnership, has and shall have at least one general partner and has and shall have, as its only general partners, Special Purpose Entities each of which (i) is a single-member Delaware limited liability company, (ii) has two (2) Independent Directors, and (iii) holds a direct interest as general partner in the limited partnership of not less than one-half of one percent (0.5%);
(h) intentionally omitted;
(i) if such entity is a limited liability company (other than a limited liability company meeting all of the requirements of clause (j) set forth in this definition of Special Purpose Entity), has and shall have at least one (1) member that is a Special Purpose Entity, that is a single-member limited liability company, that has at least two (2) Independent Directors and that directly owns at least one-half-of-one percent (0.5%) of the equity of the limited liability company;
(j) if such entity is a single-member limited liability company, (i) is and shall be a Delaware limited liability company, (ii) has and shall have at least two (2) Independent Directors serving as managers of such company, (iii) shall not take any action requiring the unanimous affirmative vote of the managers and the Independent Directors and shall not cause or permit the members or managers of such entity to take any action requiring the unanimous affirmative vote of the managers and the Independent Directors unless two (2) Independent Directors then serving as managers of the company shall have consented in writing to such action, and (iv) has and shall have either (A) a member which owns no economic interest in the company, has signed the companys limited liability company agreement and has no obligation to make capital contributions to the company, or (B) two (2) natural persons or one entity that is not a member of the company, that has signed its limited liability company agreement and that, under the terms of such limited liability company agreement becomes a member of the company immediately prior to the resignation or dissolution of the last remaining member of the company;
(k) shall not (and, if such entity is (i) a limited liability company, has and shall have a limited liability agreement or an operating agreement, as applicable or (ii) a limited partnership, has a limited partnership agreement that, in each case, provide that such entity shall not), without the affirmative vote of two (2) Independent Directors or the consent of Sole Member that is a member or general partner in it, take any Bankruptcy Action;
(l) has at all times been, and shall at all times intend to, remain solvent and has paid, and shall pay, its debts and liabilities (including, a fairly-allocated portion of any personnel and overhead expenses that it shares with any Affiliate), and has maintained and shall intend to maintain adequate capital for the normal obligations reasonably foreseeable in a business of its size and character and in light of its contemplated business operations (in each case under this clause (l), to the extent there exists sufficient cash flow from the related Individual Property or Properties (or with respect to any Sole Member, distributions from the applicable Individual Borrower or Borrowers, as applicable, to do so);
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(m) shall not fail to correct any known misunderstanding regarding the separate identity of such entity and has not identified and shall not identify itself as a division or department of any other Person;
(n) shall maintain its bank accounts (except as permitted pursuant to clause (p) below), books of account, books and records separate from those of any other Person and has filed and shall file its own tax returns separate from those of any other Person, except to the extent that it is treated as a disregarded entity for tax purposes and is not required to file tax returns under applicable law;
(o) shall maintain its own records, books, resolutions and agreements;
(p) shall not commingle its funds or assets with those of any other Person and has not participated and shall not participate in any cash management system with any other Person, except, in each case, (x) the Individual Borrowers may participate in a central cash management system or arrangement with other Individual Borrowers in connection with the Loan and (y) the individual Sole Members may participate in a central cash management system or arrangement with other Sole Members; provided that, in no event, shall the funds or assets of Individual Borrowers be commingled with the funds and assets of any Sole Member;
(q) shall hold its assets in its own name;
(r) shall conduct its business in its name or in a name franchised or licensed to it by an entity other than an Affiliate of itself, except for business conducted on behalf of itself by another Person under a business management services agreement that is on commercially-reasonable terms, so long as the manager, or equivalent thereof, under such business management services agreement holds itself out as an agent of the applicable Individual Borrower or Sole Member, as applicable;
(s) (i) shall maintain its financial statements, accounting records and other entity documents separate from those of any other Person; (ii) has shown and shall show, in its financial statements, its assets and liabilities separate and apart from those of any other Person; and (iii) has not permitted and shall not permit its assets to be listed as assets on the financial statement of any of its Affiliates; provided, however, that such entitys assets may be included in a consolidated financial statement of its Affiliate, provided that (A) appropriate notation shall be made on such consolidated financial statements to indicate the separateness of such entity from such Affiliate and to indicate that such entitys assets and credit are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of such Affiliate or any other Person and (B) such assets shall also be listed on such entitys own separate balance sheet;
(t) shall pay its own liabilities and expenses, including the salaries of its own employees, out of its own funds and assets, to the extent there exists sufficient cash flow from the related Individual Property or Properties (or, in the case of any Sole Member, distributions from the related Individual Borrower or Borrowers, as applicable) to do so, and has maintained and shall maintain a sufficient number of employees in light of its contemplated business operations and any related business management services agreements entered into in accordance with clause (r) above;
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(u) shall observe all partnership, corporate or limited liability company formalities, as applicable;
(v) shall have no Indebtedness other than Permitted Debt;
(w) shall not assume or guarantee or become obligated for the debts of any other Person, and shall not hold out its credit as being available to satisfy the obligations of any other Person or has not pledged and shall not pledge its assets to secure the obligations of any other Person, except for the other Persons comprising Borrower hereunder in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or for the other Persons comprising Sole Member in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
(x) shall not acquire obligations or securities of its partners, members or shareholders or any other owner or Affiliate other than, for any Person that is a Sole Member, the obligations or securities of the Affiliate for which it is a Sole Member;
(y) shall allocate fairly and reasonably any overhead expenses that are shared with any of its Affiliates, constituents, or owners, or any guarantors of any of their respective obligations, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, paying for shared office space and for services performed by any employee of an Affiliate;
(z) shall maintain and use separate stationery, invoices and checks bearing its name and not bearing the name of any other entity; provided, however, that checks in the name of another entity shall be permitted if in connection with a cash management or commingling arrangement that is permitted by clause (p) above;
(aa) shall hold itself out and identify itself as a separate and distinct entity under its own name or in a name franchised or licensed to it by an entity other than an Affiliate of an Individual Borrower and not as a division or part of any other Person,
(bb) shall maintain its assets in such a manner that it shall not be costly or difficult to segregate, ascertain or identify its individual assets from those of any other Person;
(cc) has not made and shall not make loans to any Person and has not held and shall not hold evidence of indebtedness issued by any other Person or entity (other than Permitted Investments);
(dd) shall not identify its partners, members or shareholders, or any Affiliate of any of them, as a division or part of it, and has not identified itself and shall not identify itself as a division of any other Person;
(ee) other than capital contributions and distributions permitted under the terms of its organizational documents, shall not enter into or be a party to, any transaction with any of its partners, members, shareholders or Affiliates except in the ordinary course of its business and on terms which are commercially reasonable and substantially similar to those of an arms-length transaction with an unrelated third party;
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(ff) shall not have any obligation to, and shall not indemnify its partners, officers, directors or members, as the case may be, in each case unless such an obligation or indemnification is fully subordinated to the Debt and shall not constitute a claim against it in the event that its cash flow is insufficient to pay the Debt;
(gg) has not had and shall not have any of its obligations guaranteed by any Affiliate except as provided by the Loan Documents;
(hh) has not formed, acquired or held and shall not form, acquire or hold any subsidiary, except that Sole Member may acquire and hold its interest in any other Sole Member or Individual Borrower;
(ii) shall comply with all of the terms and provisions contained in its organizational documents;
(jj) shall conduct its business so that each of the assumptions made about it and each of the facts stated about it in the Insolvency Opinion or, if applicable, any Additional Insolvency Opinion are true;
(kk) shall not permit any Affiliate or constituent party independent access to its bank accounts, except in connection with a cash management or commingling arrangement that is permitted by clause (p) above; and
(ll) is, has always been and shall continue to be duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing in the state of its formation and in all other jurisdictions where it is required to be qualified to do business.
Spread shall mean 1.80%.
Spread Maintenance Cap shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.1.
Spread Maintenance End Date shall mean November 8, 2021.
Spread Maintenance Payment shall mean, with respect to any prepayment of the outstanding principal amount of the Loan prior to the Spread Maintenance End Date except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a payment to Lender in an amount equal to the product of (i) the principal amount so prepaid for which a Spread Maintenance Payment is required pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) the spread applicable to the Note Component(s) to which such prepayment is applied, and (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from (but excluding) the conclusion of the Interest Period in which such prepayment is made through and including the Spread Maintenance End Date, and the denominator of which is 360.
State shall mean the State or Commonwealth in which any Individual Property or any part thereof is located.
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Strike Price shall mean (a) with respect to the period prior to the initial Maturity Date without extension pursuant to Section 2.8.1, 5.00%, and (b) with respect to each Extension Term, the applicable Extension Strike Price.
Strike Price Delta shall mean the difference between the Alternate Strike Price and the applicable Strike Price.
Subordination of Management Agreement shall mean each Consent and Agreement of Manager and Subordination of Management Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Borrower, any applicable Master Tenant (if any), Lender and the applicable Approved Property Manager as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time
Survey shall mean an ALTA survey prepared by a surveyor licensed in the State and reasonably satisfactory to Lender and the company or companies issuing the Title Insurance Policy, and containing a certification of such surveyor reasonably satisfactory to Lender.
Taxable REIT Subsidiary shall have the meaning set forth in Section 856(1) of the Code (including any wholly-owned subsidiary thereof) with respect to any Affiliate of Borrower that is a real estate investment trust as such term is defined in Section 856 of the Code.
Taxes shall mean all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Tenant shall mean the lessee of all or a portion of the Properties under a Lease.
Termination Fee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.1 hereof.
Term SOFR shall mean the forward-looking term rate for a one-month period based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.
Test Period shall mean each 12-month period ending on the last day of a Fiscal Quarter.
Third Party Sublease shall mean, collectively, those certain sublease agreements by and among the applicable Master Tenant, as sublandlord, and the applicable Third Party Subtenant with respect to an applicable Individual Property, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including in connection with any Earn-Out Property, once such Earn-Out Property becomes an Individual Property in accordance with Section 7.8.
Third Party Sublease Properties shall mean the Individual Properties listed on Schedule 1.1.4 (as the same may be updated from time to time with respect to any Earn-Out Property becoming an Individual Property in accordance with Section 7.8).
Third Party Subtenant shall mean, with respect to each Third Party Sublease Property, the third party that is the subtenant of such Individual Property pursuant the applicable Third Party Sublease as set forth on Schedule 1.1.4.
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Threshold Amount shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.21 hereof.
Title Insurance Policy shall mean an ALTA mortgagee title insurance policy in a form reasonably acceptable to Lender (or, if any Individual Property is in a State which does not permit the issuance of such ALTA policy, such form as shall be permitted in such State and reasonably acceptable to Lender) issued with respect to each Individual Property and insuring the lien of the Mortgage encumbering such Individual Property.
Transfer shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.10(b) hereof.
True-Lease Opinion shall mean each true lease opinion letter with respect to any Master Lease delivered by Latham & Watkins LLP in connection with the Loan.
UCC or Uniform Commercial Code shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State in which an Individual Property is located.
Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement shall mean the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
Unfunded Obligations shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.1.
Unfunded Obligations Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.1.
Unfunded Obligations Reserve Funds shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.1.
USA PATRIOT Act shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56).
U.S. Obligations shall mean non-redeemable securities evidencing an obligation to timely pay principal and/or interest in a full and timely manner that are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or (b) to the extent acceptable to the Approved Rating Agencies, other government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
U.S. Person shall mean any Person that is a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(e)(ii)(B)(3).
Section 1.2. Principles of Construction. All references to sections and schedules are to sections and schedules in or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. All uses of the word including shall mean including, without limitation unless the context shall indicate otherwise. Unless otherwise specified, 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. Unless otherwise specified, all meanings attributed to defined terms herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms so defined.
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II. GENERAL TERMS
Section 2.1. Loan Commitment; Disbursement to Borrower.
2.1.1. Agreement to Lend and Borrow. Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, Lender hereby agrees to make and Borrower hereby agrees to accept the Loan on the Closing Date.
2.1.2. Single Disbursement to Borrower. Borrower may request and receive only one borrowing hereunder in respect of the Loan and any amount borrowed and repaid hereunder in respect of the Loan may not be re-borrowed. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Loan has been fully funded as of the Closing Date, and (ii) the Earn-Out Aggregate Amount deposited into the Earn-Out Reserve Account on the Closing Date shall constitute a portion of the Principal Indebtedness as of the Closing Date.
2.1.3. The Note, the Mortgages and the Loan Documents. The Loan shall be evidenced by the Note and secured by the Mortgages, the Assignments of Leases and the other Loan Documents.
2.1.4. Use of Proceeds. Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loan to (a) repay and discharge any existing loans relating to the Properties; (b) pay Basic Carrying Costs and other charges, if any, with respect to the Properties; (c) make deposits into the Reserve Accounts on the Closing Date in the amounts provided herein; (d) pay costs and expenses incurred in connection with the closing of the Loan; (e) fund any working capital requirements of the Properties; and (f) distribute the balance, if any, to Borrower and by Borrower to its direct and indirect owners and/or members.
Section 2.2. Interest Rate.
2.2.1. Interest Rate. Subject to the provisions of this Section 2.2, interest on the Principal Indebtedness shall accrue from (and including) the Closing Date through the end of the last Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Benchmark, determined as of the Reference Time for each Interest Period, plus the applicable Spread (or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement). Borrower shall pay to Lender on each Payment Date the interest accrued (or to be accrued) on the Loan for the related Interest Period.
2.2.2. Interest Calculation. Interest on the Principal Indebtedness shall be calculated by multiplying (a) the actual number of days elapsed in the period for which the calculation is being made by (b) a daily rate based on the sum of the Benchmark, determined as of the Reference Time for such Interest Period, plus the applicable Spread and a three hundred sixty (360) day year by (c) the Principal Indebtedness.
2.2.3. Determination of Interest Rate. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.2.3, the Loan shall bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of the Benchmark, determined as of the Reference Time for the applicable Interest Period, plus the applicable Spread. The interest applicable to each Interest Period shall be determined by Lender as set forth herein.
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(b) Effect of Benchmark Transition Event.
(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any determination of the Benchmark for any Interest Period, the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder or under any Loan Document in respect of such determination and all determinations on all subsequent dates (without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement).
(ii) In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, Lender will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of Borrower.
(iii) The Lender will promptly notify the Borrower of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, and (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by Lender pursuant to this Section, including any determination with respect to a rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its sole discretion and without consent from the Borrower.
(c) After the Closing Date and during the period in which the Obligations remain outstanding, in the event that any change in any requirement of law or in the interpretation or application thereof, or compliance by Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) hereafter issued from any central bank or other Governmental Authority:
(i) shall hereafter impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances or loans by, or other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of Lender which is not otherwise included in the determination of the Benchmark hereunder;
(ii) shall hereafter have the effect of reducing the rate of return on Lenders capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which Lender could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration Lenders policies with respect to capital adequacy) by any amount deemed by Lender to be material, provided, that, upon Borrowers payment of any claim asserted by Lender pursuant to this Section 2.2.3(c)(ii), Borrower shall have the right, within six (6) months after the date of any such payment, to prepay the Loan and, other than following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, no Spread Maintenance Payment shall be due in connection with any such prepayment made pursuant to this Section 2.2.3(h)(ii);
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(iii) shall hereafter subject any Lender to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iv) shall hereafter impose on Lender any other condition and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to Lender of making, renewing or maintaining loans or extensions of credit or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder;
then, in any such case, Borrower shall promptly pay Lender, upon demand, any additional amounts necessary to compensate Lender for such additional cost or reduced amount receivable which Lender deems to be material as determined by Lender in its reasonable discretion. If Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.2.3(h), Lender shall provide Borrower with not less than thirty (30) days written notice specifying in reasonable detail the event by reason of which it has become so entitled and the additional amount required to fully compensate Lender for such additional cost or reduced amount, and Borrower shall not be required to pay any additional costs that relate to any period prior to the date thirty (30) days prior to such notice. A certificate as to any additional costs or amounts payable pursuant to the foregoing sentence submitted by Lender to Borrower shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. Subject to Section 2.2.3(i), this provision shall survive payment of the Note and the satisfaction of all other obligations of Borrower under this Agreement and the Loan Documents for a period of one (1) year from the date of payment and satisfaction.
(d) Borrower agrees to indemnify Lender and to hold Lender harmless from any loss or expense which Lender sustains or incurs as a consequence of (i) any default by Borrower in payment of the principal of or interest on the Loan, including, without limitation, any such loss or expense arising from interest or fees payable by Lender to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to maintain the Loan hereunder, (ii) any prepayment (whether voluntary or mandatory) of the Loan on a day that (A) is not a Payment Date or (B) is a Payment Date if Borrower did not give the prior written notice of such prepayment required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, such loss or expense arising from interest or fees payable by Lender to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to maintain the Loan hereunder and (iii) the conversion of the Loan pursuant to the terms hereof in connection with a replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Benchmark Replacement on a date other than the Payment Date, including, without limitation, such loss or expenses arising from interest or fees payable by Lender to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to maintain the Loan hereunder (the amounts referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are herein referred to collectively as the Breakage Costs); provided, however, Borrower shall not indemnify Lender from any loss or expense arising from Lenders willful misconduct or gross negligence. This provision shall survive payment of the Note in full and the satisfaction of all other obligations of Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
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2.2.4. Additional Costs. Lender shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions) to maintain the availability of the Loan and to avoid or reduce any increased or additional costs payable by Borrower under Section 2.2.3, including, if requested by Borrower, a transfer or assignment of the Loan to a branch, office or Affiliate of Lender in another jurisdiction, or a redesignation of its lending office with respect to the Loan, in order to maintain the availability of the Loan or to avoid or reduce such increased or additional costs, provided that the transfer or assignment or redesignation (a) would not result in any additional costs, expenses or risk to Lender that are not reimbursed by Borrower and (b) would not be disadvantageous in any other respect to Lender (including the effect on any Securitization) as determined by Lender in its reasonable discretion.
2.2.5. Default Rate. In the event that, and for so long as, any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Principal Indebtedness and, to the extent permitted by law, all accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the Loan and any other amounts due pursuant to the Loan Documents, shall accrue interest at the Default Rate, calculated from the date such payment was due without regard to any grace or cure periods contained herein.
2.2.6. Usury Savings. This Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents are subject to the express condition that at no time shall Borrower be obligated or required to pay interest on the Principal Indebtedness at a rate which could subject Lender to either civil or criminal liability as a result of being in excess of the Maximum Legal Rate. If, by the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, Borrower is at any time required or obligated to pay interest on the Principal Indebtedness at a rate in excess of the Maximum Legal Rate, the Interest Rate or the Default Rate, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be immediately reduced to the Maximum Legal Rate and all previous payments in excess of the Maximum Legal Rate shall be deemed to have been payments in reduction of principal and not on account of the interest due hereunder. All sums paid or agreed to be paid to Lender for the use, forbearance, or detention of the sums due under the Loan, shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated, and spread throughout the full stated term of the Loan until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of the Loan does not exceed the Maximum Legal Rate of interest from time to time in effect and applicable to the Loan for so long as the Loan is outstanding.
2.2.7. Interest Rate Cap Agreement
(a) Prior to or contemporaneously with the Closing Date and the exercise of any Extension Option, as applicable (to the extent any existing Interest Rate Cap Agreement expires prior to the Extended Maturity Date related to the Extension Option), Borrower shall enter into one or more Interest Rate Cap Agreements with a strike price based on the Benchmark equal to or less than the Strike Price or, if the Alternate Strike Price Condition has been satisfied, the Alternate Strike Price. Each Interest Rate Cap Agreement (i) shall at all times be in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender, (ii) shall at all times be with an Acceptable Counterparty, (iii) shall cause such Acceptable Counterparty to deposit directly into the Cash Management Account any amounts due Borrower under such Interest Rate Cap Agreement so long as any portion of the Debt is outstanding, (iv) shall be for a period equal to or longer than the then existing term or applicable Extension Term, as applicable, of the Loan and (v) shall at all times, in the aggregate of all Interest Rate Cap Agreements, have a notional amount equal to or greater than
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the then Principal Indebtedness, and shall at all times provide for the applicable Strike Price or, if the Alternate Strike Price Condition has been satisfied, the Alternate Strike Price. Borrower shall collaterally assign to Lender, pursuant to one or more Collateral Assignments of Interest Rate Cap Agreements (the Assignment of Interest Rate Cap Agreement), all of its right, title and interest to receive any and all payments under each Interest Rate Cap Agreement, and shall deliver to Lender an executed counterpart of such Interest Rate Cap Agreement and shall notify the Acceptable Counterparty of such assignment.
(b) Borrower shall comply in all material respects with all of its obligations under the terms and provisions of the Interest Rate Cap Agreement. All amounts paid by the Acceptable Counterparty under the Interest Rate Cap Agreement to Borrower or Lender shall be deposited immediately into the Cash Management Account. Lender agrees that in connection with delivering instructions to the Acceptable Counterparty under clause (b) of Section 2 of the Assignment of Interest Rate Cap Agreement with respect to amounts paid by the Acceptable Counterparty under the Interest Rate Cap Agreement, Lender shall only deliver such instructions during the continuance of an Event of Default (and rescind such instructions in writing, and redirect such amounts to the Cash Management Account, if such Event of Default is cured by Borrower and such cure is accepted by Lender). Borrower shall take all actions reasonably requested by Lender to enforce Lenders rights under the Interest Rate Cap Agreement in the event of a default by the Acceptable Counterparty and shall not waive, amend or otherwise modify any of its rights thereunder without the prior written consent of Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
(c) In the event of any downgrade, withdrawal or qualification of the rating of the Acceptable Counterparty (or any related guarantor) by any Approved Rating Agency, Borrower shall replace the Interest Rate Cap Agreement with a Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement not later than thirty (30) days following receipt of notice from Lender of such downgrade, withdrawal or qualification.
(d) In the event that Borrower fails to purchase and deliver to Lender the Interest Rate Cap Agreement or fails to maintain the Interest Rate Cap Agreement in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, Lender may purchase the Interest Rate Cap Agreement and the cost incurred by Lender in purchasing such Interest Rate Cap Agreement shall be paid by Borrower to Lender with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date such cost was incurred by Lender until such cost is reimbursed by Borrower to Lender.
(e) In connection with the Interest Rate Cap Agreement, Borrower shall obtain and deliver to Lender within a commercially reasonable period of time following the Closing Date and, if a Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement is required to be provided as of the commencement of the applicable Extension Term, within a commercially reasonable period of time following the commencement of such Extension Term, as applicable, (a) a resolution/consent, as applicable, of the Acceptable Counterparty authorizing the delivery of the Interest Rate Cap Agreement reasonably acceptable to Lender, and (b) an opinion from counsel (which counsel may be in-house counsel for the Acceptable Counterparty) for the Acceptable Counterparty (or the related guarantor) (upon which Lender and its successors and assigns may rely) which shall provide, in relevant part, that:
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(i) the Acceptable Counterparty is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation and has the organizational power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, the Interest Rate Cap Agreement;
(ii) the execution and delivery of the Interest Rate Cap Agreement by the Acceptable Counterparty (or the related guarantor, as applicable), and any other agreement which the Acceptable Counterparty (or the related guarantor, as applicable) has executed and delivered pursuant thereto, and the performance of its obligations thereunder have been and remain duly authorized by all necessary action and do not contravene any provision of its certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or equivalent organizational documents) or any law, regulation or contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or its property;
(iii) all consents, authorizations and approvals required for the execution and delivery by the Acceptable Counterparty (or the related guarantor, as applicable) of the Interest Rate Cap Agreement, and any other agreement which the Acceptable Counterparty (or the related guarantor, as applicable) has executed and delivered pursuant thereto, and the performance of its obligations thereunder have been obtained and remain in full force and effect, all conditions thereof have been duly complied with, and no other action by, and no notice to or filing with any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for such execution, delivery or performance; and
(iv) the Interest Rate Cap Agreement, and any other agreement which the Acceptable Counterparty (or the related guarantor, as applicable) has executed and delivered pursuant thereto, has been duly executed and delivered by the Acceptable Counterparty (or the related guarantor, as applicable) and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Acceptable Counterparty (or the related guarantor, as applicable), enforceable against the Acceptable Counterparty (or the related guarantor, as applicable) in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(f) Promptly following the occurrence of a Benchmark Replacement Date, Borrower shall obtain, and thereafter maintain in effect, an Interest Rate Cap Agreement that hedges against increases in the Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, having (z) a strike rate that is equal to or less than the Strike Rate, determined as of the Benchmark Replacement Date, (y) a term through the end of the Interest Accrual Period containing the then applicable Maturity Date, and (z) a notional amount at least equal to the Principal Indebtedness (provided that if such an Interest Rate Cap Agreement is not then commercially available, then Borrower may propose for Lenders reasonable approval an alternative hedging instrument that would afford Lender substantially equivalent protection from increases in the interest rate).
(g) At such time as the Loan is repaid in full, all of Lenders right, title and interest in and to the Interest Rate Cap Agreement shall terminate and Lender shall execute and deliver such documents as may be required to evidence Lenders release of the Interest Rate Cap Agreement and to notify Acceptable Counterparty of such release.
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Section 2.3. Loan Payment.
2.3.1. Monthly Debt Service Payments. On each Payment Date after the Closing Date up to and including the Maturity Date, Borrower shall make a payment to Lender equal to the Monthly Debt Service Payment Amount, which payments shall be applied first to interest due for the related Interest Period at the Interest Rate for such related Interest Period and then to the principal amount of the Loan due in accordance with this Agreement, and lastly, to any other amounts due and unpaid pursuant to the Loan Documents hereto.
2.3.2. Payments Generally. For purposes of making payments hereunder, but not for purposes of calculating Interest Periods, if the day on which such payment is due is not a Business Day, then amounts due on such date shall be due on the immediately preceding Business Day and with respect to payments of principal due on the Maturity Date, interest shall be payable at the Interest Rate or the Default Rate, as the case may be, through and including the last day of the related Interest Period. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.7, all amounts due pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be payable without setoff, counterclaim, defense or any other deduction whatsoever.
2.3.3. Payment on Maturity Date. Borrower shall pay to Lender on the Maturity Date the Principal Indebtedness, all accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts due hereunder and under the Note, the Mortgages and the other Loan Documents, and all interest that would accrue on the Principal Indebtedness through and including the end of the Interest Period in which the Maturity Date occurs.
2.3.4. Late Payment Charge. If any principal, interest or any other sums due under the Loan Documents (including the amounts due on the Maturity Date) are not paid by Borrower on or prior to the date on which it is due, Borrower shall pay to Lender upon demand an amount equal to the lesser of two percent (2%) of such unpaid sum or the Maximum Legal Rate in order to defray the expense incurred by Lender in handling and processing such delinquent payment and to compensate Lender for the loss of the use of such delinquent payment. Any such amount shall be secured by the Mortgages and the other Loan Documents to the extent permitted by applicable law.
2.3.5. Method and Place of Payment. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments and prepayments under this Agreement and the Note shall be made to Lender not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the date when due and shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds at Lenders office or as otherwise directed by Lender, and any funds received by Lender after such time shall, for all purposes hereof, be deemed to have been paid on the next succeeding Business Day.
Section 2.4. Prepayments.
2.4.1. Voluntary Prepayments. Subject to the provisions of this Section 2.4.1, Borrower may prepay the Loan in whole or in part on any Business Day. Any prepayment of the Loan shall be subject to the following conditions: (a) no Event of Default exists at the time of any partial prepayment; (b) Borrower gives Lender not less than three (3) Business Days prior written notice of the amount of the Loan that Borrower intends to prepay (it being agreed that such notice may
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be revoked by Borrower at any time, but Borrower shall pay any actual reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Lender in connection with such revocation); (c) [reserved]; and (d) Borrower pays Lender, in addition to the outstanding principal amount of the Loan to be prepaid, (i) if such prepayment does not occur on a Payment Date, all interest which would have accrued on the amount of the Loan to be prepaid through and including the last day of the Interest Period related to the Payment Date next occurring following the date of such prepayment or, if such prepayment occurs on a Payment Date that does not fall on the day immediately following the last day of the related Interest Period, interest which has accrued through and including the last day of such related Interest Period (with mutually acceptable escrow and true-up arrangements if such amount is not yet known because the applicable Reference Time has not yet occurred); (ii) all other sums due and payable under this Agreement, the Note, and the other Loan Documents, including, but not limited to the Breakage Costs and all of Lenders costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements) incurred by Lender in connection with such prepayment; and (iii) if such prepayment is made prior to the Spread Maintenance End Date, the Spread Maintenance Payment, provided, however, that Borrower shall have the right to make one or more voluntary prepayments (or direct Lender to make prepayments pursuant to Section 7.8(c)) of up to an aggregate amount of $264,000,000 (which such amount shall exclude the prepayments made under Section 7.8(c) up to the Earn-Out Cap), prior to the Spread Maintenance End Date, including, but not limited to, in connection with the release of one or more Individual Properties pursuant to Section 2.5.2 and/or repayment of the Loan in full or in part, without payment of any Spread Maintenance Payment with respect to all or any portion of such $264,000,000 (the Spread Maintenance Cap) prepaid (but subject to each of the other conditions and requirements of this Section and, with respect to the release of one or more Individual Properties, Section 2.5.2). Subject to clause (b) above, if a notice of prepayment is given by Borrower to Lender pursuant to this Section 2.4.1, the amount designated for prepayment and all other sums required under this Section 2.4.1 shall be due and payable on the proposed prepayment date. With respect to (i) voluntary prepayments of Principal Indebtedness permitted under this Section 2.4.1 (including prepayments required pursuant to Section 2.5.2), (ii) prepayments under Section 7.8(c) and (iii) prepayments pursuant to Section 2.4.2, such prepayments shall be applied, provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, pro rata among each Note and any Note Components with respect to such prepayments up to an aggregate amount of $264,000,000 (the Pro Rata Cap; which Pro Rata Cap shall exclude the prepayments made under Section 7.8(c) up to the Earn-Out Cap) and thereafter sequentially among the Note Components starting with the most senior class to the most junior class, which the Borrower acknowledges and agrees may result in rate creep, and following the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, in such sequence as Lender shall elect in its sole discretion, which the Borrower acknowledges and agrees may result in rate creep.
2.4.2. Mandatory Prepayments. (a) On the next occurring Payment Date following the date on which Lender actually receives any Net Proceeds, if Lender is not obligated to make such Net Proceeds available to Borrower for the Restoration of any Individual Property or otherwise remit such Net Proceeds to Borrower pursuant to Section 6.4, Borrower shall prepay or authorize Lender to apply such Net Proceeds as a prepayment of all or a portion of the Principal Indebtedness together with accrued interest and any other sums due hereunder, in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of such Net Proceeds; provided, however, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Lender may apply such Net Proceeds to the Debt (until paid in full) in any order or priority in its sole discretion. Other than during the occurrence of an Event of Default, no Spread Maintenance Payment shall be due in connection with any prepayment made pursuant to this Section 2.4.2(a).
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(b) Upon the closing of the exercise (or purported exercise) of any right of first refusal or any other purchase option by a counterparty to an Identified Option Contract for which Borrower has failed to deliver to Lender a consent and/or waiver with respect thereto, such exercise or purported exercise shall be deemed to be a sale of such affected Individual Property or portion thereof and Borrower shall be obligated to prepay a portion of the Loan in connection therewith subject to the requirements of Section 2.5.2 hereof.
2.4.3. Prepayments After Default. If during the continuance of an Event of Default payment of all or any part of the Debt is tendered by Borrower or otherwise recovered by Lender (including, without limitation, through application of any Reserve Funds), such tender or recovery shall be (a) made on the next occurring Payment Date together with the Monthly Debt Service Payment Amount and (b) deemed a voluntary prepayment by Borrower, which can be applied by Lender to components of the Loan (if applicable) in such order and priority as Lender shall determine in is sole and absolute discretion, which Borrower acknowledges may result in rate creep.
Section 2.5. Release of Property. Except as set forth in this Section 2.5, no repayment or prepayment of all or any portion of the Loan shall cause, give rise to a right to require, or otherwise result in, the release of the Lien of the Mortgage on any Individual Property.
2.5.1. Release of all Properties Upon Payment in Full. (a) If Borrower has elected to prepay the entire Loan and the requirements of Section 2.4 and this Section 2.5.1 have been satisfied, all of the Properties shall be released from the Liens of their respective Mortgages and, as applicable, Assignments of Leases, and Lender shall deliver (or cause the Servicer to deliver) to Borrower or its title company a customary payoff letter.
(b) In connection with the release of the Mortgages and Assignments of Leases upon repayment of the Debt in full, Borrower shall, if Borrower desires to cause any Liens (and related Loan Documents) to be released concurrently with such prepayment, submit to Lender, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date on which Borrower intends to prepay the Loan in full, drafts of releases of Liens (and related Loan Documents) for each Individual Property for execution by Lender; otherwise Lender or Servicer shall cause its counsel to prepare such releases of Liens (and related Loan Documents), submit the drafts to Borrower and any title company engaged by Borrower and process the same promptly following such prepayment, at Borrowers sole cost and expense. Such releases shall each be in a form appropriate in the jurisdiction in which each Individual Property is located and otherwise in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender and, upon payment of the Debt in full, Lender shall deliver fully executed and notarized originals of such releases to Borrower or its title company. In addition, Borrower shall provide all other documentation Lender reasonably requires to be delivered by Borrower in connection with such release, together with an Officers Certificate certifying that such documentation (i) is in compliance with all Legal Requirements, and (ii) will effect such releases in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Borrower shall reimburse Lender and Servicer for any reasonable and documented costs and expenses Lender and Servicer incur arising from such release (including reasonable and documented attorneys fees and expenses) and Borrower shall pay, in connection with such release, (y) all recording charges, filing fees, taxes or other expenses payable in connection therewith, and (z) to any Servicer, the current fee being assessed by such Servicer to effect such release.
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2.5.2. Release of Individual Property. If Borrower has elected to prepay a portion of the Loan and the requirements of Section 2.4 and this Section 2.5.2 have been satisfied, and provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower may obtain the release of an Individual Property from the Lien of the Mortgage thereon (and related Loan Documents) and the release of Borrowers obligations under the Loan Documents with respect to such Individual Property (and, if Borrower so requests, if any Individual Borrower that is the owner of such released Individual Property(ies) does not own any other Individual Property, the release of such Individual Borrower from its obligations under the Loan Documents), in each case other than those obligations expressly stated to survive, upon the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
(a) The amount of the outstanding principal balance of the Loan to be prepaid shall equal or exceed the Adjusted Release Amount for the applicable Individual Property, and such prepayment shall be deemed a voluntary prepayment for all purposes hereunder;
(b) Any non-cash proceeds are pledged to Lender as additional security for the Loan;
(c) Subsequent to such release, each Individual Borrower (other than an Individual Borrower that is released in connection with such release) shall continue to be a Special Purpose Entity pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 4.1.30, provided, however, that following such release, the fact that an Individual Borrower owned such Individual Property (or that a Sole Member owned equity interests in an Individual Borrower that owned such Individual Property), and matters associated with such Individual Property, shall constitute exceptions to the requirements set forth in the definition of Special Purpose Entity;
(d) Following a Securitization, if required by the Approved Rating Agencies, Borrower shall deliver to Lender and the Approved Rating Agencies an Additional Insolvency Opinion or an update of the Insolvency Opinion indicating that the release does not affect the opinions set forth therein;
(e) Following a Securitization, Borrower shall deliver (or direct to be delivered) to Lender and each Rating Agency, an opinion of counsel that such release would not cause a significant modification of the Loan, as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.860G-2(b) if the Loan is included in a REMIC Trust, or, if the Loan is included in a grantor trust, as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1001-3;
(f) If Borrower desires to cause any Liens (and related Loan Documents) to be released concurrently with such prepayment, Borrower shall submit to Lender, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date on which the prepayment will be made, drafts of releases of Liens (and related Loan Documents) for such Individual Property for execution by Lender; otherwise Lender or Servicer shall cause its counsel to prepare such releases of Liens and related (and related Loan Documents), submit the drafts to Borrower and any title company engaged by Borrower and
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process the same promptly following such prepayment, at Borrowers sole cost and expense. Such releases shall be in a form appropriate in each jurisdiction in which the Individual Property is located and otherwise in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender. In addition, Borrower shall provide all other documentation Lender reasonably requires to be delivered by Borrower in connection with such release, together with an Officers Certificate certifying that such documentation (i) is in compliance with all Legal Requirements, (ii) will effect such release in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (iii) will not impair or otherwise adversely affect the Liens, security interests and other rights of Lender under the Loan Documents not being released (or as to the parties to the Loan Documents and Properties subject to the Loan Documents not being released);
(g) After giving effect to such release (including the amount prepaid in Section 2.5.2.(a) above), the Debt Yield for the Properties then remaining subject to the Liens of the Mortgages shall be equal to or greater than the greater of (x) 10.20% and (y) the lesser of (1) the Debt Yield immediately prior to giving effect to such release and (2) 11.70%; provided, however, that Borrower may satisfy the foregoing Debt Yield requirement by depositing with Lender, as additional collateral for the Loan, cash in an amount that when subtracted from the Principal Indebtedness would satisfy the foregoing Debt Yield requirement, which cash deposit, so long as no Event of Default is continuing, shall be returned to Borrower at such time as the foregoing Debt Yield requirement is satisfied without subtracting such amount from the Principal Indebtedness; provided that this condition (g) shall not apply in connection with a release of any Individual Property as a result of the exercise of a purchase option (but not a right of first offer or right of first refusal) by a party to an Identified Option Contract and such Individual Property is being released pursuant to this Section 2.5.2 as a result of the exercise of any such purchase option by a party to an Identified Option Contract.
(h) The Adjusted Release Amount paid to Lender in connection with any such release shall be applied, provided no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (i) first, to reduce the Allocated Loan Amount of the Individual Property being released to zero and (ii) second, to the Debt, first to interest and then to principal, pro rata among each Note and any Note Components with respect to such prepayments up to the Pro Rata Cap (which such amount shall exclude the prepayments made under Section 7.8(c) up to the Earn-Out Cap) and thereafter sequentially among the Note Components starting with the most senior class to the most junior class, and following the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, in such sequence as Lender shall elect in its sole discretion, which the Borrower acknowledges and agrees may result in rate creep;
(i) Borrower shall reimburse Lender and Servicer for any reasonable and documented costs and expenses Lender and Servicer incur arising from such release (including reasonable and documented attorneys fees and expenses) and Borrower shall have paid, in connection with such release, (i) all recording charges, filing fees, taxes or other expenses payable in connection therewith, (ii) all costs and expenses of the Rating Agencies incurred with respect to such release, and (iii) to any Servicer, the current fee being assessed by such Servicer to effect such release;
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(j) The applicable Master Lease shall be amended in order to (i) remove the applicable Individual Property therefrom, (ii) reduce the Rent due thereunder by the amount of the Rent which was due under such Master Lease for such Individual Property and (iii) remove the applicable Individual Borrower as a party thereto if such Individual Borrower no longer owns any Individual Property subject to such Master Lease, and with respect to the applicable Master Lease, Borrower shall provide to Lender a replacement or reaffirmation of the subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement with Borrower and the applicable Master Tenant in substantially the same form as the subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement delivered by Borrower and the applicable Master Tenant in connection with the Closing Date, or otherwise in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender;
(k) Reserved; and
(l) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, if the Loan is included in a REMIC Trust and the Loan-to-Value Ratio (as determined by Lender using any commercially reasonable method permitted to a REMIC Trust) exceeds or would exceed 125% immediately after the release of the applicable Individual Property, no release will be permitted unless the principal balance of the Loan is prepaid by an amount not less than the greater of (i) the Adjusted Release Amount or (ii) the least of one (1) of the following amounts: (A) only if the released Individual Property is sold, the net proceeds of an arms length sale of the released Individual Property to an unrelated Person, (B) the fair market value of the released Individual Property at the time of the release, or (C) an amount such that the Loan-to-Value Ratio (as so determined by Lender) after the release of the applicable Individual Property is not greater than the Loan-to-Value Ratio of the Properties immediately prior to such release, unless Lender receives an opinion of counsel that, if clause (ii) is not followed, the Securitization will not fail to maintain its status as a REMIC Trust as a result of the release of the applicable Individual Property. Any such prepayment shall be deemed a voluntary prepayment and shall be subject to Section 2.4.1 (other than the requirement to provide three (3) Business Days notice to Lender).
Provided there exists no Event of Default, in the event that all of the Property owned by a Borrower has been released from the Liens of the Mortgage thereon in accordance with this Agreement (other than those obligations (including indemnification obligations) which expressly survive release or repayment of the Loan), upon prior written notice to Lender and Counterparty (as defined in the Assignment of Interest Rate Cap Agreement), such Borrower may assign all of its right, title and interest in and to the applicable Interest Rate Cap Agreement to another Individual Borrower under the Loan that owns one or more Properties then remaining subject to the Liens of the Mortgages thereon (such Borrower, the Assignee Borrower). In connection with (and as a condition precedent to) such assignment, Counterparty, Assignor (as defined in the Assignment of Interest Rate Cap Agreement, which, for the avoidance of doubt, may refer to the assigning Borrower or any Assignee Borrower that has assumed the interests of Assignor pursuant to and in accordance with the Assignment of Interest Rate Cap Agreement) and the applicable Assignee Borrower shall deliver to Lender (x) an assumption of the existing Assignment of Interest Rate Cap Agreement reasonably acceptable to Lender (or a new assignment of interest rate cap agreement in form and substance substantially similar to the Assignment of Interest Rate Cap Agreement delivered to Lender on the Closing Date and otherwise reasonably acceptable to Lender) executed by Assignee Borrower and (y) an acknowledgment and consent to the assignment and assumption of the applicable Interest Rate Cap Agreement executed by Counterparty and reasonably acceptable to Lender. Any Assignee Borrower may further assign its right, title and interest in and to the applicable Interest Rate Cap Agreement to another Assignee Borrower, provided all of the conditions set forth in this Section are satisfied.
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2.5.3. Property Substitutions.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section, provided no Event of Default is then continuing or would result therefrom, Borrower may at any time, other than during a Blackout Window, replace one or more Properties (individually, a Replaced Property and collectively, the Replaced Properties, provided, however, that the Replaced Properties shall be exclusive of the Individual Properties set forth on Schedule 2.5.3 hereto, and Borrower shall not be permitted to replace the Individual Properties set forth on Schedule 2.5.3 hereto) with Qualified Substitute Properties (a Property Substitution), in which case Lender shall release the Lien of the applicable Mortgage (and related Loan Documents) with respect to the Replaced Properties, provided, in the case of each Property Substitution, the following conditions are met:
(i) the Rating Agency Confirmation shall have been received with respect thereto;
(ii) the aggregate Allocated Loan Amounts of all Replaced Properties during the term of the Loan shall not exceed 10% of the Original Principal Indebtedness in the aggregate;
(iii) Lender shall have received current Appraisals of the applicable Qualified Substitute Property and the applicable Replaced Property, demonstrating that the as-is market value of such Qualified Substitute Property is equal to or greater than the greater of (x) the as-is market value of such Replaced Property at the time of substitution and (y) the appraised value of such Replaced Property at closing;
(iv) the applicable Qualified Substitute Property must primarily consist of temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics facilities;
(v) Borrower shall deliver to Lender an Officers Certificate certifying that (i) as of the date of such Property Substitution, the representations and warranties contained in Article IV of this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects with respect to both the Borrower acquiring the applicable Qualified Substitute Property (to the extent such Person was not a Borrower as of the Closing Date) and the applicable Qualified Substitute Property (and any exceptions to such representations and warranties shall be specified in an exhibit to such Officers Certificate and shall be reasonably acceptable to Lender) and (ii) such Property Substitution does not result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(vi) the acquisition of the applicable Qualified Substitute Property shall not result in the incurrence of any Indebtedness that is not Permitted Debt, the existence of any Liens on Collateral that are not Permitted Encumbrances or otherwise cause a Default to occur;
(vii) if the Loan is included in a REMIC Trust, the Loan-to-Value Ratio (as determined by Lender using any commercially reasonable method permitted to a REMIC Trust) shall not exceed 125% immediately after the substitution of the applicable Replaced Property;
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(viii) after giving effect to such Property Substitution, the Debt Yield, recalculated to include only income and expense attributable to the remaining Properties (including the applicable Qualified Substitute Property, based on operating statements and rent rolls certified as true and correct by an officer of Borrower), shall not be less than the Debt Yield immediately prior to such Property Substitution;
(ix) Lender shall have received reasonably satisfactory environmental reports and engineering reports regarding the applicable Qualified Substitute Properties showing no structural, environmental or other issues that are not reasonably acceptable to Lender; and, if corrective measures are recommended therein, Borrower shall have deposited into the Replacement Reserve Account 100% of the amount required to fund such corrective measures;
(x) Intentionally omitted;
(xi) Borrower shall have made a deposit into the Unfunded Obligations Account in an amount equal to 100% of all material unfunded obligations to be paid by Borrower to third parties in connection with the applicable Qualified Substitute Property, such as unpaid tenant allowances, leasing commissions and free rent;
(xii) Lender shall have received the following, in each case in form and content reasonably satisfactory to Lender: (a) a current rent roll, (b) current results from operations, and (c) such other financial information as Lender shall reasonably request with respect to the applicable Borrower and/or the Property;
(xiii) the applicable Borrower shall have executed, acknowledged and delivered to Lender a Mortgage (and Assignment of Leases, as applicable) with respect to each applicable Qualified Substitute Property, and Borrower shall have authorized the filing (and Lender shall file) of applicable Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, which such documents shall be in form and substance substantially similar to the counterparts of such documents executed and delivered with respect to the applicable Replaced Property, subject only to modifications reflecting only the Qualified Substitute Property as the Property and such state-specific modifications as shall be reasonably recommended by counsel admitted to practice in such state and reasonably selected by Lender. In the event that the jurisdiction in which the applicable Qualified Substitute Property is located imposes a mortgage recording, intangibles or other similar tax and does not permit the allocation of indebtedness for the purpose of determining the amount of such tax payable, the principal amount secured by such Mortgage shall be equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the Allocated Loan Amount for such Qualified Substitute Property;
(xiv) Lender shall have received a Title Insurance Policy (or an irrevocable commitment to issue a Title Insurance Policy) in respect of the applicable Qualified Substitute Property, listing only such exceptions as are reasonably satisfactory to Lender;
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(xv) if Borrower owns the fee interest in a Replaced Property, Borrower shall own the fee interest in the applicable Qualified Substitute Property, and if Borrower owns the ground lease interest in a Replaced Property, Borrower shall own the fee interest or the ground lease interest in the applicable Qualified Substitute Property, provided that any such ground lease shall contain the financeability provisions required by Lender and the Rating Agencies, and Lender shall have received an acceptable estoppel from the lessor thereunder;
(xvi) Lender shall have received a Survey with respect to the applicable Qualified Substitute Property showing no encroachments that affect the value, use or operation of the applicable Qualified Substitute Property in any material respect, or other issues that are reasonably objectionable to Lender;
(xvii) Lender shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that the applicable Qualified Substitute Property is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable zoning requirements (i.e., is either conforming or legal nonconforming in all material respects), which evidence may be in the form of a reasonably acceptable zoning endorsement to the applicable Title Insurance Policy, and shall have received a copy of all material Permits for the use and operation of such Qualified Substitute Property and the certificate(s) of occupancy, if required and obtainable, for such Qualified Substitute Property;
(xviii) Guarantor shall deliver to Lender an Officers Certificate reasonably satisfactory to Lender ratifying its obligations under the Limited Recourse Guaranty and the Environmental Indemnity, in each case confirming that the applicable Qualified Substitute Property will thereafter be a Property for all purposes thereunder;
(xix) Lender shall have received from counsel reasonably satisfactory to Lender legal opinions as to the applicable Individual Borrower and the Loan Documents delivered in connection with the Property Substitution, that are in form and substance substantially similar to those delivered at closing with respect to the applicable counterpart documents for the applicable Replaced Property(ies), including an Additional True-Lease Opinion if such Qualified Substitute Property is added to any Master Lease and, if the Property Substitution results in the addition of a Person as a Borrower hereunder, an Additional Insolvency Opinion;
(xx) Lender shall have received from counsel reasonably satisfactory to Lender an opinion that the Property Substitution does not cause a tax to be imposed on the Securitization Vehicle or, if the Securitization Vehicle is a REMIC, an opinion that the Property Substitution does not cause any portion of the Loan to cease to be a qualified mortgage within the meaning of section 860G(a)(3) of the Code, and that the Property Substitution does not constitute a significant modification of the Loan as such term is defined in the Treasury Regulations Section 1.860G-2(b) if the Loan is included in a REMIC Trust, or if the Loan is included in a grantor trust, as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1001-3;
(xxi) Lender shall have received the then-current Annual Budget with respect to the applicable Qualified Substitute Property;
(xxii) Lender shall have received true and complete copies of all Leases in respect of the applicable Qualified Substitute Property;
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(xxiii) Borrower shall have requested estoppel certificates and subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements from each tenant under a Material Lease at the applicable Qualified Substitute Property, in each case, on a form reasonably acceptable to Lender and shall have delivered to Lender true and complete copies of each estoppel certificate and subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement received back from any Tenant;
(xxiv) Lender shall have received certificates of insurance demonstrating insurance coverage in respect of the applicable Qualified Substitute Property of types, in amounts, with insurers and otherwise in compliance with the terms, provisions and conditions set forth herein;
(xxv) if the Property Substitution requires the addition of a Person as a Borrower hereunder, such Person shall have executed an assumption agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender assuming all obligations of a Borrower under the Loan Documents and, if applicable, the applicable Master Lease, and in connection therewith, (A) the applicable Master Lease shall be amended in order to remove the Replaced Property therefrom and exclude the allocated base rent for the Replaced Property and (B) a Master Lease shall be amended to add the Qualified Substitute Property thereto and the rent due under such Master Lease shall be amended to reflect the amount of rent due for the Qualified Substitute Property, provided that the rent attributable to such Qualified Substitute Property under the applicable Master Lease shall not be less that the rent attributable to the Replaced Property under the applicable Master Lease;
(xxvi) Lender shall have received (A) all documents reasonably requested by Lender relating to the existence of any Person added as a Borrower hereunder in connection with such Property Substitution and the due authorization of such new Individual Borrower to execute and deliver the documents described in this Section, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender, including an updated organizational structure chart, a certified copy of the applicable resolutions from all appropriate persons, certified copies of the organizational documents of such Individual Borrower, together with all amendments thereto, and certificates of good standing or existence for such Individual Borrower issued as of a recent date by its state of organization and each other state where such entity, by the nature of its business, is required to qualify or register, (B) reports of Uniform Commercial Code, tax lien and judgment searches, in such jurisdictions as Lender shall request, conducted by a nationally recognized search firm with respect to the applicable Qualified Substitute Property and such Individual Borrower and showing no liens, claims or encumbrances against such Individual Borrower or such Qualified Substitute Property that are not reasonably approved by Lender, and (C) all other information reasonably requested by Lender for satisfaction of Lenders know-your-customer requirements with respect to such Person;
(xxvii) no Property shall be released from the Collateral if any Lease at any Property that would remain part of the Collateral grants to the Tenant thereunder a right to lease space at the Property proposed to be released or if as a result of such release any Property that remains part of the Collateral shares a tax lot or is otherwise subject to joint assessment with any real property that is not Collateral;
(xxviii) Lender shall have received such other certificates, opinions, documents and instruments relating to the Loan as may have been reasonably requested by Lender; and
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(xxix) Borrower shall have reimbursed Lender for all of its reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses relating thereto (including any fees charged by the Servicer and Rating Agencies) as provided in Section 10.13.
(b) Borrower shall give Lender at least 30 days prior written notice of any Property Substitution (it being agreed that such notice may be revoked by Borrower at any time, provided that Borrower shall reimburse Lender for all of its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating to such proposed Property Substitution prior to such revocation (including any fees charged by the Servicer and Rating Agencies)), identifying the proposed Replaced Property or Replaced Properties, the proposed Qualified Substitute Property or Qualified Substitute Properties and the proposed date of the Property Substitution (which date may be extended provided that Borrower gives Lender reasonable prior written notice). If such Property Substitution does not occur on such date (as same may have been extended), Borrower shall pay to Lender all reasonable expenses actually incurred by Lender in connection therewith as provided in Section 10.13.
(c) Upon the occurrence of any Property Substitution in accordance herewith, Lender shall execute instruments prepared by Borrower (or at the option of Borrower, and at Borrowers sole cost and expense, Lender or Servicers counsel) and reasonably satisfactory to Lender releasing and discharging each Replaced Property from the Liens of the Loan Documents and any Individual Borrower that will no longer own any interest in any Individual Property from the obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents first occurring or arising from and after the date of such Property Substitution.
(d) If exercised, the land swap option in the Identified Option Contract with Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation identified on Schedule 4.1.26 shall be treated like a Property Substitution for purposes of this Section 2.5.3, provided that, so long as the swapped parcels are vacant and unimproved, Borrower shall be required to satisfy only the following conditions in Section 2.5.3(a): (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (xiii), (xiv), (xv), (xvii), (xviii), (xx), (xxii), (xxiv), (xxvii), (xxviii) and (xxix)
2.5.4. Default Release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Borrower shall have the right to cause the release of any Ground Leased Parcel in order to cure a Default or Event of Default related to such Ground Leased Parcel, provided that (i) prior to releasing such Ground Leased Parcel, Borrower uses commercially reasonable efforts to cure such Default or Event of Default (which efforts shall not require any capital contributions be made to Borrower or include any obligations of Borrower or Guarantor to use any Rents from any Property other than the Ground Leased Parcel that is the subject of the Default or Event of Default to effectuate such cure) and (ii) such Default or Event of Default was not caused by (or at the direction of) Borrower or an Affiliate thereof in bad faith to circumvent the requirements of Section 2.5.2 (a Default Release). In connection with any Default Release, Borrower shall be required to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 2.5.2, except that (I) Borrower shall not be required to satisfy the condition that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing to the extent any such Default or Event of Default relates to the Individual Property that is the subject of the Default Release and (II) Borrower shall not be required to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 2.5.2(g).
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2.5.5. Release of Condemnation Parcel. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, at any time, without payment by Borrower of any release price or any other amounts (except as provided in Section 2.5.5(h)), Lender agrees to release from the Lien of the applicable Mortgage and the other Loan Documents the Condemnation Parcel upon satisfaction of the following conditions by Borrower:
(a) not less than five days prior to the date of the release, Borrower shall have delivered to Lender a notice setting forth (1) the date of such release and (2) a metes and bounds description of the Condemnation Parcel. Lender hereby acknowledges that the description of the Condemnation Parcel attached hereto as Schedule 2.5.5(A) satisfies the requirement in the foregoing clause (2);
(b) Borrower shall have delivered to Lender reasonably satisfactory evidence that (1) after giving effect to such transfer, the balance of the applicable Individual Property conforms to and is in compliance in all material respects with applicable Legal Requirements, and (2) the Condemnation Parcel is not necessary for the applicable Individual Property to comply with any zoning, building, land use, parking or other similar Legal Requirements applicable to such Individual Property, including without limitation for access, driveways, parking or utilities or, to the extent that the Condemnation Parcel is necessary for any such purpose, a reciprocal easement agreement or other agreement reasonably acceptable to Lender has been executed and recorded that would allow the owner of such Individual Property to continue to use the Condemnation Parcel or a portion thereof to the extent necessary for such purpose, in which case Lender shall, at Borrowers sole cost and expense, reasonably cooperate by executing customarily required mortgage consents, reasonably acceptable to Lender;
(c) Borrower shall have delivered to Lender an endorsement to the Title Insurance Policy insuring the applicable Mortgage in the form attached hereto as Schedule 2.5.5(B);
(d) Borrower shall have complied with any requirements applicable to the release in the Leases, reciprocal easement agreements, operating agreements, parking agreements or other similar agreements affecting the applicable Individual Property and such release shall not violate any of the provisions of such documents in any respect that would result in a termination (or give any other party thereto the right to terminate), extinguishment or other loss of material rights of Borrower or in a material increase in Borrowers obligations under such documents;
(e) the release of the Condemnation Parcel shall not have a Material Adverse Effect, and Borrower shall have delivered an Officers Certificate certifying the same and that such release will not result in (1) a default or breach by Borrower under any Lease, (2) any right in favor of a third party of offset, abatement or reduction of rent payable to Borrower, or (3) any right in favor of a third party of termination, cancellation or surrender under any Lease, any reciprocal easement agreement or any other material agreement by which such Individual Property is bound or encumbered, except, in the case of this clause (3), with respect to the Condemnation Parcel;
(f) The portions of such Individual Property remaining after the release shall have rights of access to public rights of way;
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(g) Borrower shall simultaneously with the release of the Condemnation Parcel transfer title to the Condemnation Parcel to the City of Round Rock pursuant to the Condemnation PSA; and
(h) Borrower shall have paid all of Lenders reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including Lenders reasonable out-of-pocket legal fees) relating to the release.
Section 2.6. Cash Management.
2.6.1. Rent Receipts. (a) Borrower hereby represents and warrants that each Master Lease requires the applicable Master Tenant to deposit all Rents payable to Borrower pursuant to the applicable Master Lease directly into the Cash Management Account. With respect to the Bartlett Property, Borrower hereby covenants to, upon the occurrence of a Cash Sweep Event, deliver to each Tenant at the Bartlett Property a written notice directing each such Tenant to deposit all Rents payable pursuant to the applicable Lease directly into the Cash Management Account. Any Rents actually paid by Tenant not remitted to the Cash Management Account during a Cash Sweep Period as a result of Borrower failing to deliver to each applicable Tenant the notice required pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall constitute a misapplication of funds pursuant to Section 9.3(b)(vi). Without prior written consent of Lender, Borrower shall not (i) terminate, amend, revoke, or modify (x) the requirement that each Master Tenant deposit all rents payable to Borrower pursuant to its Master Lease directly into the Cash Management Account or (y) any notice to the Tenants at the Bartlett Property pursuant to this Section 2.6.1(a) (except, following a Cash Sweep Event Cure and so long as no other Cash Sweep Event shall then exist, Borrower may amend any such notice delivered to the Tenants at the Bartlett Property) or (ii) direct or cause any Master Tenant to pay any amount owed to the applicable Individual Borrower(s) under the applicable any Master Lease in any manner other than directly into the Cash Management Account.
(b) Borrower hereby covenants and agrees to deposit directly into the Cash Management Account any Rents payable pursuant to each Master Lease received by Borrower, notwithstanding subsection 2.6.1(a) above, within one (1) Business Day of receipt. During any such period in which Borrower is holding any Rents payable under any Master Lease or any other Lease (other than with respect to the Bartlett Property when no Cash Sweep Period is continuing) prior to depositing same into the Cash Management Account, Borrower shall be deemed to hold such Rents in trust for Lender. Borrower shall cause each Approved Property Manager to deposit into the Cash Management Account within one Business Day of its receipt thereof all revenues from the Properties received by such Approved Property Manager that are required to be deposited into the Cash Management Account pursuant to this Agreement (and Borrower hereby agrees that during the continuance of a Cash Sweep Period it shall only designate the Cash Management Account as the account into which each Approved Property Manager deposits revenues from the Property, and that any other designation would constitute a misappropriation of funds pursuant to Section 9.3(b)(vi)).
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(c) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, so long as no Cash Sweep Period shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrower shall not be obligated to deposit the Master Lease rent payments due on the Closing Date (the Initial Master Lease Payments) into the Cash Management Account. Such Initial Master Lease Payments shall be deemed held by Borrower in trust for Lender from the Closing Date through the first Payment Date under the Loan (the Stub Period), on which date Borrower shall be permitted to utilize such funds in any manner not prohibited by the Loan Agreement, provided that Borrower has paid to Lender the applicable Monthly Debt Service Payment Amount (and any other amounts due to Lender) due on such Payment Date. If a Cash Sweep Period shall commence during the Stub Period, Borrower shall deposit such Initial Master Lease Payments into the Cash Management Account and Lender shall disburse and/or apply such amounts in accordance with this Agreement and the Cash Management Agreement. Except for the Initial Master Lease Payments, for so long as any portion of the Loan remains outstanding, all payments of rent under each Master Lease shall be remitted by the applicable Master Tenant directly to the Cash Management Account pursuant to the Master Lease and Section 2.6.1(a).
2.6.2. Cash Management Account. (a) Borrower shall establish and maintain a segregated Eligible Account (the Cash Management Account) to be held by Cash Management Bank in trust and for the sole benefit of Lender, which Cash Management Account shall be under the sole dominion and control of Lender. The Cash Management Account shall be entitled LLH TRS FSS RE Holdings, LLC CMA FBO Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association and their successors and assigns as Lender. Borrower hereby grants to Lender a first priority security interest in the Cash Management Account and all deposits at any time contained therein and the proceeds thereof and will take all actions necessary to maintain in favor of Lender a perfected first priority security interest in the Cash Management Account, including, without limitation, filing UCC-1 Financing Statements and continuations thereof. Such financing statements may describe as the collateral covered thereby all assets of the debtor, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or words to that effect. Borrower will not in any way alter or modify the Cash Management Account and will notify Lender of the account number thereof. Lender and Servicer shall have the sole right to make withdrawals from the Cash Management Account and all costs and expenses for establishing and maintaining the Cash Management Account shall be paid by Borrower.
(b) The insufficiency of funds on deposit in the Cash Management Account shall not relieve Borrower from the obligation to make any payments, as and when due pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and such obligations shall be separate and independent, and not conditioned on any event or circumstance whatsoever.
(c) Borrower shall establish and maintain a segregated Eligible Account (the Operating Account) into which amounts may be deposited from time to time pursuant to Section 2.6.4 (Lender agreeing that such account may be the account owned by Lineage Bedford Park RE 2, LLC). Borrower shall not permit any amounts unrelated to the Property to be commingled with amounts on deposit in the Operating Account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower hereby represents and warrants that any prior security interest in the Operating Account has been terminated on or prior to the Closing Date. Borrower hereby grants to Lender a first
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priority security interest in the Operating Account and all deposits at any time contained therein and the proceeds thereof and authorizes Lender to file UCC-1 Financing Statements and continuations thereof in order to provide Lender a perfected first priority security interest in the Operating Account. Such financing statements may describe as the collateral covered thereby all assets of the debtor, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or words to that effect. Borrower will notify Lender of the account number of the Operating Account. So long as no Event of Default is continuing, Borrower shall be permitted to withdraw amounts from the Operating Account in Borrowers sole and absolute discretion. During the continuance of an Event of Default, upon the receipt of written notice by Borrower from Lender, all amounts contained in the Operating Account shall be remitted to the Cash Management Account.
(d) Borrower hereby agrees that Lender may modify the Cash Management Agreement for the purpose of establishing additional sub-accounts in connection with any payments otherwise required under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and Lender shall provide notice thereof to Borrower. Lender shall have the right, upon written notice to Borrower and after execution by Lender and the applicable Eligible Institution of all agreements and documents required (if any) for Borrower to comply with the provisions of this Section 2.6.2, to change the Eligible Institution at which the Cash Management Account is maintained; provided, however, that (notwithstanding the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Cash Management Agreement), so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, any such change shall be subject to the prior written approval of Borrower, provided that Borrowers failure to grant such approval shall not have an adverse economic impact on Lender, and provided that such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(e) All funds on deposit in the Cash Management Account following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default may be applied by Lender in such order and priority as Lender shall determine.
2.6.3. Payments Received Under the Cash Management Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrowers obligations with respect to the payment of the Monthly Debt Service Payment Amount and amounts required to be deposited in the Reserve Funds, if any, shall be deemed satisfied to the extent sufficient amounts are deposited in the Cash Management Account to satisfy such obligations pursuant to this Agreement on the dates each such payment is required, regardless of whether any of such amounts are so applied by Lender, so long as Lender is not subject to any stay or injunction or any other court order or legal restriction resulting from a Bankruptcy Action of Borrower that prevents Lender from transferring, disbursing or applying such funds.
2.6.4. Application of Cash Management Account Funds to Subaccounts.
(a) Intentionally Omitted.
(b) On each Payment Date, provided that no Event of Default is continuing (and, if and to the extent Lender so elects in its sole discretion, during the continuance of an Event of Default until the Loan has been accelerated), Lender shall instruct the Cash Management Bank to apply all funds on deposit in the Cash Management Account as follows in the amounts set forth in Lenders or its designees written instructions (which written instructions shall indicate whether a Cash Sweep Period is continuing):
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(i) First, if a Cash Sweep Period is continuing, funds sufficient to pay the next monthly deposit of Property Taxes, Other Charges, Insurance Premiums and Ground Rent to the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Account (as defined in the Cash Management Agreement) pursuant to the terms and provisions of Section 7.3 of this Agreement, which amount shall be deposited into the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Account (as defined in the Cash Management Agreement). For avoidance of doubt, if a Cash Sweep Period has not occurred and is not continuing, this First step shall be skipped;
(ii) Second, to Lender, funds sufficient to pay the next Monthly Debt Service Payment Amount;
(iii) Third, to Lender, funds sufficient to pay any interest due and payable at the Default Rate, late payment charges and any other amounts due under the Loan Documents with respect to the Debt (other than the payment of any Principal Indebtedness on the Maturity Date, whether such Maturity Date is the scheduled Maturity Date or an earlier date due to an acceleration of the Loan), if any;
(iv) Fourth, if a Cash Sweep Period is continuing, to the Replacement Reserve Account, funds in an amount equal to the Replacement Reserve Monthly Deposit pursuant to Section 7.4 of this Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, if a Cash Sweep Period has not occurred and is not continuing, this Fourth step shall be skipped; and
(v) Lastly, all amounts remaining in the Cash Management Account after deposits for items (i) through (iv) (as applicable) (such remaining amounts, the Excess Cash Flow) shall (A) be deposited in the Excess Cash Flow Account (as defined in the Cash Management Agreement) if a Cash Sweep Period is continuing or (B) if no Cash Sweep Period is continuing, be remitted to the Borrower.
2.6.5. Disbursements from the Cash Management Agreement. Lender (or its Servicer) shall instruct the Cash Management Bank to disburse or transfer amounts on deposit in the Reserve Funds in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.6.5 and Article VII of this Agreement as follows:
(a) Disbursements from the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Account. From time to time, Lender (or its Servicer) shall instruct Cash Management Bank to disburse funds on deposit in the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Account for the payment or reimbursement of Property Taxes, Other Charges, Insurance Premiums and Ground Rent in accordance with Section 7.3 of this Agreement.
(b) Disbursements from Replacement Reserve Account. From time to time, Lender (or its Servicer) shall instruct Cash Management Bank to disburse funds on deposit in the Replacement Reserve Account for the purposes set forth in and in accordance with Section 7.4 of this Agreement.
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(c) Disbursements from the Excess Cash Flow Account. From time to time during the continuance of a Cash Sweep Period, Lender (or its Servicer) shall instruct Cash Management Bank to transfer all funds on deposit in the Excess Cash Flow Account (as defined in the Cash Management Agreement) to Lender to be held by Lender as additional collateral for the Debt. The funds in the Excess Cash Flow Account (as defined in the Cash Management Agreement) and the funds transferred to Lender under the previous sentence shall be referred to in this agreement as the Excess Cash Flow Reserve Funds. Provided that no Event of Default is then continuing, Lender shall release to the Cash Management Account all Excess Cash Flow Reserve Funds on the first Payment Date after Borrower delivers to Lender evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender establishing that no Cash Sweep Period is then continuing, to be applied in accordance with Section 2.6.4 of this Agreement. Such a release shall not preclude the subsequent commencement of a Cash Sweep Period and the deposit of amounts into the Excess Cash Flow Account as set forth in Section 2.6.4(b) to the Cash Management Account. Any Excess Cash Flow Reserve Funds and any other amounts in the Cash Management Account remaining after the Debt has been paid in full shall be disbursed to Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, during the continuance of an Event of Default, Lender may apply the Excess Cash Flow Reserve Funds, any amounts contained in the Cash Management Account and any amounts contained in any Reserve Account to the payment of the Debt or expenses at the Properties, in each case, in any order or priority in Lenders sole discretion.
(d) Disbursements from Required Repair Account. From time to time, Lender (or its Servicer) shall instruct Cash Management Bank to disburse funds on deposit in the Required Repair Account for the purposes set forth in and in accordance with Section 7.1 of this Agreement.
(e) Disbursements from Required Remediation Account. From time to time, Lender (or its Servicer) shall instruct Cash Management Bank to disburse funds on deposit in the Required Remediation Account for the purposes set forth in and in accordance with Section 7.2 of this Agreement.
(f) Disbursements from Unfunded Obligations Account. From time to time, Lender (or its Servicer) shall instruct Cash Management Bank to disburse funds on deposit in the Unfunded Obligations Account for the purposes set forth in and in accordance with Section 7.5 of this Agreement.
(g) Disbursements from Earn-Out Reserve Account. From time to time, Lender (or its Servicer) shall instruct Cash Management Bank to disburse funds on deposit in the Earn-Out Reserve Account for the purposes set forth in and in accordance with Section 7.8 of this Agreement.
Section 2.7. Withholding Taxes; Gross Up.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of Borrower) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by Borrower, then Borrower shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant
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Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.7) the Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by Borrower. The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law any Other Taxes.
(c) Indemnification by Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify Lender, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.7) payable or paid by such Lender or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Lender and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability together with any supporting documentation delivered to Borrower by a Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.7, Borrower shall deliver to the Lender the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Lender.
(e) Status of Lenders. (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to Borrower, at the time or times reasonably requested by Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by Borrower, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by Borrower as will enable Borrower to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.7(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lenders reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that Borrower is a U.S. Person,
(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to Borrower on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of Borrower), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
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(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrower (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of Borrower), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the interest article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the business profits or other income article of such tax treaty;
(2) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Borrower, to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a 10 percent shareholder of Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a controlled foreign corporation described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN, as applicable; or
(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrower (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of Borrower), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
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(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Borrower at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Borrower such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Borrower as may be necessary for Borrower to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lenders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify Borrower in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.7 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.7), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.7 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (f) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (f), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (f) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This paragraph (f) shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(g) Survival. Each partys obligations under this Section 2.7 shall survive any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 2.7, Borrower shall not be obligated to pay pursuant to this Section 2.7, and Lender shall not be entitled to claim compensation pursuant to this Section 2.7, for any amounts which were incurred or which accrued more than ninety (90) days before the date Lender notified Borrower of the circumstance on which such claim of compensation is based and delivered to Borrower a written statement setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the amounts payable by Borrower under this Section 2.7.
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Section 2.8. Extension Options.
2.8.1. Extension Options. Borrower shall have the option to extend the Maturity Date of the Loan for two (2) successive terms (each such option, an Extension Option and each such successive term, an Extension Term) of one (1) year each (the Maturity Date following the exercise of each such option is referred to herein as the Extended Maturity Date) upon satisfaction of the following terms and conditions:
(a) no Event of Default shall be continuing on the date of the notice by Borrower of the exercise of the option to extend pursuant to clause (b) below and on the date that the Extension Term would commence;
(b) Borrower shall notify Lender of its election to exercise an Extension Option as aforesaid no later than thirty (30) days and no earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the then current Maturity Date or applicable Extended Maturity Date, as applicable, which election Borrower shall have the right to revoke only if (i) Borrower shall give notice to Lender not later than the date that is ten (10) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date (or applicable Extended Maturity Date with respect to the second Extension Terms) revoking its exercise of the applicable Extension Option, and (ii) Borrower shall pay to Lender, within ten (10) Business Days after demand, all reasonable and documented costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with the proposed extension and/or the revocation thereof, including, without limitation, reasonable and documented attorneys fees and disbursements;
(c) if any Interest Rate Cap Agreement required pursuant to Section 2.2.7 is scheduled to mature prior to the applicable Extended Maturity Date, Borrower shall obtain and deliver to Lender (i) not later than the Business Day prior to the first (1st) day of the applicable Extension Term (provided that the form of such Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement shall have been delivered to Lender not later than five (5) Business Days prior to the first (1st) day of the Extension Term), one or more Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreements at the Extension Strike Price (or, if the Alternate Strike Price Condition has been satisfied, the Alternate Strike Price) from an Acceptable Counterparty, which Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement shall be effective commencing on the first day of such Extension Term, shall have a maturity date not earlier than the applicable Extended Maturity Date and shall otherwise comply with all provisions of Section 2.2.7 and (ii) within a reasonable period of time following the commencement of the applicable Extension Term, with respect to the Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement, each of the opinions and resolutions/consents and all other items required pursuant to Section 2.2.7;
(d) in connection with the Extension Options, Borrower shall have delivered to Lender together with its notice pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 2.8.1 and as of the commencement of the applicable Extension Term, an Officers Certificate in form reasonably acceptable to Lender certifying that each of the representations and warranties of Borrower contained in the Loan Documents is true and correct in all material respects as of the date of such Officers Certificate except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true, complete and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and in all cases subject to changes in facts and circumstances that did not and do not give rise to a Default or Event of Default under the Loan Documents; and
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(e) Borrower shall have paid all reasonable and documented costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with the exercise of the applicable Extension Option (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented attorneys fees and disbursements).
III. INTENTIONALLY OMITTED
IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 4.1. Borrower Representations. Each Individual Borrower represents and warrants as of the date hereof that:
4.1.1. Organization. Such Individual Borrower has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing with requisite power and authority to own, as applicable, its fee or leasehold interest in the related Individual Property and to transact the businesses in which it is now engaged. Such Individual Borrower is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where it is required to be so qualified in connection with its properties, businesses and operations. Such Individual Borrower possesses all rights, licenses, permits and authorizations, governmental or otherwise, necessary to entitle it to own, as applicable, its fee or leasehold interest in the related Individual Property and to transact the businesses in which it is now engaged, and the sole business of such Individual Borrower is the ownership or leasing, as applicable, management and operation of the related Individual Property(ies). The direct and indirect ownership interests in such Individual Borrower are as set forth on the organizational chart attached hereto as Schedule 4.1.1.
4.1.2. Proceedings. Borrower has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. This Agreement and such other Loan Documents have been duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of Borrower and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower enforceable against Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, subject only to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting rights of creditors generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).
4.1.3. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by Borrower will not conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance (other than pursuant to the Loan Documents) upon any of the property or assets of Borrower pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, partnership agreement, management agreement or other agreement or instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which the Properties or any of Borrowers assets is subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over Borrower or any of Borrowers properties or assets, and any consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or any such Governmental Authority required for the execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents has been obtained and is in full force and effect.
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4.1.4. Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.4, there are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity by or before any Governmental Authority or other agency now pending or threatened against or affecting Borrower, any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant, Sole Member, Guarantor or any Individual Property, which actions, suits or proceedings could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the condition (financial or otherwise) or business of Borrower, such Master Tenant, such Lineage Subtenant, Guarantor or the condition or ownership of any Individual Property.
4.1.5. Agreements. Borrower is not a party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any restriction which could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect Borrower or any Individual Property, or Borrowers business, properties or assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise. Borrower is not in default in any material respect in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained in any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which Borrower or any Individual Property is bound. Borrower has no material financial obligation under any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower or the Properties are otherwise bound, other than (a) obligations incurred in the ordinary course of the operation of the Properties as permitted pursuant to clause (v) of the definition of Special Purpose Entity set forth in Section 1.1 hereof; (b) Permitted Debt; and (c) obligations under the Loan Documents.
4.1.6. Title. Borrower has good, marketable and insurable fee simple or leasehold title to the real property comprising part of each Individual Property and good title to the balance of the each Individual Property, and except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.6, free and clear of all Liens whatsoever except the Permitted Encumbrances, such other Liens as are permitted pursuant to the Loan Documents and the Liens created by the Loan Documents. The Permitted Encumbrances in the aggregate do not materially and adversely affect the value, operation or use of the Properties (as currently used) or Borrowers ability to repay the Loan. Each Mortgage, when properly recorded in the appropriate records, together with any Uniform Commercial Code financing statements required to be filed in connection therewith, will create (a) a valid, perfected first priority lien on the applicable Individual Property, subject only to Permitted Encumbrances and those items on Schedule 4.1.6, such other Liens as are permitted pursuant to the Loan Documents and the Liens created by the Loan Documents and (b) perfected security interests in and to, and perfected collateral assignments of, all personalty (including the Leases, if any) of Borrower, all in accordance with the terms thereof, in each case subject only to any applicable Permitted Encumbrances, such other Liens as are permitted pursuant to the Loan Documents and the Liens created by the Loan Documents. Except for Permitted Encumbrances and those items on Schedule 4.1.6, if any, there are no claims for payment for work, labor or materials affecting the Properties which are or may become a Lien prior to, or of equal priority with, the Liens created by the Loan Documents.
4.1.7. Solvency. Borrower has (a) not entered into this transaction or executed the Note, this Agreement or any other Loan Documents with the actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud any creditor and (b) received reasonably equivalent value in exchange for its obligations under such Loan Documents. Giving effect to the Loan, the fair saleable value of Borrowers assets exceeds and will, immediately following the making of the Loan, exceed Borrowers total liabilities, including, without limitation, subordinated, unliquidated, disputed and contingent liabilities. The
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fair saleable value of Borrowers assets is and will, immediately following the making of the Loan, be greater than Borrowers probable liabilities, including the maximum amount of its contingent liabilities on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured. Borrowers assets do not and, immediately following the making of the Loan will not, constitute unreasonably small capital to carry out its business as conducted or as proposed to be conducted. Borrower does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debt and liabilities (including contingent liabilities and other commitments) beyond its ability to pay such debt and liabilities as they mature (taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by Borrower and the amounts to be payable on or in respect of obligations of Borrower). No petition in bankruptcy has been filed against Borrower or any constituent Person that is a subsidiary of Guarantor in the last seven (7) years, and neither Borrower nor any such constituent Person in the last seven (7) years has ever made an assignment for the benefit of creditors or taken advantage of any insolvency act for the benefit of debtors. Neither Borrower nor any of its constituent Persons that are subsidiaries of Guarantor are contemplating either the filing of a petition by it under any state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency laws or the liquidation of all or a major portion of Borrowers assets or properties, and Borrower has no knowledge of any Person contemplating the filing of any such petition against it or such constituent Persons.
4.1.8. Full and Accurate Disclosure. No statement of fact made by Borrower in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make statements contained herein or therein not misleading. There is no material fact presently known to Borrower which has not been disclosed to Lender which adversely affects, nor as far as Borrower can foresee, could reasonably be expected to adversely affect, the Properties or the business, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower.
4.1.9. ERISA.
(a) Generally. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Single Employer Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other applicable law relating to any Single Employer Plans and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder, (ii) neither Borrower nor Guarantor has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability for a non-exempt prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, (iii) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur, and (iv) except as disclosed on Schedule 4.1.9, neither Borrower, Guarantor nor any ERISA Affiliate is or has, within the past six years, been a contributing employer with respect to any Multiemployer Plan. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, with respect to each employee benefit plan (other than a Plan) maintained or contributed to by Borrower or Guarantor that is not governed by the laws of the United States (a Foreign Plan), (i) any employer and employee contributions required by law or by the terms of any Foreign Plan have been made or, if applicable, accrued, in accordance with normal accounting practices, (ii) the fair market value of the assets of each funded Foreign Plan, the liability of each insurer for any Foreign Plan funded through insurance or the book reserve established for any Foreign Plan, together with any accrued obligations, is sufficient to procedure or provide for the accrued benefit obligations, as of the date hereof, with respect to all current and former participants in such Foreign Plan according to the actuarial assumptions and valuations most recently used to account for such obligations in accordance with generally acceptable accounting principles, and (iii) each Foreign Plan that is required to be registered has been registered and has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities.
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(b) Plan Assets. Neither Borrower nor Guarantor is (i) a benefit plan investor within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA, (ii) a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 3(32) of ERISA or (iii) to Borrowers knowledge, subject to any statute, regulation or other restriction regulating investments of, or fiduciary obligations with respect to, governmental plans within the meaning of Section 3(32) of ERISA that is similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (Similar Law).
4.1.10. Compliance. Except as may be disclosed in any zoning report or property condition report delivered to Lender prior to the Closing Date, Borrower, any Master Tenant, each Lineage Subtenant and the Properties (including the Improvements) and the use thereof comply in all material respects with all applicable Legal Requirements, including, without limitation, building and zoning ordinances and codes and Prescribed Laws. None of Borrower, any Master Tenant or any Lineage Subtenant is in default or violation of any order, writ, injunction, decree or demand of any Governmental Authority. There has not been committed by Borrower, any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant or any other Person in occupancy of or involved with the operation or use of the Properties any act or omission affording the federal government or any other Governmental Authority the right of forfeiture as against any Individual Property or any part thereof or any monies paid in performance of Borrowers obligations under any of the Loan Documents. Except as may be disclosed in any zoning report or property condition report delivered to Lender prior to the Closing Date, on the Closing Date, the Improvements at the Properties were in material compliance with applicable law. There has been no change in (i) the footprint or height of the Improvements on any Individual Property, (ii) the use of any Individual Property or (iii) the number of parking spaces at any Individual Property, in each case, since that date of the zoning report delivered to Lender with respect to such Individual Property, to the extent any such change would result in a conclusion that would differ from the conclusion reached in such zoning report with respect to such Individual Propertys compliance with all applicable zoning requirements.
4.1.11. Financial Information. All financial data, including, without limitation, the financial statements, that have been delivered to Lender in connection with the Loan, taken as a whole, (i) are true and correct and without material omission in all material respects, (ii) accurately represent the financial condition of Borrower, any Master Tenant, the Lineage Subtenants (on a consolidated basis) and the Properties, as applicable, as of the date of such reports, and (iii) to the extent prepared or audited by an independent certified public accounting firm, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP throughout the periods covered, except as disclosed therein. Except for Permitted Encumbrances, Borrower does not have any contingent liabilities, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments that are known to Borrower and reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Properties or the current operation thereof as a temperature controlled warehousing and logistics facility, except as referred to or reflected in said financial statements. Since the date of such financial statements, there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition, operations or business of Borrower from that set forth in said financial statements.
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4.1.12. Condemnation. Except as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 4.1.12 or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 6.3 (Borrower representing that no such notice has been delivered as of the Closing Date other than with respect to the Condemnation Parcel), no Condemnation or other similar proceeding has been commenced and is continuing or, to Borrowers knowledge, is threatened or contemplated with respect to all or any portion of any Individual Property or for the relocation of roadways providing access to any Individual Property.
4.1.13. Federal Reserve Regulations. No part of the proceeds of the Loan will be used for the purpose of purchasing or acquiring any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or for any other purpose which would be inconsistent with such Regulation U or any other Regulations of such Board of Governors, or for any purposes prohibited by Legal Requirements or by the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.
4.1.14. Utilities and Public Access. Except as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 4.1.14, each Individual Property has rights of access to public ways and is served by water, sewer, sanitary sewer and storm drain facilities adequate to service such Individual Property for its intended uses. Except as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 4.1.14, all public utilities necessary or convenient to the full use and enjoyment of each Individual Property are located either in the public right-of-way abutting such Individual Property (which are connected so as to serve such Individual Property without passing over other property) or in recorded easements serving such Individual Property and such easements are set forth in and insured by the Title Insurance Policy. All public roads necessary for the use of each Individual Property for its current purpose have been completed and dedicated to public use and accepted by all Governmental Authorities.
4.1.15. Not a Foreign Person. No Individual Borrower is a foreign person within the meaning of Section 1445(f)(3) of the Code.
4.1.16. Separate Lots. Except as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 4.1.16, each Individual Property is comprised of one (1) or more parcels which constitute a separate tax lot or lots and does not constitute a portion of any other tax lot not a part of such Individual Property.
4.1.17. Assessments. As of the Closing Date, except as disclosed in the Title Insurance Policies or the materials referenced therein, there are no pending or proposed special or other assessments for public improvements or otherwise affecting any Individual Property, nor are there any contemplated improvements to any Individual Property that may result in such special or other assessments.
4.1.18. Enforceability. The Loan Documents are enforceable by Lender (or any subsequent holder thereof) in accordance with their respective terms, subject to principles of equity and bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws generally applicable to creditors rights and the enforcement of debtors obligations. The Loan Documents are not subject to any right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim or defense by Borrower, any Master Tenant or Guarantor, including the defense of usury, nor would the operation of any of the terms of the Loan Documents, or the exercise of any right thereunder, render the Loan Documents unenforceable (subject to principles of equity and bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws generally affecting creditors rights and the enforcement of debtors obligations), and none of Borrower, any Master Tenant or Guarantor has asserted any right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim or defense with respect thereto.
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4.1.19. No Prior Assignment. Except for any Transfer that is not prohibited by Section 5.2.10, there has been no prior sale, transfer, assignment, hypothecation or pledge of any of the Leases to which Borrower is currently a party or any portion of the Rents due and payable or to become due and payable to Borrower thereunder which is still in effect.
4.1.20. Insurance. Borrower has obtained and has delivered to Lender certified copies of all Policies reflecting the insurance coverages, amounts and other requirements set forth in this Agreement. Except as set forth in any notice delivered pursuant to Section 6.2, no claims have been made or are currently pending, outstanding or otherwise remain unsatisfied under any such Policy with respect to any Property, and neither Borrower nor any other Person, has done, by act or omission, anything which would impair the coverage of any such Policies.
4.1.21. Use of Property. Each Individual Property is used primarily as a temperature controlled warehousing and logistics facility and other appurtenant and related uses. The current use and operation of each Individual Property is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Legal Requirements and no material permit, license or regulatory approval that has not previously been obtained is required for the continued use and operation thereof.
4.1.22. Certificate of Occupancy; Licenses. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.22, certifications, permits, licenses and approvals, including without limitation, certificates of completion and occupancy permits required for the legal use, occupancy and operation of the Properties as temperature controlled warehousing and logistics facilities (collectively, the Licenses), have been obtained and are in full force and effect. Borrower shall keep and maintain all Licenses necessary for the operation of each Individual Property as a temperature controlled warehousing and logistics facility. In each jurisdiction where a certificate of occupancy is required pursuant to Legal Requirements with respect to an Individual Property (the parties acknowledging that Louisiana has no such requirement), the use being made of such Individual Property is in conformity in all material respects with the certificate of occupancy issued for such Individual Property.
4.1.23. Flood Zone. None of the Improvements on any Individual Property are located in an area as identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as an area having special flood hazards or, if so located, the flood insurance required pursuant to Section 6.1(a)(i) is in full force and effect with respect to such Individual Property.
4.1.24. Physical Condition. Except as expressly disclosed in the property condition reports delivered to or obtained by Lender in connection with the origination of the Loan, each Individual Property, including, without limitation, all buildings, improvements, parking facilities, sidewalks, storm drainage systems, roofs, plumbing systems, HVAC systems, fire protection systems, electrical systems, equipment, elevators, exterior sidings and doors, landscaping, irrigation systems and all structural components, are in good condition, order and repair in all material respects; there exists no structural or other material defects or damages in any Individual Property, whether latent or otherwise, and Borrower has not received notice from any insurance company or bonding company of any defects or inadequacies in any Individual Property, or any part thereof, which would adversely affect the insurability of the same or cause the imposition of extraordinary premiums or charges thereon or of any termination or threatened termination of any policy of insurance or bond.
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4.1.25. Boundaries. Except as expressly disclosed in the Surveys delivered to Lender prior to the date hereof and Title Insurance Policies, and except with respect to matters that would not, individually or collectively, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all of the Improvements which were included in determining the appraised value of each Individual Property lie wholly within the boundaries and building restriction lines of such Individual Property, and no improvements on adjoining properties encroach upon any Individual Property, and no easements or other encumbrances upon any Individual Property encroach upon any of the Improvements, so as to affect the value or marketability of the Properties except those which are insured against by the Title Insurance Policy.
4.1.26. Leases. As of the Closing Date, the Properties are not subject to any leases other than the applicable Master Lease, the Third Party Subleases, the Lineage Subleases and those Leases referenced in the rent roll attached hereto as Schedule 4.1.26. Other than the Bartlett Property, each Property is subject to a Master Lease. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.1.26, the Leases, the Third Party Subleases, the Lineage Subleases and each Master Lease (together with any certificates and notifications entered into in connection therewith) provided to Lender on or before the Closing Date are true, correct and complete copies and constitute the entire agreement between the parties thereto as of the Closing Date with respect to the subject matter therein and there are no other written agreements modifying, amending, supplementing or restating the Leases, the Third Party Subleases, the Lineage Subleases or any Master Lease other than those that have been provided to Lender on or before the Closing Date. Each Master Lease is a true lease for all purposes of the Bankruptcy Code (including Section 365(d) and 502(b)(6) thereof) and applicable Legal Requirements and no Master Lease constitutes a financing or conveys any interest in the applicable Properties other than the leasehold interest therein demised thereby. As of the Closing Date, with respect to the Properties (other than the Bartlett Property), the applicable Master Landlord (as defined in the applicable Master Lease) is (a) the owner and lessor of landlords interest in the applicable Master Lease and is entitled to all base rent thereunder and (b) the owner of the over landlords interest in any subleases or subsubleases relating to the Properties as of the Closing Date subject to such Master Lease. As of the Closing Date, with respect to the Bartlett Property, the Individual Borrower owning fee simple title to the Bartlett Property is (i) the owner and lessor of landlords interest in each Lease (excluding any sublease, subsublease or further level thereof) at the Bartlett Property and is entitled to all base rent thereunder and (ii) is the owner of the over landlords interest in any subleases or subsubleases relating to the Bartlett Property. No Person has any possessory interest in any Individual Property or right to occupy the same except under and pursuant to the provisions of the Leases (including the applicable Master Leases, Third Party Subleases and Lineage Subleases) and under subleases, licenses or other occupancy arrangements granted by the applicable Master Tenant or the applicable Lineage Subtenant or subsubleases granted under any subleases. As of the Closing Date, with respect to the Properties (other than the Bartlett Property), each Master Lease is in full force and effect and there are no defaults thereunder by any party and there are no conditions that, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute defaults thereunder. As of the Closing Date, each Material Lease set forth on Schedule 4.1.26 is in full force and effect and there are no defaults thereunder by any party and there are no conditions that, with the passage
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of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute defaults thereunder. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.26, no Rent under any Lease or Master Lease has been paid more than one (1) month in advance of its due date (other than security deposits), and, as of the Closing Date, no Rents under the Leases, the Lineage Subleases or any Master Lease have been waived, released or otherwise discharged or compromised. All security deposits held by Borrower are being held in accordance in all material respects with applicable law. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.26, all work to be performed by Borrower under any Material Leases set forth on Schedule 4.1.26 has been performed as required and has been accepted by the applicable Tenant, and any payments, free rent, partial rent, rebate of rent or other payments, credits, allowances or abatements required to be given by Borrower to any Tenant under any of the Material Leases set forth on Schedule 4.1.26, any Lineage Sublease or any Master Lease has already been received by such Tenant. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.26, no Tenant (including any Master Tenant, Lineage Subtenant and Third-Party Subtenant) and no other Person has an extension right or option pursuant to a Material Lease. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.26, no Tenant (including any Master Tenant and any applicable Lineage Subtenant or Third Party Subtenant) and no other Person has any right or option for additional space in the Improvements, which is subject to any other Material Lease set forth on Schedule 4.1.26. No Tenant (including any Master Tenant and any applicable Lineage Subtenant or Third Party Subtenant) and no other Person has an unexpired right or option pursuant to a Lease or otherwise to purchase all or any part of any Individual Property other than the Identified Option Contracts.
4.1.27. Survey. The Survey for each Individual Property delivered to Lender in connection with this Agreement does not fail to reflect any material matter affecting such Individual Property or the title thereto. Since the date of each Survey for each Individual Property, there has been no alterations of any Individual Property that has changed the footprint or height of the improvements on such Property.
4.1.28. Inventory. Borrower or the applicable Master Tenant is the owner of all of the Equipment, Fixtures and Personal Property (as such terms are defined in the Mortgages) located on or at each such Individual Property and shall not lease any such Equipment, Fixtures or Personal Property other than as permitted hereunder. To Borrowers knowledge, all of the Equipment, Fixtures and Personal Property are sufficient to operate the Properties in the manner required hereunder and in the manner in which it is currently operated. Borrower is the owner of all refrigeration equipment at the Property.
4.1.29. Filing and Recording Taxes. All transfer taxes, deed stamps, intangible taxes or other amounts in the nature of transfer taxes required to be paid by any Person under applicable Legal Requirements in connection with the transfer of the Properties to Borrower and all transactions entered into in connection with or in anticipation thereof have been paid or will be paid as of the Closing Date or has been delivered to a title insurer issuing the Title Insurance Policies for payment to the applicable Governmental Authority. All state, county and municipal mortgage, mortgage recording, stamp, intangible or other similar tax required to be paid by any Person under applicable Legal Requirements in connection with the execution, delivery, recordation, filing, registration or perfection of any of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation the Mortgages, have been paid or will be paid at closing or has been delivered to a title insurer issuing the Title Insurance Policies for payment to the applicable Governmental Authority.
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4.1.30. Special Purpose Entity/Separateness. (a) Until the Debt has been paid in full, each Individual Borrower hereby represents, warrants and covenants that such Individual Borrower and each Sole Member is, shall be and shall continue to be a Special Purpose Entity, except (i) as set forth in Schedule 4.1.30, and/or (ii) to the extent such Individual Borrower or Sole Member conveys one or more Individual Properties or interests in an Individual Borrower, as applicable, in connection with the exercise of Borrowers rights in accordance with Section 2.5.2, Section 2.5.3 or Section 2.5.5, it being acknowledged and agreed that following such conveyance, the fact that an Individual Borrower owned such Individual Property, or that a Sole Member owned such interests so conveyed, and matters associated with such Individual Property or interests so conveyed, shall constitute exceptions to the requirements set forth in the definition of Special Purpose Entity. For the avoidance of doubt, except with respect to ongoing contingent liabilities, nothing on Schedule 4.1.30 shall be construed to permit Borrower to prospectively engage in any of the noncomplying behavior set forth on such schedule.
(b) The representations, warranties and covenants set forth in Section 4.1.30(a) above shall survive for so long as any amount remains payable to Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(c) Any and all of the stated facts and assumptions made in any Insolvency Opinion, including, but not limited to, any exhibits attached thereto, will have been and shall be true and correct in all respects, and Borrower and Sole Member will have complied and will comply with all of the stated facts and assumptions made with respect to it in any Insolvency Opinion. Each entity other than Borrower with respect to which an assumption is made or a fact stated in any Insolvency Opinion will have complied and will comply with all of the assumptions made and facts stated with respect to it in any such Insolvency Opinion. Borrower covenants that in connection with any Additional Insolvency Opinion delivered in connection with this Agreement it shall provide an updated certification regarding compliance with the facts and assumptions made therein. Each entity other than Borrower with respect to which stated facts or any assumption shall be made in the Insolvency Opinion or any Additional Insolvency Opinion will have complied and will comply with all of the stated facts and assumptions made with respect to it in any Insolvency Opinion or Additional Insolvency Opinion.
(d) Each Individual Borrower covenants and agrees that Borrower shall provide Lender with two (2) Business Days prior written notice prior to the removal of an Independent Director of any of Borrower or Sole Member and no Independent Director shall be removed other than for Cause; provided, however, that, for purposes of clarity, the foregoing provisions shall not apply to any resignation by an Independent Director.
(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.30, Each Borrower that is a recycled SPE hereby further represents to Lender that as of the Closing Date:
(i) It has been duly formed and is and has been since the date of its formation validly existing in the state in which it was formed and is currently qualified to do business in each other jurisdiction where such qualification is required in connection with its current operations;
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(ii) it has no judgments or liens of any nature against it except for Permitted Encumbrances;
(iii) Except as may be disclosed in any zoning report or property condition report delivered to Lender prior to the Closing Date and to such Borrowers knowledge, it is in compliance in all material respects with all laws, regulations and orders applicable to such Borrower and has received all permits necessary for it to operate and for which a failure to possess would materially and adversely affect its condition, financial or otherwise;
(iv) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.4, to its knowledge there is not any pending or threatened litigation involving itself that, if adversely determined, might materially adversely affect its condition (financial or otherwise) or the condition or ownership of the relevant Individual Property or Properties owned by it;
(v) It is not involved in any dispute with any taxing authority;
(vi) It has paid or has caused to be paid all real estate taxes that are due and payable with respect to the related Individual Property or Properties and any Other Properties;
(vii) Except as set forth in the Recycled SPE Certificates, it has never owned any real property other than the related Individual Property or Properties owned by it as of the date hereof and has never engaged in any business except the ownership and operation of the related Individual Property or Properties;
(viii) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1.4, it is not, nor has ever been party to any lawsuit, arbitration, summons or legal proceeding that, if adversely determined, might materially adversely affect its financial condition (financial or otherwise) or the condition or ownership of the relevant Individual Property or Properties owned by it, including with respect to Other Properties;
(ix) It has provided Lender with financial statements that are, when taken as a whole, true and correct in all material respects and that accurately represent the financial condition of the Properties as of the date of such financial statements;
(x) It has provided Lender with a Phase I Environmental Report for the related Individual Property;
(xi) at all times since its formation, it has substantially complied with the separateness covenants referred to in the definition of Special Purpose Entity; and
(xii) it has no contingent or actual obligations not related to the related Individual Property or Properties;
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4.1.31. Management. Except for any Approved Management Agreements, as of the Closing Date, no Borrower has engaged any property manager with respect to the Properties. Each Approved Management Agreement is in full force and effect and there is no monetary default or material non-monetary default thereunder by any party thereto and, to Borrowers knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the passage of time and/or the giving of notice would constitute a material default thereunder by any party thereto.
4.1.32. Illegal Activity. No portion of any Individual Property has been or will be purchased with proceeds of any illegal activity.
4.1.33. No Change in Facts or Circumstances; Disclosure. All information submitted by or on behalf of Borrower to Lender and in all financial statements, rent rolls, reports, certificates and other documents submitted in connection with the Loan or in satisfaction of the terms thereof and all statements of fact made by Borrower in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, are true and correct in all material respects. There has been no material adverse change in any condition, fact, circumstance or event that would make any such information inaccurate, incomplete or otherwise misleading in any material respect or that otherwise materially and adversely affects or might materially and adversely affect the use, operation or value of the Properties or the business operations or the financial condition of Borrower or any Master Tenant. Borrower has disclosed to Lender all material facts and has not failed to disclose any material fact that could cause any Provided Information (to Borrowers knowledge, with respect to any statements which are derived from third party information not prepared by or on behalf of Borrower, any Master Tenant, Sole Member or Guarantor) or representation or warranty made herein to be materially misleading.
4.1.34. Investment Company Act. No Individual Borrower is (a) an investment company or a company controlled by an investment company, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; (b) a holding company or a subsidiary company of a holding company or an affiliate of either a holding company or a subsidiary company within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended; or (c) subject to any other federal or state law or regulation which purports to restrict or regulate its ability to borrow money.
4.1.35. Embargoed Person. As of the date hereof and at all times throughout the term of the Loan, including after giving effect to any Transfers permitted pursuant to the Loan Documents, (a) none of the funds or other assets of Borrower, any Master Tenant, and Guarantor constitute property of, or are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any Embargoed Person; (b) no Embargoed Person has any interest of any nature whatsoever in Borrower, any Master Tenant or Guarantor, as applicable, with the result that the investment in Borrower, any Master Tenant or Guarantor, as applicable (whether directly or indirectly), is prohibited by law or the Loan is in violation of law; and (c) none of the funds of Borrower, any Master Tenant or Guarantor, as applicable, have been derived from any unlawful activity with the result that the investment in Borrower, any Master Tenant or Guarantor, as applicable (whether directly or indirectly), is prohibited by law or the Loan is in violation of law.
4.1.36. Principal Place of Business; State of Organization. Each Individual Borrowers principal place of business as of the date hereof is the address set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement. Each Individual Borrower is organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
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4.1.37. Cash Management Account and Operating Account. (a) This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, create a valid and continuing security interest (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York) in the Cash Management Account and Operating Account in favor of Lender, which security interest is prior to all other Liens, other than Permitted Encumbrances, and is enforceable as such against creditors of and purchasers from Borrower. Other than in connection with the Loan Documents and except for Permitted Encumbrances, Borrower has not sold, pledged, transferred or otherwise conveyed the Cash Management Account or the Operating Account which sale, pledge, transfer or conveyance is still outstanding;
(b) Each of the Cash Management Account and Operating Account constitutes a deposit account and/or securities account within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York;
(c) [Intentionally omitted];
(d) The Cash Management Account is not in the name of any Person other than Borrower, as pledgor, or Lender, as pledgee. Borrower has not consented to the Cash Management Bank complying with instructions with respect to the Cash Management Account from any Person other than Lender; and
(e) The Properties are not subject to any cash management system (other than pursuant to the Loan Documents and cash management arrangements by and among the Individual Borrowers that relate solely to the Rents that are the property of such Individual Properties and accounts owned by such Individual Borrowers), and any and all existing tenant instruction letters issued in connection with any previous financing with respect to the Properties have been duly terminated prior to the date hereof or will be terminated on or promptly following the Closing Date, but in any event prior to the date on which Rents payable under each Master Lease are next payable.
4.1.38. Ground Leased Parcel. Taking into account the estoppel letter delivered to Lender by the related ground lessor, and except as set forth in Schedule 4.1.38, each of the following is true with respect to the Ground Lease:
(i) The Ground Lease or a memorandum thereof has been duly recorded or submitted for recordation in a form that is acceptable for recording in the applicable jurisdiction. The Ground Lease or ground lease estoppel letter permits the interest of the lessee to be encumbered by the Mortgage and does not restrict the use of the Property by Borrower, its successors or assigns in a manner that would adversely affect the security provided by the Mortgage.
(ii) The lessor has agreed in writing in the Ground Lease or such estoppel letter that the Ground Lease may not be amended, modified, canceled or terminated without the prior written consent of Lender and that any such action without such consent is not binding on Lender;
(iii) The Ground Lease has an original term (or an original term plus one or more optional renewal terms, which, under all circumstances, may be exercised, and will be enforceable, by Borrower or Lender) that extends not less than 20 years beyond the scheduled Maturity Date, assuming the exercise of all Extension Options;
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(iv) The Ground Lease is not subject to any interests, estates, liens or encumbrances superior to, or of equal priority with, the Mortgage, except for the related fee interest of the ground lessor and the Permitted Encumbrances;
(v) The Ground Lease does not place commercially unreasonable restrictions on the identity of the mortgagee and the Ground Lease is assignable to Lender and its successors and assigns without the consent of the lessor thereunder, and in the event it is so assigned, it is further assignable by the holder of the Loan and its successors and assigns without the consent of the lessor;
(vi) There is no default under the Ground Lease and no condition that, but for the passage of time or giving of notice, would result in a default under the terms of the Ground Lease, and the Ground Lease is in full force and effect as of the Closing Date;
(vii) The Ground Lease or such estoppel letter requires the lessor to give to Lender written notice of any default, and provides that no notice of default or termination is effective unless such notice is given to Lender;
(viii) Lender is permitted a reasonable opportunity (including, where necessary, sufficient time to gain possession of the interest of Borrower under the Ground Lease through legal proceedings) to cure any default under the Ground Lease which is curable after Lenders receipt of notice of any default before the lessor may terminate the Ground Lease;
(ix) The Ground Lease does not impose any restrictions on subletting that would be viewed as commercially unreasonable by a prudent commercial mortgage lender, it being understood that any subletting is subject to the consent of the lessor (not to be unreasonably withheld);
(x) The Ground Lease or such estoppel letter does not prohibit or otherwise prevent Net Proceeds from being held by Lender and applied either to the repair or restoration of the Property or to the payment of the Debt in accordance herewith; and without limiting the foregoing, in the case of a total or substantially total loss or taking, the Ground Lease does not prohibit or prevent the application of the Net Proceeds to the payment of the Debt; and
(xi) Provided that Lender cures any defaults which are susceptible to being cured, the lessor has agreed to enter into a new lease with Lender upon termination of the Ground Lease for any reason and/or upon rejection of the Ground Lease in a bankruptcy proceeding.
4.1.39. Taxes. Borrower is treated as a partnership or a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Borrower has timely filed or caused to be filed all federal income and other material tax returns and reports required to have been filed by it and has paid or caused to be paid all federal income and other material taxes and related liabilities required to have been paid by it, except taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves (except to the extent any such contest is
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being consummated by a Tenant pursuant to the terms of its Lease, provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the applicable Third Party Sublease (if applicable), Lenders right to reserve and apply security pursuant to Section Error! Reference source not found. hereof shall not be in any way altered or impaired). There are no Liens for taxes on, or with respect to any of Borrowers income or assets, other than Liens for taxes not yet delinquent or which are contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves (except to the extent any such contest is being consummated by a Tenant pursuant to the terms of its Lease, provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the applicable Third Party Sublease (if applicable), Lenders right to apply security pursuant to Section Error! Reference source not found. hereof shall not be in any way altered or impaired).
Section 4.2. Survival of Representations. Borrower agrees that all of the representations and warranties of Borrower set forth in Section 4.1 and elsewhere in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall survive for so long as any amount remains owing to Lender under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents by Borrower. All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents by Borrower shall be deemed to have been relied upon by Lender notwithstanding any investigation heretofore or hereafter made by Lender or on its behalf.
V. BORROWER COVENANTS
Section 5.1. Affirmative Covenants. From the date hereof and until payment and performance in full of all obligations of Borrower under the Loan Documents (other than contingent obligations which by their terms survive termination of the Loan Documents) or the earlier release of the Liens of the Mortgages (and all related obligations) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Borrower hereby covenants and agrees with Lender that:
5.1.1. Existence; Compliance with Legal Requirements. Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to, do all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights, licenses, permits and franchises and comply in all material respects with all Legal Requirements applicable to Borrower, each Master Tenant, each Lineage Subtenant and the Properties, including, without limitation, Prescribed Laws, building and zoning codes and certificates of occupancy. There shall never be committed by Borrower and Borrower shall not permit any Tenant (including any Master Tenant, the Lineage Subtenants and any Third Party Subtenant) or any other Person in occupancy of or involved with the operation or use of any Individual Property to commit any act or omission affording any Governmental Authority the right of forfeiture against Borrowers interest in any Individual Property or any part thereof or any monies paid in performance of Borrowers obligations under any of the Loan Documents. Borrower hereby covenants and agrees not to commit, permit or suffer to exist (and Borrower shall not permit any Master Tenant to commit, permit or suffer to exist) any act or omission affording such right of forfeiture. Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant to) at all times maintain, preserve and protect all material franchises and trade names and preserve all the remainder of its property used or useful in the conduct of its business. Borrower shall (or shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) keep the Properties in good working order and repair and, from time to time, make or cause to be made, all reasonably necessary repairs, renewals,
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replacements, betterments and improvements thereto, all as more fully provided in the Loan Documents. Borrower shall (or shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) keep the Properties insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers, to such extent and against such risks, and maintain liability and such other insurance, as is more fully provided in this Agreement. Borrower, at Borrowers own expense, may (or Borrower may direct the applicable Master Tenant to) contest by appropriate legal proceeding promptly initiated and conducted in good faith and with due diligence, the validity of any Legal Requirement, the applicability of any Legal Requirement to Borrower, any Master Tenant or any Individual Property or any alleged violation of any Legal Requirement, provided that (a) no Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured; (b) with respect to any such contest of any Legal Requirement, the applicability of any Legal Requirement to Borrower, any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant or any Individual Property or any alleged violation of any Legal Requirement, in each case in which the amount at issue is equal to or greater than One Million and No/100 Dollars ($1,000,000), Borrower shall (or Borrower shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) have given prior notice to Lender of such contest; (c) such proceeding shall be permitted under and be conducted in accordance with the provisions of any instrument to which Borrower, any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant or any Individual Property is subject and shall not constitute a default thereunder and such proceeding shall be conducted in accordance in all material respects with all applicable statutes, laws and ordinances; (d) no Individual Property nor any part thereof or interest therein will be in danger of being sold, forfeited, terminated, cancelled or lost; (e) Borrower shall (or Borrower shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) promptly upon final determination thereof comply with any such Legal Requirement determined to be valid or applicable or cure any violation of any Legal Requirement; and (f) Borrower shall (or Borrower shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) furnish such security as may be required in the proceeding, or as may be reasonably requested by Lender, to insure compliance with such Legal Requirement, together with all interest and penalties payable in connection therewith. Lender may apply any such security, as necessary to cause compliance with such Legal Requirement at any time when, in the reasonable judgment of Lender, the validity, applicability or violation of such Legal Requirement is finally established or any Individual Property (or any part thereof or interest therein) shall be in danger of being sold, forfeited, terminated, cancelled or lost. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 5.1.1, solely with respect to the Third Party Sublease Properties, any contest by the applicable Third Party Subtenant of the validity or applicability of Legal Requirements shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 5.1.1 if undertaken pursuant to the terms of the applicable Third Party Sublease, provided, however, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the applicable Third Party Sublease, clauses (d) and (f) of this Section 5.1.1 shall continue to apply. Within 12 months following the Closing Date, Borrower shall obtain regulatory closure with respect to the matter disclosed in the Technical Memorandum, dated as of October 7, 2020 (Farallon PN: 2362-002), from Farallon Consulting, provided that such 12 month period shall be extended as reasonably necessary, so long as Borrower is using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such regulatory closure.
5.1.2. Taxes and Other Charges. Borrower shall (or Borrower shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) pay all material Property Taxes and Other Charges now or hereafter levied or assessed or imposed against the Properties or any part thereof prior to the same becoming delinquent; provided, however, Borrowers obligation to directly pay Property Taxes shall be suspended for so long as Borrower complies with the terms and provisions of Section 7.3 hereof. Borrower shall (or Borrower shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to), deliver to Lender
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receipts for payment or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that the Property Taxes and Other Charges have been so paid prior to the date the same shall become delinquent (or, solely with respect to the Third Party Sublease Properties, Borrower shall deliver such evidence promptly following the date the applicable Third Party Subtenant is required to deliver the same to Borrower pursuant to the terms of the applicable Third Party Sublease); provided, however, Borrower is not required to furnish such receipts for payment of Property Taxes and Other Charges (x) in the event that such Property Taxes and Other Charges have been paid by Lender pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof, or (y) with respect to Property Taxes at any time that a Cash Sweep Period is not continuing. Borrower shall not (and Borrower shall not permit any Master Tenant to) suffer and shall (and Borrower shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) promptly cause to be paid and discharged any Lien or charge whatsoever which may be or become a Lien or charge against any Individual Property, other than Permitted Encumbrances, and shall (and Borrower shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) promptly pay for all utility services provided to any Individual Property. Borrower, at its own expense, may (or Borrower may direct the applicable Master Tenant to) contest by appropriate legal proceeding, promptly initiated and conducted in good faith and with due diligence, the amount or validity or application in whole or in part of any Property Taxes, Other Charges, Liens or charges that may be or become a Lien or charge against any Individual Property, provided that (a) no Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured; (b) with respect to any such contest of any Property Taxes or Other Charges in which the amount at issue is equal to or greater than One Million and No/100 Dollars ($1,000,000), Borrower shall (or Borrower shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) have given prior notice to Lender of such contest; (c) such proceeding shall be permitted under and be conducted in accordance with the provisions of any other instrument to which Borrower is subject and shall not constitute a default thereunder and such proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable statutes, laws and ordinances; (d) no Individual Property nor any part thereof or interest therein will be in danger of being sold, forfeited, terminated, cancelled or lost; (e) Borrower shall (or Borrower shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) promptly upon final determination thereof pay the amount of any such Property Taxes, Other Charges or charges that may be or become a Lien or charge against any Individual Property determined to be valid or applicable, together with all costs, interest and penalties which may be payable in connection therewith; and (f) Borrower shall (or Borrower shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) furnish such security as may be required in the proceeding, or as may be reasonably requested by Lender, to ensure the payment of any such Property Taxes, Other Charges or charges that may be or become a Lien or charge against any Individual Property, together with all interest and penalties thereon. Lender may pay over any such cash deposit or part thereof held by Lender to the claimant entitled thereto at any time when, in the judgment of Lender, the entitlement of such claimant is established or any Individual Property (or part thereof or interest therein) shall be in danger of being sold, forfeited, terminated, cancelled or lost or there shall be any danger of the Lien of any Mortgage being primed by any related Lien. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 5.1.2, solely with respect to the Third Party Sublease Properties, any contest by the applicable Third Party Subtenant of the amount, validity or applicability of any Property Taxes, Other Charges, Liens or charges that may be or become a Lien or charge against any Individual Property shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 5.1.2 if undertaken pursuant to the terms of the applicable Third Party Sublease, provided, however, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the applicable Third Party Sublease, clauses (d) and (f) of this Section 5.1.2 shall continue to apply.
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5.1.3. Litigation. Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each applicable Master Tenant to) give prompt written notice to Lender of any litigation or governmental proceedings pending or threatened against Borrower, such Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant or Guarantor which could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect Borrowers, such Master Tenants, such Lineage Subtenants or Guarantors condition (financial or otherwise) or business or the Properties.
5.1.4. Access to Property. Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each applicable Master Tenant to) permit agents, representatives and employees of Lender to inspect the Properties or any part thereof at reasonable hours upon reasonable advance notice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 5.1.4, solely with respect to the Third Party Sublease Properties, the rights of Lender pursuant to this Section 5.1.4 shall be subject to the rights of the applicable Third Party Subtenant under the applicable Third Party Sublease.
5.1.5. Notice of Default. Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant to) promptly advise Lender of any material adverse change in Borrowers, any Master Tenants, any Lineage Subtenants or Guarantors condition, financial or otherwise, or of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default of which Borrower has knowledge.
5.1.6. Cooperate in Legal Proceedings. Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant to) cooperate fully with Lender with respect to any proceedings before any court, board or other Governmental Authority which may in any way affect the rights of Lender hereunder or any rights obtained by Lender under any of the other Loan Documents and, in connection therewith, permit Lender, at its election, to participate in any such proceedings.
5.1.7. Perform Loan Documents. Borrower shall observe, perform and satisfy all the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of, and shall pay when due all costs, fees and expenses to the extent required under the Loan Documents executed and delivered by, or applicable to, Borrower.
5.1.8. Award and Insurance Benefits. Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each applicable Master Tenant to) cooperate with Lender in obtaining for Lender the benefits of any Awards or Insurance Proceeds lawfully or equitably payable in connection with any Individual Property, and Lender shall be reimbursed for any reasonable and documented expenses incurred in connection therewith (including reasonable and documented attorneys fees and disbursements, and the payment by Borrower of the expense of an appraisal on behalf of Lender for the applicable Individual Property or part thereof in case of Casualty or Condemnation affecting such Individual Property or any part thereof) out of such Insurance Proceeds.
5.1.9. Further Assurances. Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant to) at Borrowers sole cost and expense:
(a) furnish to Lender all instruments, documents, boundary surveys, footing or foundation surveys, certificates, plans and specifications, appraisals, title and other insurance reports and agreements, and each and every other document, certificate, agreement and instrument required to be furnished by Borrower pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents or which are reasonably requested by Lender in connection therewith;
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(b) execute and deliver to Lender such documents, instruments, certificates, assignments and other writings, and do such other acts necessary or desirable, to evidence, preserve and/or protect the collateral at any time securing the obligations of Borrower under the Loan Documents, as Lender may reasonably require; and
(c) do and execute all and such further lawful and reasonable acts, conveyances and assurances for the better and more effective carrying out of the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of replacement notes upon reasonable request of Lender, provided such Lender delivers to Borrower a lost-note affidavit and indemnity reasonably acceptable to Borrower, as Lender shall reasonably require from time to time.
5.1.10. Principal Place of Business, State of Organization. (a) Borrower will not direct or permit any change to be made in its name (other than an Approved Borrower Merger), identity (including its trade name or names), place of organization or formation (as set forth in Section 4.1.36) or Borrowers corporate or partnership or other structure unless Borrower shall have first notified Lender in writing of such change at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the effective date of such change, and shall have first taken all action required for the purpose of perfecting or protecting the lien and security interests of Lender pursuant to this Agreement, and the other Loan Documents and, in the case of a change in Borrowers structure without first obtaining the prior written consent of Lender, which consent may be given or denied in Lenders sole discretion.
(b) Upon Lenders request, Borrower shall, at Borrowers sole cost and expense, execute and deliver additional security agreements and other instruments which may be necessary to effectively evidence or perfect Lenders security interest in any Individual Property as a result of such change of principal place of business or place of organization.
(c) Borrowers principal place of business and chief executive office, and the place where Borrower keeps its books and records, including recorded data of any kind or nature, regardless of the medium or recording, including software, writings, plans, specifications and schematics, has been for the preceding four months (or, if less, the entire period of the existence of Borrower) and will continue to be at the following address of Borrower: 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan 48377: (unless Borrower notifies Lender in writing at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the date of such change (it being understood that Borrower has notified Lender that certain of the Borrowers books and record will be held at 1 Park Plaza, Suite 550, Irvine, CA 92614 and 7965 NE Cherry Drive, Hillsboro, Oregon with Henningsen Cold Storage Co.)).
(d) Borrower shall promptly notify Lender of any change in its organizational identification number. If Borrower does not now have an organizational identification number and later obtains one, Borrower promptly shall notify Lender of such organizational identification number.
(e) Upon receipt of a written request from Lender, Borrower shall execute a certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to Lender listing the trade names under which Borrower intends to operate each Individual Property, and representing and warranting that Borrower do business under no other trade name with respect to such Properties.
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5.1.11. Financial Reporting. (a) Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant and each Lineage Subtenant (if any) to) keep and maintain or shall cause to be kept and maintained on a Fiscal Year basis, in accordance with (i) for Borrower only, the requirements for a Special Purpose Entity set forth herein and (ii) for Borrower, each Master Tenant, and each Lineage Subtenant (if any), GAAP (or such other accounting basis reasonably acceptable to Lender), proper and accurate books, records and accounts reflecting all of the financial affairs of Borrower, each Master Tenant and each Lineage Subtenant (if any) and all items of income and expense of Borrower, each Master Tenant and each Lineage Subtenant (if any) in connection with the operation of the Properties. Lender shall have the right from time to time at all times during normal business hours upon reasonable notice to examine such books, records and accounts at the office of Borrower or any other Person maintaining such books, records and accounts and to make such copies or extracts thereof as Lender shall desire. After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Borrower shall pay any reasonable and documented costs and expenses incurred by Lender to examine Borrowers, each Master Tenants and each Lineage Subtenants (if any) accounting records with respect to the Properties, as Lender shall determine to be necessary or appropriate in the protection of Lenders interest.
(b) Commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2021, Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant and each Lineage Subtenant (if any) to) furnish to Lender annually, within one hundred twenty (120) days following the end of each Fiscal Year of Borrower, each Master Tenant and each Lineage Subtenant (if any) the following financial statements (collectively, the Annual Financial Statements): (i) for Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet and income statement for such Fiscal Year (collectively, the Borrower Financial Statements); (ii) for each Master Tenant and Lineage Subtenants, a consolidated balance sheet and income statement for such Fiscal Year (collectively, the Master Tenant Financial Statements); (iii) [reserved]; and (iv) for each Individual Property, an operating statement for such Individual Property for such Fiscal Year (collectively, the Individual Property Financial Statements). The forms and level of detail provided in such Annual Financial Statements shall be substantially similar to the sample Annual Financial Statements sent by Borrowers counsel on behalf of Borrower to siddharth.shrivastava@gs.com, Andres.Turegano@gs.com and jharrison@cgsh.com at 5:59 p.m. on October 18, 2020 (other than statements of cash flow, which shall not be required). The Borrower Financial Statements shall be audited by Grant Thornton LLP, BDO USA, LLP, a Big Four accounting firm, or another independent certified public accountant reasonably acceptable to Lender. The Annual Financial Statements shall set forth the financial condition and the results of operations for Borrower, Master Tenants and Lineage Subtenants (if any) (on a consolidated basis) and the results of operations for each Individual Property, as applicable, for such Fiscal Year, and shall include, but not be limited to, amounts representing Net Operating Income, Gross Income from Operations and Operating Expenses, in each case for the Borrower and the Properties. The Annual Financial Statements shall be accompanied by an Officers Certificate certifying that the Borrower Financial Statements fairly present the financial condition and the results of operations of Borrower, the Master Tenant Financial Statements fairly present the financial condition and the results of operations of the applicable Master Tenant and each Lineage Subtenant (if any) (on a consolidated basis) and the Individual Property Financial Statements fairly present the results of operations for the Individual Properties being reported upon, that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and as of the date thereof whether there exists an event or circumstance which constitutes a Default or Event of Default under the Loan Documents executed and delivered by, or applicable to, Borrower, and if such Default or Event of Default exists, the nature thereof, the period of time it has existed and the action then being taken to remedy the same.
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(c) Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant and each Lineage Subtenant (if any) to) furnish, or cause to be furnished, to Lender on or before forty-five (45) days (sixty (60) days for the first Fiscal Quarter ending after the Closing Date and for the last Fiscal Quarter in each Fiscal Year) after the end of each calendar quarter the following items: (i) a rent roll as of the last day of such calendar quarter; (ii) quarterly and year-to-date operating statements (including Capital Expenditures) prepared for such calendar quarter, noting Net Operating Income, Gross Income from Operations, Operating Expenses (not including any contributions to the Replacement Reserve Fund) and containing a comparison of budgeted income and expenses and the actual income and expenses; (iii) a calculation of Net Operating Income for the four (4) quarter period ending as of the last day of such calendar quarter and (iv) an Officers Certificate confirming that each Master Tenant is not in default under the Master Lease to which it is a party or, if such default exists, specifying in reasonable detail the nature of such default. The deliveries under this clause (c) shall be accompanied by an Officers Certificate stating that (A) such rent rolls are true, correct, accurate, and complete in all material respect; (B) such financial statements fairly present the financial condition and results of the operations of the Individual Properties; and (C) the representations and warranties of Borrower set forth in Section 4.1.30 are true and correct as of the date of such Officers Certificate. If reasonably requested by Lender, Borrower shall (and, Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant to) provide Lender, promptly upon request, with any financial statements, financial, statistical or operating information or other information as Lender shall reasonably determine necessary and sufficient to fairly represent the financial position and results of operation of the Properties during such calendar quarter.
(d) For each Fiscal Year after calendar year 2020, Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant to) submit to Lender an Annual Budget substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule 5.1.11 or otherwise in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender not later than thirty (30) days following the commencement of such period or Fiscal Year. The Annual Budget shall be subject to Lenders approval during the continuance of a Cash Sweep Period or Event of Default (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
(e) If reasonably requested by Lender, Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant and any Lineage Subtenant to) provide Lender, promptly upon request, with any financial statements, financial, statistical or operating information or other information as Lender shall reasonably determine necessary or appropriate (including items required (or items that would be required if the Securitization were offered publicly) pursuant to Regulation AB under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, or any amendment, modification or replacement thereto) or required by any other legal requirements, in each case, in connection with any Disclosure Documents or any other filing pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the Securitization or as shall otherwise be reasonably requested by Lender. Borrowers obligations pursuant to this Section 5.1.11(e) shall be subject to any confidentiality obligations pursuant to the Leases and other customer agreements, provided that Borrower shall in no event provide to Lender less information with respect to such Leases and customer agreements than the ICE Disclosure Detail.
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(f) Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant to) furnish to Lender, within ten (10) Business Days after request (or as soon thereafter as may be reasonably possible), such further detailed information reasonably available to Borrower or such Master Tenant with respect to the operation of the Properties and the financial affairs of Borrower and such Master Tenant as may be reasonably requested by Lender.
(g) Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant to) furnish to Lender, within ten (10) Business Days after Lenders request (or as soon thereafter as may be reasonably possible), financial and sales information from any tenant designated by Lender (to the extent such financial and sales information is required to be provided under the applicable Lease and same is received by Borrower or such Master Tenant after request therefor). Borrowers obligations pursuant to this Section 5.1.11(g) shall be subject to any confidentiality obligations pursuant to the Leases and other customer agreements, provided that Borrower shall in no event provide to Lender less information with respect to such Leases and customer agreements than the ICE Disclosure Detail.
(h) Borrower shall cause Guarantor to furnish to Lender annually, within one hundred twenty (120) days following the end of each Fiscal Year of Guarantor, (i) financial statements audited by Grant Thornton LLP, BDO USA, LLP, a Big Four accounting firm or another independent certified public accountant reasonably acceptable to Lender, which shall include an annual balance sheet and profit and loss statement of Guarantor; and (ii) a combining statement for activities related to the Properties and activities not related to the Properties, which combining statement is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the consolidated financial statements, has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of Guarantor and certain additional procedures.
(i) Any reports, statements or other information required to be delivered under this Agreement shall be delivered via email with report files in electronic form of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel or .pdf format. Borrower agrees that, subject to the provisions of Section 10.26, Lender may disclose information regarding the Properties, Borrower, Sole Member, Guarantor, each Master Tenant and each Lineage Subtenant (if any) that is provided to Lender pursuant to this Section 5.1.11 in connection with the Securitization to such parties reasonably requesting such information in connection with such Securitization.
5.1.12. Business and Operations. Borrower will, and will direct each Master Tenant to, continue to engage in the businesses presently conducted by it and reasonable extensions thereof, as and to the extent the same are necessary for the ownership, maintenance, management and operation of the Properties. Borrower will, and will direct each Master Tenant to, qualify to do business and will remain in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction as and to the extent the same are required for the ownership, maintenance, management and operation of the Properties. Borrower shall at all times during the term of the Loan, continue to own, subject to the terms of the Master Lease, all of Equipment, Fixtures and Personal Property which are necessary to operate the Properties in the manner required hereunder and in the manner in which it is currently operated, provided that the applicable Master Tenant, Lineage Subtenant or a Taxable REIT Subsidiary related to the Borrower may own certain such Equipment, Fixtures and Personal Property.
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5.1.13. Title to the Property. Borrower will warrant and defend (a) the title to each Individual Property and every part thereof, subject only to Liens permitted hereunder (including Permitted Encumbrances) and (b) the validity and priority of the Liens of the Mortgages and the Assignments of Leases, subject only to Liens permitted hereunder (including Permitted Encumbrances), in each case against the claims of all Persons whomsoever. Borrower shall reimburse Lender for any losses, costs, damages or reasonable and documented expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by Lender if an interest in any Individual Property, other than as permitted hereunder, is claimed by another Person.
5.1.14. Costs of Enforcement. In the event (a) that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any Mortgage encumbering any Individual Property is foreclosed in whole or in part or that any Mortgage is put into the hands of an attorney for collection, suit, action or foreclosure, (b) of the foreclosure of any mortgage encumbering any Individual Property prior to or subsequent to any Mortgage covering any Individual Property in which proceeding Lender is made a party, or (c) of the bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar proceeding in respect of Borrower or any of its constituent Persons or an assignment by Borrower or any of its constituent Persons for the benefit of its creditors, Borrower, its successors or assigns, shall be chargeable with and agrees to pay all reasonable and documented costs of collection and defense, including reasonable and documented attorneys fees and expenses, incurred by Lender or Borrower in connection therewith and in connection with any appellate proceeding or post-judgment action involved therein, together with all required service or use taxes.
5.1.15. Estoppel Statement. (a) After request by Lender, Borrower shall within ten (10) Business Days furnish Lender with a statement, duly acknowledged and certified, setting forth, as of the date of such statement, (i) the Original Principal Indebtedness, (ii) the Principal Indebtedness, (iii) the Interest Rate of the Loan, (iv) the date installments of interest and/or principal were last paid, (v) any offsets or defenses to the payment of the Debt, if any, claimed by Borrower, and (vi) that the Note, this Agreement, the Mortgages and the other Loan Documents are valid, legal and binding obligations and have not been modified or if modified, giving particulars of such modification.
(b) Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant to) deliver to Lender, within ten (10) Business Days following Lenders request, tenant estoppel certificates from each Master Tenant substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D to the applicable Master Lease.
5.1.16. Loan Proceeds. Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loan received by it on the Closing Date only for the purposes set forth in Section 2.1.4.
5.1.17. Performance by Each Master Tenant. Borrower shall cause each Master Tenant to in a timely manner observe, perform and fulfill each and every covenant, term and provision of each Loan Document executed and delivered by, or applicable to, the applicable Individual Properties leased to such Master Tenant.
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5.1.18. Confirmation of Representations. Borrower shall deliver, in connection with any Securitization, (a) one or more Officers Certificates certifying as to the accuracy of all representations made by Borrower in the Loan Documents as of the date of the closing of such Securitization in all relevant jurisdictions except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true, complete and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and in all cases subject to changes in facts and circumstances that did not and do not give rise to a Default or Event of Default under the Loan Documents, and (b) certificates of the relevant Governmental Authorities in all relevant jurisdictions indicating the good standing and qualification of Borrower, Sole Member and Guarantor as of a date not more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Securitization.
5.1.19. O&M Program. Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (a) attached hereto as Schedule 5.1.19 is a list of all operation and maintenance plans with respect to the Properties, true and complete copies of which have previously been provided to Lender (collectively, the O&M Program), and (b) Borrower has as of the date hereof complied in all material respects with the O&M Program to the extent related to the Properties. Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that, during the term of the Loan, including any extension or renewal thereof, Borrower shall comply in all material respects with the terms and conditions of the O&M Program to the extent related to the Properties.
5.1.20. Leasing Matters. (a) Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Master Tenant or any Lineage Subtenant to, execute any Material Lease (a New Lease), without Lenders prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, that if Lender fails to respond to the delivery of any proposed Material Lease in writing within ten (10) Business Days following receipt of such proposed Material Lease, then such proposed Material Lease shall be deemed disapproved, provided further, that Borrower shall be permitted to thereafter deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Lender a second copy of such proposed Material Lease requesting Lenders prior written approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Upon reasonable request, Borrower shall furnish Lender with executed copies of all Leases. All renewals of Leases and proposed New Leases shall provide for rental rates comparable to existing local market rates. All proposed New Leases shall be on commercially reasonable terms and shall not contain any terms which would materially affect Lenders rights under the Loan Documents. All New Leases shall provide that they are subordinate to the applicable Mortgage and that the lessee agrees to attorn to Lender or any purchaser at a sale by foreclosure or power of sale. For purposes of clarity, (i) the execution of any new Lease that does not constitute a Material Lease shall not require Lenders consent and any such Lease may be entered into without consent of or notice to Lender, and (ii) any sublease of any Third Party Sublease or any renewal of any such sublease entered into by the applicable Third Party Subtenant in compliance with the applicable Third Party Sublease shall not be subject to the requirements of this Section 5.1.20(a) to the extent that the applicable Master Tenant does not have the right to deny consent to such sublease or renewal under the applicable Third Party Sublease.
(b) Borrower shall at all times promptly and faithfully perform, and direct each Master Tenant to perform, in all material respects and subject to any grace and cure periods set forth therein, if any, all of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained in its Master Lease, now or hereafter existing, on the part of the landlord and tenant thereunder to be kept and performed.
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(c) Borrower shall not do or suffer to be done, and shall not permit any Master Tenant to do or suffer to be done, any act that would reasonably be expected to result in a default by Borrower or any Master Tenant under any Master Lease in any material respect or permit any Master Tenant to withhold any payment of Rent due thereunder, and shall not assign, except for Permitted Encumbrances, or permit any Master Tenant to assign the applicable Master Lease or any Rents thereunder, except as permitted under Section 5.2.10.
(d) Borrower, at no cost or expense to Lender, shall perform and observe, in all material respects, each and every condition and covenant under each Master Lease to be performed or observed by the landlord thereunder and enforce (short of termination) the performance and observance by each Master Tenant in all material respects of each and every condition and covenant under the applicable Master Lease to be performed or observed by such Master Tenant thereunder.
(e) Borrower shall not, without the prior written consent of Lender (and, if a Securitization shall have occurred, Borrower shall have obtained and delivered to Lender a Rating Agency Confirmation to the extent required by the Rating Agencies), (i) modify, amend, supplement or restate (or permit the modification, amendment, supplement or restatement of) any Master Lease (except with respect to de minimis changes to correct typographical errors), (ii) terminate or accept the surrender (or permit the termination or surrender) of any Master Lease, or (iii) release or waive (or permit the release or waiver of) any Master Tenant from the performance or observance of any obligation or condition under any Master Lease; provided, however, (i) that the applicable Master Lease may be amended to reflect any release of an Individual Property or a Property Substitution to the extent that such release or Property Substitution is made subject to and in compliance with the terms of this Agreement and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary, so long as no Event of Default is continuing, without Lenders consent, Borrower may amend two (2) Master Leases (for each Individual Property located in Conklin, New York and Terrell, Texas) to remove such Individual Properties (and, if applicable, the related Individual Borrower) from the Master Lease to which such Individual Property is subject (Removed ML) and add such Individual Property (and, if applicable, the related Individual Borrower) to another Master Lease (Added ML) in one transaction or a series of transactions, provided that the rents attributable to such Individual Properties are removed from the Removed ML and added to the Added ML in equal amounts, which amendments Lender acknowledges may result in a change of the Master Tenant for such Individual Property, provided that the foregoing amendments shall be conditioned upon Borrower delivering to Lender (i) copies of such amendments and (ii) an update to the applicable True Lease Opinion(s) delivered at Closing (or an Additional True Lease Opinion) reflecting such amendments for each such Individual Property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lender shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent to any modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of any Master Lease as may be reasonably necessary to comply with the requirements of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any Legal Requirement, or that makes the provisions of such Master Lease consistent with the provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 5.1.20 to the contrary, Lenders consent to any amendment, modification, supplement or restatement of any Master Lease shall also be conditioned on the delivery by Borrower to the extent reasonably required by Lender, of an Additional Insolvency Opinion and an Additional True-Lease Opinion in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender (Lender agreeing that any such option substantially similar in form and substance delivered to Lender as of the Closing Date shall be acceptable to Lender) and, if a Securitization shall have occurred, Borrower shall deliver to Lender a Rating Agency Confirmation with respect thereto.
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(f) Borrower shall, and shall cause each Master Tenant to, (i) observe and perform in all material respects the obligations imposed upon the lessor under the Leases relating to the Properties, as applicable, in a commercially reasonable manner; (ii) subject to this clause (f) and the last sentence of Section 5.1.2, enforce in all material respects the terms, covenants and conditions contained in the Leases relating to the Properties upon the part of any sublessor (including each Third Party Sublessor) thereunder to be observed or performed in a commercially reasonable manner and in a manner not to materially impair the value of the Individual Property involved; provided, however, that Borrower shall not permit any Master Tenant to terminate or accept the surrender of any Material Lease (or any Leases for the same Individual Property when aggregated together would meet the requirements of a Material Lease) (unless it would be commercially reasonable to do so) without the prior written consent of Lender, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; (iii) not collect any of the rents more than one (1) month in advance (other than security deposits); (iv) not execute any other assignment of lessors interest in the Leases or the Rents (except as contemplated by the Loan Documents and otherwise permitted under Section 5.2.10); and (v) without the prior written consent of Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), not alter, modify or change the terms of the Material Leases so as to change the amount of rent, change the expiration date, grant any option for additional space or term, materially reduce the obligations of the Tenant or increase the obligations of lessor, in each case, to the extent the same would, individually or in the aggregate, be inconsistent with the provisions of the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, but subject to the provisions of Section 5.1.20(e) above regarding any Master Lease, all new Material Leases and all amendments, modifications, extensions, and renewals of existing Material Leases with Tenants that are Affiliates of Borrower shall be subject to the prior written consent of Lender, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(g) Borrower shall, at all times, cause the aggregate Rent payable under the Master Leases to be equal to $94,075,248 per annum with respect to the Properties that are subject to the liens of the Mortgages as of the Closing Date, which Rent shall increase by the amount set forth on Schedule 5.1.20 as and when each Earn-Out Property becomes collateral for the Loan (as such amount may be reduced in accordance with a release under the Loan Documents of any of the Properties in accordance with the terms of the applicable Master Lease), in each case with annual increases in such base rent as set forth in the applicable Master Lease (as in effect as of the Closing Date), as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, if all of the Earn-Out Properties become collateral for the Loan, and no Properties are released from the Lien of the Loan Documents, the annual Rent payable under the Master Leases would be $106,516,739.
(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the parties acknowledge that the Lender has preapproved the execution of a waiver and subordination of Borrowers lien, as landlord, on the assets of the Tenant known as Performance Cold Storage for the Individual Property located at 3190 West Professional Circle, Salt Lake City, UT 84104, in connection with such Tenants financing of its personalty located at such Individual Property.
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5.1.21. Alterations. Borrower shall, and shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to, obtain Lenders prior consent to any alteration to any Improvements at the Individual Property occupied by such Master Tenant, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed (except with respect to any alterations to any Improvements that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) any requirement for Lenders consent with respect to alterations in connection with the Restoration of an Individual Property after the occurrence of a Casualty or Condemnation shall be governed by Section 6.4 and (ii) Lenders consent shall not be required in connection with any alterations that (x) could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, provided that if such alterations shall adversely affect any structural component of any Improvements with respect to any Individual Property or any material utility or HVAC system contained in any such Improvements and the aggregate cost thereof exceeds $1,000,000, then prior written consent of Lender shall be required or (y) are made in connection with tenant improvement work performed pursuant to the terms of any Lease executed on or before the date hereof or executed after the date hereof in accordance with this Agreement. If the total unpaid amounts due and payable with respect to alterations to the Improvements at the Properties (other than such amounts to be paid or reimbursed by Tenants under the Leases) shall at any time exceed, (i) with respect to any Individual Property, the greater of (x) fifteen percent (15%) of the Allocated Loan Amount for such Individual Property and (y) $10,000,000 or (ii) five percent (5%) of the Original Principal Indebtedness in the aggregate with respect to all of the Properties (the Threshold Amount), Borrower shall (and Borrower shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to) promptly deliver to Lender as security for the payment of such amounts and as additional security for Borrowers obligations under the Loan Documents any of the following: (A) cash, (B) U.S. Obligations, (C) other securities having a rating reasonably acceptable to Lender and that, at Lenders option, the applicable Approved Rating Agencies have provided a Rating Agency Confirmation with respect to, or (D) an irrevocable letter of credit (payable on sight draft only) under which either Borrower or Sole Member shall have all of the repayment obligations, issued by a financial institution having a rating by S&P of not less than A-1 or rating by Moodys of not less than P-1, if the term of such letter of credit is no longer than three (3) months or, if such term is in excess of three (3) months, issued by a financial institution having a rating that is reasonably acceptable to Lender and that, at Lenders option, the applicable Approved Rating Agencies have provided a Rating Agency Confirmation with respect thereto. Such security shall be in an amount equal to the excess of the total unpaid amounts with respect to alterations to the Improvements on the Individual Property (other than such amounts to be paid or reimbursed by Tenants under the Leases) over the Threshold Amount and Lender may apply such security from time to time at the option of Lender to pay for such alterations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 5.1.21, solely with respect to the Third Party Sublease Properties, any alterations to any Third Party Sublease Property conducted by the applicable Third Party Subtenant shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 5.1.21 if undertaken pursuant to the terms of the applicable Third Party Sublease; provided, however, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the applicable Third Party Sublease, Borrowers obligation to post additional security for the Loan pursuant to this Section 5.1.21 shall not be in any way altered or impaired.
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5.1.22. Operation of Property. (a) Borrower shall cause each Property to either be (i) self-managed by the applicable Master Tenant, the applicable Lineage Subtenant or one or more other Affiliates of Borrower, (ii) managed by a Tenant under its Lease or (iii) managed by an Approved Property Manager engaged by the applicable Master Tenant (or in the case of the Bartlett Property, by the Borrower) pursuant to an Approved Management Agreement. Borrower shall, and shall cause the applicable Master Tenant (or Approved Property Manager, as applicable) to, cause the Properties (other than the Bartlett Property) to be operated, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable Master Lease.
(b) Borrower shall, and shall cause each Master Tenant to: (i) promptly perform and/or observe, in all material respects, all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed and observed by it under the applicable Master Lease and do all things necessary to preserve and to keep unimpaired its material rights thereunder; (ii) promptly notify Lender of any material default under the applicable Master Lease of which it is aware; (iii) promptly deliver to Lender a copy of each financial statement, business plan, capital expenditures plan, notice, report and estimate received by it under the applicable Master Lease; and (iv) enforce the performance and observance, in all material respects, of all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed and/or observed under the applicable Master Lease in a commercially reasonable manner.
(c) If a Property is not self-managed or managed by a Tenant under its Lease as set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) Section 5.1.22(a), such Property shall be managed at all times by an Approved Property Manager pursuant to an Approved Management Agreement. All management fees payable under any Approved Management Agreement shall be subordinate to the Debt. Borrower may from time to time replace an existing Approved Property Manager (or permit a Master Tenant to replace an existing Approved Property Manager) or appoint an Approved Property Manager with respect to a Property that is then self-managed or managed by a Tenant pursuant to its Lease (or permit any Master Tenant to appoint a Property Manager with respect to a Property that is then self-managed or managed by a Tenant pursuant to its Lease) pursuant to an Approved Management Agreement, provided that (i) no Event of Default is continuing, (ii) Lender receives at least 30 days prior written notice of same, and (iii) such manager shall execute and deliver to Lender for Lenders benefit a Subordination of Management Agreement in form and substance substantially similar to the Subordination of Management Agreement executed in connection with the Bartlett Property or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Lender. The per annum fees of the Approved Property Manager (including any incentive fees) shall not, at any time, exceed 3% of gross revenues (as defined in the applicable Approved Management Agreement) of the applicable Individual Property.
(d) Borrower shall cause (or cause the applicable Master Tenant to cause) each Approved Property Manager (including any successor Approved Property Manager) to maintain at all times workers compensation insurance as required by Governmental Authorities.
(e) Borrower shall notify Lender in writing of any material default of Borrower, any Master Tenant or any Approved Property Manager under any Approved Management Agreement, after the expiration of any applicable cure periods, of which Borrower has actual knowledge. Lender shall have the right, after reasonable notice to Borrower and in accordance with the Subordination of Management Agreement, to cure defaults of Borrower or Master Tenant under any Approved Management Agreement. Any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Lender to cure any such default shall constitute a part of the Indebtedness and shall be due from Borrower upon demand by Lender.
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(f) (A) If any Master Tenant or Borrower is entitled to terminate any Approved Management Agreement as a result of the acts or omissions of the Approved Property Manager thereunder, then, provided no Event of Default is continuing, Lender and Borrower shall discuss in good faith whether to so terminate such Approved Management Agreement (or cause the applicable Master Tenant to terminate such Approved Management Agreement), and if such Approved Management Agreement is terminated, Borrower shall be permitted to either (x) engage a replacement Approved Property Manager selected by Borrower and approved by Lender or (y) elect to self-manage such Property (either itself or through an Affiliate), in each case in accordance with this Section 5.1.22; or (B) if Borrower is entitled to terminate the Approved Management Agreement as a result of the acts or omissions of the Approved Property Manager thereunder and if an Event of Default is continuing or a foreclosure, conveyance-in-lieu of foreclosure or other similar transaction has occurred, Lender shall have the right to (i) direct Borrower to terminate, or cause the termination of, such Approved Management Agreement, and Borrower shall terminate, or cause the termination of, such Approved Management Agreement within 30 days following the date of such direction from Lender and (ii) engage a replacement Approved Property Manager selected by Lender to serve as replacement Approved Property Manager pursuant to an Approved Management Agreement for such Property. In the event that the Approved Management Agreement is scheduled to expire (after accounting for all available renewals thereof) at any time during the term of the Loan, Borrower shall submit to Lender by no later than 60 days prior to such expiration either (x) a draft replacement management agreement for approval in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof or (y) notice of Borrowers intention to self-manage such Property (either itself or through an Affiliate). With respect to any Property that is subject to a Master Lease, Borrower shall cause such Master Tenant to use commercially reasonable efforts to include language in any management agreement for any such Property providing that such management agreement shall automatically terminate upon the termination of the related Master Lease as the result of the exercise by Lender of any remedies pursuant to the Loan Documents.
5.1.23. Embargoed Person. Borrower has performed and shall perform reasonable due diligence to insure that at all times throughout the term of the Loan, including after giving effect to any Transfers permitted pursuant to the Loan Documents, (a) none of the funds or other assets of Borrower, any Master Tenant and Guarantor constitute property of, or are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any Embargoed Person; (b) to the knowledge of Borrower and Guarantor, no Embargoed Person has any interest of any nature whatsoever in Borrower, any Master Tenant or Guarantor, as applicable, with the result that the investment in Borrower, any Master Tenant or Guarantor, as applicable (whether directly or indirectly), is prohibited by law or the Loan is in violation of law; and (c) none of the funds of Borrower, any Master Tenant or Guarantor, as applicable, have been derived from, or are the proceeds of, any unlawful activity, including money laundering, terrorism or terrorism activities, with the result that the investment in Borrower, any Master Tenant or Guarantor, as applicable (whether directly or indirectly), is prohibited by law or the Loan is in violation of law, or may cause any Individual Property to be subject to forfeiture or seizure.
5.1.24. Special Purpose Entity/Separateness. Borrower hereby covenants that, until the payment in full of the Debt, each Individual Borrower and each Sole Member shall continue to be a Special Purpose Entity, except (i) as set forth in Schedule 4.1.30 with respect to the practices of one or more Individual Borrowers or Sole Members prior to the date hereof, and/or (ii) to the extent such Individual Borrower or Sole Member conveys one or more Individual Properties or interests
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in an Individual Borrower, as applicable, in connection with the exercise of Borrowers rights in accordance with Section 2.5.2, Section 2.5.3 or Section 2.5.5, it being acknowledged and agreed that following such conveyance, the fact that an Individual Borrower owned such Individual Property, or that a Sole Member owned such interests so conveyed, and matters associated with such Individual Property or interests so conveyed, shall constitute exceptions to the requirements set forth in the definition of Special Purpose Entity. For the avoidance of doubt, except with respect to ongoing contingent liabilities, nothing on Schedule 4.1.30 shall be construed to permit Borrower to prospectively engage in any of the noncomplying behavior set forth on such schedule.
5.1.25. No Joint Assessment. Borrower shall not suffer, permit or initiate, and shall not allow any Master Tenant to suffer, permit or initiate, the joint assessment of any Individual Property (a) with any other real property constituting a tax lot separate from such Individual Property, and (b) which constitutes real property with any portion of such Individual Property which may be deemed to constitute personal property, or any other procedure whereby the Lien of any taxes which may be levied against such personal property shall be assessed or levied or charged to such real property portion of the Individual Property.
5.1.26. Taxes. Borrower shall be treated as a partnership or a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Borrower shall timely file or cause to be filed all federal income and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed by it and will pay or cause to be paid all federal income and other material taxes and related liabilities required to be paid by it, except taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which Borrower sets aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP (except to the extent any such contest is being consummated by a Tenant pursuant to the terms of its Lease, provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the applicable Third Party Sublease (if applicable), Lenders right to reserve and apply security pursuant to Section Error! Reference source not found. hereof shall not be in any way altered or impaired). Borrower shall not permit any Liens for taxes to be imposed on or with respect to any of its income or assets, other than Liens for taxes not yet delinquent or which are contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which Borrower sets aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP (except to the extent any such contest is being consummated by a Tenant pursuant to the terms of its Lease, provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the applicable Third Party Sublease (if applicable), Lenders right to reserve and apply security pursuant to Section Error! Reference source not found. hereof shall not be in any way altered or impaired).
5.1.27. Payment of Obligations. Borrower shall pay its obligations, that, if not paid, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, in each case, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP, or (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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5.1.28. Ground Lease.
(a) Borrower shall, at Borrowers sole cost and expense, perform and observe all the material terms and covenants required to be performed and observed by Borrower as lessee under each Ground Lease (including, but not limited to, the payment of all Ground Rent under each Ground Lease), in each case prior to the expiration of all cure periods provided for in such Ground Lease. For so long as Borrowers leasehold interest in any Ground Lease shall remain subject to the lien of the Mortgage, Borrower shall exercise each option to extend Ground Lease in accordance with the terms thereof, as and when Borrower has the right to exercise such extension option under such Ground Lease, and shall deliver to Lender a copy of any extension notice delivered by Borrower to the lessor under such Ground Lease. In the event Borrower shall fail to promptly exercise any extension option under any Ground Lease pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, Lender shall have the right to exercise such option on Borrowers behalf, and for this purpose, Borrower constitutes and appoints Lender its true and lawful attorney in fact with full power of substitution to exercise such extension option in the name of Borrower. Such power of attorney shall be deemed to be a power coupled with an interest and cannot be revoked. Borrower shall deliver to Lender each material notice received from the lessor under any Ground Lease or sent by Borrower to the lessor under any Ground Lease.
(b) Borrower hereby authorizes Lender, at Borrowers sole cost and expense, to cure any uncured default of Borrower under any Ground Lease pursuant to the terms thereof; provided, however, Lender shall be under no obligation to provide any such cure. The actions or payments of Lender to cure any default by Borrower under any Ground Lease shall not remove or waive, as between Borrower and Lender, the Default that occurred under this Agreement by virtue of the default by Borrower under such Ground Lease unless and until the Borrower shall have reimbursed Lender for all sums referenced in the immediately succeeding sentence and the applicable default shall have been cured. All sums expended by Lender to cure any such default shall be paid by Borrower to Lender, upon demand, with interest on such sum at the rate set forth in this Agreement from the date such sum is expended to and including the date the reimbursement payment is made to Lender. All such indebtedness shall be deemed to be secured by the related Mortgage.
5.1.29. Tenant Estoppels. If, at any time following the Closing Date, Borrower obtains an estoppel certificate from any Tenant with respect to which a Guarantor Estoppel has been delivered, then such Guarantor Estoppel shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such subsequently obtained estoppel certificate from and after the date of delivery of such Tenant estoppel certificate from the applicable Tenant, except to the extent that the statements made in such subsequently obtained estoppel certificate differ from the statements made in the Guarantor Estoppel is a manner that is materially adverse to Lenders interest in the Loan.
5.1.30. ERISA. Borrower shall deliver to Lender such certifications or other evidence from time to time throughout the term of the Loan, as reasonably requested by Lender, that neither Borrower nor Guarantor is (a) a benefit plan investor within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA, (b) a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 3(32) of ERISA or (c) to Borrowers knowledge, subject to any Similar Law. As soon as possible and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after Borrower knows that any ERISA Event has occurred, Lender shall be provided with a statement, signed by an authorized representative of Borrower and/or the Guarantor, describing said ERISA Event and the action which the Borrower and/or the Guarantor proposes to take with respect thereto.
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Section 5.2. Negative Covenants. From the date hereof until payment and performance in full of all obligations of Borrower under the Loan Documents (other than contingent obligations which by their terms survive termination of the Loan Documents) or the earlier release of the Lien of the Mortgage in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Borrower covenants and agrees with Lender that it will not do, directly or indirectly, any of the following:
5.2.1. Operation of Property. (a) Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Master Tenant to, without Lenders prior consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing): (i) surrender, terminate or cancel, or permit to be surrendered, terminated or canceled, any Master Lease; (ii) reduce or consent to the reduction, or permit the reduction or the consent to the reduction, of the term of any Master Lease; (iii) decrease or consent to any decrease, or permit to be decreased or the consent to the decrease, of the amount of any Rent or other charges payable under any Master Lease, unless in connection with a release of an Individual Property subject to and in compliance with this Agreement; (iv) permit any Master Tenant to further Transfer any Individual Property other than pursuant to any Transfer permitted pursuant to this Agreement; or (v) modify, change, supplement, alter or amend, or waive or release, or permit to be modified, changed, supplemented, altered, amended, waived or released, any Master Lease, other than any amendment of any Master Lease to release an Individual Property therefrom on account of a release of an Individual Property or in connection with a Property Substitution, in each case subject to and in compliance with the terms of this Agreement.
(b) Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Borrower shall not exercise any rights, make any decisions, grant any approvals or otherwise take any action under any Master Lease without the prior consent of Lender, which consent may be withheld in Lenders sole discretion.
5.2.2. Liens. Borrower shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any portion of the Properties, except:
(a) Permitted Encumbrances;
(b) Liens created by or permitted pursuant to the Loan Documents;
(c) Liens for Property Taxes or Other Charges not yet delinquent; and
(d) Liens for which the underlying charges are being contested in accordance with this Agreement or for which funds (after taking into account any amounts on deposit (after taking into account any then-pending disbursement) in Reserve Funds available to pay such amounts, if any, and the then estimated costs to complete) are held by Lender in any Reserve Fund.
5.2.3. Dissolution. Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Master Tenant to,
(a) engage in any dissolution, liquidation or consolidation or merger with or into any other business entity other than (i) any dissolution or liquidation of an Individual Borrower into another Individual Borrower; (ii) any consolidation or merger involving solely Individual Borrowers; or (iii) any consolidation or merger involving any Master Tenant, so long as the surviving entity in such consolidation or merger is, or becomes, such Master Tenant, or a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Guarantor into which such Master Tenant is merged; or
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(b) modify, amend, waive or terminate its organizational documents (except in connection with a consolidation or merger pursuant to Section 5.2.3(a), and then only to the extent required to reflect such consolidation or merger) or its qualification and good standing in any jurisdiction in which such qualification or good standing is required by any Legal Requirement.
5.2.4. Change in Business. Borrower shall not enter into any line of business other than the ownership, maintenance, management and operation of the Properties, or make any material change in the scope or nature of its business objectives, purposes or operations, or undertake or participate in activities other than the continuance of its present business. Nothing contained in this Section 5.2.4 is intended to expand the rights of Borrower contained in Section 5.2.10(d).
5.2.5. Debt Cancellation. Borrower shall not cancel or otherwise forgive or release any claim or debt (other than termination of Leases in accordance herewith) owed by any Person, except for adequate consideration and in the ordinary course of its business. Borrower shall not permit any Master Tenant to cancel or otherwise forgive or release any claim or debt (other than termination of Leases in accordance herewith) owed by any Tenant unless such cancellation, forgiveness or release is consistent with a commercially reasonable operation of the related Individual Property.
5.2.6. Zoning. Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Master Tenant to, initiate or consent to any zoning reclassification of any portion of any Individual Property or seek any variance under any existing zoning ordinance or use or permit the use of any portion of any Individual Property in any manner that could reasonably be expected to result in such use becoming a non-conforming use under any zoning ordinance or any other applicable land use law, rule or regulation, without the prior consent of Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), other than any non-conforming use (a) as a temperature controlled warehousing and logistics facility or (b) that results from a change in any zoning ordinance or applicable land use law, rule or regulation after the Closing Date in spite of Borrowers compliance with the provisions of this Section 5.2.6.
5.2.7. No Joint Assessment. Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Master Tenant to, suffer, permit or initiate the joint assessment of any Individual Property (a) with any other real property constituting a tax lot separate from such Individual Property, and (b) which constitutes real property with any portion of such Individual Property which may be deemed to constitute personal property, or any other procedure whereby the lien of any taxes which may be levied against such personal property shall be assessed or levied or charged to such real property portion of such Individual Property.
5.2.8. Principal Place of Business and Organization. Borrower shall not cause or permit any change to be made in the name, identity (including the trade name or names), place of organization or formation (as set forth in Section 4.1.36 hereof), organizational identification number or corporate or partnership or other organizational structure of any Individual Borrower unless Borrower shall have first notified Lender in writing of such change at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the effective date of such change, and shall have first taken all action reasonably requested by Lender for the purpose of perfecting or protecting the lien and security interests of Lender pursuant to this Agreement, and the other Loan Documents and, in the case of a change in any Individual Borrowers corporate or partnership or other organizational structure, without first
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obtaining the prior written consent of Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Upon Lenders reasonable request, Borrower shall, at Borrowers sole cost and expense, execute and deliver additional security agreements and other instruments which may be necessary to effectively evidence or perfect Lenders security interest in the Properties as a result of such change of principal place of business or place of organization. Borrowers principal place of business and chief executive office, and the place where Borrower keeps its books and records, including recorded data of any kind or nature, regardless of the medium or recording, including software, writings, plans, specifications and schematics, shall continue to be the address of Borrower set forth at the introductory paragraph of this Agreement (unless Borrower notifies Lender in writing at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the date of such change (it being understood that Borrower has notified Lender that certain of the Borrowers books and record will be held at 7965 NE Cherry Drive, Hillsboro, Oregon with Henningsen Cold Storage Co.)).
5.2.9. ERISA. Neither Borrower nor Guarantor shall engage in any transaction which (i) would cause Borrower or Guarantor, as applicable, to constitute a benefit plan investor within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or (ii) would, to the knowledge of Borrower, as applicable, cause any assets of the Borrower or Guarantor, as applicable, to be treated as assets of a governmental plan for purposes of any Similar Law.
5.2.10. Transfers. (a) Borrower acknowledges that Lender has examined and relied on the experience of Borrower and its stockholders, general partners, members, principals and (if Borrower is a trust) beneficial owners in owning and operating properties such as the Properties in agreeing to make the Loan, and will continue to rely on Borrowers ownership of the Properties as a means of maintaining the value of the Properties as security for repayment of the Debt and the performance of the obligations contained in the Loan Documents. Borrower acknowledges that Lender has a valid interest in maintaining the value of the Properties so as to ensure that, should Borrower default in the repayment of the Debt or the performance of the obligations contained in the Loan Documents, Lender can recover the Debt by one (1) or more sales of the Properties.
(b) Without the prior written consent of Lender, Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Party to do any of the following: (i) sell, convey, mortgage, grant a security interest in, encumber, pledge, assign, grant options with respect to, or otherwise transfer or dispose of (directly or indirectly, voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, and whether or not for consideration or of record) any Individual Property or any part thereof or any legal or beneficial interest therein; (ii) permit a Sale or Pledge of an equity interest in any Restricted Party (clauses (i) and (ii), collectively, a Transfer), in each case other than (A) any Transfer otherwise expressly permitted pursuant to this Section 5.2.10, and (B) any Permitted Debt, in each case, provided that the same does not result in a Prohibited Change of Control, unless otherwise expressly approved in writing by Lender. All Transfers that result in a Person holding a direct or indirect interest in Borrower of 10% or more, who did not hold a direct or indirect interest in Borrower of 10% or more as of the Closing Date, shall be subject to the satisfaction of Lenders know-your-customer requirements with respect to such Person (unless such direct or indirect interests in Borrower are publicly listed or traded on a national securities exchange or other electronic quotation system).
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(c) A Transfer shall include, but not be limited to, (i) an installment sales agreement wherein Borrower agrees to sell one (1) or more Individual Properties or any part thereof for a price to be paid in installments; (ii) an agreement by Borrower leasing all or a substantial part of any Individual Property for other than actual occupancy by a space Tenant thereunder or a sale, assignment or other transfer of, or the grant of a security interest in, Borrowers right, title and interest in and to any Leases or any Rents; (iii) if a Restricted Party is a corporation, any merger, consolidation or Sale or Pledge of such corporations stock or the creation or issuance of new stock; (iv) if a Restricted Party is a limited or general partnership or joint venture, any merger or consolidation or the change, removal, resignation or addition of a general partner or the Sale or Pledge of the partnership interest of any general partner or any profits or proceeds relating to such partnership interest, or the Sale or Pledge of limited partnership interests or any profits or proceeds relating to such limited partnership interest or the creation or issuance of new limited partnership interests; (v) if a Restricted Party is a limited liability company, any merger or consolidation or the change, removal, resignation or addition of a managing member or non-member manager (or if no managing member, any member) or the Sale or Pledge of the membership interest of a managing member (or if no managing member, any member) or any profits or proceeds relating to such membership interest, or the Sale or Pledge of non-managing membership interests or the creation or issuance of new non-managing membership interests; and (vi) if a Restricted Party is a trust or nominee trust, any merger, consolidation or the Sale or Pledge of the legal or beneficial interest in a Restricted Party or the creation or issuance of new legal or beneficial interests.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.2.10, Lenders consent shall not be required in connection with any Permitted Transfer; provided, however, that (A) other than with respect to any Permitted Transfer occurring under clause (n), (o) or (p) of the definition thereof, if such transfer results in any Person acquiring more than 49% of the direct or indirect equity interest in any Borrower (even if not constituting a Prohibited Change of Control), Borrower shall have delivered to Lender with respect to such Person an Additional Insolvency Opinion that in Lenders reasonable judgment satisfies the then-current criteria of the Rating Agencies; (B) with respect to any Permitted Transfer that results in Borrower ceasing to be both Controlled and owned at least 51% directly or indirectly by Guarantor (and in connection with each subsequent conveyance or transfer that again changes the identity of any Permitted Transferee that Controls Borrower), the following conditions shall have been satisfied: (1) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (2) Borrower shall have delivered to Lender ten (10) days prior written notice of such proposed Transfer; (3) Borrower shall have paid of all of Lenders reasonable and documented fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Transfer, including Rating Agency fees; and (4) Borrower shall have paid to Lender a transfer fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of the Principal Indebtedness at the time of such conveyance or transfer; and (C) other than with respect to any Permitted Transfer occurring under clause (n), (o) or (p) of the definition thereof, if any Transfer results in a Person holding a direct or indirect interest in Borrower of 10% or more (and such Person did not hold a direct or indirect interest in Borrower of 10% or more as of the Closing Date), such Person must satisfy Lenders know-your-customer requirements, unless such direct or indirect interests in Borrower are publicly listed or traded on a national securities exchange or other electronic quotation system.
(e) Other than the transfer of the Condemnation Parcel in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, no direct Transfer of any Individual Property (or any direct equity interests in any Individual Borrower) shall occur during the Blackout Window.
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(f) Except during the Blackout Window, the initial Borrower shall have the right to contemporaneously Transfer all of the Collateral to a successor borrower that will assume all of the obligations of Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, provided the following conditions are met to the reasonable satisfaction of Lender:
(i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(ii) Lender shall receive thirty (30) days prior written notice of such proposed Transfer;
(iii) assumption of this Agreement, the Note, the Mortgage and/or the other Loan Documents by the proposed successor borrower, and a reaffirmation of each applicable Loan Document by each of Borrower, Sole Member and Guarantor (prior to giving effect to such Transfer) as reasonably requested by Lender, subject to the provisions of Section 9.3 hereof;
(iv) payment of all of reasonable and documented fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Transfer including, without limitation, the cost of any third party reports, legal fees and expenses, application fees, Rating Agency fees and expenses or required legal opinions;
(v) payment of an assumption fee equal to 0.25% of the Principal Indebtedness at the time of such Transfer;
(vi) delivery of an Additional Insolvency Opinion reflecting the proposed Transfer reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Lender;
(vii) the proposed successor borrowers continued compliance with the representations and covenants set forth in Section 4.1.9, Section 4.1.30, Section 4.1.35, Section 5.1.23, Section 5.1.24 and Section 5.2.9 hereof;
(viii) delivery of evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that the proposed successor borrower is a Special Purpose Entity;
(ix) the proposed successor borrower shall be Controlled and at least 51% owned by (directly or indirectly) one or more Permitted Transferees, and Lender shall be provided with reasonable evidence thereof;
(x) the proposed successor borrower and its Controlling Permitted Transferee(s) shall not have been the subject of any Bankruptcy Action within seven (7) years prior to the date of the proposed Transfer;
(xi) there shall be no material litigation or regulatory action pending or threatened against the proposed successor borrower or its Controlling Permitted Transferee(s) which would reasonably be expected to materially impair, or does not impair, the proposed transferees ability to comply with the terms of the Loan Documents;
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(xii) neither the proposed successor borrower nor its Controlling Permitted Transferee(s) shall have defaulted under its obligations with respect to any other Indebtedness in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to Lender;
(xiii) prior to any release of Guarantor, a substitute guarantor reasonably acceptable to Lender shall have assumed the Limited Recourse Guaranty and Environmental Indemnity executed by Guarantor or executed a replacement guaranty and environmental indemnity reasonably satisfactory to Lender and delivered an Additional Insolvency Opinion covering the replacement guarantor; upon assumption of the Limited Recourse Guaranty and Environmental Indemnity by such substitute guarantor reasonably acceptable to Lender or deliver of an executed a replacement guaranty and environmental indemnity reasonably satisfactory to Lender by such substitute guarantor and delivery of an Additional Insolvency Opinion covering such substitute guarantor, Lender shall release Guarantor from any matters arising from and after the date of such release;
(xiv) if required by Lender, proposed successor borrower and its Controlling Permitted Transferee(s) shall be approved by the Approved Rating Agencies selected by Lender, which approval, if required by Lender, shall take the form of a Rating Agency Confirmation with respect to the assumption of the Loan;
(xv) delivery of (i) all organizational documentation reasonably requested by Lender, which shall be reasonably satisfactory to Lender and, following a Securitization, satisfactory to the Approved Rating Agencies and (ii) all certificates, agreements and legal opinions reasonably required by Lender;
(xvi) Lender shall have received, at no cost or expense to Lender, an endorsement to the Title Insurance Policy, as modified by the assumption agreement, as a valid first lien on the Properties and naming the proposed successor borrower as owner of the Properties, which endorsement shall insure that, as of the date of the recording of the assumption agreement, the Properties shall not be subject to any additional exceptions or liens other than those contained in the Title Insurance Policy issued on the date hereof, the Permitted Encumbrances and Liens being contested in accordance with this Agreement; and
(xvii) such other conditions as may be required for Lender to comply with its own internal policies as of the date of such Transfer, including, without limitation, any policies with respect to the creditworthiness, reputation and qualifications of the proposed successor borrower or its Controlling Permitted Transferee(s).
(g) Lender shall not be required to demonstrate any actual impairment of its security or any increased risk of default hereunder in order to declare the Debt immediately due and payable upon a Transfer that requires Lenders consent hereunder and which consent has not been obtained prior to such Transfer. This provision shall apply to every Transfer that requires Lenders consent hereunder regardless of whether voluntary or not, or whether or not Lender has consented to any previous Transfer that requires Lenders consent.
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(h) Except for a Permitted Transfer or as otherwise expressly permitted hereunder, no direct or indirect equity interest in or right to distributions from Borrower shall be subject to a Lien in favor of any Person, and neither Borrower nor any holder of a direct or indirect interest in Borrower shall issue preferred equity (or debt granting the holder thereof rights substantially similar to those generally associated with preferred equity); provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the following shall be permitted without the consent of Lender: (A) a Lien permitted as a Permitted Transfer, (B) any Lien on direct or indirect equity interests in and/or rights to distributions from Guarantor or any Person owning a direct or indirect interest in Guarantor and (C) the issuance of direct or indirect preferred equity interests in Guarantor or any Person owning a direct or indirect interest in Guarantor. To the extent a transaction is permitted under the definition of Permitted Transfer or clause (f) above, such transaction shall for all purposes be deemed permitted, notwithstanding that another clause may otherwise limit such transaction, provided that any requirements and/or conditions expressly set forth in the definition of Permitted Transfer or clause (f) above are satisfied and no Event of Default is continuing.
(i) Notwithstanding anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, so long as Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC is a Guarantor under the Loan, Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC shall, subject to the MT Enforcement Rights, (A) continue to own (beneficially and of record) one hundred percent (100%) of the direct or indirect equity interests in each Master Tenant and (B) cause each Master Tenant, any subtenant of any Master Tenant and/or any Taxable REIT Subsidiary to continue to engage in the businesses conducted by such Master Tenant as of the Closing Date, in each case of clauses (A) and (B), unless Lender shall otherwise consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Borrower and Lender hereby acknowledge and agree that any breach or violation of this Section 5.2.10(i) shall be (and shall be deemed and construed to be) (x) a Prohibited Change of Control and (y) a prohibited Transfer. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) to the extent an exercise of the MT Enforcement Rights by one or more of the MT Secured Lenders results in the foreclosure or transfer in lieu of foreclosure of the direct or indirect equity interests in any Master Tenant, any subtenant of any Master Tenant or any Taxable REIT Subsidiary, the same shall not be deemed or construed to be a breach or violation of the requirement described in this paragraph or a Prohibited Change of Control or a prohibited Transfer, and (ii) upon the occurrence of any such foreclosure or transfer in lieu of foreclosure, the provisions described in this paragraph will automatically terminate and have no further force and effect with respect to any Person that is the subject of any such foreclosure or transfer in lieu of foreclosure.
5.2.11. Ground Lease. For so long as Borrowers leasehold interest in any Ground Lease shall remain subject to the lien of the Mortgage, Borrower shall not amend, modify, terminate or consent to the termination of such Ground Lease (and any such amendment, modification or termination of any Ground Lease in violation hereof shall constitute willful misconduct under Section 9.3(b)(ii) hereof).
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VI. INSURANCE; CASUALTY; CONDEMNATION
Section 6.1. Insurance. (a) Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to, obtain and maintain, or cause to be maintained, insurance for Borrower and the Properties providing at least the following coverages:
(i) comprehensive all risk special form insurance including, but not limited to, loss caused by any type of hail or windstorm, including named storms, on the Improvements and the Personal Property in each case (A) in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Full Replacement Cost, which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean actual replacement value (exclusive of costs of excavations, foundations, underground utilities and footings) with a waiver of depreciation; (B) containing an agreed amount endorsement with respect to the Improvements and Personal Property waiving all co-insurance provisions or to be written on a no co-insurance form; (C) providing for no deductible in excess of $300,000 for all such insurance coverage; provided, however, with respect to windstorm and earthquake coverage with respect to any Individual Property, providing for a deductible in an amount not to exceed five percent (5%) of the value of such Individual Property, subject to a $250,000 minimum; and (D) containing an Ordinance or Law Coverage or Enforcement endorsement if any of the Improvements or the use of any Individual Property shall at any time constitute legal non-conforming structures or uses, coverage for loss due to operation of law in an amount acceptable to Lender. In addition, Borrower shall obtain: (x) if any portion of the Improvements is currently or at any time in the future located in a federally designated special flood hazard area, flood hazard insurance in an amount equal to (1) the maximum amount of such insurance available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 or the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, as each may be amended plus (2) such greater amount as Lender shall reasonably require and with deductibles reasonably acceptable to Lender (Borrower hereby agreeing that, in the event the limit for flood in place as of the Closing Date is eroded by 5% or more due to claims, Borrower shall reinstate the flood limits within ninety (90) days to the limits in place as of the Closing Date); (y) earthquake insurance, in amounts equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the 475-year return period Probable Maximum Loss (PML) for all high risk locations insured under the Policy that share such earthquake limit (the Portfolio Earthquake PML), such Portfolio Earthquake PML to be approved by Lender and secured by the applicable Borrower utilizing a third-party engineering firm qualified to perform such seismic risk analysis using the most current RMS software, or its equivalent, to include loss amplification and in form and substance satisfactory to Lender (provided that Lender shall not require earthquake insurance unless the applicable Individual Property is located in an area with a high degree of seismic activity and a PML of greater than twenty percent (20%)), provided that the insurance pursuant to clauses (x) and (y) above shall be on terms consistent with the comprehensive all risk insurance policy required under this subsection (i);
(ii) commercial general liability insurance against claims for personal injury, bodily injury, death or property damage occurring upon, in or about each Individual Property, such insurance (A) to be on the so-called occurrence form with a combined limit of not less than $2,000,000 in the aggregate and $1,000,000 per occurrence (and, if on a blanket policy, containing an Aggregate Per Location endorsement with a $15,000,000 policy aggregate cap); (B) to continue at not less than the aforesaid limit until required to be changed by Lender in writing by reason of changed economic conditions making such protection inadequate; and (C) to cover at least the following hazards: (1) premises and operations; (2) products and completed operations on an if any basis; (3) independent contractors; (4) contractual liability for all insured contracts; and (5) contractual liability covering the indemnities contained in Article 8 of the Mortgages to the extent the same is available;
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(iii) business income or rental loss insurance (A) with loss payable to Lender; (B) covering all risks required to be covered by the insurance provided for in subsection (i) above; (C) containing an extended period of indemnity endorsement which provides that after the physical loss to the Improvements and Personal Property has been repaired, the continued loss of income will be insured until such income either returns to the same level it was at prior to the loss, or the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date that each Individual Property is repaired or replaced and operations are resumed, whichever first occurs, and notwithstanding that the policy may expire prior to the end of such period; and (D) in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the projected Covered Income from each Individual Property for a period of not less than eighteen (18) months from the date of such Casualty (assuming such Casualty had not occurred) to a date that is the earlier of (I) the date the Property is repaired or replaced and operations are fully resumed and (II) thirty (30) months after the date of such Casualty and notwithstanding that the policy may expire at the end of such period. The amount of such business income or rental loss insurance shall be determined prior to the date hereof and at least once each year thereafter based on Borrowers reasonable estimate of the Covered Income from each Individual Property for the succeeding eighteen (18) month period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.7 hereof, all proceeds payable to Lender pursuant to this subsection (iii) shall be held by Lender and, (X) if no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, deposited into the Cash Management Account for application in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and (Y) if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, shall be applied at Lenders sole discretion to (I) the obligations secured by the Loan Documents from time to time due and payable hereunder and under the Note or (II) Operating Expenses; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to relieve Borrower of its obligations to pay the obligations secured by the Loan Documents on the respective dates of payment provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents except to the extent such amounts are actually paid out of the proceeds of such business income insurance;
(iv) at all times during which structural construction, repairs or alterations are being made with respect to the Improvements, and only if an Individual Property coverage form does not otherwise apply, (A) owners contingent or protective liability insurance covering claims not covered by or under the terms or provisions of the above mentioned commercial general liability insurance policy; and (B) the insurance provided for in subsection (i) above written in a so-called builders risk completed value form (1) on a non-reporting basis, (2) against all risks insured against pursuant to subsection (i) above, (3) including permission to occupy the applicable Individual Property, and (4) with an agreed amount endorsement waiving co-insurance provisions;
(v) if applicable, workers compensation insurance as required by any Governmental Authority or Legal Requirement, with a deductible not in excess of $500,000;
(vi) comprehensive boiler and machinery insurance, if steam boilers or other pressure-fixed vessels are in operation, in amounts as shall be reasonably required by Lender on terms consistent with the commercial property insurance policy required under subsection (i) above;
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(vii) umbrella and excess liability insurance in an amount not less than $50,000,000 per occurrence on terms consistent with the commercial general liability insurance policy required under subsection (ii) above, including, but not limited to, supplemental coverage for employer liability and automobile liability, if applicable, which umbrella liability coverage shall apply in excess of such supplemental coverage;
(viii) if applicable, motor vehicle liability coverage for all owned and non-owned vehicles, including rented and leased vehicles containing minimum limits per occurrence of $1,000,000;
(ix) if any Individual Property is or becomes a legal non-conforming use, ordinance or law coverage and insurance coverage to compensate for the cost of demolition or rebuilding of the undamaged portion of such Individual Property along with any reduced value and the increased cost of construction in amounts as requested by Lender;
(x) the commercial property, business income or rental loss, commercial general liability and umbrella/excess liability insurance required under Sections 6.1(a)(i), (ii), (iii) and (vii) above shall cover perils of terrorism and acts of terrorism and Borrower shall maintain commercial property and business income insurance for loss resulting from perils and acts of terrorism on terms (including amounts) consistent with those required under Sections 6.1(a)(i), (ii), (iii) and (vii) above at all times during the term of the Loan; and
(xi) upon sixty (60) days notice, such other reasonable insurance, including, but not limited to, sinkhole and land subsidence insurance, and in such reasonable amounts as Lender from time to time may reasonably request against such other insurable hazards which at the time are commonly insured against for property similar to the Properties located in or around the region in which any Individual Property is located.
(b) All insurance provided for in Section 6.1(a) shall be obtained under valid and enforceable policies (collectively, the Policies or in the singular, the Policy), and shall be subject to the approval of Lender (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) as to insurance companies, amounts, deductibles (except to the extent Section 6.1(a) above specifies a deductible), loss payees and insureds, subject to the express requirements of Section 6.1. Subject to the immediately following sentence, Lender hereby approves each of the Policies that are in place on the Closing Date. The Policies shall be issued by insurance companies approved to do business in the applicable State and having a rating of A:X or better in the current Bests Insurance Reports and a claims paying ability rating of A or better by S&P, A2 or better by Moodys, if Moodys both rates the Securities and the applicable insurance company, and, A or better by Fitch, if Fitch both rates the Securities and the applicable insurance company; provided, however, that if Borrower elects to have its insurance coverage provided by a syndicate of insurers, then, all insurance companies shall have a rating of A:X or better in the current Bests Insurance Reports and, (i) if such syndicate consists of five (5) or more members, at least sixty percent (60%) of the insurance coverage (or seventy-five percent (75%) if such syndicate consists of four (4) or fewer members) shall be provided by insurance companies having such ratings and (ii) the remaining forty percent (40%) of the insurance coverage (or the remaining twenty-five percent (25%) if such syndicate consists of four (4) or fewer members) shall be provided by insurance companies having a claims paying ability rating of BBB or better by S&P, Baa2 or better by Moodys, if Moodys both rates the Securities and the applicable insurance company, and BBB or better by Fitch, if Fitch both rates the Securities and the applicable
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insurance company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lender accepts Aspen Specialty Insurance Company (Aspen), rated A XV with AM Best, provided that (1) the rating of Aspen is not withdrawn or downgraded below its rating as of the Closing Date and (2) at the renewal of the current policy term, Borrower shall replace Aspen with an insurer meeting the rating requirements set forth herein. Without limiting the requirement to replace Aspen in the foregoing sentence, in the event any such insurers rating is withdrawn or downgraded below its rating as of the Closing Date, Borrower shall promptly notify Lender and replace such insurer with an insurer meeting the rating requirements set forth herein. The Policies (other than those strictly limited to liability protection) shall designate Lender as loss payee. Not less than ten (10) days prior to the expiration dates of the Policies theretofore furnished to Lender, Borrower shall deliver to Lender certificates of insurance evidencing the Policies, to be followed by complete copies of the Policies upon issuance, accompanied by evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender of payment of the premiums allocable to the Properties then due thereunder (the Insurance Premiums). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall be permitted to pay premiums on installments to the insurance company and/or the insurance agent/broker provided that, upon request from Lender, Borrower submits to Lender proof of payment of such installment payments. In no event shall Borrower be permitted to finance their premiums through a premium financing company. Borrower shall promptly forward to Lender a copy of each written notice received by Borrower of any modification, reduction or cancellation of any of the Policies or of any of the coverages afforded under any of the Policies. At Borrowers election, the terms of any endorsement to any Policy required pursuant to this Section 6.1 may be incorporated directly into such Policy as opposed to being provided through a separate endorsement.
(c) Any blanket insurance Policy shall provide the same protection as would a separate Policy insuring only the Properties in compliance with the provisions of Section 6.1(a).
(d) All Policies provided for or contemplated by Section 6.1(a) shall name Borrower as a named insured and, in the case of liability coverages, shall name Lender as the additional insured, as its interests may appear, and all property insurance Policies described in Section 6.1(a) shall name Lender and its successors and/or assigns as a mortgagee and loss payee and shall contain a standard non-contributing mortgagee clause in favor of Lender providing that the loss thereunder shall be payable to Lender and guaranteeing that (i) no act or negligence of Borrower, or anyone acting for Borrower, or of any Tenant or other occupant, or failure to comply with the provisions of any Policy, which might otherwise result in a forfeiture of the insurance or any part thereof, or foreclosure or similar action, shall in any way affect the validity or enforceability of the insurance insofar as Lender is concerned and (ii) thirty (30) days notice of cancellation to Lender except ten (10) days notice for non-payment of premium.
(e) All Policies provided for or contemplated by Section 6.1 shall:
(i) provide that the Policy shall not be canceled without the notice required under clause (d)(ii) above, or, if the issuers will not or cannot provide the notices required herein, Borrower shall be obligated to provide such notice;
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(ii) provide that the issuers of the Policies shall give ten (10) days written notice to Lender if the issuers elect not to renew any such Policies prior to its expiration or, if the issuers will not or cannot provide the notices required herein, Borrower or the Borrowers insurance broker shall be obligated to provide such notice; and
(iii) not contain any provision that would make Lender liable for any Insurance Premiums thereon or subject to any assessments thereunder.
(f) If at any time Lender is not in receipt of written evidence that all insurance required hereunder is in full force and effect, Lender shall have the right, without notice to Borrower, to take such action as Lender deems necessary to protect its interest in the Properties, including, without limitation, the obtaining of such insurance coverage as Lender in its sole discretion deems appropriate after three (3) Business Days notice to Borrower if prior to the date upon which any such coverage will lapse or at any time Lender deems necessary (regardless of prior notice to Borrower) to avoid the lapse of any such coverage. All premiums incurred by Lender in connection with such action or in obtaining such insurance and keeping it in effect shall be paid by Borrower to Lender upon demand and, until paid, shall be secured by the Mortgages and shall bear interest at the Default Rate.
(g) Borrower shall, and shall cause Guarantor and each Master Tenant to, cooperate with Lender in obtaining for Lender the benefits of any Awards or Insurance Proceeds lawfully or equitably payable in connection with any Individual Property, and Lender shall be reimbursed for any reasonable and documented expenses incurred in connection therewith (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented attorneys fees and disbursements, and the payment by Borrower of the expense of an appraisal on behalf of Lender in case of Casualty or Condemnation affecting any Individual Property or any part thereof) out of such Awards or Insurance Proceeds.
Section 6.2. Casualty. If any Individual Property shall be damaged or destroyed, in whole or in part, by fire or other casualty (a Casualty), Borrower shall give prompt written notice of such damage to Lender and shall promptly commence and diligently prosecute the completion of the Restoration of such Individual Property as nearly as possible to the condition such Individual Property was in immediately prior to such Casualty, with such alterations as may be reasonably approved by Lender and otherwise in accordance with Section 6.4. Borrower shall pay all costs of such Restoration whether or not such costs are covered by insurance. Lender may, but shall not be obligated to make proof of loss if not made promptly by Borrower. In addition, Lender may participate in any settlement discussions with any insurance companies (and shall approve the final settlement) with respect to any Casualty in which the Net Proceeds or the costs of completing the Restoration are equal to or greater than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Allocated Loan Amount for the applicable Individual Property and Borrower shall deliver to Lender all instruments required by Lender to permit such participation.
Section 6.3. Condemnation.
(a) Borrower shall promptly give Lender notice of the actual or threatened commencement of any proceeding for the Condemnation of any Individual Property of which Borrower has knowledge and shall deliver to Lender copies of any and all papers served in connection with such proceedings. Lender may participate in any such proceedings, and Borrower shall from time to time deliver to Lender all instruments requested by it to permit such
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participation. Borrower shall, at its expense, diligently prosecute any such proceedings, and shall consult with Lender, its attorneys and experts, and cooperate with them in the carrying on or defense of any such proceedings. Notwithstanding any taking by any public or quasi-public authority through Condemnation or otherwise (including, but not limited to, any transfer made in lieu of or in anticipation of the exercise of such taking), Borrower shall continue to pay the Debt at the time and in the manner provided for its payment in the Note and in this Agreement and the Debt shall not be reduced until any Award shall have been actually received and applied by Lender, after the deduction of expenses of collection, to the reduction or discharge of the Debt. Lender shall not be limited to the interest paid on the Award by the condemning authority but shall be entitled to receive out of the Award interest at the rate or rates provided herein or in the Note. If any Individual Property or any portion thereof is taken by a condemning authority, Borrower shall promptly commence and diligently prosecute the Restoration of such Individual Property and otherwise comply with the provisions of Section 6.4. If any Individual Property is sold, through foreclosure or otherwise, prior to the receipt by Lender of the Award, Lender shall have the right, whether or not a deficiency judgment on the Note shall have been sought, recovered or denied, to receive the Award, or a portion thereof sufficient to pay the Debt; provided, however, in no event shall Lender be entitled to receive the $15,000 Award payable in connection with the Condemnation PSA.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, if the Loan or any portion thereof is included in a REMIC Trust and, immediately following a release of any portion of the Lien of the Mortgage in connection with a Condemnation of an Individual Property (but taking into account any proposed Restoration on the remaining portion the Properties), the Loan-to-Value Ratio is greater than 125% (such value to be determined, in Lenders sole, but reasonable discretion, by any commercially reasonable method permitted to a REMIC Trust), the principal balance of the Loan must prepaid down by an amount not less than the least of the following amounts: (i) the Condemnation Proceeds, (ii) the fair market value of the released property at the time of the release, or (iii) an amount such that the Loan-to-Value Ratio (as so determined by Lender) does not increase after the release, unless Lender receives an opinion of counsel that if such amount is not paid, the Securitization will not fail to maintain its status as a REMIC Trust as a result of the related release of such portion of the Lien of the Mortgage. Any such prepayment shall be deemed a voluntary prepayment and shall be subject to Section 2.4.1 hereof (other than (A) the requirements to prepay the Debt in full and provide three (3) Business Days notice to Lender and (B) any requirement to make a Spread Maintenance Payment in connection with such prepayment).
Section 6.4. Restoration. The following provisions shall apply in connection with the Restoration:
(a) The Net Proceeds shall be delivered by Lender to Borrower upon receipt if (x) the Net Proceeds shall be less than $2,500,000 and the costs of completing the Restoration shall be less than $2,500,000, provided that all of the conditions set forth in Section 6.4(b)(i) are met and Borrower delivers to Lender a written undertaking to expeditiously commence and to satisfactorily complete with due diligence the Restoration in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or (y) the applicable Individual Property is released in accordance with Section 2.5.2 above or Borrower effectuates a Property Substitution with respect to the applicable Individual Property.
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(b) If the conditions for delivery of the Net Proceeds to Borrower set forth in Section 6.4(a) above have not been satisfied, the Net Proceeds will be held by Lender and Lender shall make the Net Proceeds available for the Restoration in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4. The term Net Proceeds for purposes of this Section 6.4 shall mean: (i) the net amount of all insurance proceeds received by Lender pursuant to Section 6.1 (a)(i), (iv), (vi), (ix) and (x) as a result of such damage or destruction, after deduction of its reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable and documented counsel fees), if any, in collecting same (Insurance Proceeds), or (ii) the net amount of the Award, after deduction of its reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable and documented counsel fees), if any, in collecting same (Condemnation Proceeds), whichever the case may be.
(i) The Net Proceeds shall be made available to Borrower for Restoration provided that each of the following conditions are met:
(A) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(B) (1) in the event the Net Proceeds are Insurance Proceeds, less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total floor area of the Improvements on the affected Individual Property has been damaged, destroyed or rendered unusable as a result of such Casualty or (2) in the event the Net Proceeds are Condemnation Proceeds, less than twenty percent (20%) of the land constituting the affected Individual Property is taken, and such land is located along the perimeter or periphery of the affected Individual Property, and no portion of the Improvements is located on such land;
(C) The applicable Master Lease shall remain in full force and effect with respect to such Individual Property during and after the completion of the Restoration, notwithstanding the occurrence of any such Casualty or Condemnation, whichever the case may be.
(D) Borrower shall commence (or shall cause the commencement of) the Restoration as soon as reasonably practicable (but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the issuance of a building permit with respect thereto) and shall diligently pursue the same to satisfactory completion;
(E) Lender shall be reasonably satisfied that any operating deficits, including all scheduled payments of principal and interest under the Note, which will be incurred with respect to the affected Individual Property as a result of the occurrence of any such Casualty or Condemnation, whichever the case may be, will be covered out of (1) the Net Proceeds, (2) the insurance coverage referred to in Section 6.1(a)(iii), if applicable, or (3) by other funds of Borrower;
(F) Lender shall be reasonably satisfied that the Restoration will be completed on or before the earliest to occur of (1) six (6) months prior to the Maturity Date, (2) the earliest date required for such completion under the terms of any Material Leases with respect to the applicable Individual Property, (3) such time as may be required under all applicable Legal Requirements in order to repair and restore the affected Individual Property to the condition it was in immediately prior to such Casualty or to as nearly as possible the condition it was in immediately prior to such Condemnation, as applicable, or (4) the expiration of the insurance coverage referred to in Section 6.1(a)(iii);
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(G) the affected Individual Property and the use thereof after the Restoration will be in compliance with and permitted under all applicable Legal Requirements;
(H) the Restoration shall be completed in an expeditious and diligent fashion and in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements;
(I) such Casualty or Condemnation, as applicable, does not result in the loss of access to the affected Individual Property or the related Improvements;
(J) the fair market value (as reasonably determined by Lender) for the affected Individual Property, after giving effect to the Restoration, shall be equal to or greater than the greater of (x) the fair market value for such Individual Property immediately prior to such Condemnation or Casualty (as reasonably determined by Lender) or (y) the fair market value of such Individual Property as of the Closing Date or the applicable date that an Earn-Out Property becomes an Individual Property, as applicable (in each case assuming the affected portion of the affected Individual Property is relet), it being acknowledged and agreed that the fair market value of each Individual Property as of the Closing Date or the applicable date that an Earn-Out Property becomes an Individual Property, as applicable shall be the value set forth in the final appraisal for such Individual Property delivered to and approved by Lender on or prior to the Closing Date or the applicable date that an Earn-Out Property becomes an Individual Property, as applicable;
(K) Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Lender a signed detailed budget approved in writing by Borrowers architect or engineer stating the entire cost of completing the Restoration, which budget shall be subject to Lenders prior written approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, however, that if Lender fails to respond to the delivery of such budget in writing within ten (10) Business Days following receipt of such budget, then the budget shall be deemed disapproved, provided further, that Borrower shall be permitted to thereafter deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Lender a second copy of such budget requesting Lenders prior written approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); and
(L) the Net Proceeds together with any cash or cash equivalent deposited by Borrower with Lender are sufficient in Lenders reasonable discretion to cover the cost of the Restoration.
(ii) The Net Proceeds shall be held by Lender in an interest-bearing Eligible Account and, until disbursed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4(b), shall constitute additional security for the Debt and Other Obligations under the Loan Documents. The Net Proceeds shall be disbursed by Lender to, or as directed by, Borrower from time to time during the course of the Restoration, upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that (A) all materials installed and work and labor performed (except to the extent that they are to be paid for out of the requested disbursement) in connection with the Restoration have been paid for in
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full, and (B) there exist no notices of pendency, stop orders, mechanics or materialmans liens or notices of intention to file same, or any other liens or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever on the affected Individual Property (other than Permitted Encumbrances or Liens being contested in accordance with this Agreement) which have not either been fully bonded to the reasonable satisfaction of Lender and discharged of record or in the alternative fully insured to the reasonable satisfaction of Lender by the title company issuing the Title Insurance Policy.
(iii) All plans and specifications required in connection with the Restoration shall be subject to prior review and acceptance (such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) in all respects by Lender and by an independent consulting engineer selected by Lender (the Casualty Consultant). Lender shall have the use of the plans and specifications and all permits, licenses and approvals required or obtained in connection with the Restoration. The identity of the contractors, subcontractors and materialmen engaged in the Restoration, as well as the contracts under which they have been engaged, shall be subject to prior review and approval by Lender and the Casualty Consultant (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). All reasonable and documented costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with making the Net Proceeds available for the Restoration including, without limitation, reasonable and documented counsel fees and disbursements and the Casualty Consultants fees, shall be paid by Borrower.
(iv) In no event shall Lender be obligated to make disbursements of the Net Proceeds in excess of an amount equal to the costs actually incurred from time to time for work in place as part of the Restoration, as certified by the Casualty Consultant, minus the Casualty Retainage. The term Casualty Retainage shall mean an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the costs actually incurred for work in place as part of the Restoration, as certified by the Casualty Consultant, until the Restoration has been completed. The Casualty Retainage shall in no event, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above in this Section 6.4(b), be less than the amount actually held back by Borrower from contractors, subcontractors and materialmen engaged in the Restoration. The Casualty Retainage shall not be released until the Casualty Consultant certifies to Lender that the Restoration has been completed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4(b) and that all approvals necessary for the re-occupancy and use of the affected Individual Property have been obtained from all appropriate governmental and quasi-governmental authorities, and Lender receives evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that the costs of the Restoration have been paid in full or will be paid in full out of the Casualty Retainage; provided, however, that Lender will release the portion of the Casualty Retainage being held with respect to any contractor, subcontractor or materialman engaged in the Restoration as of the date upon which the Casualty Consultant certifies to Lender that the contractor, subcontractor or materialman has satisfactorily completed all work and has supplied all materials in accordance with the provisions of the contractors, subcontractors or materialmans contract, the contractor, subcontractor or materialman delivers the lien waivers and evidence of payment in full of all sums due to the contractor, subcontractor or materialman as may be reasonably requested by Lender or by the title company issuing the Title Insurance Policy, and Lender receives an endorsement to the Title Insurance Policy insuring the continued priority of the lien of the Mortgage and evidence of payment of any premium payable for such endorsement. If required by Lender, the release of any such portion of the Casualty Retainage shall be approved by the surety company, if any, which has issued a payment or performance bond with respect to the contractor, subcontractor or materialman.
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(v) Lender shall not be obligated to make disbursements of the Net Proceeds more frequently than once every calendar month.
(vi) If at any time the Net Proceeds or the undisbursed balance thereof shall not, in the reasonable opinion of Lender in consultation with the Casualty Consultant, be sufficient to pay in full the balance of the costs which are estimated by the Casualty Consultant to be incurred in connection with the completion of the Restoration, Borrower shall deposit the deficiency (the Net Proceeds Deficiency) with Lender before any further disbursement of the Net Proceeds shall be made. The Net Proceeds Deficiency deposited with Lender shall be held by Lender and shall be disbursed for costs actually incurred in connection with the Restoration on the same conditions applicable to the disbursement of the Net Proceeds, and until so disbursed pursuant to this Section 6.4(b) shall constitute additional security for the Debt and Other Obligations under the Loan Documents.
(vii) The excess, if any, of the Net Proceeds and the remaining balance, if any, of the Net Proceeds Deficiency deposited with Lender after the Casualty Consultant certifies to Lender that the Restoration has been completed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4(b), and the receipt by Lender of evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that all costs incurred in connection with the Restoration have been paid in full, shall be deposited in the Cash Management Account to be disbursed in accordance with this Agreement, provided no Event of Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under the Note, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
(c) All Net Proceeds not required (i) to be delivered to Borrower pursuant to Section 6.4(a), (ii) to be made available for the Restoration or (iii) to be deposited into the Cash Management Account as excess Net Proceeds pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(vii) may be retained and applied by Lender in accordance with Section 2.4.2 hereof toward the payment of the Debt whether or not then due and payable in such order, priority and proportions as set forth in Section 9.1.1(a)(vi), or, at the discretion of Lender, the same may be paid, either in whole or in part, to Borrower for such purposes as Lender shall approve, in its discretion.
(d) In the event of foreclosure of the Mortgage with respect to an affected Individual Property, or other transfer of title to an affected Individual Property in extinguishment in whole or in part of the Debt all right, title and interest of Borrower in and to the Policies that are not blanket Policies then in force concerning such affected Individual Property and all proceeds payable thereunder shall thereupon vest in the purchaser at such foreclosure or Lender or other transferee in the event of such other transfer of title.
Section 6.5. Third Party Sublease Properties. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, solely with respect to Third Party Sublease Properties, the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 are subject to the provisions of the Third Party Subleases, and Borrowers inability to comply with any such Sections due to any inconsistency between the terms of any Third Party Sublease and such Sections shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder. Notwithstanding any inconsistency between the insurance coverage required to be maintained by any Third Party Subtenant pursuant to the applicable Third Party Sublease and the insurance coverage required to be maintained by Borrower pursuant to Section 6.1, Borrower shall in all events be required to comply with the requirements of Section 6.1. In addition,
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notwithstanding the provisions of any Third Party Sublease, (i) Net Proceeds shall be available either to restore the applicable Individual Property or to be paid to be used to repay the Principal Indebtedness and (ii) in no event shall any Condemnation Proceeds attributable to Borrowers interest in any Individual Property (as opposed to any Third Party Subtenants interest in any Individual Property) be payable to any Person other than Borrower (or Lender on behalf of Borrower).
VII. RESERVE FUNDS
Section 7.1. Required Repair Funds.
7.1.1. Deposits. Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to, perform the repairs at the Properties as more particularly set forth on Schedule 7.1.1 hereto (such repairs hereinafter collectively referred to as Required Repairs). Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to, complete the Required Repairs on or before the required deadline for each repair as set forth on Schedule 7.1.1; provided, however, that Lender shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent to any extension of any such required deadline, provided that Borrower or the applicable Master Tenant has been and is diligently pursuing completing of such Required Repair. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, it shall be an Event of Default under this Agreement if Borrower does not, or does not cause the applicable Master Tenant to, complete the Required Repairs by the required deadline set forth on Schedule 7.1.1. Upon request from Lender after the expiration of such deadline, as the same may be extended, Borrower shall deliver to Lender an Officers Certificate confirming that the Required Repairs have been completed and that all associated expenses have been paid. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of such an Event of Default, Lender, at its option, may withdraw the Required Repair Funds from the Required Repair Account and Lender may apply such funds either to completion of the Required Repairs or toward payment of the Debt in such order, proportion and priority as Lender may determine in its sole discretion. Lenders right to withdraw and apply Required Repair Funds shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies provided to Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. On the Closing Date, $0.00 shall be deposited into the Required Repair Account. Amounts so deposited with Lender shall be held by Lender in accordance with Section 7.7 hereof. Amounts so deposited shall hereinafter be referred to as Borrowers Required Repair Funds and the account in which such amounts are held shall hereinafter be referred to as Borrowers Required Repair Account. For the avoidance of doubt, if the amount specified in this Section 7.1.1 is $0.00, then no reserves or guaranty in respect of Required Repairs shall be required and the Required Repair Account shall not be maintained.
7.1.2. Release of Required Repair Funds. Provided no Event of Default exists, Lender shall direct the Cash Management Bank to disburse to Borrower the Required Repair Funds from the Required Repair Account from time to time, but not more frequently than once in any calendar month, upon satisfaction by Borrower of each of the following conditions: (a) Borrower shall submit a written request for payment to Lender at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date on which Borrower requests such payment be made and specifies the Required Repairs to be paid; (b) Lender shall have received an Officers Certificate stating that all work related to such disbursement has been completed in good and workmanlike manner and in accordance with all Legal Requirements, all costs relating to such disbursement have been paid in full or will be paid in full upon such disbursement, and that Borrower has applied any amounts previously received
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by it in accordance with this Section for the expenses to which specific draws made hereunder relate; (c) Lender shall have received invoices or other reasonably acceptable evidence of the amounts paid or to be paid from such disbursement and (d) with respect to disbursements for Required Repairs relating to any single Required Repair costing in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate (whether disbursed in a lump sum or multiple installments), (x) a reasonably satisfactory site inspection, and (y) receipt of lien releases and waivers from any contractors, subcontractors and others with respect to such amounts. Lender shall not be required to make disbursements from the Required Repair Account (i) more than once a month and (ii) unless such requested disbursement is in an amount greater than $25,000 (or a lesser amount if the total amount in the Required Repair Account is less than $25,000, in which case only one disbursement of the amount remaining in the account shall be made) and such disbursement shall be made only upon satisfaction of each condition contained in this Section 7.1.2; notwithstanding the foregoing, for disbursements in connection with any Required Repair having an aggregate cost of $50,000 or less, Borrower shall be required to satisfy only conditions (a) and (b) above. Provided no Event of Default then exists, Lender shall, following receipt of written request from Borrower, disburse to Borrower the remaining Required Repair Funds relating to each Individual Property from the Required Repair Account upon completion of all Required Repairs with respect to such Individual Property.
Section 7.2. Environmental Remediation Fund.
7.2.1. Deposits. Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to, perform the environmental remediation at the Properties determined as required by the environmental consultant preparing those certain Phase I environmental reports delivered to Lender by Borrower in connection with the origination of the Loan (each, a Phase I Environmental Report and collectively, the Phase I Environmental Reports) and more particularly described on Schedule 7.2.1 hereto (such environmental remediation hereinafter collectively referred to as Required Remediation). Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to, complete the Required Remediation on or before the required deadline for each repair as set forth on Schedule 7.2.1; provided, however, that Lender shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent to any extension of any such required deadline, provided that Borrower or the applicable Master Tenant has been and is diligently pursuing completion of such Required Remediation. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, it shall be an Event of Default under this Agreement if Borrower does not, or does not cause the applicable Master Tenant to, complete in all material respects the Required Remediation by the required deadline for each identified remediation as set forth on Schedule 7.2.1. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of such an Event of Default, Lender, at its option, may withdraw all Required Remediation Funds from the Required Remediation Account and Lender may apply such funds either to completion of the Required Remediation or toward payment of the Debt in such order, proportion and priority as Lender may determine in its sole discretion. Lenders right to withdraw and apply Required Remediation Funds shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies provided to Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. On the Closing Date, $0.00 shall be deposited into the Required Remediation Account. Amounts so deposited with Lender shall be held by Lender in accordance with Section 7.7 hereof. Amounts so deposited shall hereinafter be referred to as Borrowers Required Remediation Funds and the account in which such amounts are held shall hereinafter be referred to as Borrowers Required Remediation Account. For the avoidance of doubt, if the amount specified in this Section 7.2.1 is $0.00, then no reserves or guaranty in respect of Required Remediation shall be required and the Required Remediation Account shall not be maintained.
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7.2.2. Release of Required Remediation Funds. Provided no Event of Default exists, Lender shall direct the Cash Management Bank to disburse to Borrower the Required Remediation Funds from the Required Remediation Account from time to time, but not more frequently than once in any calendar month, upon satisfaction by Borrower of each of the following conditions: (a) Borrower shall submit a written request for payment to Lender at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date on which Borrower requests such payment be made and specifies the Required Remediation to be paid; (b) Lender shall have received an Officers Certificate stating that all work related to such disbursement has been completed in good and workmanlike manner and in accordance with all Legal Requirements, all costs relating to such disbursement have been paid in full or will be paid in full upon such disbursement, and that Borrower has applied any amounts previously received by it in accordance with this Section for the expenses to which specific draws made hereunder relate; (c) Lender shall have received invoices or other reasonably acceptable evidence of the amounts paid or to be paid from such disbursement and (d) with respect to disbursements for Required Remediation relating to any single Required Remediation project costing in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate (whether disbursed in a lump sum or multiple installments), (x) a reasonably satisfactory site inspection, and (y) receipt of lien releases and waivers from any contractors, subcontractors and others with respect to such amounts. Lender shall not be required to make disbursements from the Required Remediation Account (i) more than once a month and (ii) unless such requested disbursement is in an amount greater than $25,000 (or a lesser amount if the total amount in the Required Remediation Account is less than $25,000, in which case only one disbursement of the amount remaining in the account shall be made) and such disbursement shall be made only upon satisfaction of each condition contained in this Section 7.2.2. Provided no Event of Default then exists, Lender shall, following receipt of written request from Borrower, disburse to Borrower the remaining Required Remediation Funds relating to each Individual Property from the Required Remediation Account upon completion of all Required Remediation with respect to such Individual Property.
Section 7.3. Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund. During the continuance of a Cash Sweep Period, Borrower shall pay to Lender (i) one-twelfth (1/12th) of the Property Taxes and Other Charges that Lender estimates will be payable during the next ensuing twelve (12) months in order to accumulate with Lender sufficient funds to pay all such Property Taxes and Other Charges at least thirty (30) days prior to their respective due dates, (ii) to the extent the Properties are not insured under a blanket policy acceptable to Lender, one-twelfth (1/12th) of the Insurance Premiums that Lender estimates will be payable for the renewal of the coverage afforded by the Policies upon the expiration thereof in order to accumulate with Lender sufficient funds to pay all such Insurance Premiums at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the Policies, and (iii) one-twelfth (1/12th) of the Ground Rent that Lender estimates will be payable during the next ensuing twelve (12) months in order to accumulate with Lender sufficient funds to pay all such Ground Rent at least thirty (30) days prior to its respective due date (said amounts in clauses (i) through (iii) above hereinafter called the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund and the account in which such amounts are held shall hereinafter be referred to as Borrowers Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Account). Lender acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with Lenders estimates pursuant to the preceding sentence, Lender shall account for all such amounts on account of Property Taxes, Other Charges, Insurance Premiums and Ground Rent that are being prepaid in
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connection with the origination of the Loan. Lender will apply the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund to payments of Property Taxes, Other Charges, Insurance Premiums and Ground Rent required to be made by Borrower pursuant to the provisions hereof and under the Mortgages; provided that during the continuance of a Cash Sweep Period, Lender shall be entitled to apply the same in its sole and absolute discretion. In making any payment relating to the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund, Lender may do so according to any bill, statement or estimate procured from the appropriate public office (with respect to Property Taxes and Other Charges), insurer or agent (with respect to Insurance Premiums) or ground lessor (with respect to Ground Rent), without inquiry into the accuracy of such bill, statement or estimate or into the validity of any tax, assessment, sale, forfeiture, tax lien or title or claim thereof. If the amount of the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund shall exceed the amounts due for Property Taxes, Other Charges, Insurance Premiums and Ground Rent, and no Event of Default is continuing, Lender shall return any excess to Borrower or credit such excess against future payments to be made to the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund. Any amount remaining in the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund after the Debt has been paid in full shall be disbursed in accordance with Section 7.7 below. In allocating such excess, Lender may deal with the Person shown on the records of Lender to be the owner of any Individual Property. If at any time Lender reasonably determines that the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund is not or will not be sufficient to pay Property Taxes, Other Charges, Insurance Premiums and Ground Rent by the dates set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) above, Lender shall notify Borrower of such determination and Borrower shall increase its monthly payments to Lender by the amount that Lender estimates is sufficient to make up the deficiency at least thirty (30) days prior to the due date of the Property Taxes, Other Charges and Ground Rent and/or thirty (30) days prior to expiration of the Policies, as the case may be.
Section 7.4. Replacements and Replacement Reserve Fund.
7.4.1. Replacement Reserve Fund. During the continuance of a Cash Sweep Period, Borrower shall pay to Lender on each Payment Date an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of $0.02 per temperature-controlled cubic foot per annum of gross rentable space (as set forth on Schedule 7.4.1 hereto) in each of the Individual Properties that are subject to the Lien of the Mortgage (the Replacement Reserve Monthly Deposit) provided, however, that Borrowers obligations to make such payments shall be suspended on any Payment Date where the balance of the Replacement Reserve Fund (hereinafter defined) is equal to or greater than twelve (12) times the Replacement Reserve Monthly Deposit. All amounts so deposited will be held for disbursement under Section 7.4.2 for replacements, repairs and maintenance to be made to the Properties (collectively, the Replacements). Amounts so deposited shall hereinafter be referred to as Borrowers Replacement Reserve Fund and the account in which such amounts are held shall hereinafter be referred to as Borrowers Replacement Reserve Account. Any amount held in the Replacement Reserve Account and allocated for an Individual Property shall be retained by Lender and credited toward the future Replacement Reserve Monthly Deposits required by Lender hereunder in the event such Individual Property is released from the Lien of its related Mortgage in accordance with this Agreement.
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7.4.2. Disbursements from Replacement Reserve Account. Provided no Event of Default exists, Lender shall direct the Cash Management Bank to disburse to Borrower from the Replacement Reserve Account from time to time, but not more frequently than once in any calendar month, upon satisfaction by Borrower of each of the following conditions: (a) Borrower shall submit a written request for payment to Lender at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date on which Borrower requests such payment be made and specifies the Replacement to be paid; (b) Lender shall have received an Officers Certificate stating that all work related to such disbursement has been completed in good and workmanlike manner and in accordance with all Legal Requirements, all costs relating to such disbursement have been paid in full or will be paid in full upon such disbursement, and that Borrower has applied any amounts previously received by it in accordance with this Section for the expenses to which specific draws made hereunder relate; (c) Lender shall have received invoices or other reasonably acceptable evidence of the amounts paid or to be paid from such disbursement and (d) with respect to disbursements for Replacements relating to any single Replacement costing in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate (whether disbursed in a lump sum or multiple installments), (x) a reasonably satisfactory site inspection, and (y) receipt of lien releases and waivers from any contractors, subcontractors and others with respect to such amounts. Lender shall not be required to make disbursements from the Replacement Reserve Account (A) more than once a month and (B) unless such requested disbursement is in an amount greater than $25,000 (or a lesser amount if the total amount in the Replacement Reserve Account is less than $25,000, in which case only one disbursement of the amount remaining in the account shall be made) and such disbursement shall be made only upon satisfaction of each condition contained in this Section 7.4.2.
7.4.3. Performance of Replacements. (a) Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to, make Replacements when reasonably required in order to keep each Individual Property in condition and repair substantially consistent with other comparable properties in the comparable market segment in the general metropolitan or other regional area in which the respective Individual Property is located, and to keep each Individual Property or any portion thereof from deteriorating in any material respect. Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to, complete all Replacements in a good and workmanlike manner as soon as practicable following the commencement of making each such Replacement.
(b) Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in the event Lender determines in its reasonable discretion that any Replacement is not being performed in a workmanlike or timely manner or that any Replacement has not been completed in a workmanlike or timely manner, Lender shall have the option to withhold disbursement for such unsatisfactory Replacement and to proceed under existing contracts or to contract with third parties to complete such Replacement and to apply the Replacement Reserve Fund toward the labor and materials necessary to complete such Replacement, without providing any prior notice to Borrower and to exercise any and all other remedies available to Lender upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default hereunder.
(c) Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in order to facilitate Lenders completion or making of such Replacements pursuant to subsection (b) above, Borrower grants Lender the right to enter onto any Individual Property and perform any and all work and labor necessary to complete or make such Replacements and/or employ watchmen to protect such Individual Property from damage. All sums so expended by Lender, to the extent not from the Replacement Reserve Fund, shall be deemed to have been advanced under the Loan to Borrower and secured by the Mortgages. For this purpose, during such period Borrower constitutes and appoints Lender its true and lawful attorney in fact with full power of substitution to complete or undertake such Replacements in the name of Borrower. Such power
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of attorney shall be deemed to be a power coupled with an interest and cannot be revoked. Borrower empowers said attorney in fact as follows: (i) to use any funds in the Replacement Reserve Account for the purpose of making or completing such Replacements; (ii) to make such additions, changes and corrections to such Replacements as shall be reasonably necessary or desirable to complete such Replacements; (iii) to employ such contractors, subcontractors, agents, architects and inspectors as shall be required for such purposes; (iv) to pay, settle or compromise all existing bills and claims which are or may become Liens against any Individual Property, or as may be reasonably necessary or desirable for the completion of such Replacements, or for clearance of title; (v) to execute all applications and certificates in the name of Borrower which may be reasonably required by any of the contract documents; (vi) to prosecute and defend all actions or proceedings in connection with any Individual Property or the rehabilitation and repair of any Individual Property; and (vii) to do any and every act which Borrower might do in its own behalf to fulfill the terms of this Agreement.
(d) Nothing in this Section 7.4.3 shall: (i) make Lender responsible for making or completing any Replacements; (ii) require Lender to expend funds in addition to the Replacement Reserve Fund to make or complete any Replacement; (iii) obligate Lender to proceed with any Replacements; or (iv) obligate Lender to demand from Borrower additional sums to make or complete any Replacement.
(e) The Replacements and all materials, equipment, fixtures, or any other item comprising a part of any Replacement shall be constructed, installed or completed, as applicable, free and clear of all mechanics, materialmens or other liens (other than Permitted Encumbrances or Liens being contested in accordance with this Agreement).
(f) In addition to any insurance required under the Loan Documents, Borrower shall provide or cause to be provided workmens compensation insurance, builders risk, and public liability insurance and other insurance to the extent required under applicable law in connection with a particular Replacement. All such policies shall be in form and amount reasonably satisfactory to Lender. All such policies which can be endorsed with standard mortgagee clauses making loss payable to Lender or its assigns shall be so endorsed. Certified copies of such policies shall be delivered to Lender.
7.4.4. Replacements Following an Event of Default. Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate Lender to apply all or any portion of the Replacement Reserve Fund on account of an Event of Default to payment of the Debt or in any specific order or priority.
7.4.5. Balance in the Replacement Reserve Account. The insufficiency of any balance in the Replacement Reserve Account shall not relieve Borrower from its obligation to fulfill all preservation and maintenance covenants in the Loan Documents.
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Section 7.5. Unfunded Obligations Reserve Fund.
7.5.1. Deposits. Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Master Tenant to, perform or satisfy the unfunded obligations as more particularly set forth on Schedule 7.5.1 hereto (such obligations hereinafter collectively referred to as Unfunded Obligations) as and when due under the respective Leases and other applicable agreements. Any Unfunded Obligations relating to the Earn-Out Property (Dallas Hunt SW) that are satisfied by the seller of such Property as of the date on which the applicable Individual Borrower acquires such Property shall be deemed to have been satisfied by Borrower for purposes of this Section 7.5.1. It shall be an Event of Default under this Agreement if Borrower does not, or does not cause the applicable Master Tenant to, perform or satisfy the Unfunded Obligations as and when due under the respective Leases and other applicable agreements. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of such an Event of Default, Lender, at its option, may withdraw the Unfunded Obligations Reserve Funds (if any) from the Unfunded Obligations Account and Lender may apply such funds either to the performance or satisfaction of the Unfunded Obligations or toward payment of the Debt in such order, proportion and priority as Lender may determine in its sole discretion. Lenders right to withdraw and apply Unfunded Obligations Reserve Funds (if any) shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies provided to Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In lieu of depositing with Lender $4,053,158 to perform the Unfunded Obligations, Guarantor shall instead guaranty the completion of the Unfunded Obligations pursuant to the Limited Recourse Guaranty; provided, however, that Guarantor shall not be liable for Unfunded Obligations in respect of Earn-Out Property (Dallas Hunt SW) (i) unless and until the Earn-Out Property Amount in respect of such Earn-Out Property has been advanced to Borrower pursuant to Section 7.8 or (ii) with respect to which any such Unfunded Obligation that was satisfied by the seller of such Earn-Out Property on or prior to the date on which such Earn-Out Property was acquired by Borrower (which satisfaction may be evidenced by the delivery by of an executed notice of commencement by the Tenant under the Lease of such Individual Property confirming the satisfaction of such Unfunded Obligations, or by such other notice by such Tenant confirming the same). Amounts (if any) so deposited with Lender shall be held by Lender in accordance with Section 7.7 hereof. Amounts so deposited (if any) shall hereinafter be referred to as Borrowers Unfunded Obligations Reserve Funds and the account in which such amounts are held shall hereinafter be referred to as Borrowers Unfunded Obligations Account. For the avoidance of doubt, if the amount specified in this Section 7.5.1 is $0.00, then no reserves or guaranty in respect of Unfunded Obligations shall be required and the Unfunded Obligations Account shall not be maintained except as set forth in the immediately following sentence. In addition, whenever a Lease is terminated, whether by buy-out, cancellation, default, rejection or otherwise, and Borrower receives any payment, fee, damages or penalty in respect of such termination in excess of $2,000,000 in the aggregate (a Termination Fee), Borrower shall promptly cause such Termination Fee to be deposited into the Unfunded Obligations Account. Provided no Event of Default is continuing, (i) Lender shall direct the Cash Management Bank to disburse such Termination Fee or portion thereof to Borrower at the written request of Borrower in respect of (x) documented leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs incurred by Borrower in connection with a replacement Lease entered into in accordance with the terms of this Agreement in respect of the space covered by such terminated Lease or (y) if Borrower or its Affiliate elects to operate the applicable Property in lieu of re-leasing such Property to a third party Tenant, any work performed by Borrower in connection with transition of the operation of such Property from the prior Tenant to Borrower or its Affiliate; and (ii) unless a Cash Sweep Period is continuing, the remainder of such Termination Fee or portion thereof, if any, shall be remitted to the Cash Management Account (x) in the case of clause (i)(x) of this Section 7.5.1, after the space covered by such terminated Lease has been relet, the replacement Tenant is in occupancy and has commenced paying rent under the replacement Lease and all leasing commissions and tenant improvement costs relating to such space have been paid or (y) in the case of clause (i)(y) of this Section 7.5.1, after commencement of operations by Borrower or the applicable Affiliate at such Property.
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7.5.2. Release of Unfunded Obligations Reserve Funds. Provided no Event of Default exists, and solely to the extent any amounts were funded onto the Unfunded Obligations Account as of the Closing Date, Lender shall direct the Cash Management Bank to disburse to Borrower the Unfunded Obligations Reserve Funds from the Unfunded Obligations Account from time to time, but not more frequently than once in any calendar month, upon satisfaction by Borrower of each of the following conditions: (a) Borrower shall submit a written request for payment to Lender at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date on which Borrower requests such payment be made and specifies the Unfunded Obligations to be paid; (b) Lender shall have received an Officers Certificate stating that all work related to such disbursement has been completed in good and workmanlike manner and in accordance with all Legal Requirements, all costs relating to such disbursement have been paid in full or will be paid in full upon such disbursement, and that Borrower has applied any amounts previously received by it in accordance with this Section for the expenses to which specific draws made hereunder relate; (c) Lender shall have received invoices or other reasonably acceptable evidence of the amounts paid or to be paid from such disbursement and (d) with respect to disbursements for Unfunded Obligations relating to capital improvements, relating to any single Tenant or any single Lease in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate (whether disbursed in a lump sum or multiple installments), (x) a reasonably satisfactory site inspection, and (y) receipt of lien releases and waivers from any contractors, subcontractors and others with respect to such amounts. Provided no Event of Default then exists, Lender shall, following receipt of written request from Borrower, disburse to Borrower the remaining Unfunded Obligations Reserve Funds (if any) relating to each Individual Property from the Unfunded Obligations Account upon completion of all Unfunded Obligations with respect to such Individual Property.
Section 7.6. Rate Cap Reserve Account. In the event that Borrower elects, in its sole and absolute discretion, to satisfy the Alternate Strike Price Condition, Borrower shall pay to Lender the Rate Cap Reserve Amount, which shall be held for disbursement pursuant to this Section 7.6. Amounts so deposited shall hereinafter be referred to as Borrowers Rate Cap Reserve Funds, and the account in which such Rate Cap Reserve Funds are held shall be referred to as Borrowers Rate Cap Reserve Account. Provided no Event of Default exists, and provided that the balance of the Rate Cap Reserve Funds is greater than zero, Lender shall be permitted to apply the Rate Cap Reserve Funds to Debt Service that is due and payable on any Payment Date, but solely to the extent that the Benchmark at the Reference Time with respect to such Payment Date is greater than the then applicable Strike Price, in an amount equal to the product of (i) the LIBOR or the Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement at the Reference Time with respect to such Payment Date, less the then applicable Strike Price, (ii) the Principal Indebtedness, and (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Interest Period with respect to such Payment Date, and the denominator of which is 360. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall Lender be required to apply any portion of the Rate Cap Reserve Funds to the payment of any Debt Service resulting from LIBOR being in excess of the applicable Alternate Strike Price. Any amount remaining in the Rate Cap Reserve Funds after the Debt has been paid in full shall be disbursed in accordance with Section 7.7 below.
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Section 7.7. Reserve Funds, Generally. (a) Borrower grants to Lender a first-priority perfected security interest in each of the Reserve Funds (and in each account in which Reserve Funds are held) and any and all monies now or hereafter deposited in each Reserve Fund as additional security for payment of the Debt. Until expended or applied in accordance herewith, the Reserve Funds shall constitute additional security for the Debt. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Lender may, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies available to Lender, apply any sums then present in any or all of the Reserve Funds to the payment of the Debt in any order in its sole discretion. The Reserve Funds shall not constitute trust funds and may be commingled with other monies held by Lender.
(b) Borrower shall not, without obtaining the prior consent of Lender, further pledge, assign or grant any security interest in any Reserve Fund (or in any account in which Reserve Funds are held) or the monies deposited therein or permit any lien or encumbrance to attach thereto, or any levy to be made thereon, or any UCC-1 Financing Statements, except those naming Lender as the secured party, to be filed with respect thereto.
(c) The Reserve Funds shall be held in an Eligible Account in Permitted Investments pursuant to the Cash Management Agreement. All interest or other earnings on a Reserve Fund shall be added to and become a part of such Reserve Fund and shall be disbursed in the same manner as other monies deposited in such Reserve Fund. Borrower shall have the right to direct Lender to invest sums on deposit in the Eligible Account in Permitted Investments provided (a) such investments are then regularly offered by Lender for accounts of this size, category and type, (b) such investments are permitted by applicable federal, state and local rules, regulations and laws, (c) the maturity date of the Permitted Investment is not later than the date on which the applicable Reserve Funds are required for payment of an obligation for which such Reserve Fund was created, and (d) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Borrower shall be responsible for payment of any federal, state or local income or other tax applicable to the interest or income earned on the Reserve Funds. No other investments of the sums on deposit in the Reserve Funds shall be permitted except as set forth in this Section 7.7. Borrower shall bear all reasonable costs associated with the investment of the sums in the account in Permitted Investments. Such costs shall be deducted from the income or earnings on such investment, if any, and to the extent such income or earnings shall not be sufficient to pay such costs, such costs shall be paid by Borrower promptly on demand by Lender. Lender and Servicer shall have no liability for the rate of return earned or losses incurred on the investment of the sums in Permitted Investments.
(d) Borrower shall indemnify Lender and Servicer and hold Lender and Servicer harmless from and against any and all actions, suits, claims, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, obligations and costs and expenses (including litigation costs and reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) arising from or in any way connected with the Reserve Funds or the performance of the obligations for which the Reserve Funds were established, except to the extent arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lender or Servicer, or their respective agents or employees. Borrower shall assign to Lender all rights and claims Borrower may have against all Persons supplying labor, materials or other services which are to be paid from or secured by the Reserve Funds; provided, however, that Lender may not pursue any such right or claim unless an Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured.
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(e) Any amount remaining in the Reserve Funds after the Debt has been paid in full shall be returned to Borrower.
Section 7.8. Earn-out Reserve Fund.
(a) On the Closing Date, Borrower shall deposit with Lender from the proceeds of the Loan the Earn-Out Aggregate Amount. Amounts so deposited shall hereinafter be referred to as the Earn-Out Reserve Fund and the account in which such amounts are held shall hereinafter be referred to as the Earn-Out Reserve Account.
(b) Provided no Event of Default exists, at any time after the Loan has been Securitized in full, upon satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth on Schedule 7.8-A (collectively, the Earn-Out Disbursement Conditions) for any Earn-Out Property, other than any such conditions that are Satisfied Earn-Out Disbursement Conditions with respect to such Earn-Out Property (which Lender acknowledges have been satisfied as of the Closing Date with respect to such Earn-Out Property), Lender shall direct the Cash Management Bank to disburse to Borrower from the Earn-Out Reserve Account the applicable Earn-Out Property Amount. An Earn-Out Disbursement Condition shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon Borrower completing the action set forth under the column heading Further Action for Borrower to Satisfy the Earn-Out Disbursement Condition Not Requiring Any Consent or Discretion from the Lender or Servicer on Schedule 7.8-A. The Earn-Out Disbursement Conditions are the sole conditions applicable to the disbursement to Borrower of funds from the Earn-Out Reserve Account and neither Lender nor Lenders Servicer shall have the right to impose any other condition or requirement with respect thereto, or to charge any fees in connection therewith (except for the reimbursement of costs pursuant to clause 12 on Schedule 7.8-A).
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, regardless of whether an Event of Default exists, within five Business Days following Borrowers delivery to Lender of an Officers Certificate certifying that Borrower has used commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy the Earn-Out Disbursement Conditions with respect to one or more Earn-Out Properties but is unable to satisfy such conditions (and Borrower shall be deemed to be unable to satisfy any such condition if it remains unsatisfied as of the date that is sixty (60) days after the Closing Date and Borrower has theretofore used commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy the same), then, solely upon Borrowers request, Lender shall direct the Cash Management Bank to disburse to Lender from the Earn-Out Reserve Account the applicable Earn-Out Property Amount for such Earn-out Property to repay the Principle Indebtedness in accordance Section 2.4.1 (other than clause (a) of such Section which shall not be a condition to repay the Loan) and after such repayment such Earn-Out Property shall not be able to become an Individual Property and Borrower shall not have the right to receive any disbursements from the Earn-Out Reserve Account with respect to such Earn-Out Property; provided, however, Borrower shall reimburse Lender for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Lender (including reasonable out-of-pocket legal expenses) in connection with the potential disbursement of funds from the Earn-Out Reserve Account with respect to such Earn-Out Property prior to the date on which Lender shall have received such Officers Certificate.
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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (i) no Spread Maintenance Payment shall be due in connection with any prepayment of the Loan made pursuant to Section 7.8(c), up to an aggregate amount of $66,000,000 (the Earn-Out Cap), (ii) so long as no Event of Default is continuing, such prepayments of the Loan, up to the Earn-Out Cap, shall be applied pro rata among each Note and any Note Components and (iii) such prepayments, up to the Earn-Out Cap, shall not be counted against the Spread Maintenance Cap or the Pro Rata Cap.
VIII. DEFAULTS
Section 8.1. Event of Default. (a) Each of the following events shall constitute an event of default hereunder (an Event of Default):
(i) if (A) any Monthly Debt Service Payment Amount is not paid on the applicable Payment Date or the payment due on the Maturity Date is not paid when due, (B) any deposit into any of the Reserve Funds required hereunder or under the other Loan Documents is not made when due or (C) any other portion of the Debt is not paid when due and, solely with respect to this subclause (C), such-nonpayment continues for five (5) Business Days following notice to Borrower that the same is due and payable;
(ii) if any of the Property Taxes or Other Charges are not paid prior to delinquency, except, in each case, to the extent such sums sufficient to pay such Property Taxes or Other Charges have been deposited in to the Basic Carrying Costs Escrow Fund in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and Lenders access to such sums is not restricted or constrained in any manner;
(iii) if the Policies are not kept in full force and effect, or if certified copies of the Policies are not delivered to Lender in accordance with Section 6.1;
(iv) if Borrower Transfers or otherwise encumbers any portion of the Properties without Lenders prior written consent in violation of the provisions of this Agreement or Article 6 of the Mortgages;
(v) if any representation or warranty made by Borrower herein or in any other Loan Document, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other instrument, agreement or document furnished to Lender in connection with the Loans shall have been false or misleading in any material respect as of the date the representation or warranty was made, unless (A) the fact underlying such representation or warranty is capable of being cured (and is cured) by Borrower within thirty (30) days after the Borrowers receipt of notice thereof and (B) such representation and warranty was unintentionally made false or misleading;
(vi) if Borrower shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors;
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(vii) if a receiver, liquidator or trustee shall be appointed for Borrower, or if Borrower shall be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or if any petition for bankruptcy, reorganization or arrangement pursuant to federal bankruptcy law, or any similar federal or state law, shall be filed by or against, consented to, or acquiesced in by, Borrower, or if any proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of Borrower shall be instituted; provided, however, if such appointment, adjudication, petition or proceeding was involuntary and not consented to by Borrower, such appointment, adjudication, petition or proceeding shall not constitute an Event of Default unless the same is not discharged, stayed or dismissed within sixty (60) days;
(viii) if Borrower attempts to assign its rights under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any interest herein or therein in contravention of the Loan Documents;
(ix) if Guarantor shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or if a receiver, liquidator or trustee shall be appointed for Guarantor or if Guarantor shall be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or if any petition for bankruptcy, reorganization or arrangement pursuant to federal bankruptcy law, or any similar federal or state law, shall be filed by or against, consented to, or acquiesced in by, Guarantor, or if any proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of Guarantor shall be instituted; provided, however, if such appointment, adjudication, petition or proceeding was involuntary and not consented to by Guarantor, such appointment, adjudication, petition or proceeding shall not constitute an Event of Default unless the same is not discharged, stayed or dismissed within ninety (90) days; provided further, however, it shall be at Lenders option to determine whether any of the foregoing shall be an Event of Default;
(x) if Borrower breaches any of its respective negative covenants contained in Section 5.2 or any covenant contained in Section 4.1.30 hereof;
(xi) with respect to any term, covenant or provision set forth herein which specifically contains a notice requirement or grace period, if Borrower shall be in default under such term, covenant or condition after the giving of such notice or the expiration of such grace period;
(xii) if any of the assumptions contained in the Insolvency Opinion delivered to Lender in connection with the Loan, or in the Additional Insolvency Opinion delivered subsequent to the closing of the Loan, is or shall become untrue in any material respect;
(xiii) if Borrower fails to comply with the covenants as to Prescribed Laws set forth in Section 5.1.1 hereof;
(xiv) if Borrower fails to comply with the covenants as to the Reserve Funds set forth in Article 7 hereof;
(xv) subject to the provisions of Section 7.6, if Borrower shall fail to obtain and/or maintain the Interest Rate Cap Agreement or Replacement Interest Rate Cap Agreement, as applicable, as required pursuant to Section 2.2.7;
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(xvi) if (A) any Master Tenant shall fail in the payment of (1) any fixed or base rent set forth in or made payable pursuant to the Master Lease to which it is a party or (2) any additional rent set forth in or made payable pursuant to such Master Lease within thirty (30) days of the date such rent or other charge is payable after the expiration of any notice and grace period provided for under such Master Lease, (B) any one or more of the events referred to in any Master Lease shall occur which would give rise to the termination of such Master Lease without notice or action by the applicable Master Tenant under such Master Lease or which would entitle such Master Tenant to terminate such Master Lease and the term thereof by giving notice to Borrower, as landlord thereunder, other than a termination arising from a (x) Casualty with respect to which Lender elects to apply any Insurance Proceeds to the principal balance of the Loan instead of making the same available for Restoration or (y) Condemnation, (C) any Master Lease shall be surrendered or any Master Lease shall be terminated or canceled for any reason or under any circumstances whatsoever, except with the consent of Lender, other than a termination arising from a (x) casualty with respect to which Lender elects to apply any Insurance Proceeds to the principal balance of the Loan instead of making the same available for Restoration or (y) Condemnation, (D) there shall be, as to any Master Tenant, a default in any material respect under the applicable Master Lease beyond any applicable cure periods contained therein, or (E) any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any Master Lease shall in any manner be modified, changed, supplemented, altered, restated or amended in violation of the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that any Master Lease may be amended solely to reflect any release of an Individual Property or a Property Substitution to the extent that such release or Property Substitution is made subject to and in compliance with the terms of this Agreement;
(xvii) if any Individual Borrower shall revoke or modify any other instruction or agreement governing the direction of payments to the Cash Management Account in violation of Section 2.6.1, without in each instance the prior written consent of Lender;
(xviii) if Borrower shall continue to be in Default under any of the terms, covenants or conditions of Section 9.1 hereof, or fails to cooperate with Lender in connection with a Securitization pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.1 hereof, for two (2) Business Days after notice to Borrower from Lender;
(xix) if Borrower shall continue to be in Default under any of the other terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement not specified in subsections (i) to (xviii) above, for five (5) Business Days after notice to Borrower from Lender, in the case of any Default which can be cured by the payment of a sum of money, or for thirty (30) days after notice from Lender in the case of any other Default; provided, however, that if such non-monetary Default is susceptible of cure but cannot reasonably be cured within such thirty (30) day period and provided further that Borrower shall have commenced to cure such Default within such thirty (30) day period and thereafter diligently and expeditiously proceeds to cure the same, such thirty (30) day period shall be extended for such time as is reasonably necessary for Borrower in the exercise of due diligence to cure such Default, such additional period not to exceed ninety (90) days;
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(xx) if there shall be (A) any Default under any of the other Loan Documents beyond any applicable cure periods contained in such documents, whether as to Borrower, Guarantor or any Individual Property, (B) if any other default or event shall occur or condition shall exist, if the effect of such default, event or condition expressly permits Lender to immediately accelerate the maturity of all or any portion of the Debt or (C) with respect to any default under any of the other Loan Documents not subject to the provisions of either of the foregoing clauses (A) or (B), if Borrower shall continue to be in Default under such provisions, for five (5) Business Days after notice to Borrower from Lender, in the case of any Default which can be cured by the payment of a sum of money, or for thirty (30) days after notice from Lender in the case of any other Default; provided, however, that if such non-monetary Default is susceptible of cure but cannot reasonably be cured within such thirty (30) day period and provided further that Borrower shall have commenced to cure such Default within such thirty (30) day period and thereafter diligently and expeditiously proceeds to cure the same, such thirty (30) day period shall be extended for such time as is reasonably necessary for Borrower in the exercise of due diligence to cure such Default, such additional period not to exceed ninety (90) days;
(xxi) if a Prohibited Change of Control shall occur;
(xxii) if an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xxiii) subject to Section 2.5.4, if a default by Borrower occurs under any Ground Lease beyond the expiration of any applicable cure period set forth therein.
(b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clauses (vi), (vii) or (viii) above) and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, in addition to any other rights or remedies available to it pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or at law or in equity, Lender may take such action, without notice or demand, that Lender deems advisable to protect and enforce its rights against Borrower and in and to any or all of the Properties, including, without limitation, declaring the Debt to be immediately due and payable, and Lender may enforce or avail itself of any or all rights or remedies provided in the Loan Documents against Borrower and any or all of the Properties, including, without limitation, all rights or remedies available at law or in equity; and upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default described in clauses (vi), (vii) or (viii) above, the Debt and all other obligations of Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall immediately and automatically become due and payable, without notice or demand, and Borrower hereby expressly waives any such notice or demand, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.
Section 8.2. Remedies. (a) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all or any one or more of the rights, powers, privileges and other remedies available to Lender against Borrower under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents executed and delivered by, or applicable to, Borrower or at law or in equity may be exercised by Lender at any time and from time to time, whether or not all or any of the Debt shall be declared due and payable, and whether or not Lender shall have commenced any foreclosure proceeding or other action for the enforcement of its rights and remedies under any of the Loan Documents with respect to all or
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any part of any Individual Property. Any such actions taken by Lender shall be cumulative and concurrent and may be pursued independently, singularly, successively, together or otherwise, at such time and in such order as Lender may determine in its sole discretion, to the fullest extent permitted by law, without impairing or otherwise affecting the other rights and remedies of Lender permitted by law, equity or contract or as set forth herein or in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Borrower agrees that if an Event of Default is continuing (i) Lender is not subject to any one action or election of remedies law or rule, and (ii) all liens and other rights, remedies or privileges provided to Lender shall remain in full force and effect until Lender has exhausted all of its remedies against the Properties and each Mortgage has been foreclosed, sold and/or otherwise realized upon in satisfaction of the Debt or the Debt has been paid in full, including without limitation, any liquidation fees, workout fees and special servicing fees or other similar fees payable to Servicer or any special servicer in connection therewith.
(b) With respect to Borrower and the Properties, nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document shall be construed as requiring Lender to resort to any Individual Property for the satisfaction of any of the Debt in any preference or priority, and Lender may seek satisfaction out of any Individual Property, or any part thereof, in its absolute discretion in respect of the Debt. In addition, Lender shall have the right from time to time to partially foreclose the Mortgages in any manner and for any amounts secured by the Mortgages then due and payable as determined by Lender in its sole discretion including, without limitation, the following circumstances: (i) in the event Borrower defaults beyond any applicable grace period in the payment of one or more scheduled payments of principal and interest, Lender may foreclose the Mortgages to recover such delinquent payments or (ii) in the event Lender elects to accelerate less than the entire Principal Indebtedness, Lender may foreclose the Mortgages to recover so much of the principal balance of the Loan as Lender may accelerate and such other sums secured by the Mortgages as Lender may elect. Notwithstanding one or more partial foreclosures, the remaining Properties shall remain subject to the Mortgages to secure payment of sums secured by the Mortgage and not previously recovered.
(c) Lender shall have the right from time to time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default to sever the Note and the other Loan Documents into one or more separate notes, mortgages and other security documents (the Severed Loan Documents) in such denominations as Lender shall determine in its sole discretion for purposes of evidencing and enforcing its rights and remedies provided hereunder. Borrower shall execute and deliver to Lender from time to time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, promptly after the request of Lender, a severance agreement and such other documents as Lender shall reasonably request in order to effect the severance described in the preceding sentence, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender. Borrower hereby absolutely and irrevocably appoints Lender as its true and lawful attorney, coupled with an interest, in its name and stead to make and execute all documents necessary or desirable to effect the aforesaid severance, Borrower ratifying all that its said attorney shall do by virtue thereof; provided, however, Lender shall not make or execute any such documents under such power until three (3) Business Days after notice has been given to Borrower by Lender of Lenders intent to exercise its rights under such power. Borrower shall be obligated to pay any costs or expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution, recording or filing of the Severed Loan Documents and the Severed Loan Documents shall not contain any representations, warranties or covenants not contained in the Loan Documents and any such representations and warranties contained in the Severed Loan Documents will be given by Borrower only as of the Closing Date.
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(d) The rights, powers and remedies of Lender under this Agreement shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right, power or remedy which Lender may have against Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or existing at law or in equity or otherwise. Lenders rights, powers and remedies may be pursued singularly, concurrently or otherwise, at such time and in such order as Lender may determine in Lenders sole discretion. No delay or omission to exercise any remedy, right or power accruing upon an Event of Default shall impair any such remedy, right or power or shall be construed as a waiver thereof, but any such remedy, right or power may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient. A waiver of one Default or Event of Default with respect to Borrower shall not be construed to be a waiver of any subsequent Default or Event of Default by Borrower or to impair any remedy, right or power consequent thereon.
(e) As used in this Section 8.2, a foreclosure shall include, without limitation, any sale by power of sale.
IX. SPECIAL PROVISIONS
Section 9.1. Securitization.
9.1.1. Sale of Note and Securitization. (a) Borrower acknowledges and agrees that Lender may sell, assign and/or syndicate all or any portion of the Loan and the Loan Documents, or issue one or more participations therein, or consummate one or more private or public offerings of rated single-or multi-class securities (securities sold in any offering, the Securities) secured by or evidencing ownership interests in all or any portion of the Loan and the Loan Documents or a pool of assets that include the Loan and the Loan Documents (any such securitizations, offering which involves the issuance of Securities, which offering may include a sale, syndication or participation of all or a portion of the Loan, a Securitization). At the request of Lender, and to the extent not already required to be provided by or on behalf of Borrower under this Agreement, Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide information not in the possession of Lender or which may be reasonably required by Lender or take other actions reasonably required by Lender, in each case in order to satisfy the market standards to which Lender customarily adheres or which may be reasonably required by prospective investors and/or the Rating Agencies in connection with any sale, syndication, participation or Securitization. Lender shall have the right to provide to prospective investors and the Rating Agencies any information in its possession, including, without limitation, financial statements relating to Borrower, any Master Tenant, Sole Member, Guarantor, the Properties, any Master Lease and any Tenant of the Improvements. Borrower acknowledges that certain information regarding the Loan and the parties thereto, any Master Tenant, Sole Member, Guarantor, the Properties, any Master Lease and any Tenant of the Improvements may be included in the Disclosure Documents. Borrower agrees that Borrower, each Master Tenant, Sole Member, Guarantor and their respective officers and representatives, shall, at Lenders request, cooperate with Lenders efforts to arrange for a sale, syndication, participation or Securitization in accordance with the market standards to which Lender customarily adheres and/or which may be reasonably required by prospective investors and/or required by the Rating Agencies in connection with any such Securitization, including, without limitation, to:
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(i) provide additional and/or updated Provided Information, together with appropriate verification and/or consents related to the Provided Information through letters of auditors or opinions of counsel of independent attorneys reasonably acceptable to Lender and acceptable to the Rating Agencies;
(ii) assist in preparing descriptive materials for, and if requested by Lender, participate in (including senior management of Borrower), presentations to or meetings with any or all of the Rating Agencies, and work with, and if requested, supervise, third-party service providers engaged by Borrower, Guarantor and their respective affiliates to obtain, collect, and deliver information reasonably requested or required by Lender or requested or required by the Rating Agencies;
(iii) deliver (i) updated opinions of counsel as to non-consolidation, due execution and enforceability with respect to the Properties, Borrower, Sole Member and their respective Affiliates and the Loan Documents and (ii) revised organizational documents for Borrower, which counsel opinions and organizational documents shall be reasonably satisfactory to Lender and satisfactory to the Rating Agencies;
(iv) if required by any Rating Agency, use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver such additional tenant estoppel letters, subordination agreements or other agreements from parties to agreements that affect any Individual Property, which estoppel letters, subordination agreements or other agreements shall be reasonably satisfactory to Lender and satisfactory to the Rating Agencies;
(v) make such representations and warranties as of the closing date of the Securitization with respect to the Properties, Borrower, each Master Tenant, Sole Member, Guarantor and the Loan Documents as may be reasonably requested by Lender or requested by the Rating Agencies and consistent with the facts covered by such representations and warranties as they exist on the date thereof, including the representations and warranties made in the Loan Documents except to the extent such representations and warranties in the Loan Agreement specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true, complete and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and in all cases subject to changes in facts and circumstances that did not and do not give rise to a Default or Event of Default under the Loan Documents;
(vi) make upon Lenders written request, without limitation, all structural or other changes to the Loan (including delivery of one or more new component notes to replace the original notes or modify the original notes to reflect multiple components of the Loan (including senior and subordinate components and notes, but not mezzanine debt) and such new notes or modified note may have different interest rates and amortization schedules (collectively, Note Components)), modifications to any documents evidencing or securing the Loan, delivery of opinions of counsel acceptable to the Rating Agencies or reasonably acceptable to potential investors and addressing such matters as the Rating Agencies may require or potential investors may reasonably require;
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provided, however, that in creating such new notes or modified notes, Lender shall not have the right to recast any portion of the Loan as a mezzanine loan (but may bifurcate the Loan into senior and subordinate components), and Borrower shall not be required to modify (i) the initial weighted average interest rate payable under the Note, provided no such reallocation shall modify the aggregate amortization of principal of the Note or the allocation of prepayments set forth in Section 2.4.1 and 2.5.2, (ii) the stated maturity of the Note, (iii) the aggregate amortization of principal of the Note, (iv) any other material economic term of the Loan, or (v) decrease the time periods during which Borrower is permitted to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents. In connection with the foregoing: (1) Borrower covenants and agrees to modify the Cash Management Agreement to reflect the newly created components and notes; (2) any Note Components shall have individual interest rates which, initially, on a weighted average basis, shall equal the Spread; and (3) unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any prepayments following a Casualty or Condemnation, and any prepayments made in accordance with Sections 2.4.1, 2.5.2 and 7.8(c) up to the Earn-Out Cap shall be applied pro rata among each Note and each Note Component with respect to such prepayments up to the Pro Rata Cap (which such amount shall exclude the prepayments made under Section 7.8(c) up to the Earn-Out Cap) and thereafter sequentially among the Note Components starting with the most senior class to the most junior class, which the Borrower acknowledges and agrees may result in rate creep, provided, however, that following an Event of Default, such prepayments may be applied among Note Components in such sequence as Lender shall elect in its sole discretion, which the Borrower acknowledges and agrees may result in rate creep. Lender shall have the right to deliver written notice to Borrower from time to time (a Componentization Notice), specifying that the Note has been subdivided into multiple Note Components in accordance with this sub-clause (vi). The Componentization Notice shall specify the notional balance and an interest rate applicable to each Note Component, subject to the requirements of this sub-clause (vi). A Componentization Notice need not be countersigned by Borrower in order to be effective, but Borrower shall countersign any Componentization Notice that is consistent with this clause (vi) if requested by Lender.
(vii) if requested by Lender, review any information regarding the Properties, Borrower, each Master Tenant, Sole Member, Guarantor and the Loan which is contained in any Disclosure Documents (including any amendment or supplement to either thereof), including without limitation, the sections entitled Risk Factors, Special Considerations, Description of the Mortgages, Description of the Mortgage Loan and Mortgaged Properties, The Borrower, The Master Tenants, The Third Party Subleases, The Master Leases, The Lineage Subtenants, the Lineage Subleases, Certain Legal Aspects of the Mortgage Loan and the Ground Leases (or sections similarly titled or covering similar subject matters) and shall confirm that the factual statements and representations contained in such sections and such other information in the Disclosure Documents (to the extent such information relates to, or is based on, or includes any information regarding the Properties, Borrower, any Master Tenant, the Lineage Subtenants, Sole Member, Guarantor, and/or the Loan) do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and
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(viii) supply to Lender such documentation, financial statements and reports in form and substance required in order to comply with any applicable securities laws.
(b) GS or an agent appointed by it, in either case acting solely for this purpose as an agent of Borrower, shall maintain a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of each Lender, and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loan 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 Borrower and each Lender 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. The information contained in the Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice, and GS or the agent appointed by it shall provide Borrower a copy of such Register upon Borrowers request.
(c) Each Lender that sells a participation pursuant to Section 9.1.1(a) shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each participants interest in the Loan 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 (including the identity of any participant or any information relating to a participants interest in any Obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) and proposed Section 1.163-5 of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, (i) Lender shall not be permitted to include in any Disclosure Document or other document, agreement or instrument or otherwise disclose in any manner any information that would result in the breach or violation of any confidentiality agreement or obligation with, or relating to, any Tenant or customer of any Property, and (ii) no Indemnifying Person shall have any liability or be obligated to indemnify, defend, hold harmless or otherwise pay any amount pursuant to the terms of any Loan Document on account of or relating to the fact that such information is not included in any Disclosure Document or other document, agreement or instrument or is not otherwise disclosed in any manner, provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) Lender shall be permitted to include in any such Disclosure Document, agreement, instrument or disclosure the ICE Disclosure Detail, and (y) the foregoing limitation on the liability and obligations of the Indemnifying Persons shall not apply to the ICE Disclosure Detail.
(e) If Lender intends to create either (a) a dedicated spread maintenance class or other call protection class of securities in connection with a Securitization or (b) any other non-principal and interest payment securities in connection with a Securitization, then in either case (i) Borrower and Guarantor will be promptly notified thereof and (ii) Guarantor or Borrower, at Borrowers election, shall be entitled to purchase such securities.
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9.1.2. Re-Dating. In connection with a Securitization or other sale of all or a portion of the Loan, Lender shall have the right to modify all operative dates (including but not limited to Payment Dates, Interest Period start dates and end dates, etc. (but not the date for delivery of financial statements or notices under the Loan Documents)) under the Loan Documents, by up to ten (10) days (such action and all related action is a Re-Dating); provided, however, that no such Re-Dating shall result in any additional economic cost to Borrower. Borrower shall cooperate with Lender to implement any Re-Dating. If Borrower fails to cooperate with Lender within ten (10) Business Days of written request by Lender, Lender is hereby appointed as Borrowers attorney in fact to execute any and all documents necessary to accomplish the Re-Dating.
9.1.3. Uncross of Properties. Borrower agrees that at any time Lender shall have the unilateral right to elect to uncross any one or more Individual Properties (collectively, the Affected Properties). In furtherance thereof, Lender shall have the right to (a) sever or divide the Note and the other Loan Documents in order to allocate to such Affected Properties the portion of the Loan allocable to such Affected Properties to be evidenced by a new note and secured by such other loan documents (collectively, the New Note) having a principal amount equal to the then outstanding Allocated Loan Amount applicable to the Affected Properties, (b) segregate the applicable portion of each of the Reserve Funds relating to the Affected Properties, (c) release any cross-default and/or cross-collateralization provisions applicable to the Affected Properties and (d) take such additional action consistent therewith or necessary to create multiple pools of Individual Properties that may be sold or securitized; provided that such New Note secured by the Affected Properties, together with the Loan Documents secured by the remaining Properties, shall not increase in the aggregate (i) any monetary obligation of Borrower under the Loan Documents, or (ii) any right or other obligation of Borrower under the Loan Documents other than to a de minimis extent. In connection with the transfer of the Affected Properties as provided for in this Section 9.1.3, the Loan shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of the New Note applicable to the Affected Properties and the new loan secured by the Affected Properties and evidenced by the New Note shall be in an amount equal to the applicable Allocated Loan Amount. Subsequent to the release of the Affected Properties from the lien of the Loan pursuant to this Section 9.1.3, the balances of the components of the Loan shall be the same as they would have been had a prepayment occurred in an amount equal to the applicable Allocated Loan Amount of the Affected Properties, and such prepayment had been applied pro rata to all remaining payments. At the request of Lender, Borrower shall otherwise cooperate with Lender in its attempt to satisfy all requirements necessary in order for Lender to obtain written confirmation from the Rating Agencies that such transfer of the Affected Properties from the Securitization and splitting of the Loan shall not cause a downgrade, withdrawal or qualification of the then current ratings of the Securities or any class thereof, which requirements shall include, without limitation: (A) delivery of evidence that the single purpose nature and bankruptcy remoteness of the Individual Borrowers owning Individual Properties other than the Affected Properties following such release have not been adversely affected and are in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which evidence may include a bring-down of the Insolvency Opinion); and (B) the execution of such documents and instruments and delivery by Lender of such opinions of counsel as are typical for similar transactions, including, an opinion of counsel (if such is correct under applicable Legal Requirements) that the release of the Affected Property will not be a significant modification of this Loan within the meaning of Section 1.1001-3 of the regulations of the United States Department of the Treasury and that all other requirements applicable, if any, to a REMIC Trust, have been satisfied or have not otherwise been violated. Provided that no Event of Default
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shall have occurred and be continuing under the Loan Documents, and unless effectuated prior to the Securitization of any portion of the Loan, Lender shall cause all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Borrower in connection with this Section 9.1.3 (including, without limitation, any costs and expenses incurred by Borrower in connection with the transfer of the Affected Properties to a Special Purpose Entity, the modifications of the Loan Documents and/or the maintenance and operation of such Special Purpose Entity) to be paid by Lender, subject to the Borrower Legal Cost Cap and the terms of Section 9.1.4 below.
9.1.4. Costs and Expenses. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Loan Documents, to the extent any transaction pursuant to this Section 9.1 or Section 9.2 hereof is proposed or consummated (including, without limitation, any Note Components or Securitization), Lender shall be responsible for payment of all costs and expenses relating to such transaction, including, without limitation, (a) any mortgage recording taxes and title insurance premiums, (b) all third party costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with any such transaction, (c) fees and disbursements of counsel to Lender, (d) the fees and expenses of the Rating Agencies, (e) up to $50,000 in fees and disbursements of counsel to Borrower and Guarantor (the Borrower Legal Cost Cap), and (f) all third party costs and expenses incurred by Borrower or Guarantor in connection with Borrowers and Guarantors complying with requests made under this Section 9.1 or Section 9.2.
9.1.5. No Mezzanine Debt. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Loan Documents, Lender may not, either before or after the Closing Date, bifurcate the Loan into a mortgage loan and mezzanine debt.
Section 9.2. Securitization Indemnification. (a) Subject to Section 9.1.1(d), Borrower understands that certain of the Provided Information may be included in Disclosure Documents in connection with the Securitization and may also be included in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or provided or made available to investors or prospective investors in the Securities, the Rating Agencies, and service providers relating to the Securitization. Subject to Section 9.1.1(d), in the event that any Disclosure Document is required to be revised prior to the sale of all Securities, Borrower shall cooperate with the holder of the Note in updating the Disclosure Document by providing all current information necessary to keep the Disclosure Document accurate and complete in all material respects.
(b) Subject to Section 9.1.1(d), the Indemnifying Persons agree to provide, in connection with the Securitization, an indemnification agreement (i) certifying that (A) the Indemnifying Persons have carefully examined the Disclosure Documents, including, without limitation, the sections entitled Risk Factors, Special Considerations, Description of the Mortgages, Description of the Mortgage Loan and Mortgaged Properties, The Borrower, The Master Tenants, The Third Party Subleases, The Master Leases, The Lineage Subtenants, the Lineage Subleases, Certain Legal Aspects of the Mortgage Loan and the Ground Leases (or similar entitled sections), and (B) such sections and such other information in the Disclosure Documents (to the extent such information relates to or includes any Provided Information or any information regarding the Properties, Borrower, any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant, Sole Member, Guarantor and/or the Loan) (collectively with the Provided
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Information, the Covered Disclosure Information) do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) jointly and severally indemnifying the Indemnified Parties for any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented legal fees and expenses for enforcement of these obligations (collectively, the Liabilities)) to which any such Indemnified Party may become subject insofar as the Liabilities arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Covered Disclosure Information or arise out of or are based upon the omission to state in the Covered Disclosure Information a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements in the Covered Disclosure Information, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (iii) agreeing to reimburse each Indemnified Party for any reasonable and documented legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party, as they are incurred, in connection with investigating or defending the Liabilities. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which Borrower may otherwise have. Moreover, the indemnification and reimbursement obligations provided for in clauses (ii) and (iii) above shall be effective, valid and binding obligations of the Indemnifying Persons, whether or not an indemnification agreement described in clause (i) above is provided. For purposes of this Agreement, Covered Disclosure Information shall not include, (v) any information subject to a confidentiality agreement as set forth in Section 9.1.1(d) above, other than ICE Disclosure Detail, (w) any untrue statements or omissions about which Borrower has provided notice in writing (which may be by email to Miriam Wheeler (miriam.wheeler@gs.com), Siddharth Shrivastava (siddharth.shrivastava@gs.com), Leah Nivison (leah.nivison@gs.com), John Harrison, Esq. (jharrison@cgsh.com), Lisa Pauquette, Esq. (lisa.pauquett@cwt.com)) and such other individuals that any of the foregoing may designate via email to David Brandes (david@bay-grove.com), Jason Burnett (jburnett@lineagelogistics.com), Brian Golper (bgolper@lineagelogistics.com), and Hilary Shalla (hilary.shalla@lw.com)) prior to the distribution of the Disclosure Document; provided that such notice is not inconsistent with (and the applicable comment, correction or objection by Borrower is consistent with) information provided by or on behalf of Borrower to Lender in connection with the Loan, (x) any statements which are derived from third party information not prepared by or on behalf of Borrower, any Master Tenant, Sole Member or Guarantor with respect to which Borrower has provided notice to Lender in writing prior to the distribution of the Disclosure Document that Borrower is unable to verify, (y) any Disclosure Document (or any provisions thereof) with respect to which Borrower is not provided a reasonable opportunity to review (unless such Disclosure Document (or such provisions thereof) is consistent in all material respects with information provided to Lender by or on behalf of Borrower), it being acknowledged and agreed that Borrower shall in all events have two (2) Business Days to review each draft of any Disclosure Document (or any provision thereof), or (z) any misstatements or omissions resulting from any Indemnified Partys failure to accurately transcribe written information delivered to Lender by or on behalf of Borrower or failure to include information provided to Lender by Borrower prior to distribution of the applicable Disclosure Document, unless Borrower has been provided a reasonable opportunity to review such Disclosure Documents (or the applicable portions thereof) and failed to notify Lender of such misstatements or omissions.
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(c) Subject to the limitations set forth in clauses (v) through (z) of Section 9.2(b) above, in connection with any filing pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with or relating to the Securitization, the Indemnifying Persons jointly and severally agree to indemnify (i) each Indemnified Party for Liabilities to which any such Indemnified Party may become subject insofar as the Liabilities arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement of any material fact in the Covered Disclosure Information, or the omission to state in the Covered Disclosure Information a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements in the Covered Disclosure Information, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (ii) reimburse each Indemnified Party for any reasonable and documented legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Parties, as they are incurred, in connection with defending or investigating the Liabilities.
(d) Subject to the limitations set forth in clauses (v) through (z) of Section 9.2(b) above, Borrower shall indemnify the Indemnified Parties against any liabilities to which an Indemnified Party may become subject in connection with any indemnification to the Rating Agencies in connection with issuing, monitoring or maintaining the Securities insofar as the liabilities arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement of any material fact in any information regarding the Properties, Borrower, the any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant, Sole Member, Guarantor and/or the Loan provided by or on behalf of an Indemnifying Party to the Rating Agencies (the Covered Rating Agency Information) or arise out of or are based upon the omission to state a material fact in the Covered Rating Agency Information required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements in the Covered Rating Agency Information, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(e) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the Indemnified Party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any Indemnifying Person, notify such Indemnifying Person in writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided, however, that the failure to notify such Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under the indemnification provisions of this Section 9.2 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced by such failure and, provided further that the failure to notify such Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an Indemnified Party otherwise than under the provisions of this Section 9.2. If any such claim or action shall be brought against an Indemnified Party, and it shall notify any Indemnifying Person thereof, such Indemnifying Person shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. After notice from any Indemnifying Person to the Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense of such claim or action, such Indemnifying Person shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both an Indemnifying Person, on the one hand, and one or more Indemnified Parties on the other hand, and an Indemnified Party shall have reasonably concluded that there are any legal defenses available to it and/or other Indemnified Parties that are different or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person, the Indemnified Party or Persons shall have the right to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such Indemnified Party or Persons. The Indemnified Party shall instruct its counsel to maintain reasonably detailed billing records for fees and disbursements for which such Indemnified Party is seeking reimbursement hereunder and shall submit copies of such detailed billing records to substantiate that such counsels fees and disbursements are solely related to the defense of a claim for which the Indemnifying Person is required hereunder to indemnify such Indemnified Party. No Indemnifying Person shall be liable for the expenses of more than one (1) such separate counsel unless such Indemnified Party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or additional to those available to another Indemnified Party.
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(f) Without the prior written consent of Lender or its designee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), no Indemnifying Person shall settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such claim, action, suit or proceeding) unless the Indemnifying Person shall have given Lender or its designee reasonable prior notice thereof and shall have obtained an unconditional release of each Indemnified Party hereunder from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceedings. As long as an Indemnifying Person has complied with its obligations to defend and indemnify hereunder, such Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement made by any Indemnified Party without the consent of such Indemnifying Person (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
(g) The Indemnifying Persons agree that if any indemnification or reimbursement sought pursuant to this Section 9.2 is finally judicially determined to be unavailable for any reason or is insufficient to hold any Indemnified Party harmless (with respect only to the Liabilities that are the subject of this Section 9.2), then the Indemnifying Persons, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall contribute to the Liabilities for which such indemnification or reimbursement is held unavailable or is insufficient: (x) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits to the Indemnifying Persons, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, from the transactions to which such indemnification or reimbursement relates; or (y) if the allocation provided by clause (x) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (x) but also the relative faults of the Indemnifying Persons, on the one hand, and all Indemnified Parties, on the other hand, as well as any other equitable considerations. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9.2, (1) no party found liable for a fraudulent misrepresentation shall be entitled to contribution from any other party who is not also found liable for such fraudulent misrepresentation, and (2) the Indemnifying Persons agree that in no event shall the amount to be contributed by the Indemnified Parties collectively pursuant to this paragraph exceed the amount of the fees (by underwriting discount or otherwise) actually received by the Indemnified Parties in connection with the closing of the Loan or the Securitization.
(h) The Indemnifying Persons agree that the indemnification, contribution and reimbursement obligations set forth in this Section 9.2 shall apply whether or not any Indemnified Party is a formal party to any lawsuits, claims or other proceedings. The Indemnifying Persons further agree that the Indemnified Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries under this Section 9.2.
(i) The liabilities and obligations of the Indemnified Parties and the Indemnifying Persons under this Section 9.2 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the satisfaction and discharge of the Debt.
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(j) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Borrower shall have no obligation to act as depositor with respect to the Loan or an issuer or registrant with respect to the Securities issued in any Securitization or to otherwise be required to be a registrant pursuant to any public offering of any securities secured by the Loan.
(k) This Section 9.2 shall not apply with respect to any Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.
Section 9.3. Exculpation. (a) Subject to the qualifications below, Lender shall not enforce the liability and obligation of Borrower to perform and observe the obligations contained in the Note, this Agreement, the Mortgages or the other Loan Documents by any action or proceeding wherein a money judgment shall be sought against Borrower, except that Lender may bring a foreclosure action, an action for specific performance or any other appropriate action or proceeding to enable Lender to enforce and realize upon its interest under the Note, this Agreement, the Mortgages and the other Loan Documents, or in the Properties, the Rents, or any other collateral given to Lender pursuant to the Loan Documents; provided, however, that, except as specifically provided herein, any judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be enforceable against Borrower only to the extent of Borrowers interest in the Properties, in the Rents and in any other collateral given to Lender, and Lender, by accepting the Note, this Agreement, the Mortgages and the other Loan Documents, agrees that it shall not sue for, seek or demand any deficiency judgment against Borrower in any such action or proceeding under, or by reason of, or in connection with, the Note, this Agreement, the Mortgages or the other Loan Documents. The provisions of this Section 9.3 shall not, however, (i) constitute a waiver, release or impairment of any obligation evidenced or secured by any of the Loan Documents; (ii) impair the right of Lender to name Borrower as a party defendant in any action or suit for foreclosure and sale under any of the Mortgages; (iii) affect the validity, enforceability or terms of the Limited Recourse Guaranty made in connection with the Loan or any of the rights and remedies of Lender thereunder; (iv) impair the right of Lender to obtain the appointment of a receiver; (v) impair the enforcement of the Assignment of Leases; or (vi) constitute a prohibition against Lender to seek a deficiency judgment against Borrower in order to fully realize the security granted by the Mortgages or to commence any other appropriate action or proceeding in order for Lender to exercise its remedies against the Properties.
(b) Nothing contained herein shall in any manner or way release, affect or impair the right of Lender to recover, and Borrower shall be fully and personally liable and subject to legal action, for any loss, cost, expense, damage, claim or other obligation (including without limitation reasonable and documented attorneys fees and court costs) incurred or suffered by Lender arising out of or in connection with the following:
(i) fraud or intentional misrepresentation by any Individual Borrower, Sole Member, any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant or Guarantor in connection with the Loan;
(ii) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Individual Borrower, Sole Member, any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant or Guarantor in connection with the Loan or the Properties;
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(iii) the breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or indemnification provision in the Environmental Indemnity Agreement or in the Mortgages concerning environmental laws, hazardous substances and asbestos and any indemnification of Lender with respect thereto in any such document;
(iv) the removal or disposal of any portion of any Individual Property during the continuance of an Event of Default (unless such portion of the Individual Property is replaced by an item of equal or greater value);
(v) material physical waste of any Individual Property caused by the intentional acts or intentional omissions of any Individual Borrower, Sole Member, any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant or Guarantor (provided that physical waste shall not include normal and reasonable wear and tear to any Individual Property that occurs in the ordinary course of business);
(vi) the misapplication or conversion by any Individual Borrower, Sole Member, any Master Tenant or Guarantor of (A) any Insurance Proceeds paid by reason of any Casualty, (B) any Awards received in connection with a Condemnation, (C) any Rents following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, or (D) any Rents paid more than one (1) month in advance;
(vii) failure to pay charges for labor or materials or other charges or judgments that can create Liens on any portion of any Individual Property unless (A) such charges or other judgments are being contested as permitted hereunder, (B) funds for payment of such charges or judgments are being held by Lender in any Reserve Fund or (C) there are insufficient Rents to pay the same;
(viii) any security deposits, advance deposits or any other deposits collected by Borrower with respect to any Individual Property which are not delivered to Lender upon a foreclosure of such Individual Property or action in lieu thereof, except to the extent any such security deposits were applied in accordance with the terms and conditions of any of the Leases;
(ix) except with respect to the release of Condemnation Parcel pursuant to Section 2.5.5 hereof, the difference, if any, between (A) the actual amount of any prepayment of the Loan paid to Lender in connection with a deemed sale of such Individual Property pursuant to Section 2.4.2(b) and (B) the Adjusted Release Amount of such Individual Property, provided that any liability incurred pursuant to this clause (ix) shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the Original Principal Indebtedness;
(x) a breach of Section 9.2 hereof;
(xi) any physical damage to any Property resulting from the removal of equipment, personalty, fixtures or improvements therefrom in connection with a foreclosure by any lender to any Master Tenant or any Lineage Subtenant having a security interest in such equipment, personalty, fixtures or improvements;
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(xii) any Individual Borrower failing, or at any time having failed to be a Special Purpose Entity, including, without limitation, by virtue of owning any property other than the Property;
(xiii) the failure of the representations contained in Section 4.1.38(v) or 4.1.38(xi) to be true, without giving effect to any exceptions to such representations;
(xiv) a breach of the first sentence of Section 5.1.20(e);
(xv) any act or omission of any Individual Borrower, Sole Member, Guarantor, any Master Tenant, any Lineage Subtenant or their respective Affiliates which hinders, delays or interferes with Lenders enforcement of its rights under the Loan Documents or the realization on any collateral for the Loan, other than acts or omissions taken (or not taken) in good faith; or
(xvi) to the extent that the Earn-Out Property (Dallas Hunt SW) becomes collateral for the Loan, all amounts set forth on Schedule 7.5.1 with respect to Unfunded Obligations related to the Earn-Out Property (Dallas Hunt SW) that have not been previously satisfied by the seller of such Property as of the date on which the applicable Individual Borrower acquired the same, for so long as such Unfunded Obligations remain unsatisfied; provided, however, that there shall be no liability under this clause (xvi) to the extent that the Tenant at such Individual Property delivers an executed notice of commencement of its Lease confirming the satisfaction of such Unfunded Obligations or such other notice by such Tenant confirming the same).
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Note or any of the Loan Documents, (A) Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any right which Lender may have under Section 506(a), 506(b), 1111(b) or any other provisions of the Bankruptcy Code to file a claim for the full amount of the Debt secured by the Mortgages or to require that all collateral shall continue to secure all of the Debt owing to Lender in accordance with the Loan Documents, and (B) the Debt shall be fully recourse to Borrower (1) in the event of: (aa) any Individual Borrower filing a voluntary petition under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency law; (bb) the filing of an involuntary petition against any Individual Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency law in which Borrower, Sole Member or Guarantor colludes with, or otherwise assists such Person, or solicits or causes to be solicited petitioning creditors for any involuntary petition against Borrower from any Person; (cc) Borrower filing an answer consenting to or otherwise acquiescing in or joining in any involuntary petition filed against it, by any other Person under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency law; (dd) Borrower consenting to or acquiescing in or joining in an application for the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee, or examiner for Borrower or any portion of any Individual Property; or (ee) Borrower making an assignment for the benefit of creditors; (2) if any Individual Borrower fails to comply in any material respect with any representation, warranty or covenant set forth in Section 4.1.30 hereof; (3) if Borrower fails to obtain Lenders prior written consent to any Indebtedness or voluntary Lien encumbering any of the Properties except Indebtedness and Liens permitted pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, to the extent any such Indebtedness results from the recharacterization of an operating lease to a capital lease, Borrowers liability hereunder shall be limited to any loss, cost, expense, damage, claim or other obligation (including without limitation reasonable and documented attorneys fees and court costs) incurred or suffered by Lender in connection therewith; or (4) if Borrower fails to obtain Lenders prior written consent to any Transfer, to the extent such consent is required by this Agreement.
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Section 9.4. Servicer. At the option of Lender, the Loan may be serviced by a master servicer, primary servicer, special servicer and/or trustee (any such master servicer, primary servicer, special servicer, and trustee, together with its agents, nominees or designees, are collectively referred to as Servicer) selected by Lender and Lender may delegate all or any portion of its responsibilities under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to Servicer pursuant to a pooling and servicing agreement, servicing agreement, special servicing agreement or other agreement providing for the servicing of one or more mortgage loans (collectively, the Servicing Agreement) between Lender and Servicer; provided, however, that Borrower and Lender hereby agree that the master Servicer shall be Midland. Borrower shall be responsible for any reasonable set up fees or any other initial costs relating to or arising under the Servicing Agreement, but Borrower shall not be responsible for payment of the regular monthly master servicing fee or trustee fee due to Servicer under the Servicing Agreement or any fees or expenses required to be borne by, and not reimbursable to, Servicer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall promptly reimburse Lender on demand for: (a) reasonable and documented expenses paid by Servicer or trustee in respect of the protection and preservation of the Properties (including, without limitation, payments of Property Taxes, Insurance Premiums and Ground Rent), (b) all reasonable and documented costs and expenses, liquidation fees, workout fees, special servicing fees, operating advisor fees or any other similar fees payable by Lender to Servicer as a result of an Event of Default under the Loan or the Loan becoming specially serviced, an enforcement, refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided under this Agreement in the nature of a work-out of the Loan Documents or of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding or any other similar fees that are due and payable to Servicer under the Servicing Agreement or the trustee, which fees may be due and payable under the Servicing Agreement on a periodic or continuing basis; (c) the costs of all property inspections and/or appraisals of the Properties (or any updates to any existing inspection or appraisal) that Servicer or the trustee may be required to obtain (other than the cost of regular annual inspections required to be borne by Servicer under the Servicing Agreement) and are permitted pursuant to this Agreement; and (d) any costs or expenses incurred in connection with special requests made by Borrower, Sole Member or Guarantor during the term of the Loan including, without limitation, in connection with a prepayment, assumption or modification of the Loan; provided, however, that Borrower shall not be liable for the payment of any such costs and expenses to the extent the same arise by reason of the gross negligence, illegal acts, fraud or willful misconduct of Servicer or Lender.
Section 9.5. Administration of Bankruptcy Claims. Borrower and Lender agree that, with respect to each Master Lease, each applicable Individual Borrower hereby transfers to Lender, in the event of any proceeding involving the applicable Master Tenant under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar proceeding, all of such Individual Borrowers rights to (a) file any proof of such claims, (b) cast any votes relating to any claims of such Individual Borrower against such Master Tenant in such proceedings, (c) collect and receive any dividends payable with respect to such claims, (d) take any action or commence any proceeding to collect such claims, (e) file any motion for relief from the stay imposed under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar
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statute, (f) file any motion to compel such Master Tenant to assume or reject the applicable leases or subleases under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar statute, or (g) take any other actions to collect or protect such claims, and Lender shall use commercially reasonable efforts to enforce and exercise such rights. Each Individual Borrower agrees that Lender shall be the sole party permitted to participate in the administration of the estate of such Master Tenant under any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar statute with respect any such claims.
X. MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1. Survival. This Agreement and all covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein and in the certificates delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the making by Lender of the Loan and the execution and delivery to Lender of the Note, and shall continue in full force and effect so long as all or any of the Debt is outstanding and unpaid unless a longer period is expressly set forth herein or in the other Loan Documents. Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the legal representatives, successors and assigns of such party. All covenants, promises and agreements in this Agreement, by or on behalf of Borrower, shall inure to the benefit of the legal representatives, successors and assigns of Lender.
Section 10.2. Lenders Discretion. Whenever pursuant to this Agreement, Lender exercises any right given to it to approve or disapprove, or any arrangement or term is to be satisfactory to Lender, the decision of Lender to approve or disapprove or to decide whether arrangements or terms are satisfactory or not satisfactory shall (except as is otherwise specifically herein provided) be in the sole discretion of Lender and shall be final and conclusive. Whenever this Agreement expressly provides that Lender may not withhold its consent or its approval of an arrangement or term, such provisions shall also be deemed to prohibit Lender from delaying or conditioning such consent or approval. Prior to a Securitization, whenever pursuant to this Agreement the Rating Agencies are given any right to approve or disapprove, or any arrangement or term is to be satisfactory to the Rating Agencies, the decision of Lender to approve or disapprove or to decide whether arrangements or terms are satisfactory or not satisfactory, based upon Lenders determination of Rating Agency criteria, shall be substituted therefore.
Section 10.3. Governing Law.
(a) THIS AGREEMENT WAS NEGOTIATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE LOAN WAS MADE BY LENDER AND ACCEPTED BY BORROWER IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND THE PROCEEDS OF THE LOAN DELIVERED PURSUANT HERETO WERE DISBURSED FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WHICH STATE THE PARTIES AGREE HAS A SUBSTANTIAL RELATIONSHIP TO THE PARTIES AND TO THE UNDERLYING TRANSACTION EMBODIED HEREBY, AND IN ALL RESPECTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, MATTERS OF CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND PERFORMANCE, THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTE AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE OBLIGATIONS ARISING HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE (WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPALS
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OF CONFLICT LAWS OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW) AND ANY APPLICABLE LAW OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, EXCEPT THAT AT ALL TIMES THE PROVISIONS FOR THE CREATION, PERFECTION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE LIENS AND SECURITY INTERESTS CREATED PURSUANT HERETO AND PURSUANT TO THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH LOAN, BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF THE STATE IN WHICH EACH INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY IS LOCATED, IT BEING UNDERSTOOD THAT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE LAW OF SUCH STATE, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND ENFORCEABILITY OF ALL LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MORTGAGES OR DEEDS OF TRUST RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES IN THE STATES OF WASHINGTON, CALIFORNIA AND ILLINOIS, WHICH ARE GOVERNED IN THEIR ENTIRETY BY THE LAW OF THE STATE WHERE SUCH INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED). TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BORROWER HEREBY UNCONDITIONALLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM TO ASSERT THAT THE LAW OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION GOVERNS THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTE AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.
(b) ANY LEGAL SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST LENDER OR BORROWER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY AT LENDERS OPTION BE INSTITUTED IN ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NEW YORK, PURSUANT TO SECTION 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW AND BORROWER WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTIONS WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE BASED ON VENUE AND/OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, AND BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING. BORROWER HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY AND ALL PROCESS WHICH MAY BE SERVED IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT IN NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK, MAY BE SERVED UPON BORROWER BY UNITED STATES MAIL OR BY EXPEDITED PREPAID DELIVERY SERVICE, EITHER COMMERCIAL OR UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, TO BORROWER AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SECTION 10.6 AND SHALL BE DEEMED IN EVERY RESPECT PROPER AND EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON BORROWER IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT IN NEW YORK.
UPON THE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING PARAGRAPH, BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY COMMON LAW, EQUITABLE, STATUTORY OR OTHER RIGHT TO ANY DEFENSE THAT PROCESS WAS NOT PROPERLY AND EFFECTIVELY SERVED ON BORROWER. THIS WAIVER OF DEFENSE IS GIVEN INTENTIONALLY, KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY BY BORROWER. LENDER IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO FILE A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH IN ANY PROCEEDING AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THIS WAIVER BY BORROWER.
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Section 10.4. Modification, Waiver in Writing. No modification, amendment, extension, discharge, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, or of the Note, or of any other Loan Document, nor consent to any departure by Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance, and for the purpose, for which given. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no notice to, or demand on Borrower, shall entitle Borrower to any other or future notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.
Section 10.5. Delay Not a Waiver. Neither any failure nor any delay on the part of Lender in insisting upon strict performance of any term, condition, covenant or agreement, or exercising any right, power, remedy or privilege hereunder, or under the Note or under any other Loan Document, or any other instrument given as security therefor, shall operate as or constitute a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other future exercise, or the exercise of any other right, power, remedy or privilege. In particular, and not by way of limitation, by accepting payment after the due date of any amount payable under this Agreement, the Note or any other Loan Document, Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any right either to require prompt payment when due of all other amounts due under this Agreement, the Note or the other Loan Documents, or to declare a default for failure to effect prompt payment of any such other amount.
Section 10.6. Notices. All notices, consents, approvals and requests required or permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be given in writing and shall be effective for all purposes if hand delivered or sent by (a) certified or registered United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (b) expedited prepaid delivery service, either commercial or United States Postal Service, with proof of attempted delivery, or (c) by facsimile (with answer back acknowledged), addressed as follows (or at such other address and Person as shall be designated from time to time by any party hereto, as the case may be, in a written notice to the other parties hereto in the manner provided for in this Section 10.6):
If to Lender: | Goldman Sachs Bank USA 200 West Street New York, New York 10282 Attention: Miriam Wheeler and J. Theodore Borter Facsimile No.: (212) 902-3000 | |
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. 1585 Broadway, 25th Floor New York, New York 10036 Attention: George Kok Facsimile No.: (212) 507-4859
and |
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JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | ||
383 Madison Avenue | ||
New York, New York 10179 | ||
Attention: Thomas N. Cassino and Nancy Alto | ||
Facsimile No.: (212) 272-7047 | ||
with a copy to: | Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company | |
2001 Ross Avenue, 30th Floor | ||
Dallas, Texas 75201 | ||
Attention: Mortgages Legal (REFG) | ||
Facsimile No.: 212-291-5318 | ||
with a copy to: | Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP | |
One Liberty Plaza | ||
New York, New York 10006 | ||
Attention: John Harrison, Esq. | ||
Facsimile No.: (212) 225-3999 | ||
If to Borrower: | c/o Lineage Logistics Holdings | |
46500 Humboldt Drive | ||
Novi, Michigan 48377 | ||
Attention: Michelle Domas, Vice President Treasury | ||
Email: realestate@lineagelogistics.com | ||
With a copy to: | Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC | |
1 Park Plaza, Suite 550 | ||
Irvine, CA 92614 | ||
Attention: General Counsel | ||
Facsimile No.: 949-247-5188 | ||
With a copy to: | Latham & Watkins LLP | |
650 Town Center Drive, 20th Floor | ||
Costa Mesa, California 92626 | ||
Attention: Hilary A. Shalla, Esq. | ||
Facsimile No.: (714) 755-8290 |
A notice shall be deemed to have been given: in the case of hand delivery, at the time of delivery; in the case of registered or certified mail, when delivered or the first attempted delivery on a Business Day; or in the case of expedited prepaid delivery, upon the first attempted delivery on a Business Day; or in the case of facsimile, upon senders receipt of a machine-generated confirmation of successful transmission after advice by telephone to recipient that a telecopy notice is forthcoming. Each Individual Borrower hereby designates Guarantor (Borrower Agent), as the party to give and receive notices on behalf of such Individual Borrower hereunder and to perform all other functions of such Individual Borrower contemplated by the Loan Documents, and any notice received by Lender from a Borrower other than Borrower Agent shall not constitute effective notice to, or be binding upon Lender hereunder. Lender shall give Borrower prompt written notice of any Securitization and/or engagement of any Servicer and any changes to the addresses for notices to Lender as a result thereof.
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Section 10.7. Trial by Jury. EACH OF LENDER AND BORROWER HEREBY AGREES NOT TO ELECT A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY ISSUE TRIABLE OF RIGHT BY JURY, AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY FULLY TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY SUCH RIGHT SHALL NOW OR HEREAFTER EXIST WITH REGARD TO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER ACTION ARISING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. THIS WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IS GIVEN KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY BY LENDER AND BORROWER, AND IS INTENDED TO ENCOMPASS INDIVIDUALLY EACH INSTANCE AND EACH ISSUE AS TO WHICH THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY WOULD OTHERWISE ACCRUE. LENDER IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO FILE A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH IN ANY PROCEEDING AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THIS WAIVER BY BORROWER. EACH PARTY IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO FILE A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH IN ANY PROCEEDING AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THIS WAIVER BY LENDER.
Section 10.8. Headings. The Article and/or Section headings and the Table of Contents in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose.
Section 10.9. Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
Section 10.10. Preferences. Lender shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply or reverse and reapply any and all payments by Borrower to any portion of the obligations of Borrower hereunder. To the extent Borrower makes a payment or payments to Lender, which payment or proceeds or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of such payment or proceeds received, the obligations hereunder or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continue in full force and effect, as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by Lender.
Section 10.11. Waiver of Notice. Borrower hereby expressly waives, and shall not be entitled to, any notices of any nature whatsoever from Lender except with respect to matters for which this Agreement or the other Loan Documents specifically and expressly provide for the giving of notice by Lender to Borrower and except with respect to matters for which Borrower is not, pursuant to applicable Legal Requirements, permitted to waive the giving of notice. Borrower hereby expressly waives the right to receive any notice from Lender with respect to any matter for which this Agreement or the other Loan Documents do not specifically and expressly provide for the giving of notice by Lender to Borrower.
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Section 10.12. Remedies of Borrower. In the event that a claim or adjudication is made that Lender or its agents have acted unreasonably or unreasonably delayed acting in any case where by law or under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, Lender or such agent, as the case may be, has an obligation to act reasonably or promptly, Borrower agrees that neither Lender nor its agents shall be liable for any monetary damages, and Borrowers sole remedies shall be limited to commencing an action seeking injunctive relief or declaratory judgment. The parties hereto agree that any action or proceeding to determine whether Lender has acted reasonably shall be determined by an action seeking declaratory judgment.
Section 10.13. Expenses; Indemnity. (a) Except for those fees and expenses that Lender is required to pay pursuant to Section 9.1.4 above, Borrower covenants and agrees to pay or, if Borrower fails to pay, to reimburse, Lender upon receipt of notice from Lender for all reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by Lender in connection with (i) the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and all the costs of furnishing all opinions by counsel for Borrower (including without limitation any opinions requested by Lender as to any legal matters arising under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with respect to the Properties), provided that, Borrower shall not be required to pay in excess of $2,500,000 with respect to fees and expenses related to the origination of the Loan, but excluding (A) Borrower and Guarantors legal fees and expenses (including the fees of local counsel), (B) the cost of title insurance and other fees paid to the title company, (C) mortgage taxes, transfer taxes and other recording costs, (D) the cost of obtaining any interest rate cap, (E) costs of forming new Borrower entities, obtaining independent directors for Borrower and ordering organizational documents and good standing certificates, and (F) any upfront fee payable to Lender (as agreed pursuant to a separate written agreement); (ii) Borrowers ongoing performance of and compliance with Borrowers respective agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents on its part to be performed or complied with after the Closing Date, including, without limitation, confirming compliance with environmental and insurance requirements under this Agreement; (iii) obtaining any Rating Agency Confirmation in respect of any matter required or requested by Borrower hereunder; (iv) the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and administration of any consents, amendments, waivers, substitutions, releases or other modifications to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents or matters requested by Borrower; (v) securing Borrowers compliance with any requests made pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement; (vi) the filing and recording fees and expenses, title insurance and reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel for providing to Lender all required legal opinions, and other similar expenses incurred in creating and perfecting the Liens in favor of Lender pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (vii) enforcing or preserving any rights, in response to third party claims or the prosecuting or defending of any action or proceeding or other litigation, in each case against, under or affecting Borrower, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Properties, or any other security given for the Loan; and (viii) enforcing any obligations of or collecting any payments due from Borrower under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or with respect to the Properties including any reasonable and documented fees and expenses incurred by or payable to Servicer or a trustee in connection with the transfer of the Loan to a special servicer upon Servicers anticipation of a Default or Event of Default, liquidation fees, workout fees, special servicing fees, operating advisor fees or any other similar fees (and interest payable on advances made by the Servicer or the securitization
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trustee with respect to delinquent debt service payments), or in connection with any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided under this Agreement in the nature of a work-out or of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or any other amounts required under Section 9.4; provided, however, that Borrower shall not be liable for the payment of any such costs and expenses to the extent the same arise by reason of the gross negligence, illegal acts, fraud or willful misconduct of Lender. Any cost and expenses due and payable to Lender may be paid from any amounts in the Cash Management Account.
(b) Borrower shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Lender and its officers, directors, agents, employees (and the successors and assigns of the foregoing) and any Person who is or will have been involved in the origination of the Loan, any Person who is or will have been involved in the servicing of the Loan secured hereby, any Person in whose name the encumbrance created by any Mortgage is or will have been recorded, any Person who may hold or acquire or will have held a full or partial interest in the Loan (collectively, the Lender Indemnitees) from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel for Lender Indemnitees in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened, whether or not a Lender Indemnitee shall be designated a party thereto), that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against any Lender Indemnitee in any manner relating to or arising out of (i) any breach by Borrower of its obligations under, or any material misrepresentation by Borrower contained in, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (ii) the use or intended use of the proceeds of the Loan or (iii) (A) the ownership of the Mortgages, the Properties or any interest therein or receipt of any Rents; (B) any amendment to, or restructuring of, the Debt, the Note, this Agreement, the Mortgages, or any other Loan Documents requested by Borrower or during the continuance of an Event of Default; (C) any and all lawful action that may be taken by Lender in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, the Note, the Mortgages or any of the other Loan Documents, whether or not suit is filed in connection with same, or in connection with Individual Borrower, any guarantor or indemnitor and/or any partner, joint venturer or shareholder thereof becoming a party to a Bankruptcy Action; (D) any accident, injury to, or death of, persons or loss of or damage to property occurring in, on or about the Properties or any part thereof or on the adjoining sidewalks, curbs, adjacent property or adjacent parking areas, streets or ways occurring prior to the entry upon and taking of actual physical possession of the applicable Property by a receiver, Lender or anyone claiming by, through or under Lender; (E) any use, nonuse or condition in, on or about the Properties or any part thereof or on the adjoining sidewalks, curbs, adjacent property or adjacent parking areas, streets or ways prior to the entry upon and taking of actual physical possession of the Property by a receiver, Lender or anyone claiming by, through or under Lender; (F) performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property in respect of the Properties or any part thereof prior to the entry upon and taking of actual physical possession of the Property by a receiver, Lender or anyone claiming by, through or under Lender; (G) the failure of any person to file timely with the Internal Revenue Service an accurate Form 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions, which may be required in connection with the Mortgages, or to supply a copy thereof in a timely fashion to the recipient of the proceeds of the transaction in connection with which the Mortgages are made; (H) any failure of the Properties to be in compliance with any Legal Requirements prior to the entry upon and taking of actual physical possession of the Property by a receiver, Lender or anyone claiming by, through or under Lender;
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(I) any and all claims and demands whatsoever which may be asserted against Lender by reason of any alleged obligations or undertakings on its part to perform or discharge any of the terms, covenants, or agreements contained in any Lease prior to the entry upon and taking of actual physical possession of the Property by a receiver, Lender or anyone claiming by, through or under Lender; and (J) the payment of any commission, charge or brokerage fee to anyone claiming through Borrower which may be payable in connection with the funding of the Loan (collectively, the Indemnified Liabilities); provided, however, that Borrower shall not have any obligation to any Lender Indemnitees hereunder to the extent that such Indemnified Liabilities arise from the gross negligence, illegal acts, fraud or willful misconduct of such Lender Indemnitees. To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, defend and hold harmless set forth in the preceding sentence may be unenforceable because it violates any law or public policy, Borrower shall pay the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Lender Indemnitees. This Section 10.13(b) shall not apply with respect to any Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.
(c) Except for those fees and expenses that Lender is required to pay pursuant to Section 9.1.4 above, Borrower covenants and agrees to pay for or, if Borrower fails to pay, to reimburse Lender for, any fees and expenses incurred by any Rating Agency in connection with any Rating Agency review of the Loan, the Loan Documents or any transaction contemplated thereby or any consent, approval, waiver or confirmation obtained from such Rating Agency pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document and the Lender shall be entitled to require payment of such fees and expenses as a condition precedent to the obtaining of any such consent, approval, waiver or confirmation.
Section 10.14. Schedules Incorporated. The Schedules annexed hereto are hereby incorporated herein as a part of this Agreement with the same effect as if set forth in the body hereof.
Section 10.15. Offsets, Counterclaims and Defenses. Any assignee of Lenders interest in and to this Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents shall take the same free and clear of all offsets, counterclaims or defenses which are unrelated to such documents which Borrower may otherwise have against any assignor of such documents, and no such unrelated counterclaim or defense shall be interposed or asserted by Borrower in any action or proceeding brought by any such assignee upon such documents and any such right to interpose or assert any such unrelated offset, counterclaim or defense in any such action or proceeding is hereby expressly waived by Borrower.
Section 10.16. No Joint Venture or Partnership; No Third Party Beneficiaries. (a) Borrower and Lender intend that the relationships created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents be solely that of borrower and lender. Nothing herein or therein is intended to create a joint venture, partnership, tenancy-in-common, or joint tenancy relationship between Borrower and Lender nor to grant Lender any interest in the Properties other than that of mortgagee, beneficiary or lender.
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(b) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are solely for the benefit of Lender and Borrower and nothing contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be deemed to confer upon anyone other than Lender and Borrower any right to insist upon or to enforce the performance or observance of any of the obligations contained herein or therein. All conditions to the obligations of Lender to make the Loan hereunder are imposed solely and exclusively for the benefit of Lender and no other Person shall have standing to require satisfaction of such conditions in accordance with their terms or be entitled to assume that Lender will refuse to make the Loan in the absence of strict compliance with any or all thereof and no other Person shall under any circumstances be deemed to be a beneficiary of such conditions, any or all of which may be freely waived in whole or in part by Lender if, in Lenders sole discretion, Lender deems it advisable or desirable to do so.
Section 10.17. Publicity. All news releases, publicity or advertising by Borrower or their Affiliates through any media intended to reach the general public which refers to the Loan Documents or the financing evidenced by the Loan Documents or to Lender or any of its Affiliates shall be subject to the prior approval of Lender (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, all news releases, publicity or advertising by or on behalf of Lender or their Affiliates through any media intended to reach the general public (collectively, Public Advertising) which refers to the Loan Documents or the financing evidenced by the Loan Documents or to Borrower or any of its Affiliates shall be subject to the prior approval of Borrower (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), provided, however, that Public Advertising shall in no event be deemed to include any Disclosure Document or other instrument disseminated by Lender or its Affiliates in connection with the Securitization or the marketing for sale of any interest of Lender in the Loan.
Section 10.18. Waiver of Marshalling of Assets. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Borrower, for itself and its successors and assigns, waives all rights to a marshalling of the assets of Borrower, Borrowers partners and others with interests in Borrower, and of the Properties, or to a sale in inverse order of alienation in the event of foreclosure of all or any of the Mortgages, and agrees not to assert any right under any laws pertaining to the marshalling of assets, the sale in inverse order of alienation, homestead exemption, the administration of estates of decedents, or any other matters whatsoever to defeat, reduce or affect the right of Lender under the Loan Documents to a sale of the Properties for the collection of the Debt without any prior or different resort for collection or of the right of Lender to the payment of the Debt out of the net proceeds of the Properties in preference to every other claimant whatsoever. In addition, Borrower, for itself and its successors and assigns, waives in the event of foreclosure of any or all of the Mortgages, any equitable right otherwise available to Borrower which would require the separate sale of the Properties or require Lender to exhaust its remedies against any Individual Property or any combination of the Properties before proceeding against any other Individual Property or combination of Properties; and further in the event of such foreclosure Borrower does hereby expressly consents to and authorizes, at the option of Lender, the foreclosure and sale either separately or together of any combination of the Properties.
Section 10.19. Waiver of Counterclaim. Borrower hereby waives the right to assert a counterclaim, other than a compulsory counterclaim, in any action or proceeding brought against it by Lender or its agents.
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Section 10.20. Conflict; Construction of Documents; Reliance. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Loan Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Loan Agreement shall control. The parties hereto acknowledge that they were represented by competent counsel in connection with the negotiation, drafting and execution of the Loan Documents and that such Loan Documents shall not be subject to the principle of construing their meaning against the party which drafted same. Borrower acknowledges that, with respect to the Loan, Borrower shall rely solely on its own judgment and advisors in entering into the Loan without relying in any manner on any statements, representations or recommendations of Lender or any parent, subsidiary or Affiliate of Lender. Lender shall not be subject to any limitation whatsoever in the exercise of any rights or remedies available to it under any of the Loan Documents or any other agreements or instruments which govern the Loan by virtue of the ownership by it or any parent, subsidiary or Affiliate of Lender of any equity interest any of them may acquire in Borrower, and Borrower hereby irrevocably waives the right to raise any defense or take any action on the basis of the foregoing with respect to Lenders exercise of any such rights or remedies. Borrower acknowledges that Lender engages in the business of real estate financings and other real estate transactions and investments which may be viewed as adverse to or competitive with the business of Borrower or its Affiliates.
Section 10.21. Brokers and Financial Advisors. Borrower hereby represents that, other than the Lender and Eastdil Secured, it has dealt with no financial advisors, brokers, underwriters, placement agents, agents or finders in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Lender harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, costs and expenses of any kind (including Lenders reasonable and documented attorneys fees and expenses) in any way relating to or arising from a claim by any Person that such Person acted on behalf of Borrower in connection with the transactions contemplated herein. The provisions of this Section 10.21 shall survive the expiration and termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Debt.
Section 10.22. Prior Agreements. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents contain the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and all prior agreements among or between such parties, whether oral or written, between Borrower and Lender are superseded by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Section 10.23. Joint and Several Liability. If Borrower consists of more than one (1) Person, the obligations and liabilities of each Person shall be joint and several.
Section 10.24. Certain Additional Rights of Lender (VCOC). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Lender shall have:
(i) the right to periodically, but in no event more than once per calendar quarter, consult with and advise Borrowers management regarding the significant business activities and business and financial developments of Borrower; provided, however, that such consultations shall not include discussions of environmental compliance programs or disposal of hazardous substances. Consultation meetings between Lender and Borrowers management shall be scheduled and coordinated at reasonable times and upon reasonable advance notice by Lender to Borrower;
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(ii) the right, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to examine the books and records of Borrower at any reasonable times upon reasonable notice (but in any event not more than once per calendar quarter pursuant to this Section 10.24);
(iii) the right, in accordance with Section 5.1.11 hereof, to receive monthly, quarterly and year-end financial reports in accordance with the terms thereof; and
(iv) the right, without restricting any other rights of Lender under this Agreement (including any similar right), to approve any acquisition by Borrower of any other significant property (other than personal property required for the day to day operation of the Properties and subject to the provisions of Section 2.5.3).
The rights described above in this Section 10.24 may be exercised by any entity which owns and Controls, directly or indirectly, substantially all of the interests in Lender.
Section 10.25. Reserved.
Section 10.26. Confidentiality. Lender agrees that it shall treat as confidential all confidential information provided to Lender by or on behalf of Borrower hereunder; provided, however, that, subject to Section 9.1.1(d), nothing herein shall prevent Lender from disclosing any such information (a) pursuant to the order of any court or administrative agency or in any pending legal or administrative proceeding, or otherwise as required by applicable law or compulsory legal process, (b) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or any suit, action or proceeding relating to the enforcement of its rights hereunder or thereunder, (c) upon the request or demand of any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over Lender, (d) to the extent that such information becomes publicly available other than by reason of disclosure by Lender in violation of this Section 10.26, (e) to Lenders affiliates and to Lender and Lenders respective employees, legal counsel, independent auditors and other experts or agents involved in consideration of the transactions contemplated hereby who are informed of the confidential nature of such information and either have a legal obligation to keep, or agree with Lender to keep, such information confidential, and (f) to actual or potential assignees, participants or derivative investors in the Loan, in which case Lender shall mark such information Confidential prior to distribution thereof.
Section 10.27. USA PATRIOT Act Records. Lender hereby notifies Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Borrower and Guarantor, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and Guarantor and other information that will allow Lender to identify Borrower and Guarantor in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.
Section 10.28. No Fiduciary Duty.
(a) Borrower acknowledges that, in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the transaction contemplated hereby, Lender has relied upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial, legal, regulatory, accounting, tax and other information provided to, discussed with or reviewed by Lender for such purposes, and Lender does not assume any liability therefor or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or independent verification thereof. Lender, its affiliates and their respective equityholders and employees (for purposes of this Section, the Lending Parties) have no obligation to conduct any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities (including any contingent, derivative or off-balance sheet assets and liabilities) of Guarantor, Borrower or any other Person or any of their respective affiliates or to advise or opine on any related solvency or viability issues.
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(b) It is understood and agreed that (i) the Lending Parties shall act under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as an independent contractor, and (ii) nothing in this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the transaction contemplated hereby or otherwise shall be deemed to create (A) a fiduciary duty (or other implied duty) on the part of any Lending Party to Guarantor, Borrower, any of their respective affiliates, stockholders, employees or creditors, or any other Person or (B) a fiduciary or agency relationship between Guarantor, Borrower or any of their respective affiliates, stockholders, employees or creditors, on the one hand, and the Lending Parties, on the other. Borrower agrees that neither it nor Guarantor nor any of their respective affiliates shall make, and hereby waives, any claim against the Lending Parties based on an assertion that any Lending Party owes a fiduciary or similar duty to Borrower, Guarantor or their respective affiliates, stockholders, employees or creditors. Nothing in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is intended to confer upon any other Person (including affiliates, stockholders, employees or creditors of Borrower and Guarantor) any rights or remedies by reason of any fiduciary or similar duty.
(c) Borrower acknowledges that it has been advised that the Lending Parties are a full service financial services firm engaged, either directly or through affiliates in various activities, including securities trading, investment banking and financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities and financial planning and benefits counseling for both companies and individuals. In the ordinary course of these activities, the Lending Parties may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and/or financial instruments (including loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and/or instruments. Such investment and other activities may involve securities and instruments of affiliates of Borrower, including Guarantor, as well as of other Persons that may (i) be involved in transactions arising from or relating to the transaction contemplated hereby, (ii) be customers or competitors of Borrower, Guarantor and/or their respective affiliates, or (iii) have other relationships with Borrower, Guarantor and/or their respective affiliates. In addition, the Lending Parties may provide investment banking, underwriting and financial advisory services to such other Persons. The Lending Parties may also co-invest with, make direct investments in, and invest or co-invest client monies in or with funds or other investment vehicles managed by other parties, and such funds or other investment vehicles may trade or make investments in securities of affiliates of Borrower, including Guarantor, or such other Persons. The transactions contemplated pursuant to this Agreement may have a direct or indirect impact on the investments, securities or instruments referred to in this paragraph. Although the Lending Parties in the course of such other activities and relationships may acquire information about the transactions contemplated pursuant to this Agreement or other Persons that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated pursuant to this Agreement, the Lending Parties shall have no obligation to disclose such information, or the fact that the Lending Parties are in possession of such information, to Borrower, Guarantor or any of their respective affiliates or to use such information on behalf of Borrower, Guarantor or any of their respective affiliates.
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(d) Borrower acknowledges and agrees that Borrower has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate and that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents the transactions contemplated pursuant to this Agreement and the process leading thereto.
Section 10.29. EU Bail-in Rule. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Loan Documents or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(i) the application of any EEA Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and
(ii) the effects of any EEA Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(A) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(B) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(C) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.
XI. JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY; WAIVERS
Section 11.1. Joint and Several Liability; Primary Obligors. Each Individual Borrower (each, a Borrower Entity) shall be a primary obligor with respect to payment of the Debt and performance of Borrowers obligations under the Loan Documents and all such Borrower Entities shall be jointly and severally liable for payment of the Debt and performance of such other obligations. As used herein, references to Other Borrowers shall mean all Borrower Entities other than the particular Borrower Entity so referred.
Section 11.2. Waivers. Without limiting the primary liability of each Borrower Entity as set forth above, to the extent any such Borrower Entity is determined to be secondarily liable with respect to any portion of the Debt or any other obligation hereunder, the following shall apply:
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11.2.1. No Duty To Pursue Others. It shall not be necessary for Lender (and each Borrower Entity hereby waives any rights which such Borrower Entity may have to require Lender), in order to enforce the obligations of each Borrower Entity hereunder, first to (a) institute suit or exhaust its remedies against any Other Borrower or others liable on the Debt or any other
person, (b) enforce Lenders rights against any Collateral mortgaged, pledged or granted by any Other Borrower which shall ever have been given to secure the Debt (Other Borrower Collateral), (c) enforce Lenders rights against any other guarantors of the Debt, (d) join Borrower or any others liable on the Debt in any action against any Other Borrower seeking to enforce the Loan Documents, (e) exhaust any remedies available to Lender against any Collateral which shall ever have been given to secure the Debt, or (f) resort to any other means of obtaining payment of the Loan by any Other Borrower. Lender shall not be required to mitigate damages or take any other action pertaining to any Other Borrower or any Other Borrower Collateral to reduce, collect or enforce the Debt from any Other Borrower.
11.2.2. Waivers. Each Borrower Entity agrees to the provisions of the Loan Documents, and hereby waives notice of (a) any loans or advances made by Lender to any Other Borrower, (b) acceptance of the Loan Documents, (c) any amendment or extension of the Note, this Agreement or of any other Loan Documents entered into by any Other Borrower, (d) the execution and delivery by any Other Borrower and Lender of any other loan or credit agreement or of any Other Borrowers execution and delivery of any promissory notes or other documents arising under the Loan Documents or in connection with the Other Borrower Collateral, (e) the occurrence of any breach by any Other Borrower or an Event of Default with respect to any Other Borrower or Other Borrower Collateral, (f) Lenders transfer or disposition of the Debt, or any part thereof, (g) sale or foreclosure (or posting or advertising for sale or foreclosure) of any Other Borrower Collateral, (h) protest, proof of non-payment or default by any Other Borrower and (i) except to the extent expressly required under any of the Loan Documents, any other action at any time taken or omitted by Lender, and, generally, all demands and notices to any Other Borrower of every kind in connection with the Loan Documents, any documents or agreements evidencing, securing or relating to any of the Debt.
11.2.3. Waiver of Subrogation, Reimbursement and Contribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Loan Documents, each Borrower hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, releases and abrogates, prior to the payment in full of the Loan and for a period of ninety-one (91) days thereafter any and all rights it may now or hereafter have under any agreement, at law or in equity (including any law subrogating such Borrower Entity to the rights of Lender), to assert any claim against or seek contribution, (other than pursuant to the express provisions of Section 11.4), indemnification or any other form of reimbursement from any Other Borrower or any other party liable for payment of any or all of the Debt for any payment made by such Borrower Entity under or in connection with the Loan Documents or otherwise.
11.2.4. Events And Circumstances Not Reducing Or Discharging Guarantors Obligations. Each Borrower Entity hereby consents and agrees to each of the following, and agrees that such Borrower Entitys obligations under the Loan Documents shall not be released, diminished, impaired, reduced or adversely affected by any of the following, and waives any common law, equitable, statutory or other rights (including rights to notice) which such Borrower Entity might otherwise have as a result of or in connection with any of the following:
(a) Modifications. Any renewal, extension, increase, modification, alteration, restatement or rearrangement entered into by any Other Borrower of all or any part of the Debt, the Note, the Loan Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or any other document, instrument, contract or understanding between any Other Borrower and Lender, or any other parties, pertaining to the Debt or any failure of Lender to notify Borrower Entity of any such action.
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(b) Adjustment. Any adjustment, indulgence, forbearance or compromise that might be granted or given by Lender to any Other Borrower.
(c) Condition of Borrower or Borrower Entity. The insolvency, bankruptcy, arrangement, adjustment, composition, liquidation, disability, dissolution or lack of power of any Other Borrower or any other party at any time liable for the payment of all or part of the Debt; or any dissolution of any Other Borrower, or any sale, lease or transfer of any or all of the assets of Borrower or of any Other Borrower, or any changes in the shareholders, partners or members of any Other Borrower; or any reorganization of any Other Borrower.
(d) Invalidity of Debt. The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of all or any part of the Debt, or any document or agreement executed in connection with the Debt, for any reason whatsoever, including the fact that (i) the Debt, or any part thereof, exceeds the amount permitted by law, (ii) the act of creating the Debt or any part thereof is ultra vires, (iii) the officers or representatives executing the Note, the Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents or otherwise creating the Debt acted in excess of their authority, (iv) the Debt violates applicable usury laws, (v) any Other Borrower has valid defenses, claims or offsets (whether at law, in equity or by agreement) which renders the Debt wholly or partially uncollectible from such Other Borrower, (vi) the creation, performance or repayment of the Debt (or the execution, delivery and performance of any document or instrument by any Other Borrower representing part of the Debt or executed in connection with the Debt, or given to secure the repayment of the Debt) is illegal, uncollectible or unenforceable, or (vii) the Note, the Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents have been forged or otherwise are irregular or not genuine or authentic, it being agreed that such Borrower Entity shall remain liable hereon regardless of whether any Other Borrower or any other Person be found not liable on the Debt or any part thereof for any reason.
(e) Release of Obligors. Any full or partial release of the liability of any Other Borrower on the Debt, or any part thereof, or of any guarantor(s) thereof, or any other Person now or hereafter liable, whether directly or indirectly, jointly, severally, or jointly and severally, to pay, perform, guarantee or assure the payment of the Debt, or any part thereof, it being recognized, acknowledged and agreed by such Borrower Entity that such Borrower Entity may be required to pay the Debt in full without assistance or support of any other party, and such Borrower Entity has not been induced to enter into the Loan Documents on the basis of a contemplation, belief, understanding or agreement that other Persons will be liable to pay or perform the Debt, or that Lender will look to other Persons to pay or perform the Debt.
(f) Other Collateral. The taking or accepting of any other security, collateral or guaranty, or other assurance of payment, for all or any part of the Debt.
(g) Release of Collateral. Any release, surrender, exchange, subordination, deterioration, waste, loss or impairment (including negligent, willful, unreasonable or unjustifiable impairment) of any collateral, property or security at any time existing in connection with, or assuring or securing payment of, all or any part of the Debt.
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(h) Care and Diligence. The failure of Lender or any other party to exercise diligence or reasonable care in the preservation, protection, enforcement, sale or other handling or treatment of Other Borrower Collateral or all or any part of such collateral, property or security, including any neglect, delay, omission, failure or refusal of Lender (i) to take or prosecute any action for the collection of any of the Debt or (ii) to foreclose, or initiate any action to foreclose, or, once commenced, prosecute to completion any action to foreclose upon Other Borrower Collateral, or (iii) to take or prosecute any action in connection with any instrument or agreement evidencing or securing all or any part of the Debt.
(i) Unenforceability. The fact that any collateral, security, security interest or lien contemplated or intended to be given, created or granted as security for the repayment of the Debt, or any part thereof, shall not be properly perfected or created, or shall prove to be unenforceable or subordinate to any other security interest or lien, it being recognized and agreed by such Borrower Entity that such Borrower Entity is not entering into the Loan Documents in reliance on, or in contemplation of the benefits of, the validity, enforceability, collectability or value of any of the collateral for the Debt.
(j) Offset. Any existing or future right of offset, claim or defense of Borrower against Lender, or any other Person, or against payment of the Debt by any Other Borrower, whether such right of offset, claim or defense arises in connection with the Debt (or the transactions creating the Debt) or otherwise.
(k) Merger. The reorganization, merger or consolidation of any Other Borrower into or with any other Person.
(l) Preference. Any payment by Borrower to Lender is held to constitute a preference under bankruptcy laws, or for any reason Lender is required to refund such payment or pay such amount to Borrower or someone else.
Section 11.3. Other Actions Taken or Omitted. Any other action taken or omitted to be taken with respect to the Loan Documents, the Debt, or Other Borrower Collateral, whether or not such action or omission prejudices any Borrower Entity or increases the likelihood that any Borrower Entity will be required to pay the Debt pursuant to the terms hereof, it is the unambiguous and unequivocal intention of each Borrower Entity that such Borrower Entity shall be obligated to pay the Debt when due, notwithstanding any occurrence, circumstance, event, action, or omission whatsoever pertaining to any Other Borrower or any Other Borrower Collateral, whether contemplated or uncontemplated, and whether or not otherwise or particularly described herein, which obligation shall be deemed satisfied only upon the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Debt.
Section 11.4. Contribution.
11.4.1. In the event of (a) any payment by any one or more of the Individual Borrowers of any amount in excess of the Allocated Loan Amount applicable to the Individual Property owned by such Individual Borrower together with interest thereon and its proportionate share (based on the Allocated Loan Amount) of any other amounts payable with respect thereto, (b) the foreclosure of, or the delivery of deeds in lieu of foreclosure relating to, any Individual Property owned or
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leased by any Individual Borrower, or (c) any payment by Guarantor under the Limited Recourse Guaranty, Guarantor or each Individual Borrower (the Overpaying Entity, as applicable) whose Individual Property or assets have been utilized to satisfy obligations under the Loan or the Limited Recourse Guaranty, as applicable, or otherwise for the benefit of one or more other Individual Borrowers shall be entitled, after payment in full of the Loan and the satisfaction of all of Borrowers other obligations to Lender, to contribution from each of the benefited Individual Borrowers for the amounts so paid, advanced or benefited, up to the Allocated Loan Amount applicable to such benefited Individual Borrower. Any such contribution payments shall be made within ten (10) days after demand therefor
11.4.2. If an Individual Borrower (a Defaulting Borrower) shall have failed to make a contribution payment as hereinabove provided, after satisfaction of all obligations of Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Overpaying Entity shall be subrogated to the rights of Lender against such Defaulting Borrower, including the right to receive a portion of such Defaulting Borrowers Collateral in an amount equal to the contribution payment required hereunder that such Defaulting Borrower failed to make; provided, however, if Lender returns any payments in connection with a bankruptcy of a Borrower, or amounts are otherwise disgorged from Lender, all subrogated Borrowers shall jointly and severally repay Lender all such amounts returned or disgorged, together with interest at the Interest Rate.
Section 11.5. Co-Lenders.
(a) Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that notwithstanding the fact that the Loan may be serviced by Servicer, prior to a Securitization of the entire Loan, all requests for approval and consents hereunder and in every instance in which Lenders consent or approval is required, each of Borrower and the other Loan Parties shall be required to obtain the consent and approval of each Co-Lender and all copies of documents, reports, requests and other delivery obligations of Borrower and the other Loan Parties required hereunder shall be delivered by Borrower and the other Loan Parties to each Co-Lender in accordance with Section 10.6 hereof. Each Co-Lender hereby appoints Lead Lender to serve as non-fiduciary administrative agent and collateral agent for all Lenders. Lead Lender shall remit each such notice, request or other communication to each other Lender within one Business Day of receipt thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to disbursement of any Reserve Funds, Borrower shall only be required to provide any conditions precedent to disbursement to Lead Lender and, solely to the extent disbursement of such Reserve Funds is being done in accordance with the Loan Agreement, only approval of Lead Lender shall be required for disbursement of such Reserve Funds.
(b) (i) The liabilities of Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall be several and not joint, (ii) no Co-Lender shall be responsible for the obligations of any other Co-Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) each Co-Lender shall be liable to Borrower only for its respective Ratable Share of the Loan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all indemnities by Borrower and obligations for costs, expenses, damages or advances set forth herein shall run to and benefit each Co-Lender in accordance with its Ratable Share.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized representatives, all as of the day and year first above written.
BORROWER: | ||
LINEAGE HCS PA SCRANTON RE, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE HCS MASTER RE, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE IL BARTLETT RE, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE IL CHICAGO & LYONS RE, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE MASTER RE 6, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE GA MASTER RE, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE VA RICHMOND RE, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE MASTER RE 7, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE IA CEDAR RAPIDS RE, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE DR MASTER RE, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE TN ARLINGTON RE, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE NOCS MASTER RE, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE AFS MASTER RE, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE PFS IL CHICAGO III RE, LLC, | ||
each a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Jason E. Burnett | |
Name: Jason E. Burnett | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory | ||
LINEAGE BEDFORD PARK RE 2, LLC, | ||
a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Jason E. Burnett | |
Name: Jason E. Burnett | ||
Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | ||
LLH TRS FSS RE HOLDINGS, LLC, | ||
a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Jason E. Burnett | |
Name: Jason E. Burnett | ||
Title: Executive Vice President and General Counsel |
[Signatures continue on following page]
[Signature Page to Loan Agreement]
LENDER: | ||
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, | ||
a New York state-chartered bank | ||
By: | /s/ Siddharth Shrivastava | |
Name: Siddharth Shrivastava | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signatures continue on following page]
[Signature Page to Loan Agreement]
MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A. | ||
By: | /s/ Kathryn Auw | |
Name: Kathryn Auw | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signatures continue on following page]
[Signature Page to Loan Agreement]
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
By: | /s/ Simon B. Burce | |
Name: Simon B. Burce | ||
Title: Executive Director |
[Signature Page to Loan Agreement]
Exhibit 10.35
EXECUTION VERSION
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC
US$ 300,000,000
2.22% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series A, due August 20, 2026
US$ 375,000,000
2.52% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series B, due August 20, 2028
128,000,000
0.89% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series C, due August 20, 2026
251,000,000
1.26% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series D, due August 20, 2031
£145,000,000
1.98% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series E, due August 20, 2026
£130,000,000
2.13% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series F, due August 20, 2028
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated August 20, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION |
HEADING | PAGE | ||||
SECTION 1. |
AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES | 1 | ||||
SECTION 2. |
SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES; JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGORS | 2 | ||||
Section 2.1. |
Sale and Purchase of Notes | 2 | ||||
Section 2.2. |
Joint and Several Obligors | 2 | ||||
Section 2.3. |
Intercreditor Agreement | 2 | ||||
SECTION 3. |
CLOSING | 2 | ||||
SECTION 4. |
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING | 3 | ||||
Section 4.1. |
Representations and Warranties | 3 | ||||
Section 4.2. |
Performance; No Default | 3 | ||||
Section 4.3. |
Compliance Certificates | 3 | ||||
Section 4.4. |
Opinions of Counsel | 4 | ||||
Section 4.5. |
Purchase Permitted By Applicable Law, Etc. | 5 | ||||
Section 4.6. |
Sale of Other Notes | 5 | ||||
Section 4.7. |
Payment of Special Counsel Fees | 5 | ||||
Section 4.8. |
Private Placement Number | 5 | ||||
Section 4.9. |
Changes in Corporate Structure | 5 | ||||
Section 4.10. |
Funding Instructions | 5 | ||||
Section 4.11. |
Intercreditor Agreement | 5 | ||||
Section 4.12. |
Acceptance of Appointment to Receive Service of Process | 5 | ||||
Section 4.13. |
Investment Grade Financial Covenant Election Date | 5 | ||||
Section 4.14. |
Rating of Notes | 5 | ||||
Section 4.15. |
Proceedings and Documents | 6 | ||||
SECTION 5. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OBLIGORS | 6 | ||||
Section 5.1. |
Organization; Power and Authority | 6 | ||||
Section 5.2. |
Authorization, Etc. | 6 | ||||
Section 5.3. |
Disclosure | 6 | ||||
Section 5.4. |
Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates | 7 | ||||
Section 5.5. |
Financial Statements; Material Liabilities | 7 | ||||
Section 5.6. |
Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc. | 7 | ||||
Section 5.7. |
Governmental Authorizations, Etc. | 7 | ||||
Section 5.8. |
Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders | 8 | ||||
Section 5.9. |
Taxes | 8 | ||||
Section 5.10. |
Title to Property; Leases | 8 | ||||
Section 5.11. |
Licenses, Permits, Etc. | 9 | ||||
Section 5.12. |
Compliance with Employee Benefit Plans | 9 | ||||
Section 5.13. |
Private Offering by the Issuers | 9 | ||||
Section 5.14. |
Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations | 10 |
Section 5.15. |
Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens | 10 | ||||
Section 5.16. |
Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc. | 10 | ||||
Section 5.17. |
Status under Certain Statutes | 11 | ||||
Section 5.18. |
Environmental Matters | 11 | ||||
Section 5.19. |
REIT Status | 11 | ||||
Section 5.20. |
Solvency | 12 | ||||
Section 5.21. |
Qualified Assets | 12 | ||||
Section 5.22. |
Ranking of Obligations | 12 | ||||
SECTION 6. |
REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASERS | 12 | ||||
Section 6.1. |
Purchase for Investment | 12 | ||||
Section 6.2. |
Source of Funds | 13 | ||||
SECTION 7. |
INFORMATION AS TO OBLIGORS | 14 | ||||
Section 7.1. |
Financial and Business Information | 14 | ||||
Section 7.2. |
Compliance Certificate | 16 | ||||
Section 7.3. |
Visitation | 16 | ||||
Section 7.4. |
Electronic Delivery | 17 | ||||
SECTION 8. |
PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF THE NOTES | 17 | ||||
Section 8.1. |
Maturity | 17 | ||||
Section 8.2. |
Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount | 17 | ||||
Section 8.3. |
Prepayment for Tax Reasons | 18 | ||||
Section 8.4. |
Prepayment in Connection with a Noteholder Sanctions Event | 19 | ||||
Section 8.5. |
Allocation of Partial Prepayments | 20 | ||||
Section 8.6. |
Maturity; Surrender, Etc. | 20 | ||||
Section 8.7. |
Purchase of Notes | 21 | ||||
Section 8.8. |
Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount | 21 | ||||
Section 8.9. |
Swap Breakage | 27 | ||||
Section 8.10. |
Payments Due on Non-Business Days | 28 | ||||
Section 8.11. |
Change in Control Prepayment Offer | 29 | ||||
SECTION 9. |
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | 29 | ||||
Section 9.5. |
Corporate Existence, Etc. | 29 | ||||
Section 9.1. |
Compliance with Laws | 30 | ||||
Section 9.2. |
Insurance | 30 | ||||
Section 9.3. |
Maintenance of Properties | 30 | ||||
Section 9.4. |
Payment of Taxes and Claims | 30 | ||||
Section 9.6. |
Books and Records | 30 | ||||
Section 9.7. |
Additional Obligor Affiliates | 30 | ||||
Section 9.8. |
REIT Status | 32 | ||||
Section 9.9. |
Priority of Obligations | 32 | ||||
Section 9.10. |
Rating | 32 |
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SECTION 10. |
NEGATIVE COVENANTS | 33 | ||||
Section 10.1. |
Transactions with Affiliates | 33 | ||||
Section 10.2. |
Merger, Consolidation, Etc. | 34 | ||||
Section 10.3. |
Line of Business | 36 | ||||
Section 10.4. |
Economic Sanctions, Etc. | 36 | ||||
Section 10.5. |
Financial Covenants | 36 | ||||
Section 10.6. |
Indebtedness | 37 | ||||
Section 10.7. |
Liens | 37 | ||||
Section 10.8. |
Disposition of Property | 37 | ||||
Section 10.9. |
Restricted Payments | 38 | ||||
Section 10.10. |
Investments | 40 | ||||
Section 10.12. |
Negative Pledge | 40 | ||||
SECTION 11. |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 41 | ||||
SECTION 12. |
REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC. | 43 | ||||
Section 12.1. |
Acceleration | 43 | ||||
Section 12.2. |
Other Remedies | 43 | ||||
Section 12.3. |
Rescission | 44 | ||||
Section 12.4. |
No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc. | 44 | ||||
SECTION 13. |
TAX INDEMNIFICATION; FATCA INFORMATION | 44 | ||||
SECTION 14. |
REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES | 48 | ||||
Section 14.1. |
Registration of Notes | 48 | ||||
Section 14.2. |
Transfer and Exchange of Notes | 48 | ||||
Section 14.3. |
Replacement of Notes | 48 | ||||
SECTION 15. |
PAYMENTS ON NOTES | 49 | ||||
Section 15.1. |
Place of Payment | 49 | ||||
Section 15.2. |
Payment by Wire Transfer | 49 | ||||
SECTION 16. |
EXPENSES, ETC. | 49 | ||||
Section 16.1. |
Transaction Expenses; Indemnity | 49 | ||||
Section 16.2. |
Certain Taxes | 50 | ||||
Section 16.3. |
Survival | 50 | ||||
SECTION 17. |
SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT | 50 | ||||
SECTION 18. |
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER | 51 | ||||
Section 18.1. |
Requirements | 51 | ||||
Section 18.2. |
Solicitation of Holders of Notes | 51 | ||||
Section 18.3. |
Binding Effect, Etc. | 51 | ||||
Section 18.4. |
Notes Held by Company, Etc. | 52 |
-iii-
SECTION 19. |
NOTICES; ENGLISH LANGUAGE | 52 | ||||
SECTION 20. |
REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS | 53 | ||||
SECTION 21. |
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION | 53 | ||||
SECTION 22. |
SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER | 54 | ||||
SECTION 23. |
MISCELLANEOUS | 54 | ||||
Section 23.1. |
Successors and Assigns | 54 | ||||
Section 23.2. |
Accounting Terms | 55 | ||||
Section 23.3. |
Severability | 55 | ||||
Section 23.4. |
Construction, Etc. | 55 | ||||
Section 23.5. |
Counterparts; Electronic Signatures | 55 | ||||
Section 23.6. |
Governing Law | 56 | ||||
Section 23.7. |
Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial | 56 | ||||
Section 23.8. |
Obligation to Make Payments in Applicable Currency | 57 | ||||
Section 23.9. |
Exchange Rate | 57 | ||||
SECTION 24. |
JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGORS | 58 | ||||
Section 24.1. |
US Joint and Several Liability | 58 | ||||
Section 24.2. |
Foreign Joint and Several Liability | 59 | ||||
Section 24.3. |
Obligations Absolute and Unconditional | 62 | ||||
Section 24.4. |
Enforcement Costs | 63 | ||||
Section 24.5. |
Subrogation | 64 | ||||
Section 24.6. |
Preference | 64 | ||||
Section 24.7. |
Marshalling and Accounts | 64 | ||||
Signature |
65 |
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SCHEDULE A | | Defined Terms | ||
SCHEDULE B | | Obligor Affiliates | ||
SCHEDULE 1-A | | Form of US$ 2.22% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series A, due August 20, 2026 | ||
SCHEDULE 1-B | | Form of US$ 2.52% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series B, due August 20, 2028 | ||
SCHEDULE 1-C | | Form of 0.89% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series C, due August 20, 2026 | ||
SCHEDULE 1-D | | Form of 1.26% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series D, due August 20, 2031 | ||
SCHEDULE 1-E | | Form of £ 1.98% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series E, due August 20, 2026 | ||
SCHEDULE 1-F | | Form of £ 2.13% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series F, due August 20, 2028 | ||
SCHEDULE 2 | | Form of Joinder Agreement | ||
SCHEDULE 4.4(a) | | Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Obligors | ||
SCHEDULE 5.3 | | Disclosure Materials | ||
SCHEDULE 5.4 | | Subsidiaries of Holdings and Ownership of Subsidiary Stock | ||
SCHEDULE 5.5 | | Financial Statements | ||
SCHEDULE 5.15 | | Existing Indebtedness | ||
SCHEDULE 5.21 | | Qualified Assets | ||
SCHEDULE 10.1 | | Transactions with Affiliates | ||
SCHEDULE 10.10 | | Permitted Investments | ||
SCHEDULE 25 | | Ground Leases | ||
PURCHASER SWAP SCHEDULE | | Purchaser Swap Information Re: Swapped Notes | ||
PURCHASER SCHEDULE | | Information Relating to Purchasers |
-v-
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, MI 48377
US$ 300,000,000 2.22% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series A, due August 20, 2026
US$ 375,000,000 2.52% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series B, due August 20, 2028
128,000,000 0.89% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series C, due August 20, 2026
251,000,000 1.26% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series D, due August 20, 2031
£145,000,000 1.98% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series E, due August 20, 2026
£130,000,000 2.13% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series F, due August 20, 2028
August 20, 2021
TO EACH OF THE PURCHASERS LISTED IN
THE PURCHASER SCHEDULE HERETO:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Lineage Logistics, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), Lineage Treasury Europe B.V., a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands (the EUR Issuer, and together with the Company, jointly the Issuers and each an Issuer), Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Holdings), and each Person listed on Schedule B as an Obligor Affiliate agree with each of the Purchasers as follows:
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES.
(a) | The Company will authorize the issue and sale of $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.22% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series A, due August 20, 2026 (the Series A Notes). |
(b) | The Company will authorize the issue and sale of $375,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.52% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series B, due August 20, 2028 (the Series B Notes). |
(c) | The EUR Issuer will authorize the issue and sale of 128,000,0000 aggregate principal amount of its 0.89% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series C, due August 20, 2026 (the Series C Notes). |
(d) | The EUR Issuer will authorize the issue and sale of 251,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1.26% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series D, due August 20, 2031 (the Series D Notes). |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
(e) | The EUR Issuer will authorize the issue and sale of £145,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1.98% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series E, due August 20, 2026 (the Series E Notes). |
(f) | The EUR Issuer will authorize the issue and sale of £130,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.13% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series F, due August 20, 2028 (the Series F Notes). |
The Series A Notes, together with the Series B Notes, the Series C Notes, the Series D Notes, the Series E Notes and the Series F Notes, are referred to this Agreement as the Notes. The Notes shall be substantially in the form set out in Schedules 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, 1-D, 1-E and 1-F respectively. Certain capitalized and other terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule A and, for purposes of this Agreement, the rules of construction set forth in Section 22.5 shall govern.
SECTION 2. SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES; JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGORS; INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT.
Section 2.1. Sale and Purchase of Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Issuers will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser will purchase from each respective Issuer, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Notes in the principal amount and series specified opposite such Purchasers name in the Purchaser Schedule at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The Purchasers obligations hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance of any obligation by any other Purchaser hereunder.
Section 2.2. Joint and Several Obligors. The payment by each Issuer of all amounts due with respect to the Notes and the performance by each Issuer of its obligations under this Agreement are joint and several obligations of Holdings, the Issuers and the Obligor Affiliates pursuant to (as limited by) the provisions of Section 24 herein.
Section 2.3. Intercreditor Agreement. The Purchasers and the administrative agent, on behalf of the lenders, under the Principal Credit Facility will enter into the Intercreditor Agreement on the Closing Date (together with any future additional creditors that may from time to time in the future accede thereto) providing for the sharing of certain payments from guarantors and borrowers (other than the Company) among the parties following an Event of Default.
SECTION 3. CLOSING
The sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, 77 West Wacker Drive, Suite 3100, Chicago, Illinois 60601, at 9:00 a.m., Chicago time, at a closing (the Closing) on August 20, 2021 (the Closing Date). At the Closing, each Issuer will deliver to each Purchaser the Notes of the series to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Note (or such greater number of Notes in denominations of at least $100,000, 100,000 or £100,000, as applicable, as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchasers name (or in the name of its nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the respective Issuer or its order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of:
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
(i) | the Company to account number 510152361 at JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. in connection with the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes, |
(ii) | the EUR Issuer to account number NL16 BOFA 0030 1800 16 at Bank of America Europe DAC (SWIFT: BOFANLNX) in connection with the Series C Notes and the Series D Notes, and |
(iii) | the EUR Issuer to account number NL91 BOFA 0030 1800 24 at Bank of America Europe DAC (SWIFT: BOFANLNX) in connection with the Series E Notes and the Series F Notes. |
If at the Closing an Issuer shall fail to tender such Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to such Purchasers satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at its election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure by the Issuer to tender such Notes or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 not having been fulfilled to such Purchasers satisfaction.
SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.
Each Purchasers obligation to purchase and pay for the Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchasers satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of the following conditions:
Section 4.1. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Representations and Warranties of the Issuers. The representations and warranties of each Issuer in this Agreement shall be correct when made on the date of this Agreement and at the Closing.
(b) Representations and Warranties of Holdings. The representations and warranties of Holdings in this Agreement shall be correct when made on the date of this Agreement and at the Closing.
(c) Representations and Warranties of the Obligor Affiliates. The representations and warranties of the Obligor Affiliates in this Agreement shall be correct when made on the date of this Agreement and at the Closing.
Section 4.2. Performance; No Default. The Obligors shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing. Before and after giving effect to the issue and sale of the Notes (and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.14), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. None of the Obligors or any Subsidiary shall have entered into any transaction since the date of the Memorandum that would have been prohibited by Section 10 had such Section applied since such date.
Section 4.3. Compliance Certificates.
(a) Officers Certificates of the Issuers. Each of the Issuers shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officers Certificate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1(a), 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
(b) Secretarys Certificates of the Issuers. Each of the Issuers shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of a Responsible Officer, or with respect to the EUR Issuer, a managing director or any other person who is authorized to represent the EUR Issuer, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of the Notes and this Agreement and (ii) if customary in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Obligor Affiliate, the incumbency of the authorized signatories of such Issuer executing this Agreement and the Notes and (iii) the Issuers organizational documents as then in effect.
(c) Officers Certificate of Holdings. Holdings shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officers Certificate with respect to Holdings, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1(b), 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.
(d) Secretarys Certificate of Holdings. Holdings shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate with respect to Holdings, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, (ii) the incumbency of the authorized signatories of Holdings executing this Agreement and (iii) Holdings organizational documents as then in effect.
(e) Officers Certificate of Obligor Affiliates. Each Obligor Affiliate shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officers Certificate with respect to such Obligor Affiliate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1(c), 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.
(f) Secretarys Certificate of Obligor Affiliates. Each Obligor Affiliate shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of its Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Director or a Responsible Officer, or with respect to a Danish Obligor Affiliate, a managing director or any other person who is authorized to represent the Danish Obligor Affiliate, or with respect to a New Zealand Obligor Affiliate, a director of that New Zealand Obligor Affiliate, in each case dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, (ii) if customary in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Obligor Affiliate, the incumbency of the authorized signatories of the Obligor Affiliate executing this Agreement and (iii) such Obligor Affiliates organizational documents as then in effect.
Section 4.4. Opinions of Counsel. Such Purchaser shall have received opinions in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser, dated the date of the Closing (a) from Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Issuers, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates, covering the matters set forth in Schedule 4.4(a) and covering such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated hereby as such Purchaser or its counsel may reasonably request (and the Obligors hereby instruct its counsel to deliver such opinion to the Purchasers), (b) Johnson Winter & Slattery, counsel to the Australian Obligor Affiliates, covering matters set forth of Schedule 4.4(b), (c) McCarthy Tétrault LLP, counsel to the Canadian Obligor Affiliates, covering matters set forth on Schedule 4.4(c), (d) NautaDutilh, counsel to the Dutch Obligors covering matters set forth on Schedule 4.4(d); (e) from various counsel for the other Obligor Affiliates listed on Schedule 4.4(e) covering power and capacity of such Obligor Affiliate and such matters relating to this Agreement as such Purchaser may reasonably request, and (f) from Greenberg Traurig, LLP, the Purchasers special counsel in connection with such transactions, and covering such other matters incident to such transactions as such Purchaser may reasonably request.
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
Section 4.5. Purchase Permitted By Applicable Law, Etc. On the date of the Closing such Purchasers purchase of Notes shall (a) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which such Purchaser is subject, without recourse to provisions (such as section 1405(a)(8) of the New York Insurance Law) permitting limited investments by insurance companies without restriction as to the character of the particular investment, (b) not violate any applicable law or regulation (including Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and (c) not subject such Purchaser to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof. If requested by such Purchaser, such Purchaser shall have received an Officers Certificate certifying as to such matters of fact as such Purchaser may reasonably specify to enable such Purchaser to determine whether such purchase is so permitted.
Section 4.6. Sale of Other Notes. Contemporaneously with the Closing each of the Issuers shall sell to each other Purchaser and each other Purchaser shall purchase the Notes to be purchased by it at the Closing as specified in the Purchaser Schedule.
Section 4.7. Payment of Special Counsel Fees. Without limiting Section 15.1, the Company shall have paid on or before the Closing the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of the Purchasers special counsel referred to in Section 4.4 to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Company at least one Business Day prior to the Closing.
Section 4.8. Private Placement Number. A Private Placement Number issued by Standard & Poors CUSIP Service Bureau (in cooperation with the SVO) shall have been obtained for each series of Notes.
Section 4.9. Changes in Corporate Structure. Except as permitted by Section 10.2, none of the Issuers, Holdings or any Obligor Affiliate shall have changed its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as applicable, or been a party to any merger or consolidation or succeeded to all or any substantial part of the liabilities of any other entity, at any time following the date of the most recent financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.5.
Section 4.10. Funding Instructions. At least three Business Days prior to the date of the Closing, each Purchaser shall have received written instructions signed by a Responsible Officer on letterhead of the Company confirming the information specified in Section 3 including (i) the name and address of the transferee bank, (ii) such transferee banks ABA number and (iii) the account name and number into which the purchase price for the Notes is to be deposited.
Section 4.11. Intercreditor Agreement. The Intercreditor Agreement shall have been executed and delivered by each of the Purchasers and the administrative agent, on behalf of the lenders, under the Principal Credit Facility.
Section 4.12. Acceptance of Appointment to Receive Service of Process. Such Purchaser shall have received evidence of the acceptance by Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377 of the appointment and designation provided for by Section 23.7(e) for the period from the date of the Closing to 1 year after maturity of the Notes (and the payment in full of all fees in respect thereof).
Section 4.13. Investment Grade Financial Covenant Election Date. Such Purchaser shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that the Investment Grade Financial Covenant Election Date as defined under and in accordance with the Principal Credit Facility shall have occurred or shall occur on the Closing Date.
Section 4.14. Rating of Notes. DBRS shall have delivered to the Company a letter assigning a private credit rating to the Notes of not less than BBB (which letter shall comply with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 9.10), and the Company shall have delivered a copy of such ratings letter to such Purchaser.
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
Section 4.15. Proceedings and Documents. All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Purchaser and its special counsel, and such Purchaser and its special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as such Purchaser or such special counsel may reasonably request.
SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OBLIGORS.
As of the date of this Agreement and as of the date of the Closing, each Obligor jointly and severally represents and warrants to each Purchaser that:
Section 5.1. Organization; Power and Authority. Each Group Member (a) is duly organized, incorporated, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and 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, (c) is duly qualified to do business in, and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of, each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification except for where failure to do so could not reasonably be 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 could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.2. Authorization, Etc. Each Obligor has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and the legal right, to enter into and perform this Agreement and the Notes to which it is a party. Each Obligor has taken all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Notes to which it is a party. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the sale of the Notes hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Notes, except consents, authorizations, filings, notices and other acts that have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect. This Agreement and each Note has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Obligor party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and the Notes upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Obligor party thereto, enforceable against each such Obligor in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
Section 5.3. Disclosure. The Company through its agents, BofA Securities, Inc and JP Morgan Securities LLC has delivered to each Purchaser a copy of a Private Placement Memorandum dated July 2021 (the Memorandum) and the Investor Presentation dated July 2021 (the Investor Presentation), relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. The Memorandum and the Investor Presentation, together, fairly describe, in all material respects, the general nature of the business and principal properties of the Obligors and their respective Subsidiaries. This Agreement, the Memorandum, the Investor Presentation and the financial statements listed in Schedule 5.5 and the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Issuers prior to August 11, 2021 in connection with the
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transactions contemplated hereby and identified in Schedule 5.3 (this Agreement, the Memorandum, the Investor Presentation and such documents, certificates or other writings and such financial statements delivered to each Purchaser being referred to, collectively, as the Disclosure Documents), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since December 31, 2020, there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the Obligors or any of their respective Subsidiaries except changes that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.4. Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates. As of the Closing Date, (a) Schedule 5.4 sets forth the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Subsidiary of a Group Member and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Equity Interests owned by any Group Member and (b) except as set forth on Schedule 5.4, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, acquisition rights or other similar agreements or similar commitments (other than (i) stock options granted to employees or directors and (ii) directors qualifying shares) of any nature relating to any Equity Interests of Holdings or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary.
(c) No Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary is subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than this Agreement, the agreements listed on Schedule 5.4, customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes and customary limitations imposed by the terms of agreements governing Non-Recourse Indebtedness) restricting the ability of such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar Equity Interests of such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary.
Section 5.5. Financial Statements; Material Liabilities. The Company has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.5. All of such financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) (i) present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date of such financial statements and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified in such financial statements and (ii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the period covered thereby except as otherwise expressly noted therein (subject, in the case of unaudited consolidated balance sheets, to year-end audit adjustments). The Obligors and their respective Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.
Section 5.6. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by the applicable Obligor of this Agreement and the Notes to which such Obligor is a party, the sale of the Notes hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof will not (i) violate any Requirement of Law, any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding on an Obligor or its assets, or any Governing Document of any Obligor, except where such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any such indenture, agreement or other instrument.
Section 5.7. Governmental Authorizations, Etc. No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Obligors of this Agreement or, with respect to the Issuers only, the Notes, including any thereof required in connection with the obtaining of the Applicable Currency to make payments under this Agreement or the Notes and the payment of such Applicable Currency to Persons
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resident in the United States of America. It is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence in the United States or the Netherlands, as applicable, of this Agreement or the Notes that any thereof or any other document be filed, recorded or enrolled with any Governmental Authority, or that any such agreement or document be stamped with any stamp, registration or similar transaction tax that may be required in connection with admissibility into evidence.
Section 5.8. Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders. (a) No action, suit, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threatened in writing against any Group Member or against any of their respective property as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) None of the Group Members is (i) in default under any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (ii) in violation of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, any arbitrator of any kind or any Governmental Authority or (iii) in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws, the USA PATRIOT Act or any of the other laws and regulations that are referred to in Section 5.16), in each case where such default or violation could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.9. Taxes. (a) Each Group Member has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state and other material tax returns and reports that are required to have been filed and has paid all Taxes on any assessments made against it or any of its property, and all other material Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any Taxes the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the relevant Group Member), in each case, except where the failure to file or pay, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Tax Lien has been filed with respect to any Qualified Asset that is not a Permitted Encumbrance, and as of the Closing Date, to the knowledge of any Obligor, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Taxes, fees or other charges of any Group Member that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) No liability for any Tax, directly or indirectly, imposed, assessed, levied or collected by or for the account of any Governmental Authority of the Netherlands or any political subdivision thereof will be incurred by Obligors or any holder of a Note as a result of the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the Notes and no deduction or withholding in respect of Taxes imposed by or for the account of any Governmental Authority of the Netherlands is required to be made from any payment by the Obligors under this Agreement or the Notes except for any such liability, withholding or deduction imposed, assessed, levied or collected by or for the account of any such Governmental Authority arising out of circumstances described in clauses (i) through (vii) of Section 13(b).
Section 5.10. Title to Property; Leases. Subject to Liens not prohibited by this Agreement, each Group Member has good and valid title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all of its Real Property that is material to the operation of its business, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or the right to use, all its other property that is material to the operation of its business, in each case other than (x) minor defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, or (y) where the failure to have such title, interest or other right to use would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Qualified Assets or the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner is subject to any Lien except Permitted Encumbrances and Permitted Equity Encumbrances.
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Section 5.11. Licenses, Permits, Etc. Each Group Member owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, except to the extent that the failure to so own or license such Intellectual Property, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been asserted against any Group Member and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nor does any Obligor know of any valid basis for any such claim in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The use of Intellectual Property by each Group Member does not infringe on the rights of any Person except to the extent that such infringements, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.12. Compliance with Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) each Group Member and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Code relating to Plans and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder; and (ii) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur.
(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (1) to the extent applicable, each Group Member is in compliance with Canadian Pension Legislation with respect to each (i) Canadian Pension Plan, and (ii) Canadian Defined Benefit Plan; (2) no Canadian Pension Event has occurred; and (3) no Lien has arisen, choate or inchoate, in respect of any Obligor or their property in connection with any Canadian Pension Plan administered or sponsored by a Group Member, other than a Permitted Encumbrance.
(c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Notes hereunder will not involve any transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code. The representation by the Obligors to each Purchaser in the first sentence of this Section 5.12(e) is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of such Purchasers representation in Section 6.2 as to the sources of the funds to be used to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser.
(d) All Non-U.S. Plans have been established, operated, administered and maintained in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders applicable thereto, except where failure so to comply could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All premiums, contributions and any other amounts required by applicable Non-U.S. Plan documents or applicable laws to be paid or accrued by the Company and its Subsidiaries have been paid or accrued as required, except where failure so to pay or accrue could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.13. Private Offering by the Issuers. None of the Obligors or anyone acting on their behalf has offered the Notes or any similar Securities for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy the Notes or any similar Securities from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any Person other than the Purchasers and not more than 55 other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Notes at a private sale for investment. None of the Obligors or anyone acting on their behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Notes to the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any Securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction.
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Section 5.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. The Issuers will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Notes hereunder as set forth in the section entitled Proposed Offering and Capitalization of the Memorandum. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder will be used, (i) for the purpose, whether immediate or ultimate, of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221) as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or (ii) for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board. No Obligor nor any Subsidiary is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying margin stock. Margin stock does not constitute more than 25% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Company does not have any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than 25% of the value of such assets.
Section 5.15. Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens. (a) Except as described therein, Schedule 5.15 sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Material Indebtedness of the Group Members as of March 31, 2021 (other than Indebtedness in the nature of letters of credit, Capital Lease Obligations and intercompany Indebtedness). Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary and no event or condition exists with respect to any Material Indebtedness of any Issuer or any Subsidiary that would permit (or that with notice or the lapse of time, or both, would permit) one or more Persons to cause such Material Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment.
(b) None of the Obligors or any Subsidiary thereof has agreed or consented to cause or permit any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien that secures Indebtedness or to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien that secures Indebtedness, in each case except as not prohibited by this Agreement.
Section 5.16. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc. The Obligors have implemented and maintain in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Obligors, the other Group Members and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions, and Holdings, the other Group Members and their respective officers and employees and, to the knowledge of the Obligors after reasonable due diligence, their respective directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of the Obligors, any of their respective Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge or any Obligor or any such Subsidiary, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person, (iii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to any Anti-Terrorism Law or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purposes of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate any Anti-Terrorism Laws. All borrowings, use of proceeds and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will comply with applicable Sanctions in all material respects, and no borrowing, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will violate Anti-Corruption Laws (including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977) or Anti-Money Laundering Laws.
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Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall require Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any director, officer, employee, agent or Affiliate of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries that are registered or incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province thereof to commit an act or omission that contravenes the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures (United States) Order, 1992.
Section 5.17. Status under Certain Statutes. No Group Member is an investment company required to be registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 5.18. Environmental Matters. Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) the facilities and real properties owned, leased or operated by any Group Member (the Properties) do not contain any Materials of Environmental Concern in amounts or concentrations or under circumstances that constitute a violation of Environmental Law or would reasonably be expected to result in any Environmental Liability;
(b) no Group Member has received any written notice from any Person alleging, or knows of any basis for, any Environmental Liability with regard to any Group Member, the Properties or the business operated by any Group Member (the Business);
(c) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or disposed of to, at or from the Properties by or on behalf of any Group Member in violation of Environmental Law or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability, nor have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, used, treated or stored at, on or under any of the Properties in violation of Environmental Law or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability;
(d) no claim, proceeding, suit, action or, to the knowledge of the Obligors, investigation is pending or, to the knowledge of the Obligors, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which any Group Member is or, to the knowledge of the Obligors, will be named as a party, nor are there any judicial decrees, consent decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other governmental orders outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to any Group Member, the Properties or the Business;
(e) there has been no Release of or exposure to nor, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threat of Release of Materials of Environmental Concern at, in, on, under or from the Properties or any other location that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability;
(f) neither the Group Members nor their respective operations at the Properties have failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law; and
(g) no Group Member has retained or assumed (by contract or operation of law) any Environmental Liability of any other Person or with respect to any former or predecessor operations or properties.
Section 5.19. REIT Status. REIT Parent (i) qualifies as a REIT for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, (ii) will elect to be treated as a REIT beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2020 and (iii) is in compliance with all other requirements and conditions imposed under the Code to allow it to maintain its status as a REIT.
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Section 5.20. Solvency. As of the Closing, the Company and its Subsidiaries and Holdings and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole and on a consolidated basis, immediately after the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the Notes, are Solvent.
Section 5.21. Qualified Assets. Schedule 5.21 is a correct and complete list of all Qualified Assets. None of the Qualified Assets or the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner is subject to any Lien except Permitted Encumbrances and Permitted Equity Encumbrances.
Section 5.22. Ranking of Obligations. The Obligors payment obligations under this Agreement and the Notes will, upon issuance of the Notes, rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Obligors.
SECTION 6. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASERS.
Section 6.1. Purchase for Investment. (a) Each Purchaser severally represents that it is purchasing the Notes for its own account or for one or more separate accounts maintained by such Purchaser or for the account of one or more pension or trust funds and not with a view to the distribution thereof, provided that the disposition of such Purchasers or their property shall at all times be within such Purchasers or their control. Each Purchaser understands that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from registration is available, except under circumstances where neither such registration nor such an exemption is required by law, and that the Issuers are not required to register the Notes.
(b) Each Purchaser severally represents that it is an accredited investor within the meaning of subparagraph (a) of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act acting for its own account (and not for the account of others) or as a fiduciary or agent for others (which others are also accredited investors). In addition, each Purchaser that is not an accredited investor under subparagraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(7) of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act severally represents that it is an institutional account under FINRA Rule 4512(c). Each Purchaser further severally represents that such Purchaser has had the opportunity to ask questions of the Issuers and received answers concerning the terms and conditions of the sale of the Notes.
For purposes of FINRA Rule 4512(c), the term institutional account shall mean the account of:
(1) a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company or registered investment company;
(2) an investment adviser registered either with the SEC under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act or with a state securities commission (or any agency or office performing like functions); or
(3) any other person (whether a natural person, corporation, partnership, trust or otherwise) with total assets of at least $50,000,000.
(c) Each Purchaser located in the European Economic Area severally represents that it is a professional client within the meaning of Directive 2014/65/EU.
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Section 6.2. Source of Funds. Each Purchaser severally represents that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a Source) to be used by such Purchaser to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser hereunder:
(a) the Source is an insurance company general account (as the term is defined in the United States Department of Labors Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE) 95-60) in respect of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for life insurance companies approved by the NAIC (the NAIC Annual Statement)) for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the total reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with such Purchasers state of domicile; or
(b) the Source is a separate account that is maintained solely in connection with such Purchasers fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account; or
(c) the Source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38 and, except as disclosed by such Purchaser to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (c), no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund; or
(d) the Source constitutes assets of an investment fund (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14 (the QPAM Exemption)) managed by a qualified professional asset manager or QPAM (within the meaning of Part VI of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plans assets that are managed by the QPAM in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, represent more than 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part I(c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the QPAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the QPAM maintains an ownership interest in any Issuer that would cause the QPAM and such Issuer to be related within the meaning of Part VI(h) of the QPAM Exemption and (i) the identity of such QPAM and (ii) the names of any employee benefit plans whose assets in the investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization, represent 10% or more of the assets of such investment fund, have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (d); or
(e) the Source constitutes assets of a plan(s) (within the meaning of Part IV(h) of PTE 96-23 (the INHAM Exemption)) managed by an in-house asset manager or INHAM (within the meaning of Part IV(a) of the INHAM Exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of control in Part IV(d)(3) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 10% or more interest in any Issuer and (i) the identity of such INHAM and (ii) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (e); or
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(f) the Source is a governmental plan; or
(g) the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (g); or
(h) the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA.
As used in this Section 6.2, the terms employee benefit plan, governmental plan, and separate account shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.
SECTION 7. INFORMATION AS TO OBLIGORS
Section 7.1. Financial and Business Information. The Obligors shall deliver to each Purchaser and each holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor:
(a) Quarterly Statements within 45 days (and with respect to the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2021, 60 days after the end of such fiscal quarter) after the end of each quarterly fiscal period in each fiscal year of Holdings (other than the last quarterly fiscal period of each such fiscal year), duplicate copies of,
(i) a consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter, and
(ii) consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, for such quarter and (in the case of the second and third quarters) for the portion of the fiscal year ending with such quarter,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding periods in the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to quarterly financial statements generally, and certified by a Senior Financial Officer as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported on and their results of operations and cash flows, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments;
(b) Annual Statements within 120 days (or 90 days at all times after a Qualified IPO) after the end of each fiscal year of Holdings, duplicate copies of
(i) a consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year, and
(ii) consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such year,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and accompanied by an opinion thereon (without a going concern or similar qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of the audit on which such opinion is based, other than a going concern explanatory note or qualification resulting from (i) the maturity of the loans under any Indebtedness
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of any Obligor or Subsidiary permitted hereunder occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or (ii) anticipated (but not actual) covenant non-compliance hereunder or under Indebtedness of any Obligor or Subsidiary permitted hereunder) of independent public accountants of recognized national standing, which opinion shall state that such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported upon and their results of operations and cash flows and have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, and that the examination of such accountants in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and that such audit provides a reasonable basis for such opinion in the circumstances;
(d) SEC and other Reports promptly after (i) the same are available, and only to the extent not publicly available on EDGAR, copies of each annual report, proxy, financial statement or other periodic report sent to the stockholders of Holdings in respect of any public securities of Holdings, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which Holdings or any Issuer may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto and (ii) the furnishing thereof, copies of any notice of default received from or furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Obligor or Subsidiary thereof pursuant to the terms of any material indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the holders pursuant to this Section 7;
(d) Notice of Default or Event of Default promptly, and in any event within 5 Business Days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of the existence of any Default or Event of Default or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default hereunder or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default of the type referred to in Section 11(f), a written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Obligors are taking or propose to take with respect thereto;
(e) Employee Benefits Matters the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability to a Group Member in an aggregate amount exceeding $50,000,000;
(f) Notices from Governmental Authority promptly, and in any event within 30 days of receipt thereof, copies of any notice to the Obligors or any Subsidiary from any Governmental Authority relating to any order, ruling, statute or other law or regulation that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(g) Resignation or Replacement of Auditors within 10 days following the date on which Holdingss auditors resign or Holdings changes auditors, as the case may be, notification thereof, together with such further information as the Required Holders may reasonably request; and
(h) Requested Information with reasonable promptness, such other data and information relating to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Obligors or any of their Subsidiaries (including actual copies of the Obligors Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, if applicable) or relating to the ability of the Obligors to perform their respective obligations hereunder and under the Notes as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any such Purchaser or holder of a Note.
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Section 7.2. Compliance Certificate. Each set of financial statements delivered to a Purchaser (prior to the Closing Date) or holder of a Note pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer (the Compliance Certificate):
(a) Covenant Compliance setting forth the information from such financial statements that is required in order to establish whether the Obligors were in compliance with the requirements of Section 10.5 during the quarterly or annual period covered by the financial statements then being furnished (including with respect to each such provision that involves mathematical calculations, the information from such financial statements that is required to perform such calculations) and detailed calculations of the maximum or minimum amount, ratio or percentage, as the case may be, permissible under the terms of such Section, and the calculation of the amount, ratio or percentage then in existence. In the event that the Company or any Subsidiary has made an election to measure any financial liability using fair value (which election is being disregarded for purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement pursuant to Section 23.2) as to the period covered by any such financial statement, such Senior Financial Officers certificate as to such period shall include a reconciliation from GAAP with respect to such election;
(b) Event of Default certifying that such Senior Financial Officer has reviewed the relevant terms hereof and has made, or caused to be made, under his or her supervision, a review of the transactions and conditions of the Obligors and the Subsidiaries thereof from the beginning of the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished to the date of the certificate and that such review shall not have disclosed the existence during such period of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or, if any such condition or event existed or exists (including any such event or condition resulting from the failure of the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any Environmental Law), specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Obligors shall have taken or proposes to take with respect thereto; and
(c) Obligors setting forth a list of all Obligor Affiliates and certifying that each Subsidiary that is required to be an Obligor Affiliate pursuant to Section 9.7 is an Obligor Affiliate, in each case, as of the date of such certificate of the Senior Financial Officer.
Section 7.3. Visitation. The Obligors shall permit the representatives of each Purchaser and each holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor:
(a) No Default if no Default or Event of Default then exists, once each calendar year at the expense of such Purchaser or such holder and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company and at a time mutually agreed with the Company, to visit the principal executive office of the Obligors, to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries with the Obligors officers, and (with the consent of the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, but subject to the rights of tenants) to visit the other offices and properties of the Obligors and each Subsidiary, in each case, once each calendar year as may be reasonably requested in writing and at a time mutually agreed with the Company; and
(b) Default if a Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of the Obligors and subject to the rights of tenants, to visit and inspect any of the offices or properties of the Obligors or any Subsidiary, to examine all their respective books of account, records, reports and other papers, to make copies and extracts therefrom (other than materials (i) that constitute trade secrets or similar commercially sensitive information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent (or its representatives or contractors) is prohibited by law, would violate the fiduciary duties owed by the disclosing party or would violate any binding agreement or (iii) that is subject to attorney client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product), and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers , all at such times and as often as may be requested.
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Section 7.4. Electronic Delivery. Financial statements, opinions of independent certified public accountants, other information and Compliance Certificates that are required to be delivered by the Obligors pursuant to Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (c) and Section 7.2 shall be deemed to have been delivered if the Obligors satisfy any of the following requirements with respect thereto:
(a) such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or (b) and related Compliance Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 and any other information required under Section 7.1(c) are delivered to each Purchaser or holder of a Note by e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in such holders Purchaser Schedule or as communicated from time to time in a separate writing delivered to the Company; or
(b) such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) and related Compliance Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 and any other information required under Section 7.1(c), if any, are timely posted by or on behalf of the Obligors on its home page on the internet or on IntraLinks or on any other similar website to which each holder of Notes has free access;
provided however, that in no case shall access to such financial statements, other information and Compliance Certificates be conditioned upon any waiver or other agreement or consent (other than confidentiality provisions consistent with Section 21 of this Agreement); provided further, that in the case of any of clause (b), the Company or Holdings shall have given each holder of a Note prior written notice, which may be by e-mail or in accordance with Section 19, of such posting or filing in connection with each delivery
SECTION 8. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF THE NOTES.
Section 8.1. Maturity. As provided therein, the entire unpaid principal balance of each Note shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date thereof.
Section 8.2. Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount. The Issuers may, at their option, upon notice as provided below, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the Notes, in an amount not less than 5 % of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount (unless such prepayment is made within 30 days of the Maturity Date of the respective Series of Notes to be prepaid, in which case no Make-Whole Amount will be payable). The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2 not less than 10 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment unless the Company and the Required Holders agree to another time period pursuant to Section 17. Each such notice shall specify such date (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 8.5), and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any such notice
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delivered pursuant to this Section 8.2 may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of or receipt of proceeds of other Indebtedness which will be utilized to prepay the Notes in connection with the Issuers exercising their prepayment rights under this Section 8.2, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Company (by notice to the holders of Notes on or prior to the date that is 5 Business Days in advance of the date fixed for such prepayment) if such condition is not expected to be satisfied. Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the Company shall deliver to each holder of Notes a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Make-Whole Amount as of the specified prepayment date.
Section 8.3. Prepayment for Tax Reasons. (a) If at any time as a result of a Change in Tax Law (as defined below) any Issuer is or becomes obligated to make any Additional Payments (as defined below) in respect of any payment of interest on account of any of the Notes, the Company may give the holders of all affected Notes irrevocable written notice (each, a Tax Prepayment Notice) of the prepayment of such affected Notes on a specified prepayment date (which shall be a Business Day not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice) and the circumstances giving rise to the obligation of the Issuer to make any Additional Payments and the amount thereof and stating that all of the affected Notes shall be prepaid on the date of such prepayment at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment plus an amount equal to the Modified Make-Whole Amount for each such Note, except in the case of an affected Note if the holder of such Note shall, by written notice given to the Company no more than 20 days after receipt of the Tax Prepayment Notice, reject such prepayment of such Note (each, a Rejection Notice). Such Tax Prepayment Notice shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Modified Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation. The form of Rejection Notice shall also accompany the Tax Prepayment Notice and shall state with respect to each Note covered thereby that execution and delivery thereof by the holder of such Note shall operate as a permanent waiver of such holders right to receive the Additional Payments arising as a result of the circumstances described in the Tax Prepayment Notice in respect of all future payments of interest on such Note (but not of such holders right to receive any Additional Payments that arise out of circumstances not described in the Tax Prepayment Notice or which exceed the amount of the Additional Payment described in the Tax Prepayment Notice), which waiver shall be binding upon all subsequent transferees of such Note. The Tax Prepayment Notice having been given as aforesaid to each holder of the affected Notes, the principal amount of such Notes together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment plus the Modified Make-Whole Amount shall become due and payable on such prepayment date, except in the case of Notes the holders of which shall timely give a Rejection Notice as aforesaid. Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the Company shall deliver to each holder of a Note being so prepaid a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Modified Make-Whole Amount as of such prepayment date.
(b) No prepayment of the Notes pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall affect the obligation of any Issuer to pay Additional Payments in respect of any payment made on or prior to the date of such prepayment. For purposes of this Section 8.3, any holder of more than one affected Note may act separately with respect to each affected Note so held (with the effect that a holder of more than one affected Note may accept such offer with respect to one or more affected Notes so held and reject such offer with respect to one or more other affected Notes so held).
(c) No Issuer may offer to prepay or prepay Notes pursuant to this Section 8.3 (i) if a Default or Event of Default then exists, (ii) until the Issuer shall have taken commercially reasonable steps to mitigate the requirement to make the related Additional Payments or (iii) if the obligation to make such Additional Payments directly results or resulted from actions taken by the Issuer or any Subsidiary (other than actions required to be taken under applicable law), and any Tax Prepayment Notice given pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall certify to the foregoing and describe such mitigation steps, if any.
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(d) For purposes of this Section 8.3: Additional Payments means additional amounts required to be paid to a holder of any Note pursuant to Section 13 by reason of a Change in Tax Law; and a Change in Tax Law means (individually or collectively with one or more prior changes) (i) an amendment to, or change in, any law, treaty, rule or regulation of the Netherlands after the date of the Closing, or an amendment to, or change in, an official interpretation or application of such law, treaty, rule or regulation after the date of the Closing, which amendment or change is in force and continuing and meets the opinion and certification requirements described below or (ii) in the case of any other jurisdiction that becomes a Taxing Jurisdiction after the date of the Closing, an amendment to, or change in, any law, treaty, rule or regulation of such jurisdiction, or an amendment to, or change in, an official interpretation or application of such law, treaty, rule or regulation, in any case after such jurisdiction shall have become a Taxing Jurisdiction, which amendment or change is in force and continuing and meets such opinion and certification requirements. No such amendment or change shall constitute a Change in Tax Law unless the same would in the opinion of the Company (which shall be evidenced by an Officers Certificate of the Company and supported by a written opinion of counsel having recognized expertise in the field of taxation in the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, both of which shall be delivered to all holders of the Notes prior to or concurrently with the Tax Prepayment Notice in respect of such Change in Tax Law) affect the deduction or require the withholding of any Tax imposed by such Taxing Jurisdiction on any payment payable on the Notes.
Section 8.4. Prepayment in Connection with a Noteholder Sanctions Event. (a) Upon the Companys receipt of notice from any Affected Noteholder that a Noteholder Sanctions Event has occurred (which notice shall refer specifically to this Section 8.4(a) and describe in reasonable detail such Noteholder Sanctions Event), the Company shall promptly, and in any event within 10 Business Days, make an offer (the Sanctions Prepayment Offer) to prepay the entire unpaid principal amount of Notes held by such Affected Noteholder (the Affected Notes), together with interest thereon to the prepayment date selected by the Company with respect to each Affected Note but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect thereto, which prepayment shall be on a Business Day not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after the date of the Sanctions Prepayment Offer (the Sanctions Prepayment Date). Such Sanctions Prepayment Offer shall provide that such Affected Noteholder notify the Company in writing by a stated date (the Sanctions Prepayment Response Date), which date is not later than 10 Business Days prior to the stated Sanctions Prepayment Date, of its acceptance or rejection of such prepayment offer. If such Affected Noteholder does not notify the Company as provided above, then the holder shall be deemed to have accepted such offer.
(b) Subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (c) and (d) of this Section 8.4, the Issuer shall prepay on the Sanctions Prepayment Date the entire unpaid principal amount of the Affected Notes held by such Affected Noteholder who has accepted (or has been deemed to have accepted) such prepayment offer (in accordance with subparagraph (a)), together with interest thereon to the Sanctions Prepayment Date with respect to each such Affected Note, but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect thereto.
(c) If a Noteholder Sanctions Event has occurred but such Issuer and/or its Controlled Entities have taken such action(s) in relation to their activities so as to remedy such Noteholder Sanctions Event (with the effect that a Noteholder Sanctions Event no longer exists, as reasonably determined by such Affected Noteholder) prior to the Sanctions Prepayment Date, then such Issuer shall no longer be obliged or permitted to prepay such Affected Notes in relation to such Noteholder Sanctions Event. If such Issuer and/or its Controlled Entities shall undertake any actions to remedy any such Noteholder Sanctions Event, the Company shall keep the holders reasonably and timely informed of such actions and the results thereof.
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(d) If any Affected Noteholder that has given written notice to the Company of its acceptance of (or has been deemed to have accepted) the Companys prepayment offer in accordance with subparagraph (a) also gives notice to the Company prior to the relevant Sanctions Prepayment Date that it has determined (in its sole discretion) that it requires clearance from any Governmental Authority in order to receive a prepayment pursuant to this Section 8.4, the principal amount of each Note held by such Affected Noteholder, together with interest accrued thereon to the date of prepayment, shall become due and payable on the later to occur of (but in no event later than the Maturity Date of the relevant Note) (i) such Sanctions Prepayment Date and (ii) the date that is 10 Business Days after such Affected Noteholder gives notice to the Company that it is entitled to receive a prepayment pursuant to this Section 8.4 (which may include payment to an escrow account designated by such Affected Noteholder to be held in escrow for the benefit of such Affected Noteholder until such Affected Noteholder obtains such clearance from such Governmental Authority), and in any event, any such delay in accordance with the foregoing clause (ii) shall not be deemed to give rise to any Default or Event of Default.
(e) Promptly, and in any event within 5 Business Days, after the Companys receipt of notice from any Affected Noteholder that a Noteholder Sanctions Event shall have occurred with respect to such Affected Noteholder, the Company shall forward a copy of such notice to each other holder of Notes.
(f) The Company shall promptly, and in any event within 10 Business Days, give written notice to the holders after any Issuer or any Controlled Entity having been notified that (i) its name appears or may in the future appear on a State Sanctions List or (ii) it is in violation of, or is subject to the imposition of sanctions under, any U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws, in each case which notice shall describe the facts and circumstances thereof and set forth the action, if any, that the Company or a Controlled Entity proposes to take with respect thereto.
(g) The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.4 shall be in addition to any rights or remedies available to any holder of Notes that may arise under this Agreement as a result of the occurrence of a Noteholder Sanctions Event; provided, that, if the Notes shall have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 as a result of the events, conditions or actions of the Company or its Controlled Entities that gave rise to a Noteholder Sanctions Event, the remedies set forth in Section 12 shall control.
Section 8.5. Allocation of Partial Prepayments. In the case of each partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment.
Section 8.6. Maturity; Surrender, Etc. In the case of each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Section 8, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment, together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and in the case of any Swapped Notes, Swap Breakage Loss, if any. From and after such date, unless such Issuer shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and in the case of any Swapped Notes, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.
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Section 8.7. Purchase of Notes. The Company will not and will not permit any Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except (a) upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes in accordance with this Agreement and the Notes or (b) pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company or such Affiliate pro rata to the holders of all Notes at the time outstanding and upon the same terms and conditions. Any such offer shall provide each holder with sufficient information to enable it to make an informed decision with respect to such offer, and shall remain open for at least 15 Business Days. If the holders of more than 50% of the principal amount of the Notes then outstanding accept such offer, the Company shall promptly notify the remaining holders of Notes of such fact and the expiration date for the acceptance by holders of Notes of such offer shall be extended by the number of days necessary to give each such remaining holder at least 5 Business Days from its receipt of such notice to accept such offer. The Company will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate thereof pursuant to any payment or prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.
Section 8.8. Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount.
(a) Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to Non-Swapped Notes. The terms Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount mean, with respect to any Non-Swapped Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Non-Swapped Note over the amount of such Called Principal, provided that neither the Make-Whole Amount nor the Modified Make-Whole Amount may in any event be less than zero. All payments of Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount in respect of any Non-Swapped Note shall be made in the Applicable Currency of the relevant Non-Swapped Note. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to any Non-Swapped Note, the following terms have the following meanings:
Applicable Percentage in the case of a computation of the Modified Make-Whole Amount for purposes of Section 8.3 means 1.0% (100 basis points), and in the case of a computation of the Make-Whole Amount for any other purpose means 0.50% (50 basis points).
Called Principal means the principal of such Non-Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
Discounted Value means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on the Non-Swapped Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.
Non-Swapped Note means any Note other than a Swapped Note.
Reinvestment Yield means:
(i) US Dollar Notes. With respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note denominated in US Dollars, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the Ask Yield(s) reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as Page PX1 (or such other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date.
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If there are no such U.S. Treasury securities reported having a maturity equal to such Remaining Average Life, then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the Ask Yields reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
If such yields are not Reported or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then Reinvestment Yield means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note denominated in US Dollars, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the U.S. Treasury constant maturity yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or any comparable successor publication) for the U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. If there is no such U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to such Remaining Average Life, such implied yield to maturity will be determined by interpolating linearly between (1) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
(ii) Euro Notes. With respect to the Called Principal of a Non-Swapped Note denominated in Euros, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the Ask Yields shown on the display designated as Page PXGE (or such other display as may replace Page PXGE) on Bloomberg Financial Markets as of 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal for the then most recently issued actively traded German federal bonds (Bundesobligationen) having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. If there are no such Bundesobligationen reported having a maturity equal to such Remaining Average Life, then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting Bundesobligationen quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the Ask Yields reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded Bundesobligationen with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
If such yields are not reported or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then Reinvestment Yield means, with respect to the Called Principal of such Non-Swapped Note denominated in Euros, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the average of the yields for such Bundesobligationen having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date as reported by three internationally recognized dealers of Bundesobligationen selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Non-Swapped Notes denominated in Euros (exclusive of Notes then owned by the Company and its Affiliates). If there are no such Bundesobligationen having a term equal to such Remaining Average Life, such
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implied yield will be determined, if necessary, by interpolating linearly between (1) the applicable Bundesobligationen with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (y) the Bundesobligationen with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
(iii) Sterling Notes. With respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note denominated in Sterling, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by (A) the Ask yield(s) reported as of 10:00 a.m. (London time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as Page PXUK (or such other display as may replace Page PXUK) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the then most actively traded on-the-run UK Gilt securities (the Reference Stock) having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date or (B) if (i) Page PXUK on Bloomberg Financial Markets (or such other display as may replace Page PXUK) is not published on that day, or (ii) the calculation in Page PXUK ceases to be in keeping with the Formula for the Calculation of Redemption Yields indicated by the Joint Index and Classification Committee of the Faculty of Actuaries as reported in the Journal of the Institute of Actuaries Volume 105, Part I, 1978, page 18 (the Formula), the gross redemption yield calculated on the basis of the average of the yields for the Reference Stock having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date as reported by three authorized leading market makers in the gilt-edged market as at or about 11:00 a.m. London time on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date according to the Formula, selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Non-Swapped Notes denominated in Sterling (exclusive of Notes then owned by the Company and its Affiliates).
Such implied yield (as determined in the foregoing paragraph) will be determined, if necessary, by (a) converting UK Gilt quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between (1) the applicable UK Gilt security with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the applicable UK Gilt security with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
Remaining Average Life means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and calculated to two decimal places, that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.
Remaining Scheduled Payments means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2, Section 8.3 or Section 12.1.
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Settlement Date means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
(b) Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to Swapped Notes. The terms Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount mean, with respect to any Swapped Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Swapped Note Discounted Value of the Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount related to such Swapped Note over such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, provided that neither the Make-Whole Amount nor the Modified Make-Whole Amount may in any event be less than zero. All payments of Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount (i) in respect of any Swapped Note for which the Applicable Currency is US Dollars, shall be made in US Dollars and (ii) in respect of any Swapped Notes for which the Applicable Currency is Canadian Dollars, shall be made in Canadian Dollars. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to any Swapped Note, the following terms have the following meanings:
New Swap Agreement means any cross-currency swap agreement (which does not qualify as a Replacement Swap Agreement) pursuant to which the holder of a Swapped Note is to receive payment in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, and which is entered into in full or partial replacement of an Original Swap Agreement as a result of such Original Swap Agreement having terminated for any reason. The terms of a New Swap Agreement with respect to any Swapped Note do not have to be identical to those of the Original Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note. Any holder of a Swapped Note that enters into or terminates a New Swap Agreement shall within a reasonable period of time thereafter deliver to the Company (i) an updated Purchaser Swap Schedule describing the confirmation or termination related thereto or (ii) a copy of the confirmation or termination related thereto.
Original Swap Agreement means, with respect to any Swapped Note, (x) a cross-currency swap agreement and annexes and schedules thereto (an Initial Swap Agreement) that is entered into on an arms length basis by the original Purchaser of such Swapped Note (or any affiliate thereof) in connection with the execution of this Agreement and the purchase of such Swapped Note and relates to the scheduled payments by the Company of interest and principal on such Swapped Note, under which the Purchaser of such Swapped Note is to receive payments from the counterparty thereunder in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, and which is more particularly described on the Purchaser Swap Schedule, (y) any Initial Swap Agreement that has been assumed (without any waiver, amendment, deletion or replacement of any material economic term or provision thereof) by a holder of a Swapped Note in connection with a transfer of such Swapped Note and (z) any Replacement Swap Agreement; and a Replacement Swap Agreement means, with respect to any Swapped Note, a cross-currency swap agreement and annexes and schedules thereto with payment terms and provisions (other than a reduction in notional amount, if applicable) identical to those of the Initial Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note that is entered into on an arms length basis by the holder of such Swapped Note in full or partial replacement (by amendment, modification or otherwise) of such Initial Swap Agreement (or any subsequent Replacement Swap Agreement) in a notional amount not exceeding the outstanding principal amount of such Swapped Note following a non-scheduled partial prepayment or a partial repayment or purchase of such Swapped Note prior to its scheduled maturity or an acceleration and rescission thereof of such Swapped Note as provided in Section 12.3. Any holder of a Swapped Note that enters into, assumes or terminates an Initial Swap Agreement or Replacement Swap Agreement shall within a reasonable period of time thereafter deliver to the Company (i) an updated Purchaser Swap Schedule describing the confirmation, assumption or termination related thereto or (ii) a copy of the confirmation, assumption or termination related thereto.
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Swap Agreement means, with respect to any Swapped Note, an Original Swap Agreement or a New Swap Agreement, as the case may be.
Swapped Note means any Note that, as of the date of the Closing, a Swap Agreement has been entered into in respect of such Note. A Swapped Note shall no longer be deemed a Swapped Note for so long as the related Swap Agreement ceases to be in force in respect thereof; provided that if there is any Note that is a Swapped Note outstanding as of the date on which either the Company has provided notice of prepayment or offer of prepayment or purchase of such Note pursuant to Section 8 or such Note has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, then such Note shall be deemed to be a Swapped Note until payment in full of the principal, interest and Make-Whole Amount (if any) and Swap Breakage Amount due with respect to such Note.
Swapped Note Applicable Percentage in the case of a computation of the Modified Make-Whole Amount for purposes of Section 8.3 means 1.0% (100 basis points), and in the case of a computation of the Make-Whole Amount for any other purpose means 0.50% (50 basis points).
Swapped Note Called Notional Amount means, with respect to any Swapped Note Called Principal of any Swapped Note, the payment in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, due to the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Swap Agreement to which such holder is a party, attributable to and in exchange for such Swapped Note Called Principal and assuming that such Swapped Note Called Principal is paid on its scheduled payment date, provided that if such Swap Agreement is not an Original Swap Agreement, then the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount in respect of such Swapped Note shall not exceed the amount in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, which would have been due to the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement to which such holder was a party (or if such holder was never party to an Original Swap Agreement, then the last Original Swap Agreement to which the most recent predecessor in interest to such holder as a holder of such Swapped Note was a party), attributable to and in exchange for such Swapped Note Called Principal and assuming that such Swapped Note Called Principal is paid on its scheduled payment date.
Swapped Note Called Principal means, with respect to any Swapped Note, the principal of such Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
Swapped Note Discounted Value means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires, the amount obtained by discounting all Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments corresponding to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of such Swapped Note from their respective scheduled due dates to the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Swapped Note is payable) equal to the Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount.
Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield means,
(i) with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note for which the Applicable Currency is US Dollars, the sum of (a) the Swapped Note Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the Ask Yield(s) reported as of 10.00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, on the display designated as Page PX1 (or such
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other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date. If there are no such U.S. Treasury securities reported having a maturity equal to such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life, then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the Ask Yields reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life. The Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Swapped Note.
If such yields are not reported or the yields Reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note, the sum of (a) the Swapped Note Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the U.S. Treasury constant maturity yields reported for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or any comparable successor publication) for the U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date. If there is no such U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life, such implied yield to maturity will be determined by interpolating linearly between (1) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and greater than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life and (2) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and less than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life. The Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Swapped Note.
(ii) with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note for which the Applicable Currency is Canadian Dollars, the sum of (a) the Swapped Note Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by (i) the Ask yield(s) reported as of 10:00 A.M. (Toronto time) on the second Business Day preceding the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, on the display designated as Page PXCA on Bloomberg Financial Markets (or such other display as may replace Page PXCA on Bloomberg Financial Markets) for noncallable Government of Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with interest compounded semi-annually in arrears and having a maturity equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date or (ii) if such yields are not reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), the yield (rounded to two places) to the maturity (based on the offered price) of a noncallable Government of Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with interest compounded semi-annually in arrears and having a maturity equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date, the whole as constituting the arithmetic average of such yields as determined by two Canadian investment dealers chosen by the Issuer and reasonably acceptable to the holders of the applicable Swapped Notes (at such holders expense) and, for the purposes of the foregoing, a Canadian investment dealer shall mean any Person which carries on and is licensed to carry-on the activities of intermediary in the trading of securities in the Province of Ontario. Such implied yield (as determined under the foregoing clause (i) or clause (ii) as applicable) will be determined, if necessary, by interpolating linearly between (1) the non-callable Government of
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Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with the maturity closest to and greater than the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of the applicable Swapped Note and (2) the non-callable Government of Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with the maturity closest to and less than the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of the applicable Swapped Note. The Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Swapped Note.
Swapped Note Remaining Average Life means, with respect to any Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payment with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount by (b) the number of years, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and calculated to two decimal places, that will elapse between the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount and the scheduled due date of such Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payment.
Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount relating to any Swapped Note, the payments due to the holder of such Swapped Note in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, under the terms of the Swap Agreement to which such holder is a party which correspond to all payments of the Swapped Note Called Principal of such Swapped Note corresponding to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount and interest on such Swapped Note Called Principal (other than that portion of the payment due under such Swap Agreement corresponding to the interest accrued on the Swapped Note Called Principal to the Swapped Note Settlement Date) that would be due after the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount assuming that no payment of such Swapped Note Called Principal is made prior to its originally scheduled payment date, provided that (i) if such Swapped Note Settlement Date is not a date on which an interest payment is due to be made under the terms of such Swapped Note, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Swapped Note Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Swapped Note Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 12.1 and (ii) if the Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note is not an Original Swap Agreement, then the interest on such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount shall not exceed the amount in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, that would have been due with respect to such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement.
Swapped Note Settlement Date means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note Called Principal of any Swapped Note, the date on which such Swapped Note Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
Section 8.9. Swap Breakage. (a) If any Swapped Note is prepaid or purchased pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.7 or 8.11 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 (each a Swap Unwind Event), then upon any such Swap Unwind Event (i) any resulting Swap Breakage Loss in connection therewith shall be reimbursed to the holder of such Swapped Note by such Issuer in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, no later than five Business Days after the date such holder has delivered the Swap Breakage Amount Notice with respect to such Swap Unwind Event and (ii) any resulting Swap Breakage Gain in connection therewith shall be forwarded to the Company by the holder of such Swapped Note in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, no later than five Business Days after the date such holder shall have received payment in full of the principal, interest and Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount, as applicable (if any), due hereunder with respect to such Swap Unwind Event, in each case unless alternative arrangements are otherwise agreed between the
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Company and the holder of a Swapped Note. Each holder of a Swapped Note shall be responsible for calculating its own Swap Breakage Amount in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, in connection with any Swap Unwind Event, and such calculations shall (unless alternative arrangements are otherwise agreed between the Company and the holder of a Swapped Note) promptly, but no longer than two Business Days following such Swap Unwind Event, be reported to the Company in writing and in reasonable detail (the Swap Breakage Amount Notice) and shall be binding on the Company absent demonstrable error.
(b) As used in this Section 8.9 Swap Breakage Amount means, with respect to the Swap Agreement associated with any Swapped Note, the amount that is received (in which case the Swap Breakage Amount shall be referred to as the Swap Breakage Gain) or paid (in which case the Swap Breakage Amount shall be referred to as the Swap Breakage Loss) by the holder of such Swapped Note in connection with a termination or amendment of its Swap Agreement resulting from a Swap Unwind Event, where:
(i) such Swap Breakage Amount shall be calculated upon the inclusion of an accelerated exchange and payment of principal amounts and associated accrued and unpaid interest, whereby in connection with and incorporated into the termination or amendment of the Swap Agreement and determination of the Swap Breakage Amount, all remaining associated principal payments otherwise scheduled through the natural duration of the Swap Agreement and associated accrued and unpaid interest shall be accelerated and made (in their respective applicable currencies) at the time of the settlement of such termination or amendment (or, in the case of a Swap Unwind Event resulting from a Swapped Note becoming or being declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as if such remaining associated principal payments and associated accrued and unpaid interest had been accelerated and made at the time of the settlement of such termination); and
(ii) the holder of such Swapped Note shall determine such Swap Breakage Amount in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner in accordance with customary practices for calculating such amounts under the ISDA 1992 Multi-Currency Cross Border Master Agreement or ISDA 2002 Master Agreement, as applicable (the ISDA Master Agreement) pursuant to which such holder entered into such Swap Agreement and assuming for the purpose of such calculation that there are no transactions outstanding under such ISDA Master Agreement other than such Swap Agreement,
provided, however, that if such holder (or its predecessor-in-interest with respect to such Swapped Note) was, but is not at the time, a party to an Original Swap Agreement but is a party to a New Swap Agreement, then the Swap Breakage Amount shall mean the lesser of (x) the Swap Breakage Amount that would have been received or paid by the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement (if any) in respect of such Swapped Note to which such holder (or any affiliate thereof) was a party (or if such holder was never a party to an Original Swap Agreement, then the last Original Swap Agreement to which the most recent predecessor in interest to such holder as a holder of a Swapped Note was a party) and (y) the Swap Breakage Amount actually received or paid by the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the New Swap Agreement to which such holder (or any affiliate thereof) is a party.
Section 8.10. Payments Due on Non-Business Days. Anything in this Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, (x) except as set forth in clause (y), any payment of interest on any Note that is due on a date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day; and (y) any payment of principal of or Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount on any Note (including principal due on the Maturity Date of such Note) that is due on a date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and shall include the additional days elapsed in the computation of interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.
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Section 8.11. Change in Control Prepayment Offer. (a) Promptly upon becoming aware that a Change in Control has occurred (and in any event not later than 10 Business Days thereafter), the Company shall give written notice (the Change in Control Notice) of such fact to each holder of the Notes. The Change in Control Notice shall (i) describe the facts and circumstances of such Change in Control in reasonable detail, (ii) refer to this Section 8.11 and the rights of the holders hereunder and (iii) contain an offer by the Company to prepay the entire unpaid principal amount of Notes held by each holder at 100% of the principal amount of such Notes at par (without any make-whole, premium, penalty, Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount), together with interest accrued thereon to the prepayment date selected by the Company, which prepayment shall be on a date specified in the Change in Control Notice, which date shall be a Business Day not less than 45 nor more than 90 days after such Change in Control Notice is given should any agreement to the contrary not be reached among the Company and each of the holders of the Notes.
(b) A holder of Notes may accept the offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.11 by causing a notice of such acceptance to be delivered to the Company not more than 30 days after the date of the written offer notice referred to in subsection (a) of this Section 8.11. A failure by a holder of Notes to respond to an offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.11 shall be deemed to constitute a rejection of such offer by such holder.
(c) On the prepayment date specified in the Change in Control Notice, the entire unpaid principal amount of the Notes held by each holder of Notes which has accepted such prepayment offer, together with interest accrued thereon to the prepayment date (but without any make-whole, premium, penalty, Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount), shall become due and payable.
SECTION 9. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.
From the date of this Agreement until the Closing and thereafter, each Obligor jointly and severally covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:
Section 9.1. Compliance with Laws; Corporate Existence, Etc. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to (a)(i) preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organizational existence and good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by Section 10.2 or Section 10.8 and except, in the case of clause (i) (solely with respect to good standing of Group Members other than the Obligors) and clause (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) comply with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Company, the other Group Members and their respective directors, officers and employees with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
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Section 9.2. Insurance. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, maintain, with insurance companies that the Company believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) are financially sound and reputable or with a Captive Insurance Subsidiary, insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability, product liability and business interruption) as are usually (as determined in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) insured against in the same general area by similarly situated companies either (x) engaged in the same or a similar business or (y) with comparable EBITDA.
Section 9.3. Maintenance of Properties. Except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to keep Qualified Assets in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted.
Section 9.4. Payment of Taxes. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, file or cause to be filed all federal, state and other tax returns and reports that are required to be filed and pay all Taxes on any assessments made against it or any of its property, and all other Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than (a) the amount or validity of which are contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP are provided on the books of the relevant Group Member or (b) where the failure to file or pay, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).
Section 9.5. [Reserved].
Section 9.6. Books and Records. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct entries in all material respects in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities (it being understood and agreed that any Foreign Subsidiary may maintain additional individual books and records in a manner that permits preparation of its financial statements in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles that are applicable in its jurisdiction of organization and that such maintenance shall not constitute a breach of the representations, warranties or covenants hereunder).
Section 9.7. Additional Obligor Affiliates. (a) The Obligors will cause each of their Subsidiaries (other than (i) any Subsidiary that is already a US Obligor Affiliate or (ii) any Excluded Subsidiary) that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time, whether as a borrower or an additional or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under any Material Debt Facility to concurrently therewith:
(i) enter into a Joinder Agreement acceding to this Agreement, to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as a US Obligor Affiliate, whereupon such Person shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as if their respective terms were incorporated in full into the terms of this Agreement, and guaranty, on a joint and several basis with all other such Subsidiaries, (x) the prompt payment in full when due of all amounts payable by the Issuers pursuant to the Notes (whether for principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount, Swap Breakage Loss or otherwise) and this Agreement, including all indemnities, fees and expenses payable by each Issuer thereunder and (y) the prompt, full and faithful performance, observance and discharge by the Issuers of each and every covenant, agreement, undertaking and provision required pursuant to the Notes or this Agreement to be performed, observed or discharged by it; and
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(ii) deliver the following to each holder of a Note:
(A) an executed counterpart of such Joinder Agreement;
(B) a certificate signed by an authorized responsible officer of such Subsidiary, containing representations and warranties on behalf of such Subsidiary to the same effect, mutatis mutandis, as those contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.6, and 5.7 of this Agreement (but with respect to such Subsidiary as an Obligor Affiliate);
(C) all documents as may be reasonably requested by the Required Holders to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and, where applicable, good standing of such Subsidiary and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of such Subsidiary of the execution and delivery of such Joinder Agreement and the performance by such Subsidiary of its obligations under this Agreement; and
(D) an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders covering such matters relating to such Subsidiary and such Joinder Agreement as the Required Holders may reasonably request.
(b) The Obligors will cause each of their Foreign Subsidiaries (other than any Subsidiary that is already an Obligor) that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time, whether as a borrower or an additional or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under any Material Debt Facility to concurrently therewith:
(i) enter into a Joinder Agreement acceding to this Agreement, to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as an Foreign Obligor Affiliate, whereupon such Person shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as if their respective terms were incorporated in full into the terms of this Agreement, and guaranty, on a joint and several basis with all other such Foreign Subsidiaries, (x) the prompt payment in full when due of all amounts payable by the EUR Issuer pursuant to the Foreign Currency Notes (whether for principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount, Swap Breakage Loss or otherwise) and this Agreement, including all indemnities, fees and expenses payable by the EUR Issuer thereunder and (y) the prompt, full and faithful performance, observance and discharge by the EUR Issuer of each and every covenant, agreement, undertaking and provision required pursuant to the Notes or this Agreement to be performed, observed or discharged by it; and
(ii) deliver the following to each holder of a Note:
(A) an executed counterpart of such Joinder Agreement;
(B) a certificate signed by an authorized responsible officer of such Subsidiary, containing representations and warranties on behalf of such Subsidiary to the same effect, mutatis mutandis, as those contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.6, and 5.7 of this Agreement (but with respect to such Subsidiary as an Obligor Affiliate);
(C) all documents as may be reasonably requested by the Required Holders to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and, where applicable, good standing of such Subsidiary and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of such Subsidiary of the execution and delivery of such Joinder Agreement and the performance by such Subsidiary of its obligations under this Agreement;
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(D) an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders covering such matters relating to such Subsidiary and such Joinder Agreement as the Required Holders may reasonably request; and
(E) evidence of the acceptance by Lineage Logistics, LLC of the appointment of designation provided for by Section 23.7(e), as such Foreign Subsidiarys agent to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process for the period from the date of the Joinder Agreement to August 20, 2032.
(c) The Obligors may, from time to time at their discretion and upon written notice to the holders of Notes, cause any of their Subsidiaries which are not otherwise required to accede to this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.7(a) or 9.7(b), as applicable, to become an Obligor Affiliate and deliver the documents required by Section 9.7(a) or 9.7(b), as applicable.
(d) At the election of the Company and by written notice to each holder of Notes, any Obligor Affiliate that has acceded to this Agreement under subparagraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 9.7 may be discharged from all of its obligations and liabilities under this Agreement and shall be automatically released from its obligations thereunder without the need for the execution or delivery of any other document by the holders, provided that (i) if such Obligor Affiliate is a guarantor or is otherwise liable for or in respect of any Material Debt Facility, then such Obligor Affiliate shall have been released and discharged (or will be released and discharged concurrently with the release of such Obligor Affiliate under this Section 9.7 of this Agreement) under such Material Debt Facility, (ii) at the time of, and after giving effect to, such release and discharge, no Default or Event of Default shall be existing, (iii) no amount is then due and payable under this Agreement, (iv) if in connection with such Obligor Affiliate being released and discharged under any Material Debt Facility, any fee or other form of consideration is given to any holder of Indebtedness under such Material Debt Facility for such release, the holders of the Notes shall receive equivalent consideration substantially concurrently therewith, and (v) each holder shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying as to the matters set forth in clauses (i) through (iv). The release provision of this Section 9.7(d) shall not apply to any Obligor that is an Issuer.
Section 9.8. REIT Status. The Obligors shall cause the REIT Parent to continue to be treated as a REIT.
Section 9.9. Priority of Obligations. The Obligors will ensure that their payment obligations under this Agreement and the Notes will at all times rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Obligors.
Although it will not be a Default or an Event of Default if the Obligors fail to comply with any provision of Section 9 on or after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing, if such a failure occurs, then any of the Purchasers may elect not to purchase the Notes on the date of Closing that is specified in Section 3.
Section 9.10. Rating. The Obligors will use reasonable efforts to ensure that at all times the Notes shall have at least one credit rating from a Designated Rating Agency. At any time that any credit rating is not a public rating, the Company will provide to each holder of a Note a copy of a letter evidencing such credit rating at least annually, which letter shall (i) identify each series of Notes by Private Placement Number issued by Standard & Poors CUSIP Bureau, (ii) address the likelihood of payment of both the principal and interest of such Notes (which requirement shall be deemed satisfied if the rating is silent on the likelihood of payment of both principal and interest and does not otherwise include any indication to the contrary), (iii) not include any prohibition against any holder of a Note sharing such evidence with the SVO or any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such holder and (iv) include any other information reasonably required by the SVO.
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SECTION 10. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.
From the date of this Agreement until the Closing and thereafter, each Obligor jointly and severally covenants (provided, that the second paragraph in Section 10.3 shall only apply to Holdings) that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:
Section 10.1. Transactions with Affiliates. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into directly or indirectly any transaction or group of related transactions (including the purchase, lease, sale or exchange of properties of any kind or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate (other than another Obligor or another Subsidiary), except:
(a) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 10.9;
(b) pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the business of such Obligor or such Subsidiary upon fair and reasonable terms not materially less favorable to such Obligor or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of such Obligor or such Subsidiary;
(c) entering into employment and severance arrangements between any Obligor (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), any Subsidiary and any of their respective officers and employees, as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of the relevant Person;
(d) the payment of customary fees and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket costs of, and customary indemnities provided to or on behalf of, directors, officers, management, consultants and employees of any Obligor (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and their respective Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(e) the payment of fees, expenses, indemnities or other payments pursuant to, and transactions pursuant to any agreements in existence on the date of Closing and set forth on Schedule 10.1 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not materially more disadvantageous to the holders than the original agreement in effect on the date of Closing;
(f) transactions between or among (i) Subsidiaries that are not Obligors, (ii) between or among Holdings and its Subsidiaries that are Obligors (on the one hand) and any Subsidiaries that are not Obligors (on the other hand) or (iii) Holdings and its Subsidiaries;
(g) the issuance or transfer of Equity Interests in Holdings (other than any Disqualified Equity Interests) to the Investor or any Affiliate thereof, or to any current, former or future director, manager, employee or consultant (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) of Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent thereof or any Affiliate of Holdings;
(h) transactions contemplated by customary shareholders agreements entered into with holders of the Equity Interests of Holdings;
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(i) the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses related to registration rights and indemnities provided to shareholders under any shareholders agreement referred to in clause (g) above;
(j) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) or advances to employees, officers, directors, members of management or consultants (or the estate, heirs, family members, spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner or any of the foregoing) of Holdings, any direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Subsidiaries and employment agreements, consulting arrangements, severance arrangements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees, officers, directors, members of management or consultants (or the estate, heirs, family members, spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner of any of the foregoing);
(k) the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement to the extent payments under such agreement or arrangement would otherwise be permitted under this Agreement;
(l) transactions permitted under Section 10.2 and/or Section 10.10 solely for the purpose of (a) reorganizing to facilitate any initial public offering of securities of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company (b) forming a holding company, or (c) reincorporating Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary in a new jurisdiction;
(m) the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business including making payments to an Affiliate to pay any Taxes due by such group that are permitted by Section 10.9;
(n) transactions for cash management and other management services (including property and asset management services) for Holdings and its Subsidiaries on customary terms; and
(o) the issuance of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the board of directors or manager of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings or a Subsidiary, as appropriate, in good faith.
Section 10.2. Merger, Consolidation, Etc. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any merger, demerger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or reorganize itself, in the case of a Domestic Subsidiary, in any non-U.S. jurisdiction, and in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, under the laws of any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, or Dispose (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a Division or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Group Members (taken as a whole), except that:
(a) (i) any Domestic Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving Person; (ii) any Domestic Subsidiary other than the Company may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into a US Obligor Affiliate in a transaction in which the US Obligor Affiliate shall be the continuing or surviving entity or a successor by merger, consolidation or amalgamation that
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becomes a US Obligor Affiliate upon such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall be the continuing or surviving entity; and (iii) any Foreign Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate, arrange, combine or liquidate with or into a Foreign Obligor or a Foreign Obligor Affiliate in a transaction in which the Foreign Obligor or Foreign Obligor Affiliate, as applicable, or a successor by merger, consolidation, amalgamation, arrangement or combination that becomes a Foreign Obligor or Foreign Obligor Affiliate, as applicable, upon such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, arrangement or combination shall be the continuing or surviving entity;
(b) any Person other than Holdings may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving entity, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction and (ii) Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants;
(c) any Person other than an Issuer or Holdings may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into any other Subsidiary in a transaction in which the continuing or surviving entity is a Subsidiary, if (x) at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction and (ii) Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants or (y) if both of the parties to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation are Subsidiaries but only one party is an Obligor Affiliate, the Obligor Affiliate or a successor by such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation that becomes the Obligor Affiliate upon such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation shall be the continuing or surviving entity (and, in the case where the other party to such merger or amalgamation is a Qualified Asset Owner, either the continuing or surviving entity shall be a Qualified Asset Owner or successor by amalgamation that becomes the Qualified Asset Owner or all Qualified Assets owned or leased by such Qualified Asset Owner shall, contemporaneously with such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation cease to be included as Qualified Assets in any calculations hereunder); provided, (1) no Domestic Subsidiary will merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate into a Foreign Subsidiary, (2) if both parties to such merger or amalgamation are Obligor Affiliates and one of the parties thereto is a Qualified Asset Owner, either the Qualified Asset Owner or a successor by amalgamation that becomes the Qualified Asset Owner shall be the continuing or surviving entity or all Qualified Assets owned or leased by such Qualified Asset Owner shall, contemporaneously with such merger, cease to be included as Qualified Assets in any calculations hereunder, and (3) for the avoidance of doubt, Subsidiaries of Holdings may merge, consolidate, amalgamate, or liquidate with or into another Subsidiary in a transaction that constitutes an Investment that is permitted by Section 10.10 (other than pursuant to clause (o) of the definition of Permitted Investment);
(d) (i) any Domestic Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets to the Company or to another Domestic Subsidiary; provided that, if one of the parties to such transaction is an Obligor Affiliate, either (A) the Obligor Affiliate shall be the transferee or (B) the transaction is permitted by Section 10.8; and (ii) any Foreign Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets to the Company or to another Foreign Subsidiary; provided that, (A) if one of the parties to such transaction is the EUR Issuer, the EUR Issuer shall be the transferee, or (B) if one of the parties to such transaction is an Obligor Affiliate, either (1) the Obligor Affiliate shall be the transferee or (2) the transaction is permitted by Section 10.8; and
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(e) any Subsidiary which is not an Obligor or Qualified Asset Owner may liquidate or dissolve itself if the Company determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Obligors or the Group Members.
Section 10.3. Line of Business. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to engage in any business if, as a result, the general nature of the business in which the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, would then be engaged would be substantially changed from the general nature of the business in which the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are engaged on the date of this Agreement as described in the Memorandum.
Holdings shall not engage in any material business activities or own any material assets other than (a) ownership of the Equity Interests of the Company and other Subsidiaries, ownership of Equity Interests held pursuant to Investments permitted by this Agreement and ownership of commercially reasonable insurance policies, including director and officer, employment practices and similar liability insurance, (b) activities and contractual rights and obligations incidental to maintenance of its corporate existence (including the payment of accounting and other professional fees and expenses), (c) activities related to the payment of tax liabilities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (d) entering into confidentiality agreements, (e) entering into any transactions not prohibited under this Agreement, (f) the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and, to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement, agreements for other Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement, management agreements, transaction fee agreements, director indemnification agreements, unit appreciation rights agreements and acquisition agreements, (g) entering into, making and performing guaranties, option agreements, shareholder agreements and other incentive compensation agreements, in each case, to which Holdings is a party, (h) the transactions entered into under this Agreement on the Closing, and (i) other activities incidental to or in furtherance of any of the foregoing.
Section 10.4. Economic Sanctions, Etc. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Controlled Entity to (a) become (including by virtue of being owned or Controlled by a Blocked Person), own or Control a Blocked Person or (b) directly or indirectly have any investment in or engage in any dealing or transaction (including any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Person if such investment, dealing or transaction (i) would cause any Purchaser or holder or any Affiliate of such holder to be in violation of, or subject to sanctions under, any law or regulation applicable to such holder, or (ii) is prohibited by or subject to sanctions under any U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws.
Section 10.5. Financial Covenants. The Obligors will not permit:
(a) Total Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value (the Total Leverage Ratio) to exceed 60%; provided, that the Company may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 60% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Total Leverage Ratio exceed 65% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
(b) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) (i) EBITDA minus (ii) Maintenance Capital Expenditures to (b) Fixed Charges, each from the period of four fiscal quarters then ended, to be less than 1.5 to 1.0.
(c) Unsecured Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Unsecured Indebtedness to Unencumbered Asset Value (the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio) to exceed 60%; provided, that the Company may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 60% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio exceed 65% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
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(d) Secured Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Secured Indebtedness to Total Asset Value (the Secured Leverage Ratio) to exceed 40%; provided, that the Company may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 40% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Secured Leverage Ratio exceed 45% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
Section 10.6. Indebtedness. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly create, issue, incur, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness (including any Capital Lease Obligations, securitizations and similar Indebtedness), other than Permitted Indebtedness, unless at the time of such creation, issuance, incurrence, assumption or sufferance thereof (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (b) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
Section 10.7. Liens. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on:
(a) any Qualified Asset, other than Permitted Encumbrances;
(b) any Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner, other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances; and
(c) any income or revenues from, or proceeds of, any of the foregoing;
or sign, file or authorize under the Uniform Commercial Code (of any jurisdiction) a financing statement that includes in its collateral description any portion of any Qualified Asset or the Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner, or any income or revenue from, or proceeds of, any of the foregoing.
The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) to, secure any Indebtedness outstanding under or pursuant to any Material Debt Facility unless it shall concurrently secure the Notes (and any guaranty delivered in connection therewith) equally and ratably with such Indebtedness pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders in substance and in form, including an intercreditor agreement and opinions of counsel to the Company and/or any such Subsidiary as reasonably requested, as the case may be, from counsel that is reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders.
Section 10.8. Disposition of Property. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, dispose of any property or asset, including Equity Interests owned by it and including pursuant to any sale-leaseback transaction, other than a Permitted Disposition, unless immediately before and after giving effect to such Disposition (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such Disposition, (b) on a Pro Forma Basis, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants and (c) if any Obligor Affiliate consummates a Division, the Company shall cause each Division Successor to comply with any applicable obligations under Section 9.7.
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Section 10.9. Restricted Payments. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, declare or pay any dividend on, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement, cancellation, termination or other acquisition of, any Equity Interests of any Group Member, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in respect thereof, whether in cash or property (collectively, Restricted Payments), directly or indirectly, except that:
(a) the Company and any Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional limited liability company interests or its common stock (or their respective equivalents in any jurisdiction),
(b) Holdings may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional limited liability company interests,
(c) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends or distributions ratably with respect to their Equity Interests,
(d) Holdings or any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments (including for the purposes of effectuating repurchases of Equity Interests) pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of Holdings and its Subsidiaries,
(e) Holdings, the Company and their Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments to their owners (A) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto, in an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) 95% of Normalized Adjusted FFO attributable to the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended plus (2) any additional minimum amount reasonably necessary to enable any REIT Parent and REIT Subsidiary to make distributions to maintain the REIT Parents and such REIT Subsidiarys status as a REIT and avoid the imposition of U.S federal income or excise taxes on the REIT Parent or such REIT Subsidiary and (B) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto, in an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) the minimum amount reasonably necessary to enable any REIT Parent and REIT Subsidiary to make distributions to maintain the REIT Parents and such REIT Subsidiarys status as a REIT and avoid the imposition of U.S federal income or excise taxes on the REIT Parent or such REIT Subsidiary, plus (2) at any time prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO: (x) $60,000,000 per fiscal year, plus (y) management fees payable by Holdings pursuant to the Management Agreement in an amount not to exceed $30,000,000 per fiscal year,
(f) Holdings may make Restricted Payments with any amounts received by it from the Company pursuant to clause (e) of this Section,
(g) Restricted Payments to Holdings in such amounts as are necessary or appropriate to pay (i) administrative expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable directors fees, employee compensation and benefits, customary indemnity payments and payroll, social security or similar taxes) payable by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), (ii) nominal expenses to maintain the corporate existence of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), (iii) premiums and other charges necessary to maintain the insurance required under the terms of this Agreement and other commercially reasonable insurance acquired and maintained by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), including director and officer, employment practices and other similar liability insurance and (iv) the payment of business related expenses which are incurred by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) in the ordinary course of business, in each case, to the extent the incurrence of such expenses and other obligations, the taking of such actions, and the payment of such expenses and other obligations, as applicable are permitted by this Agreement,
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(h) Restricted Payments, the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings to make (or to make a payment to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to enable it to make) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof,
(i) repurchases of Equity Interests in Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings), or any of its subsidiaries, deemed to occur upon cashless exercise of stock options or warrants,
(j) Restricted Payments the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay fees and expenses (other than to Affiliates) related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering not prohibited by this Agreement (in the case of any such parent or indirect parent, only to the extent such parent or indirect parent does not hold material assets other than those relating to Holdings and its subsidiaries),
(k) (i) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (Retired Capital Stock) of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or contributions to the equity capital of Holdings (other than any Disqualified Equity Interests or any Equity Interests sold to a subsidiary of Holdings) (collectively, including any such contributions, Refunding Capital Stock) and (ii) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a subsidiary of Holdings) of Refunding Capital Stock,
(l) Restricted Payments to Holdings to finance any Investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 10.10; provided, that such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing or consummation of such Investment,
(m) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, transactions expressly permitted by Section 10.1, Section 10.7, and Section 10.10, and
(n) for any taxable period in which (A) Holdings, Obligors or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a member of a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar tax group (or comparable group under foreign law), or (B) any of Holdings, Obligors or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a pass-through entity for income tax purposes (including under foreign tax law), Holdings, Obligors or their respective applicable Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments in amounts required for such of its direct or indirect owners as are members of such group, or as are required to include the income of such pass-through entity in income for Tax purposes, to pay any Taxes imposed directly on such owners, to the extent such Taxes are attributable to the income, assets or activities of such entity and only after taking into account all available credits and deductions; provided, that no such entity shall make any Restricted Payment under this provision in any amount greater than the share of such Taxes arising out of such entitys net income calculated as if such entity filed tax returns on a standalone basis.
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In any event and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the extent any Subsidiary is permitted to make a Restricted Payment to Holdings for any of the foregoing purposes, such Subsidiary may, alternatively, make any such payment directly to the applicable obligee or payee of Holdings on its behalf, and such payment shall be treated, for all purposes of this Agreement as a permitted Restricted Payment.
Section 10.10. Investments. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make or allow any Investment, other than a Permitted Investment, unless immediately before and after giving effect to such Investment, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) on a Pro Forma Basis, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
Section 10.11. Negative Pledge. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement) that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon the ability of (a) any Group Member to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets (including the Equity Interests owned by such Group Member), (b) any Group Member to make Restricted Payments to the Company or any other Obligor or to make or repay loans or advances to the Company or any other Obligor or to guarantee the Guaranty Obligations or (c) Group Member to otherwise transfer (including by way of a pledge) property to the Company or an Obligor; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions and conditions imposed by Requirements of Law or by Contractual Obligations in effect as of the Closing (and any extensions, renewals or modifications thereof) (and, for the avoidance of doubt, such restrictions do not apply to any Qualified Asset or to the Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner unless it relates to a Permitted Encumbrance), (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary prohibitions, restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary or its assets pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary or assets that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement (including mortgage financings and CMBS Financings) if such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (and, for the avoidance of doubt, such restrictions do not apply to any Qualified Asset or to the Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner, except to the extent permitted by clause (x) below), (iv) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to Joint Ventures that are applicable solely to such Joint Venture and entered into in the ordinary course of business, (v) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions that are customary prohibitions, restrictions or conditions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions solely relate to the assets subject thereto, (vi) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions or conditions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, (vii) the foregoing shall not apply to provisions restricting the granting of a security interest in intellectual property contained in licenses or sublicenses by the Company and its Subsidiaries of such intellectual property, which licenses and sublicenses were entered into in the ordinary course of business (in which case such prohibition or restriction shall relate only to such intellectual property), (viii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions on cash or other deposits or minimum net worth requirements imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ix) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in any agreement that evidences Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement that are substantially similar to, or not materially more restrictive than, those prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in this Agreement, (x) the foregoing clause (a) shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in any mortgage financing, CMBS Financing or other financing on the pledge of Equity Interests in the direct or indirect parent of an Obligor (other than a Qualified Asset Owner), Group Member (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) or a Qualified Asset Owner, (xi) the foregoing shall not apply to assets subject to retention of title and (xii) the foregoing shall not apply to any prohibitions, restrictions or conditions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements,
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renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (x) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions than those in place prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
SECTION 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
An Event of Default shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:
(a) any Issuer defaults in the payment of any principal, Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or
(b) any Issuer defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note for more than five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable, or defaults in the payment of any other amounts hereunder for more than ten Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or
(c) any Obligor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (d), 7.2 (if such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 15 days), 9.1(a)(1) (solely with respect to any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner), 9.7, 9.8 or 10; or
(d) any Obligor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein (other than those referred to in Sections 11(a), (b) and (c)) and such default is not remedied within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) the Company receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a notice of default and to refer specifically to this Section 11(d)); provided, that, if such default is capable of being cured but cannot be cured within such 30 day period and so long as the applicable Obligor shall have commenced to cure such default within such 30 day period and shall be diligently pursuing such cure, the applicable Obligor shall have an additional 30 day period to cure such default; or
(e) any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of any Obligor or by any of their officers in this Agreement or in any writing furnished in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall prove to have been inaccurate or misleading in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made (or, to the extent qualified by materiality, shall be inaccurate or misleading in any respect after giving effect to such qualification when made or deemed made); or
(f) (i) any Group Member is in default (as principal or as guarantor or other surety) in the payment when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace or cure periods (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) of any principal of or premium or make-whole amount or interest on any Indebtedness that is outstanding (excluding any Indebtedness hereunder, under any Note and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) in an aggregate principal amount of (or, with respect to any Swap Contracts, a Swap Termination Value of) at least $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto, or (ii) any Group Member is in default in the performance of or
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compliance with any term of any agreement or condition evidencing any Indebtedness (excluding any Indebtedness hereunder, under any Note and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of (or, with respect to any Swap Contracts, a Swap Termination Value of) at least $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) and as a consequence of such default, with the giving of notice if required and after giving effect to any applicable grace periods thereunder, such Indebtedness has become, or has been declared (or one or more Persons are entitled to declare such Indebtedness to be), due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (iii) as a consequence of the occurrence or continuation of any event or condition (other than the passage of time, (x) any Group Member has become obligated to purchase or repay Indebtedness (excluding any Indebtedness hereunder, under any Note and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) before its regular maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment), or (y) one or more Persons have the right to require any Group Member so to purchase or repay Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least $100,000,000; provided that clauses (i) (other than in the case of clause (x) below), (ii) and (iii) shall not apply to (x) Secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the Disposition or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such Disposition or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness and (y) Indebtedness that is convertible into Equity Interests and has been converted to Equity Interests in accordance with its terms and such conversion is not prohibited hereunder; or
(g) any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary (i) files, or consents by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law of any applicable jurisdiction, (ii) makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, (iv) is adjudicated as insolvent or to be liquidated, or (v) takes corporate action for the purpose of any of the foregoing; or
(h) a court or other Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction enters an order appointing, without consent by any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary, a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, or constituting an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or reorganization or any other petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any applicable jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of any Obligor or any of its Material Subsidiaries, or any such petition shall be filed against any Obligor or any of its Material Subsidiaries and such petition shall not be dismissed within 60 days; or
(i) any event occurs with respect to any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary which under any Debtor Relief Law is analogous to any of the events described in Section 11(g) or Section 11(h), provided that the applicable grace period, if any, which shall apply shall be the one applicable to the relevant proceeding which most closely corresponds to the proceeding described in Section 11(g) or Section 11(h); or
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(j) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money aggregating (to the extent not covered by insurance or third-party indemnities as to which the relevant insurance company or third party has not denied coverage) in excess of $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment), including any such final order enforcing a binding arbitration decision, are rendered against one or more of the Group Members and which judgments are not, within 60 days after entry thereof, bonded, discharged or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged within 60 days after the expiration of such stay or (ii) one or more non-monetary final judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Group Member that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and there is a period of 45 consecutive days during which such judgment or decree is not vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal and, in either case, enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree; or
(k) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(l) this Agreement shall cease to be in full force and effect, any Obligor or any Person acting on behalf of any Obligor shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of this Agreement, or the obligations of any Obligor under this Agreement are not or cease to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof.
SECTION 12. REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC.
Section 12.1. Acceleration. (a) If an Event of Default with respect to any Obligor described in Section 11(g), (h) or (i) has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.
(b) If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Holders may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.
(c) If any Event of Default described in Section 11(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of Default may at any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable.
Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 12.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus (x) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including interest accrued thereon at the Default Rate), (y) the Make-Whole Amount determined in respect of such principal amount and (z) with respect to any Swapped Notes, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived. The Obligors acknowledge, and the parties hereto agree, that each holder of a Note has the right to maintain its investment in the Notes free from repayment by the Obligors (except as herein specifically provided for) and that the provision for payment of a Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, by the Obligors in the event that the Notes are prepaid or are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, is intended to provide compensation for the deprivation of such right under such circumstances.
Section 12.2. Other Remedies. If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 12.1, the holder of any Note at the time outstanding may proceed to protect and enforce the rights of such holder by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in any Note, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.
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Section 12.3. Rescission. At any time after any Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1(b) or (c), the Required Holders, by written notice to the Company, may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (a) such Issuer has paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Notes and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on any Swapped Notes, that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (b) neither the Company nor any other Person shall have paid any amounts which have become due solely by reason of such declaration, (c) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 17, and (d) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to the Notes. No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 12.4. No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc. No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any holder of any Note in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such holders rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement or any Note upon any holder thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the obligations of the Company under Section 16, the Company will pay to the holder of each Note on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of such holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including reasonable attorneys fees, expenses and disbursements.
SECTION 13. TAX INDEMNIFICATION; FATCA INFORMATION.
(a) All payments whatsoever under this Agreement and the Notes will be made by the Obligors in lawful currency of the Applicable Currency free and clear of, and without liability for withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present or future Taxes of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction in which the Obligors (as applicable) are incorporated, organized, managed or controlled or otherwise resides for tax purposes or where a branch or office through which the Obligor (as applicable) are acting for purposes of this Agreement and the Notes is located or from or through which the Obligors (as applicable) are making any payment (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in such jurisdiction) (hereinafter a Taxing Jurisdiction), unless the withholding or deduction of such Tax is compelled by law.
(b) If any deduction or withholding for any Tax of a Taxing Jurisdiction shall at any time be required in respect of any amounts to be paid by such Obligor under this Agreement or the Notes, such Obligor will pay to the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction the full amount required to be withheld, deducted or otherwise paid before penalties attach thereto or interest accrues thereon and pay to each holder of a Note such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amounts paid to such holder pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Notes after such deduction, withholding or payment (including any required deduction or withholding of Tax on or with respect to such additional amount), shall be not less than the amounts then due and payable to such holder under the terms of this Agreement or the Notes before the assessment of such Tax, provided that no payment of any additional amounts shall be required to be made for or on account of:
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(i) any Tax that (A) is imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes as a result of such holder being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or applicable lending office located in, the Taxing Jurisdiction or (B) would not have been imposed but for the existence of any present or former connection between such holder (or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member of, shareholder of, or possessor of a power over, such holder, if such holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation or any Person other than the holder to whom the Notes or any amount payable thereon is attributable for the purposes of such Tax) and the Taxing Jurisdiction, other than the mere holding of the relevant Note or the receipt of payments thereunder or in respect thereof or the exercise of remedies in respect thereof, including such holder (or such other Person described in the above parenthetical) being or having been a citizen or resident thereof, or being or having been present or engaged in trade or business therein or having or having had an establishment, office, fixed base or branch therein, provided that this exclusion shall not apply with respect to a Tax that would not have been imposed but for any Obligor, after the date of the Closing, opening an office in, moving an office to, reincorporating in, or changing the Taxing Jurisdiction from or through which payments on account of this Agreement or the Notes are made to, the Taxing Jurisdiction imposing the relevant Tax;
(ii) any Tax that would not have been imposed but for the delay or failure by such holder (following a written request by the Company) in the filing with the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction of Forms (as defined below) that are required to be filed by such holder to avoid or reduce such Taxes (including for such purpose any refilings or renewals of filings that may from time to time be required by the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction), provided that the filing of such Forms would not (in such holders reasonable judgment) impose any unreasonable burden (in time, resources or otherwise) on such holder or result in any confidential or proprietary income tax return information being revealed, either directly or indirectly, to any Person and such delay or failure could have been lawfully avoided by such holder, and provided further that such holder shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this clause (b)(ii) upon the good faith completion and submission of such Forms (including refilings or renewals of filings) as may be specified in a written request of the Company no later than 60 days after receipt by such holder of such written request (accompanied by copies of such Forms and related instructions, if any, all in the English language or with an English translation thereof);
(iii) any withholding Taxes imposed on an amount payable to or for the account of such holder with respect to the relevant Note pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which such holder acquires the relevant Note, except to the extent that, pursuant to this Section 13, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable to such holders assignor immediately before such holder acquired the relevant Note;
(iv) any Taxes imposed under FATCA;
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(v) any Taxes imposed pursuant to the Dutch Withholding Tax Act 2021 (Wet bronbelasting 2021) in the form as at the date of this Agreement;
(vi) any Taxes assessed on a holder under the laws of the Netherlands, if and to the extent such Taxes become payable as a result of such holder having a substantial interest (aanmerkelijk belang) as defined in the Dutch Income Tax Act 2021 (Wet inkomstenbelasting 2001) in a Dutch Obligor; or
(vii) any combination of clauses (i) through (vi) above;
provided further that in no event shall any Obligor be obligated to pay such additional amounts to any holder (i) not resident in the United States of America or any other jurisdiction in which an original Purchaser is resident for tax purposes on the date of the Closing in excess of the amounts that such Obligor would be obligated to pay if such holder had been a resident of the United States of America or such other jurisdiction, as applicable, for purposes of, and eligible for the benefits of, any double taxation treaty from time to time in effect between the United States of America or such other jurisdiction and the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or (ii) registered in the name of a nominee if under the law of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (or the current regulatory interpretation of such law) securities held in the name of a nominee do not qualify for an exemption from the relevant Tax and the Company shall have given timely notice of such law or interpretation to such holder.
(c) By acceptance of any Note, the holder of such Note agrees, subject to the limitations of clause (b)(ii) above, that it will from time to time with reasonable promptness (x) duly complete and deliver to or as reasonably directed by the Company all such forms, certificates, documents and returns provided to such holder by the Company (collectively, together with instructions for completing the same, Forms) required to be filed by or on behalf of such holder in order to avoid or reduce any such Tax pursuant to the provisions of an applicable statute, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or of a tax treaty between the United States or other applicable jurisdiction and such Taxing Jurisdiction and (y) provide the Company with such information with respect to such holder as the Company may reasonably request in order to complete any such Forms, provided that nothing in this Section 13 shall require any holder to provide information with respect to any such Form or otherwise if in the opinion of such holder such Form or disclosure of information would involve the disclosure of tax return or other information that is confidential or proprietary to such holder, and provided further that each such holder shall be deemed to have complied with its obligation under this paragraph with respect to any Form if such Form shall have been duly completed and delivered by such holder to the Company or mailed to the appropriate taxing authority, whichever is applicable, within 60 days following a written request of the Company (which request shall be accompanied by copies of such Form and English translations of any such Form not in the English language) and, in the case of a transfer of any Note, at least 90 days prior to the relevant interest payment date.
(d) On or before the date of the Closing the Company will furnish each Purchaser with copies of the appropriate Form (and English translation if required as aforesaid) currently required to be filed in the applicable Taxing Jurisdiction pursuant to Section 13(b)(ii), if any, and in connection with the transfer of any Note the Company will furnish the transferee of such Note with copies of any Form and English translation then required.
(e) If any payment is made by any Obligor to or for the account of the holder of any Note after deduction for or on account of any Taxes, and increased payments are made by such Obligor pursuant to this Section 13, then, if such holder at its sole discretion determines that it has received or been granted a refund of such Taxes, such holder shall, to the extent that it can do so without prejudice to the retention of the amount of such refund, reimburse to such Obligor such amount as such holder shall, in its sole
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discretion, determine to be attributable to the relevant Taxes or deduction or withholding. Nothing herein contained shall interfere with the right of the holder of any Note to arrange its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit and, in particular, no holder of any Note shall be under any obligation to claim relief from its corporate profits or similar tax liability in respect of such Tax in priority to any other claims, reliefs, credits or deductions available to it or (other than as set forth in Section 13(b)(ii)) oblige any holder of any Note to disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any computations in respect thereof.
(f) The Company will furnish the holders of Notes, promptly and in any event within 60 days after the date of any payment by an Obligor of any Tax in respect of any amounts paid under this Agreement or the Notes, the original tax receipt issued by the relevant taxation or other authorities involved for all amounts paid as aforesaid (or if such original tax receipt is not available or must legally be kept in the possession of such Obligor, a duly certified copy of the original tax receipt or any other reasonably satisfactory evidence of payment), together with such other documentary evidence with respect to such payments as may be reasonably requested from time to time by any holder of a Note.
(g) If an Obligor is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of the taxation or other authority of any relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, to make any deduction or withholding of any Tax in respect of which such Obligor would be required to pay any additional amount under this Section 13, but for any reason does not make such deduction or withholding with the result that a liability in respect of such Tax is assessed directly against the holder of any Note, and such holder pays such liability, then such Obligor will promptly reimburse such holder for such payment (including any related interest or penalties to the extent such interest or penalties arise by virtue of a default or delay by such Obligor) upon demand by such holder accompanied by an official receipt (or a duly certified copy thereof) issued by the taxation or other authority of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction.
(h) If an Obligor makes payment to or for the account of any holder of a Note and such holder is entitled to a refund of the Tax to which such payment is attributable upon the making of a filing (other than a Form described above), then such holder shall, as soon as practicable after receiving written request from the Company (which shall specify in reasonable detail and supply the refund forms to be filed) use reasonable efforts to complete and deliver such refund forms to or as directed by the Company, subject, however, to the same limitations with respect to Forms as are set forth above.
(i) The obligations of the Obligors under this Section 13 shall survive the payment or transfer of any Note and the provisions of this Section 13 shall also apply to successive transferees of the Notes.
(j) By acceptance of any Note, the holder of such Note agrees that such holder will with reasonable promptness duly complete and deliver to the Company, or to such other Person as may be reasonably requested by the Company, from time to time (i) in the case of any such holder that is a United States Person, such holders United States tax identification number or other Forms reasonably requested by the Company necessary to establish such holders status as a United States Person under FATCA and as may otherwise be necessary for the Obligors to comply with their obligations under FATCA and (ii) in the case of any such holder that is not a United States Person, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation as may be necessary for the Obligors to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such holder has complied with such holders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount (if any) to deduct and withhold from any such payment made to such holder. Nothing in this Section 13(j) shall require any holder to provide information that is confidential or proprietary to such holder unless the Obligors are required to obtain such information under FATCA and, in such event, the Obligors shall treat any such information it receives as confidential.
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SECTION 14. REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES.
Section 14.1. Registration of Notes. The Company shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes. The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. If any holder of one or more Notes is a nominee, then (a) the name and address of the beneficial owner of such Note or Notes shall also be registered in such register as an owner and holder thereof and (b) at any such beneficial owners option, either such beneficial owner or its nominee may execute any amendment, waiver or consent pursuant to this Agreement. The entries in the register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. The Company shall give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes.
Section 14.2. Transfer and Exchange of Notes. Upon surrender of any Note to the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(iii)), for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the relevant name, address and other information for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), within 10 Business Days thereafter, the applicable issuer of such Note shall execute and deliver, at the Obligors expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes (as requested by the holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Schedule 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, 1-D, 1-E or 1-F as applicable. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than $100,000, 100,000 or £100,000, as applicable, provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a denomination of less than $100,000, 100,000 or £100,000, as applicable. Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representation set forth in Section 6.2.
Section 14.3. Replacement of Notes. Upon receipt by the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 19(iii)) of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and
(a) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, an original Purchaser or another holder of a Note with a minimum net worth of at least $50,000,000 or a Qualified Institutional Buyer, such Persons own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or
(b) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,
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within 10 Business Days thereafter, the Company at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a replacement Note, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.
SECTION 15. PAYMENTS ON NOTES.
Section 15.1. Place of Payment. Subject to Section 15.2, payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made by the Issuers in lawful currency of the Applicable Currency in New York, New York at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. in such jurisdiction. The Company may at any time, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either the principal office of the Company in such jurisdiction or the principal office of a bank or trust company in such jurisdiction.
Section 15.2. Payment by Wire Transfer. So long as any Purchaser or its nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 15.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Issuers will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, interest and all other amounts becoming due hereunder by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below such Purchasers name in the Purchaser Schedule, or by such other method or at such other address as such Purchaser shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section 15.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by a Purchaser or its nominee, such Purchaser will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a new Note or Notes pursuant to Section 14.2. The Company will afford the benefits of this Section 15.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by a Purchaser under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as the Purchasers have made in this Section 15.2.
SECTION 16. EXPENSES, ETC.
Section 16.1. Transaction Expenses ; Indemnity. (a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Obligors will pay all costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys fees of one special counsel for the holders, taken as a whole, and, if reasonably required by the Required Holders, one local or other counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction for the holders, taken as a whole) incurred by the Purchasers and each other holder of a Note in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments, waivers or consents under or in respect of this Agreement or the Notes (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent becomes effective), including: (a) the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights under this Agreement or the Notes or in responding to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with this Agreement or the Notes, or by reason of being a holder of any Note, (b) the costs and expenses, including fees of on financial advisor for all the Purchasers and the holders of the Notes, as a whole, incurred in connection with the insolvency or bankruptcy of any Obligor or any Subsidiary or in connection
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with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Notes and (c) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Agreement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO provided, that such costs and expenses under this clause (c) shall not exceed $5,000 per series of Notes. If required by the NAIC, each Issuer shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI).
(b) The Obligors will pay, and will save each Purchaser and each other holder of a Note harmless from, (i) all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses, if any, of brokers and finders (other than those, if any, retained by a Purchaser or other holder in connection with its purchase of the Notes), (ii) any and all wire transfer fees that any bank or other financial institution deducts from any payment under such Note to such holder or otherwise charges to a holder of a Note with respect to a payment under such Note, provided such holder shall have submitted a request for such deducted amount within 30 days of the receipt of the related payment under its Note and (iii) any judgment, liability, claim, order, decree, fine, penalty, cost, fee, expense (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) or obligation resulting from the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the use of the proceeds of the Notes by the Company.
Section 16.2. Certain Taxes. The Obligors agree to pay all stamp, documentary or similar taxes or fees which may be payable in respect of the execution and delivery or the enforcement of this Agreement or the execution and delivery (but not the transfer) or the enforcement of any of the Notes in the United States or any other jurisdiction of organization of any Obligor or any other jurisdiction where any Obligor has assets or of any amendment of, or waiver or consent under or with respect to, this Agreement or of any of the Notes, and to pay any value added tax due and payable in respect of reimbursement of costs and expenses by the Company pursuant to this Section 16 to the extent the relevant Purchaser or holder of a Note (as the case may be) determines that such value added tax is otherwise irrecoverable by such Purchaser or holder of a Note or Affiliate thereof, and will save each holder of a Note to the extent permitted by applicable law harmless against any loss or liability resulting from nonpayment or delay in payment of any such tax or fee required to be paid by the Company hereunder.
Section 16.3. Survival. The obligations of the Obligors under this Section 16 will survive the payment or transfer of any Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the Notes, and the termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 17. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Notes, the purchase or transfer by any Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of such Purchaser or any other holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties of such Obligor under this Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement and the Notes embody the entire agreement and understanding among each Purchaser and the Obligors and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
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SECTION 18. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.
Section 18.1. Requirements. This Agreement and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Obligors and the Required Holders, except that:
(a) no amendment or waiver of any of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 22 hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), will be effective as to any Purchaser unless consented to by such Purchaser in writing; and
(b) no amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of each Purchaser and the holder of each Note at the time outstanding, (i) subject to Section 12 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of (x) interest on the Notes or (y) the Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, (ii) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment or waiver or the principal amount of the Notes that the Purchasers are to purchase pursuant to Section 2 upon the satisfaction of the conditions to Closing that appear in Section 4, or (iii) amend any of Sections 8 (except as set forth in the second sentence of Section 8.2), 11(a), 11(b), 12, 18, 21 or 23.1, or any defined term as used in such Sections.
Section 18.2. Solicitation of Holders of Notes.
(a) Solicitation. The Company will provide each Purchaser and each holder of a Note with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such Purchaser and such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof or of the Notes. The Company will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to this Section 18 to each Purchaser and each holder of a Note promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite Purchasers or holders of Notes.
(b) Payment. None of the Obligors will directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any Purchaser or holder of a Note as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by such Purchaser or holder of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof or of any Note unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each Purchaser and each holder of a Note even if such Purchaser or holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.
(c) Consent in Contemplation of Transfer. Any consent given pursuant to this Section 18 by a holder of a Note that has transferred or has agreed to transfer its Note to (i) any Issuer, (ii) Holdings, (iii) any Subsidiary or (iv) any other Affiliate of the Obligors or (v) any other Person in connection with, or in anticipation of, such other Person acquiring, making a tender offer for or merging with any Obligor and/or any of its Affiliates, in each case in connection with such consent, shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder, and any amendments effected or waivers granted or to be effected or granted that would not have been or would not be so effected or granted but for such consent (and the consents of all other holders of Notes that were acquired under the same or similar conditions) shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder.
Section 18.3. Binding Effect, Etc. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 18 applies equally to all Purchasers and holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon each Obligor without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between the Obligors and any Purchaser or holder of a Note and no delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any Purchaser or holder of such Note.
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Section 18.4. Notes Held by Company, Etc. Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in any Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.
SECTION 19. NOTICES; ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
(a) Except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 7.4, all notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by facsimile or electronic transmission if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by an internationally recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), or (b) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid), or (c) by an internationally recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent:
(i) if to any Purchaser or its nominee, to such Purchaser or nominee at the address specified for such communications in the Purchaser Schedule, or at such other address as such Purchaser or nominee shall have specified to the Company in writing,
(ii) if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Company in writing, or
(iii) if to any Obligor, to the Company at its address set forth at the beginning hereof to the attention of Treasurer, or at such other address as such Issuer or Holdings shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing, with a copy to a copy to Lineage Logistics, LLC Attn: Legal Department, 1 Park Plaza, Suite 550, Irvine, CA 92614.
Notices under this Section 19 will be deemed given only when actually received.
(b) Each document, instrument, financial statement, report, notice or other communication delivered in connection with this Agreement shall be in English or accompanied by an English translation thereof.
(c) This Agreement and the Notes have been prepared and signed in English and the parties hereto agree that the English version hereof and thereof (to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law) shall be the only version valid for the purpose of the interpretation and construction hereof and thereof notwithstanding the preparation of any translation into another language hereof or thereof, whether official or otherwise or whether prepared in relation to any proceedings which may be brought in the Netherlands or any other jurisdiction in respect hereof or thereof.
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SECTION 20. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS.
This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by any Purchaser at the Closing (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to any Purchaser, may be reproduced by such Purchaser by any photographic, photostatic, electronic, digital, or other similar process and such Purchaser may destroy any original document so reproduced. The Obligors agree and stipulate that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Purchaser in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 19 shall not prohibit the Issuers, Holdings or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.
SECTION 21. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
For the purposes of this Section 21, Confidential Information means information delivered to any Purchaser by or on behalf of the Company, Holdings or any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and (i) that was clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by such Purchaser as being confidential information of the Company, Holdings or such Subsidiary or (ii) that a reasonable person would expect to be treated as confidential under the circumstances of its disclosure, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to such Purchaser prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Purchaser or any Person acting on such Purchasers behalf, (c) otherwise becomes known to such Purchaser other than through disclosure by the Company, Holdings or any Subsidiary or (d) constitutes financial statements delivered to such Purchaser under Section 7.1 that are otherwise publicly available. Each Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in accordance with procedures adopted by such Purchaser in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Purchaser, and agrees to, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law from doing so, give the Company prompt written notice of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information, and assist the Company in remedying any such unauthorized use or disclosure, provided that such Purchaser may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, trustees and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by its Notes and such recipient is notified of its obligation to maintain confidentiality of such information), (ii) its auditors, financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with this Section 21, (iii) any other holder of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor to which it sells or offers to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by this Section 21), (v) any Person from which it offers to purchase any Security of Holdings or the Company (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by this Section 20), (vi) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Purchaser, (vii) the NAIC or the SVO or, in each case, any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about such Purchasers investment portfolio, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Purchaser, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which such Purchaser is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Purchaser may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Purchasers Notes or this Agreement and, in the event Confidential Information is so required to be disclosed pursuant to any of the foregoing clauses (w), (x) or (y), the applicable Purchaser agrees to disclose such required Confidential Information to the minimum extent required and (other than at the request of a regulatory authority,
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governmental agency or pursuant to a broad based subpoena or similar discovery process, in each case, not directly related to any Obligor or the transactions contemplated hereby), such Purchaser shall provide the Company with prompt written notice (unless such notification shall be prohibited by applicable law or legal process) of such permitted disclosure. To the extent that any breach of terms of this Section 21 occurs, the Purchaser that has breached this Section 21 agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Company in restricting or preventing such further breaches. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 21 as though it were a party to this Agreement. On reasonable request by the Company or Holdings in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder (other than a holder that is a party to this Agreement or its nominee), such holder will enter into an agreement with the Company or Holdings embodying this Section 21.
In the event that as a condition to receiving access to information relating to Holdings, the Company or their Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, any Purchaser or holder of a Note is required to agree to a confidentiality undertaking (whether through IntraLinks, another secure website, a secure virtual workspace or otherwise) which is different from this Section 21, this Section 21 shall not be amended thereby and, as between such Purchaser or such holder and the Company or Holdings, as applicable, this Section 21 shall supersede any such other confidentiality undertaking.
SECTION 22. SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER.
Each Purchaser shall have the right to substitute any one of its Affiliates or another Purchaser or any one of such other Purchasers Affiliates (a Substitute Purchaser) as the purchaser of the Notes that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, by written notice to the Company, which notice shall be signed by both such Purchaser and such Substitute Purchaser, shall contain such Substitute Purchasers agreement to be bound by this Agreement and shall contain a confirmation by such Substitute Purchaser of the accuracy with respect to it of the representations set forth in Section 6. Upon receipt of such notice, any reference to such Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 22), shall be deemed to refer to such Substitute Purchaser in lieu of such original Purchaser. In the event that such Substitute Purchaser is so substituted as a Purchaser hereunder and such Substitute Purchaser thereafter transfers to such original Purchaser all of the Notes then held by such Substitute Purchaser, upon receipt by the Company of notice of such transfer, any reference to such Substitute Purchaser as a Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 22), shall no longer be deemed to refer to such Substitute Purchaser, but shall refer to such original Purchaser, and such original Purchaser shall again have all the rights of an original holder of the Notes under this Agreement.
SECTION 23. MISCELLANEOUS.
Section 23.1. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not, except that, subject to Section 10.2, no Obligor may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or (in the case of the Issuers) under the Notes without the prior written consent of each holder. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
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Section 23.2. Accounting Terms. All accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this Agreement have the meanings respectively given to them in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, (i) all computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with GAAP and (ii) all financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement (including Section 9, Section 10 and the definition of Indebtedness), any election by the Company or Holdings to measure any financial liability using fair value (as permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 825-10-25 Fair Value Option, International Accounting Standard 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or any similar accounting standard) shall be disregarded and such determination shall be made as if such election had not been made.
Section 23.3. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that 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 (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 23.4. Construction, Etc. Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.
Defined terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein) and, for purposes of the Notes, shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 14, (b) subject to Section 23.1, any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, (c) the words herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Sections and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Sections of, and Schedules to, this Agreement, and (e) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
Section 23.5. Counterparts; Electronic 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. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto. The parties agree to electronic contracting and signatures with respect to this Agreement. Delivery of an electronic signature to, or a signed copy of, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be fully binding on the parties to the same extent as the delivery of the signed originals and shall be admissible into evidence for all purposes. The words execution, execute, signed, signature and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Company, 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
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Section 23.6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
Section 23.7. Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) Each of the Obligors irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Notes. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Obligors irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(b) Each of the Obligors agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that a final judgment in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 23.7(a) brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon it subject to rights of appeal, as the case may be, and may be enforced in the courts of the United States of America or the State of New York (or any other courts to the jurisdiction of which it or any of its assets is or may be subject) by a suit upon such judgment.
(c) Each of the Obligors consents to process being served by or on behalf of any holder of Notes in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 23.7(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered, certified, priority or express mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, return receipt or delivery confirmation requested, to it at its address specified in Section 19, to Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377, as its agent for the purpose of accepting service of any process in the United States, with a copy to a copy to Lineage Logistics, LLC Attn: Legal Department, 1 Park Plaza, Suite 550, Irvine, CA 92614. Each of the Obligors agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it. Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service.
(d) Nothing in this Section 23.7 shall affect the right of any holder of a Note to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders of any of the Notes may have to bring proceedings against the Obligors in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.
(e) Each Obligor hereby irrevocably appoints Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377 to receive for it, and on its behalf, service of process in the United States, from the Closing Date through August 20, 2032. Lineage Logistics, LLC hereby accepts its irrevocable appointment as agent for service of process for each Obligor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(f) THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT ON OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH.
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Section 23.8. Obligation to Make Payments in Applicable Currency. (a) Any payment by an Obligor on account of an amount that is payable hereunder or under a Note in the Applicable Currency that is made to or for the account of any holder of such Note in any other currency, whether as a result of any judgment or order or the enforcement thereof or the liquidation of such Obligor, shall constitute a discharge of the obligation of such Obligor under this Agreement or the Notes, as the case may be, only to the extent of the amount of the Applicable Currency that such holder could purchase in the foreign exchange markets in London, England, with the amount of such other currency in accordance with normal banking procedures at the rate of exchange prevailing on the London Banking Day following receipt of the payment first referred to above. If the amount of the Applicable Currency that could be so purchased is less than the amount of the Applicable Currency originally due to such holder, the Obligors agree to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and save harmless such holder from and against all loss or damage arising out of or as a result of such deficiency.
(b) Any payment under any provision of this Agreement (other than as otherwise specified in Section 23.8(a)) shall be in U.S. Dollars and any such payment made in any other currency, whether as a result of any judgment or order or the enforcement thereof or the liquidation of either Obligor, shall constitute a discharge of the obligation of the relevant Obligor hereunder only to the extent of the amount of US Dollars that the relevant holder of Notes could purchase in the foreign exchange markets in London, England, with the amount of such other currency in accordance with normal banking procedures at the rate of exchange prevailing on the London Banking Day following receipt of the payment first referred to above. If the amount of US Dollars that could be so purchased is less than the amount of US Dollars originally due to such holder, the Obligors agree to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and save harmless such holder from and against all loss or damage arising out of or as a result of such deficiency.
(c) The indemnities contained in the foregoing clauses (a) an (b) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, constitute obligations separate and independent from the other obligations contained in this Agreement and the Notes, as the case may be, shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by such holder from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum in respect of an amount due hereunder or under the Notes or under any judgment or order. As used herein the term London Banking Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in London, England.
Section 23.9. Exchange Rate. For the purpose of (a) determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding have approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in the Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, the principal amount of any outstanding Series C Notes, Series D Notes, Series E Notes or Series F Notes, as applicable, shall be deemed to be the equivalent amount in U.S. Dollars calculated by converting such principal amount of such Notes into U.S. Dollars at a rate of exchange of US$1.00 = 0.8524, or US$1.00 = £0.7218, as applicable, and (b) allocating any partial prepayment of Notes or offer of partial prepayment of Notes pursuant to Section 8.5, the principal amount of any outstanding Series C Notes, Series D Notes, Series E Notes or Series F Notes, as applicable, shall be deemed to be the equivalent amount in U.S. Dollars calculated by converting such principal amount at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day immediately preceding the date of the relevant written notice of prepayment or purchase, as the case may be.
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Section 23.10. Guernsey Terms. In this Agreement, where it relates to the any Obligor organized in the island of Guernsey, a reference to: (a) a liquidator, trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer includes the HM Sheriff of the Royal Court of Guernsey or any other person performing the same function of the foregoing; (b) any analogous procedure or step being taken under any Debtor Relief Law in Guernsey includes: (i) any step taken in connection with the commencement of proceedings towards the making of a declaration that the affairs of the such Guernsey Obligor are en désastre (or the making of such a declaration); (ii) any step is taken in connection with the commencement of proceedings towards the making of an application for a preliminary vesting order in saisie proceedings in Guernsey in respect of any realty of such Guernsey Obligor (or the making of such a preliminary vesting order); and (c) any insolvency, winding-up, administration or similar proceedings includes any procedure or proceedings referred to in Parts XXI and XXIII of The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 as amended.
SECTION 24. JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGORS .
Section 24.1. US Joint and Several Liability. (a) Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate hereby agrees it is jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably liable (together with each of the respective Issuers) to each of the holders for:
(i) the full and prompt payment of the principal of, interest, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on the Notes when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and the prompt payment of all sums that are now or will hereafter become due and owing under the Notes or this Agreement;
(ii) the payment of all US Joint and Several Enforcement Costs (as defined in Section 24.4 below); and
(iii) the full, complete, and punctual observance, performance, and satisfaction of all of the obligations, duties, covenants, and agreements of the Issuers under this Agreement.
All amounts due, debts, liabilities, and payment obligations described in subparagraph (i) of this Section 24.1(a) are referred to herein as the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness. All obligations described in this Section 24.1(a) are referred to herein as the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
(b) In the event of any default by any Issuer in making payment of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, or in performance of the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations, as aforesaid, in each case beyond the expiration of any applicable grace period, Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate agrees, on demand by the holders, to pay all the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and to perform all the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations as are then or thereafter become due and owing or are to be performed under the terms of the Notes and this Agreement.
(c) Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate does hereby waive (i) any and all notices and demands of every kind that may be required to be given by any law, (ii) any defense or right of set-off that it may have against the Issuers or that it or the Issuers may have against any holder of a Note, (iii) presentment for payment, demand for payment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b) above), notice of nonpayment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b) above) or dishonor, protest and notice of protest, diligence in collection and any and all formalities that otherwise might be legally required to charge Holdings, the Company or such US Obligor Affiliate with liability, (iv) any defense based on the failure by the holders to inform it of any fact that the holders may now or hereafter know about the Issuers, the Notes, this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, it being understood and agreed that the holders have no duty so to inform and that Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate is fully responsible for being and remaining informed by the Issuers of all circumstances bearing on the
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existence or creation, or the risk of nonpayment of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the risk of nonperformance of the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations, and (v) any and all right to cause a marshalling of assets of the Issuers or any other action by any court or governmental body with respect thereto, or to cause the holders to proceed against any other security given another holder in connection with the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations. The holders shall have no obligation to disclose or discuss with Holdings such holders assessment of the financial condition of the Issuers. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate acknowledges that no representations of any kind whatsoever have been made by the holders to Holdings, except as expressly set forth in Section 6 herein.
(d) Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate further agrees that its liability as joint and several obligors shall in no way be impaired by any renewals or extensions that may be made from time to time, with or without the knowledge or consent of Holdings, the Company or such US Obligor Affiliate of the time for payment of interest or principal under a Note, any Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or any Swap Breakage Loss or by any forbearance or delay in collecting interest or principal under a Note, or by any waiver by any holder, or by any holders failure or election not to pursue any other remedies it may have against the Issuers, or by any change or modification in a Note or this Agreement, or by the acceptance by any holder of any security or any increase, substitution or change therein, or by the release by any holder of any security or any withdrawal thereof or decrease therein, or by the application of payments received from any source to the payment of any obligation other than the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, (unless such payment was expressly directed to be applied to the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and such direction was made in accordance with this Agreement) even though a holder may lawfully have elected to apply such payments to any part or all of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, it being the intent hereof that Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate shall remain liable as principal for payment of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and performance of the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations until all Indebtedness has been paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations) and the other terms, covenants and conditions of the this Agreement, the Notes, and this Section 24 have been performed. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate further understands and agrees that the holders may at any time enter into agreements with the Issuers to amend or modify a Note or this Agreement and may waive or release any provision or provisions of a Note or this Agreement and, with reference to such instruments, may make and enter into any such agreement or agreements as the holders and the Issuers, Holdings and Obligor Affiliates may deem proper and desirable, without in any manner impairing the guaranty in this Section 24 or any of the holders rights hereunder or any of Holdingss, the Companys or such US Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24.
Section 24.2. Foreign Joint and Several Liability. (a)The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate hereby agrees it is jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably liable (together with each of the respective Issuers) to each of the holders for:
(i) the full and prompt payment of the principal of, interest, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on the Foreign Currency Notes when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and the prompt payment of all sums that are now or will hereafter become due and owing under the Foreign Currency Notes or this Agreement;
(ii) the payment of all Foreign Joint and Several Enforcement Costs (as defined in Section 24.4 below); and
(iii) the full, complete, and punctual observance, performance, and satisfaction of all of the obligations, duties, covenants, and agreements of the EUR Issuer under this Agreement.
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All amounts due, debts, liabilities, and payment obligations described in subparagraph (i) of this Section 24.2(a) are referred to herein as the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness. All obligations described in this Section 24.2(a) are referred to herein as the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
(b) In the event of any default by the EUR Issuer in making payment of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, or in performance of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations, as aforesaid, in each case beyond the expiration of any applicable grace period, the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate agrees, on demand by the holders, to pay all the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and to perform all the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations as are then or thereafter become due and owing or are to be performed under the terms of the Foreign Currency Notes and this Agreement.
(c) The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate does hereby waive (i) any and all notices and demands of every kind that may be required to be given by any law, (ii) any defense or right of set-off that it may have against the EUR Issuer or that it or the EUR Issuer may have against any holder of a Foreign Currency Note, (iii) presentment for payment, demand for payment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b) above), notice of nonpayment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b) above) or dishonor, protest and notice of protest, diligence in collection and any and all formalities that otherwise might be legally required to charge the EUR Issuer or such Foreign Obligor Affiliate with liability, (iv) any defense based on the failure by the holders to inform it of any fact that the holders may now or hereafter know about the EUR Issuer, the Foreign Currency Notes, this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, it being understood and agreed that the holders have no duty so to inform and that the EUR Issuer and Foreign Obligor Affiliates are fully responsible for being and remaining informed by the EUR Issuer of all circumstances bearing on the existence or creation, or the risk of nonpayment of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the risk of nonperformance of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations, and (v) any and all right to cause a marshalling of assets of the EUR Issuer or any other action by any court or governmental body with respect thereto, or to cause the holders to proceed against any other security given another holder in connection with the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations. The holders shall have no obligation to disclose or discuss with the EUR Issuer or any Foreign Obligor Affiliate such holders assessment of the financial condition of the EUR Issuer. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate acknowledges that no representations of any kind whatsoever have been made by the holders to the EUR Issuer or any Foreign obligor Affiliate, except as expressly set forth in Section 6 herein.
(d) The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate further agrees that its liability as joint and several obligors shall in no way be impaired by any renewals or extensions that may be made from time to time, with or without the knowledge or consent of the EUR Issuer or such Foreign Obligor Affiliate of the time for payment of interest or principal under a Foreign Currency Note, any Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or any Swap Breakage Loss or by any forbearance or delay in collecting interest or principal under a Foreign Currency Note, or by any waiver by any holder, or by any holders failure or election not to pursue any other remedies it may have against the EUR Issuer, or by any change or modification in a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement, or by the acceptance by any holder of any security or any increase, substitution or change therein, or by the release by any holder of any security or any withdrawal thereof or decrease therein, or by the application of payments received from any source to the payment of any obligation other than the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, (unless such payment was expressly directed to be applied to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and such direction was made in accordance with this Agreement) even though a holder may lawfully have elected to apply such payments to any part or all of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, it being the intent hereof that the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate shall remain liable as principal for payment of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and performance of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations until all Indebtedness has been paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations) and the other terms,
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covenants and conditions of the this Agreement, the Foreign Currency Notes, and this Section 24 have been performed. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate further understands and agrees that the holders may at any time enter into agreements with the EUR Issuer to amend or modify a Foreign Currency Note, or this Agreement and may waive or release any provision or provisions of a Note or this Agreement and, with reference to such instruments, may make and enter into any such agreement or agreements as the holders, the Issuers, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates may deem proper and desirable, without in any manner impairing the guaranty in this Section 24 or any of the holders rights hereunder or any of the EUR Issuers or any of the Foreign Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement and in particular this Section 24, the obligations expressed to be assumed in this Agreement and in particular this Section 24 (a) shall be deemed not to be assumed by a Danish Obligor Affiliate or by a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Danish Obligor Affiliate (and any security or guarantee created in relation thereto shall be limited) if and to the extent required to comply with Danish statutory provisions on unlawful financial assistance including, but not limited to, sections 206 through 212 of the Danish Companies Act (in Danish: selskabsloven) as amended and supplemented from time to time and (b) shall, in relation to obligations not incurred as a result of borrowings under the Principal Credit Facility by the Danish Obligor Affiliate, further be limited to an amount equal to the greater of (A) the equity of the Danish Obligor Affiliate at the date of this Agreement or, as the case may be, the date of the Danish Obligor Affiliates accession to this Agreement and (B) the equity at the date when a claim for payment is made against the Danish Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement, in each case calculated in accordance with the Danish Obligor Affiliates generally accepted accounting principles at the relevant time (including, if applied by the Danish Obligor Affiliate, IFRS), however, adjusted upwards by adding back obligations (in the amounts outstanding at the time when a claim for payment is made) of the Danish Obligor Affiliate (and its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) in respect of any intercompany loan owing by the Danish Obligor Affiliate (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) to a Borrower (as defined in the Principal Credit Facility) and originally borrowed by that Borrower under the Principal Credit Facility and on-lent (directly or indirectly) by that Borrower to the Danish Obligor Affiliate (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) provided always that any payment made by the Danish Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement in respect of such liabilities shall reduce pro tanto the outstanding amount of the intercompany loan owing by the Danish Obligor Affiliate (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries). The above limitations shall apply to any security by guarantee, indemnity, collateral or otherwise and to subordination of rights and claims, subordination or turnover of rights of recourse, application of proceeds and any other means of direct and indirect financial assistance.
(f) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the obligations expressed to be assumed in this Agreement by a Foreign Obligor Affiliate incorporated in Norway (each a Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate) shall be limited if (and only if) required by the mandatory provisions of the Norwegian Limited Companies Act of 13 June 1997 No. 44 (Nw. aksjeloven) (the Norwegian Companies Act), including Sections 8-7 and 8-10 cf. Sections 1-3, regulating unlawful financial assistance and other restrictions on a Norwegian limited liability companys ability to grant guarantees, loans or security interests. It is understood that the obligations and liabilities of each Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate shall always be interpreted so as to make each Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate liable to the fullest extent permitted by the above provisions of the Norwegian Companies Act.
The liability of each Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement shall be limited to USD $2,500,000,000 plus any unpaid amount of interest, fees and expenses in respect of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
(g) each Foreign Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate irrevocably and unconditionally abandons and waives any right it may have at any time under the existing or future laws of Guernsey:
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(h) whether by virtue of the droit de discussion or otherwise that recourse be had to the assets of any person before any claim is enforced against that Foreign Issuer or Foreign Obligor Affiliate (as the case may be) in respect of the obligations or liabilities assumed by it under this Agreement; and
(i) whether by virtue of the droit de division or otherwise to require that any liability under this Agreement be divided or apportioned with any other person or reduced in any manner whatsoever.
Section 24.3. Obligations Absolute and Unconditional.
(a) The obligations of Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be a complete, present and continuing joint and several obligation of payment and performance and not just of collection. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate agrees that its obligations under this Section 24 shall be joint and several with any and any other Guarantees given in connection with this Agreement and the Notes from time to time. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate agrees that the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations in this Section 24 may be enforced by the holders without the necessity at any time of resorting to or exhausting any security or collateral, if any, given in connection herewith or with a Note or this Agreement or by or resorting to any other guaranties, and Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate hereby waives the right to require the any holder to join Holdings, the Company or any US Obligor Affiliate in any action brought under this Agreement or the Notes or to commence any action against or obtain any judgment against the Issuers or to pursue any other remedy or enforce any other right. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate further agrees that nothing contained herein or otherwise shall prevent any holder from pursuing concurrently or successively all rights and remedies available to them at law and/or in equity or under a Note or this Agreement, and the exercise of any of their rights or the completion of any of their remedies shall not constitute a discharge of any of Holdingss, the Companys or such US Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24, it being the purpose and intent of Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate that the obligations of Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be absolute, independent and unconditional under any and all circumstances whatsoever. None of Holdingss, the Companys or US Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24 nor any remedy for the enforcement thereof shall be impaired, modified, changed or released in any manner whatsoever by any impairment, modification, change, release or limitation of the liability of the Issuers under a Note or this Agreement or by reason of any Issuers bankruptcy or by reason of any creditor or bankruptcy proceeding instituted by or against any Issuer. This joint and several obligation shall continue to be effective and be deemed to have continued in existence or be reinstated (as the case may be) if at any time payment of all or any part of any sum payable pursuant to a Note or this Agreement is rescinded or otherwise required to be returned by the payee upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the payor, all as though such payment to such holder had not been made, regardless of whether such holder contested the order requiring the return of such payment. The obligations of Holdings pursuant to the preceding sentence shall survive any termination, cancellation, or release of these US Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
(b) The obligations of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be a complete, present and continuing joint and several obligation of payment and performance and not just of collection. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate agrees that its obligations under this Section 24 shall be joint and several with any and any other Guarantees given in connection with this Agreement with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations and the Foreign Currency Notes from time to time. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate agrees that the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations in this Section 24 may be enforced by the holders without the necessity at any time of resorting to or exhausting any security or collateral, if any, given in connection herewith or with a Note or this Agreement or by or resorting to any other guaranties, and the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate hereby waives the right to require the any holder to join the EUR Issuer or any Foreign Obligor Affiliate in any action brought under this Agreement or the Foreign Currency Notes or to commence any action against or obtain any judgment against the EUR Issuer or to pursue any other remedy or enforce any other right. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate further agrees that nothing contained herein or otherwise shall prevent any holder from pursuing concurrently or successively all rights and remedies available to them at law and/or in equity or under a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations), and the exercise of any of their rights or the completion of any of their remedies shall not constitute a discharge of any of the EUR Issuers or such Foreign Obligor
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Affiliates obligations under this Section 24, it being the purpose and intent of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate that the obligations of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be absolute, independent and unconditional under any and all circumstances whatsoever. None of the EUR Issuers or Foreign Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24 nor any remedy for the enforcement thereof shall be impaired, modified, changed or released in any manner whatsoever by any impairment, modification, change, release or limitation of the liability of the EUR Issuer under a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or by reason of the EUR Issuers bankruptcy or by reason of any creditor or bankruptcy proceeding instituted by or against the EUR Issuer. This joint and several obligation shall continue to be effective and be deemed to have continued in existence or be reinstated (as the case may be) if at any time payment of all or any part of any sum payable pursuant to a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) is rescinded or otherwise required to be returned by the payee upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the payor, all as though such payment to such holder had not been made, regardless of whether such holder contested the order requiring the return of such payment. The obligations of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate pursuant to the preceding sentence shall survive any termination, cancellation, or release of these Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
Section 24.4. Enforcement Costs. (a) If: (i) this Agreement (including this guaranty) or a Note are placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or is collected through any legal proceeding; (ii) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, or other proceedings affecting creditors rights and involving a claim under this Agreement (including these US Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Note; (iii) an attorney is retained to provide advice or other representation with respect to this Agreement or the Notes in connection with an enforcement action or potential enforcement action; or (iv) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any other legal proceedings whatsoever in connection with this Agreement (including these US Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Note, or any property securing the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, then Holdings, the Company and such US Obligor Affiliates shall pay to such holder upon demand all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys fees, costs and expenses actually incurred, including, without limitation, court costs, filing fees and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith (the US Joint and Several Enforcement Costs), in addition to, but without duplication of, all other amounts due hereunder.
(b) If: (i) this Agreement (including this guaranty) or a Note are placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or is collected through any legal proceeding; (ii) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, or other proceedings affecting creditors rights and involving a claim under this Agreement (with respect to Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Foreign Currency Note; (iii) an attorney is retained to provide advice or other representation with respect to this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or the Foreign Currency Notes in connection with an enforcement action or potential enforcement action; or (iv) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any other legal proceedings whatsoever in connection with this Agreement (with respect to Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Foreign Currency Note, or any property securing the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, then the EUR Issuer and such Obligor Affiliate shall pay to such holder upon demand all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys fees, costs and expenses actually incurred, including, without limitation, court costs, filing fees and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith (the Foreign Joint and Several Enforcement Costs), in addition to, but without duplication of, all other amounts due hereunder.
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Section 24.5. Subrogation. Holdings, each Issuer and each Obligor Affiliate hereby subordinates to the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness any and all claims and rights, including, without limitation, subrogation rights, contribution rights, reimbursement rights and set-off rights, which Holdings or such Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate may have against any Issuer arising from a payment made by Holdings, such Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate under its Obligor Affiliate Obligations hereunder and agrees that, until the entire Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness is paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations), not to assert or take advantage of any subrogation rights of Holdings, such Issuer, such Obligor Affiliate or the holders or any right of Holdings, such Issuer, such Obligor Affiliate or the holders proceed against (i) any Issuer for reimbursement, or (ii) any other joint and several obligor, any guarantor or any collateral security or guaranty or right of offset held by the holders for the payment of the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and performance of the Obligor Affiliate Obligations, nor shall Holdings, such Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from any Issuer or any other joint and several obligor or any other guarantor in respect of payments made by Holdings, such Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate hereunder. It is expressly understood that the agreements of Holdings, the Issuers and the Obligor Affiliates set forth above constitute additional and cumulative benefits given to the holders for their security and as an inducement for their purchase of the Notes of the Issuers.
Section 24.6. Preference. Any Indebtedness of the Issuers to Holdings, an Issuer or an Obligor Affiliate now or hereafter existing is hereby subordinated to the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness. None of Holdings, the Issuers or any Obligor Affiliate will seek, accept, or retain for its own account, any payment from any Issuer on account of such subordinated Indebtedness at any time when a Default or Event of Default exists under this Agreement or the Notes, and any such payments to Holdings or an Issuer or an Obligor Affiliate made while any Default or Event of Default then exists under the this Agreement or the Notes on account of such subordinated Indebtedness shall be collected and received by Holdings or an Issuer or an Obligor Affiliate in trust for the holders and shall be paid over to the holders on account of the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness without impairing or releasing the obligations of Holdings, the Issuer or the Obligor Affiliate hereunder.
Section 24.7. Marshalling and Accounts. (a) None of the holders of the Notes shall be under any obligation (i) to marshal any assets in favor of Holdings or the Issuers or the Obligor Affiliates or in payment of any or all of the liabilities of any Issuer under or in respect of the Notes and this Agreement or the obligation of Holdings, the Issuers or the Obligor Affiliates under this Section 24 or (ii) to pursue any other remedy that Holdings, the Issuers or the Obligor Affiliates may or may not be able to pursue itself and that may lessen Holdingss, the Issuers or the Obligor Affiliates burden or any right to which Holdings, each Issuer and each Obligor Affiliate hereby expressly waives.
(b) Until all amounts which may be or become payable by any Issuer under or in connection with the Notes have been irrevocably paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations), while an Event of Default is continuing, any moneys received from Holdings, an Issuer or an Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement may be held in an interest-bearing bank account.
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If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of agreement on a counterpart of this Agreement and return it to the Issuers, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement among you, the Issuers, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates.
Very truly yours, | ||
HOLDINGS: | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
ISSUERS/OBLIGORS: | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS PFS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SCS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC | ||
LINEAGE MANUFACTURING, LLC | ||
LINEAGE TRANSPORTATION, LLC | ||
LINEAGE REDISTRIBUTION, LLC | ||
LINEAGE FOODSERVICE SOLUTIONS, LLC, | ||
NEW ORLEANS COLD STORAGE AND WAREHOUSE COMPANY LLC | ||
NOCS SOUTH ATLANTIC COLD STORAGE & WAREHOUSE, LLC NOCS WEST GULF, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE AUS RE HOLDINGS, LLC each a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
LINEAGE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE, LLC a Washington limited liability company | ||
By: Lineage Transportation Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole member | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS AFS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: Preferred Freezer Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, its sole member | ||
By:/ | s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HCS, LLC a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: Henningsen Cold Storage Co., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole member | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
PREFERRED FREEZER LOGISTICS, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
Executed by each of: Emergent Cold Bidco Pty Ltd Emergent Cold Midco 3 Pty Ltd. Emergent Cold Pty Ltd Lineage AUS TRS Pty Ltd in accordance with section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) by: |
/s/ Jeffrey Ernest Hogarth |
/s/ Michael Joseph McClendon | |||
Director signature | Director/Secretary signature | |||
JEFFREY ERNEST HOGARTH |
MICHAEL JOSEPH MCCLENDON | |||
Director full name (BLOCK LETTERS) |
Director/Secretary full name (BLOCK LETTERS) |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS NEW ZEALAND (NZ Company Number: 1232) By: | ||||
/s/ Jeffrey Ernest Hogarth |
/s/ Michael Joseph McClendon | |||
Signature of Director | Signature of Director | |||
JEFFREY ERNEST HOGARTH Name of Director |
MICHAEL JOSEPH MCCLENDON Name of Director |
LINEAGE NZ TRS LIMITED (NZ Company Number: 7967497) By: | ||||
/s/ Jeffrey Ernest Hogarth |
/s/ Michael Joseph McClendon | |||
Signature of Director | Signature of Director | |||
JEFFREY ERNEST HOGARTH Name of Director |
MICHAEL JOSEPH MCCLENDON Name of Director |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
For and on behalf of |
Lineage Danish Bidco ApS |
/s/ Jason E. Burnett |
Name: Jason E. Burnett Title: Special Attorney |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
Lineage Norway Holdings I AS | ||
By: | /s/ Jason E. Burnett | |
Name: Jason E. Burnett | ||
Title: Attorney in fact / board member |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
LINEAGE DUTCH BIDCO B.V. | ||
/s/ Jason E. Burnett | ||
By: | Jason E. Burnett | |
Title: | Authorised signatory | |
LINEAGE DUTCH COÖPERATIEF U.A. | ||
/s/ Jason E. Burnett | ||
By: | Jason E. Burnett | |
Title: | Authorised signatory | |
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
/s/ Jason E. Burnett | ||
By: | Jason E. Burnett | |
Title: | Authorised signatory |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
For and on behalf of Lineage UK T&F Holdings Limited |
/s/ Jason E. Burnett |
Name: Jason E. Burnett |
Title: Director |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
SIGNED for and on behalf of | ) | |||||
LINEAGE UK HOLDINGS LIMITED |
) ) |
|||||
a company incorporated in Guernsey, acting by Jason E. Burnett who, in accordance with the laws of that territory, is acting under the authority of the company |
)
) ) ) ) |
/s/ Jason E. Burnett
Director |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS LTD. |
/s/ Jason E. Burnett |
Name:Jason E. Barnett |
Title:EVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS TRS LP, |
by its general partner: LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS TRS GP, LTD. |
/s/ Jason E. Burnett |
Name:Jason E. Barnett |
Title: EVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
THE LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | Macquarie Investment Management Advisers, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust, Attorney in Fact | |
By: | /s/ Philip Lee | |
Name: | Philip Lee | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
PENSION INSURANCE CORPORATION PLC | ||
By: | Macquarie Investment Management Advisers, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust, Attorney in Fact | |
By: | /s/ Alex Alston | |
Name: | Alex Alston | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Barings LLC as Investment Adviser | ||
By: | /s/ Orhan Sarayli | |
Name: Orhan Sarayli | ||
Title: Managing Director | ||
C.M. LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Barings LLC as Investment Adviser | ||
By: | /s/ Orhan Sarayli | |
Name: Orhan Sarayli | ||
Title: Managing Director | ||
BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Brighthouse Services, LLC, as adviser | ||
By: Barings LLC as Investment Adviser | ||
By: | /s/ Orhan Sarayli | |
Name: Orhan Sarayli | ||
Title: Managing Director |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
ALLIANZ LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA | ||
By: Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC | ||
As the authorized signatory and investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Lawrence Halliday | |
Name: Lawrence Halliday | ||
Title: Managing Director | ||
ALLIANZ GLOBAL RISKS US INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC | ||
As the authorized signatory and investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Lawrence Halliday | |
Name: Lawrence Halliday | ||
Title: Managing Director | ||
ALLIANZ ALD FONDS | ||
By: Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC | ||
As the authorized signatory and investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Lawrence Halliday | |
Name: Lawrence Halliday | ||
Title: Managing Director | ||
ALLIANZ VKRENTEN DIREKT FONDS | ||
By: | Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC | |
As the authorized signatory and investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Lawrence Halliday | |
Name: Lawrence Halliday | ||
Title: Managing Director |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Andrew Leisman | |
Name: | Andrew Leisman, CFA | |
Title: | Corporate Vice President | |
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION | ||
BY: | NYL Investors LLC, its Investment Manager | |
By: | /s/ Andrew Leisman | |
Name: | Andrew Leisman, CFA | |
Title: | Corporate Vice President |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
CATASTROPHE REINSURANCE COMPANY | ||
GARRISON PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION | ||
USAA CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
USAA GENERAL INDEMNITY COMPANY | ||
USAA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
THE DOCTORS COMPANY, AN INTERINSURANCE EXCHANGE | ||
HOSPITALS INSURANCE COMPANY, INC. | ||
USAA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK | ||
By: | BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., as investment manager | |
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: | Marshall Merriman | |
Title: | Managing Director | |
HUMANA INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
HUMANA MEDICAL PLAN, INC. | ||
By: | BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. Its Investment Manager | |
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: | Marshall Merriman | |
Title: | Managing Director |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
EQUITABLE FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Amy Judd | |
Name: | Amy Judd | |
Title: | Investment Officer | |
EQUITABLE FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA | ||
By: | /s/ Amy Judd | |
Name: | Amy Judd | |
Title: | Investment Officer |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
ATHENE ANNUITY AND LIFE COMPANY | ||
By: Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LLC, its investment adviser | ||
By: Apollo Capital Management, L.P., its sub adviser | ||
By: Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC, its General Partner | ||
By: | /s/ Joseph D. Glatt | |
Name: | Joseph D. Glatt | |
Title: | Vice President |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
SECURITY LIFE OF DENVER INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
CORPORATE SOLUTIONS LIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY | ||
VOYA RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY | ||
COMPSOURCE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
STANDARD GUARANTY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
AMERICAN SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
CONSUMER PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS, INC. | ||
UNITED SERVICE PROTECTION CORPORATION | ||
VIRGINIA SURETY COMPANY, INC. | ||
AMERICAN BANKERS INSURANCE COMPANY OF FLORIDA | ||
FEDERAL WARRANTY SERVICE CORPORATION | ||
BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SFM MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SHELTER MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SHELTER LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SHELTER REINSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Voya Investment Management Co. LLC, as Agent | ||
By: | /s/ Justin Stach | |
Name: Justin Stach | ||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||
NN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LTD. | ||
By: Voya Investment Management LLC, as Attorney in fact | ||
By: | /s/ Justin Stach | |
Name: Justin Stach | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | |
By: | /s/ Josh Prieskorn | |
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President | |
TRANSAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | |
By: | /s/ Josh Prieskorn | |
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President | |
TRANSAMERICA LIFE (BERMUDA) LTD | ||
By: | AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | |
By: | /s/ Josh Prieskorn | |
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
VERSO CORPORATION | ||
By: | AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | |
By: | /s/ Josh Prieskorn | |
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President | |
AEGON USA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COLLECTIVE INVESTMENT TRUST | ||
By: | AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | |
By: | /s/ Josh Prieskorn | |
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | Principal Global Investors, LLC | |
a Delaware limited liability company, | ||
its authorized signatory | ||
By: | /s/ Karl Goodman | |
Name: | Karl Goodman | |
Title: | Counsel | |
By: | /s/ Charles Schneider | |
Name: | Charles Schneider | |
Title: | Counsel |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
NAVIGATORS INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
HARTFORD ACCIDENT AND INDEMNITY COMPANY | ||
HARTFORD LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | Hartford Investment Management Company, their investment manager | |
By: | /s/ Dawn M. Crunden | |
Name: | Dawn M. Crunden | |
Title: | Senior Vice President | |
THE HARTFORD RETIREMENT PLAN TRUST FOR U.S. EMPLOYEES | ||
By: | Hartford Investment Management Company, their investment manager | |
By: | /s/ Dawn M. Crunden | |
Name: | Dawn M. Crunden | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS | ||
By: | /s/ Martin Rosacker | |
Name: | Martin Rosacker | |
Title: | Managing Director |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA | ||
By: | /s/ Barry Scheinholtz | |
Name: | Barry Scheinholtz | |
Title: | Managing Director |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
INDUSTRIAL ALLIANCE INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Maxime Durivage | |
Name: | Maxime Durivage | |
Title: | Director, Private Placements | |
By: | /s/ Martin Gauthier | |
Name: | Martin Gauthier | |
Title: | Vice-President, General Funds and Fixed Income |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
FARM CREDIT MID-AMERICA PCA | ||
By: | /s/ John DeCoursey | |
Name: | John DeCoursey | |
Title: | Vice President, Food & Agribusiness Fixed Income |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, PCA | ||
By: | /s/ Curt A Brown | |
Name: | Curt A Brown | |
Title: | Vice President |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
ENSIGN PEAK ADVISORS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Matthew D. Dall | |
Name: | Matthew D. Dall | |
Title: | Head of Credit Research | |
CLIFTON PARK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Matthew D. Dall | |
Name: | Matthew D. Dall | |
Title: | Head of Credit Research |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
CUMIS INSURANCE SOCIETY, INC. | ||
By: | MEMBERS Capital Advisors, Inc. acting as Investment Advisor | |
By: | /s/ Stan J. Aartsen | |
Name: | Stan J. Aartsen | |
Title: | Managing Director, Investments | |
CMFG LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | MEMBERS Capital Advisors, Inc. acting as Investment Advisor | |
By: | /s/ Stan J. Aartsen | |
Name: | Stan J. Aartsen | |
Title: | Managing Director, Investments |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
GBU FINANCIAL LIFE | ||
GUARANTEE TRUST LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
PROASSURANCE CASUALTY COMPANY | ||
UNITY FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
BETTERLIFE | ||
CATHOLIC UNITED FINANCIAL | ||
TRINITY UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SECURIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | Securian Asset Management, Inc. | |
By: | /s/ Robin J. Lenarz | |
Name: | Robin J. Lenarz | |
Title: | Vice President |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
THE CONTINENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Amy C. Adams | |
Name: | Amy C. Adams | |
Title: | Senior Vice President and Treasurer | |
CONTINENTAL CASUALTY COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Amy C. Adams | |
Name: | Amy C. Adams | |
Title: | Senior Vice President and Treasurer |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
NASSAU LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | Nassau Asset Management LLC | |
Its: | Investment Manager | |
By: | /s/ David E. Czerniecki | |
Name: | David E. Czerniecki | |
Title: | Chief Investment Officer |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
STATE OF WISCONSIN INVESTMENT BOARD | ||
By: | /s/ Christopher P. Prestigiacomo | |
Name: | Christopher P. Prestigiacomo | |
Title: | Portfolio Manager |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD LIFE INSURANCE SOCIETY | ||
By: | /s/ Shawn Bengtson | |
Name: | Shawn Bengtson | |
Title: | Vice President & Chief Investment Officer | |
By: | /s/ Dean R. Holdsworth | |
Name: | Dean R. Holdsworth | |
Title: | Director Mortgage and Real Estate Investment |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE CORP. | ||
By: | Ameritas Investment Partners Inc., as Agent | |
By: | /s/ Tina Udell | |
Name: | Tina Udell | |
Title: | Vice President & Managing Director |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
UNITED OF OMAHA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Justin P. Kavan | |
Name: | Justin P. Kavan | |
Title: | Head of Private Placements | |
MUTUAL OF OMAHA INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Justin P. Kavan | |
Name: | Justin P. Kavan | |
Title: | Head of Private Placements |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
THE OHIO NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Brenda Kalb | |
Name: | Brenda Kalb | |
Title: | Vice President | |
OHIO NATIONAL LIFE ASSURANCE CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Brenda Kalb | |
Name: | Brenda Kalb | |
Title: | Vice President |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
STANDARD INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Chris Beaulieu | |
Name: | Chris Beaulieu | |
Title: | VP, Individual Annuities & Investments |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
ASSURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Victor Weber | |
Name: | Victor Weber | |
Title: | Senior Director Investments |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
COUNTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ John Jacobs | |
Name: | John Jacobs | |
Title: | Director Fixed Income | |
COUNTRY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ John Jacobs | |
Name: | John Jacobs | |
Title: | Director Fixed Income |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof. |
SOUTHERN FARM BUREAU LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ David Divine | |
Name: | David Divine | |
Title: | Director, Securities Management |
DEFINED TERMS
As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Section hereof following such term:
Affiliate means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 25% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.
Agreement means this Note Purchase Agreement, including all Schedules attached to this Agreement.
Anti-Corruption Laws means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding bribery or any other corrupt activity, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act 2010.
Anti-Money Laundering Laws means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist-related activities or other money laundering predicate crimes, including the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (otherwise known as the Bank Secrecy Act) and the USA PATRIOT Act.
Anti-Terrorism Laws means any Requirement of Law related to terrorism financing, economic sanctions or money laundering, including: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957; The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5332 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820b and 1951-1959), as amended by the Patriot Act, and their implementing regulations; the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., as amended), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq., as amended), Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001), and their implementing regulations and including Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation.
Applicable EBITDA means with respect to any Real Property that is (x) owned or ground leased by Holdings or any Subsidiary or (y) a Leased Asset, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA attributable to such Real Property for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters.
Australian Obligor means an Obligor that is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Australian PPSA means the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Applicable Currencies means: (a) with respect to the Notes, US Dollars, Sterling and Euros, as applicable to the relevant Notes and (b) with respect to any Swapped Notes, US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, in the case of any Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount and Swap Breakage Amount in respect of such Swapped Notes.
SCHEDULE A
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Bankruptcy Code means the provisions of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 USC §§ 101 et seq., as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
Business Day means:
(a) | for the purposes of Section 8.8(a) only, in respect of any determination of the Reinvestment Yield with respect to (i) any Non-Swapped Notes denominated in US Dollars, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed, (ii) any Non-Swapped Notes denominated in Sterling, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or London, England are required or authorized to be closed and (iii) any Non-Swapped Notes denominated in Euro, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed or any day which is not a TARGET Day; |
(b) | for the purposes of Section 8.8(b) only, in respect of any determination of the Reinvestment Yield with respect to (i) any Swapped Notes relating to a Swap Agreement with respect to an exchange of US Dollars for Euros or Sterling, as applicable, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed and (ii) any Swapped Notes relating to a Swap Agreement with respect to an exchange of Canadian Dollars for Euros or Sterling, as applicable, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in Toronto, Canada are required or authorized to be closed; |
(c) | for purposes of any date for payment of Notes denominated in US Dollars, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed; |
(d) | for purposes of any date for payment of Notes denominated in Euro, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed or any day which is not a TARGET Day; |
(e) | for purposes of any date for payment of Notes denominated in Sterling, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or London, England are required or authorized to be closed; and |
(f) | for the purposes of any other provision of this Agreement, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Amsterdam, the Kingdom of the Netherlands are required or authorized to be closed. |
Canadian Obligor means an Obligor that is incorporated under the laws of the under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada.
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Capital Lease Obligations of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation means, collectively, Parts II.1 and XII.2 of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, the Proceeds of Crime Act and the United Nations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. U-2 or any similar Canadian legislation, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto including, without limitation, the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on the Suppression of Terrorism and the United Nations Al Qaida and Taliban Regulations promulgated under the United Nations Act.
Canadian Blocked Person means any Person that is a designated person, politically exposed foreign person or terrorist group as described in any Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws.
Canadian Defined Benefit Plan means a Canadian Pension Plan that contains a defined benefit provision as such term is defined in Section 147.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws means any Canadian laws, regulations or orders governing transactions in controlled goods or technologies or dealings with countries, entities, organizations, or individuals subject to economic sanctions and similar measures, including the Special Economic Measures Act (Canada), the United Nations Act (Canada), the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Canada), Part II.1 of the Criminal Code (Canada) and the Export and Import Permits Act (Canada), and any related regulations.
Canadian Pension Event means (a) the filing by a Group Member of a notice of intent to terminate in whole or in part a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan or the treatment of a Canadian Pension Plan amendment filed by a Group Member as a termination or partial termination; or (b) the institution of proceedings by any Governmental Authority to terminate in whole or in part or have a trustee appointed to administer a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan that is sponsored or administered by a Group Member; or (c) any other event or condition which might constitute grounds for the termination of, winding up or partial termination of winding up or the appointment of trustee to administer, any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan that is sponsored or administered by a Group Member.
Canadian Pension Legislation means applicable pension standards laws of any jurisdiction in Canada, such as the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario) and any similar provincial or federal legislation.
Canadian Pension Plan means a pension plan that is subject to Canadian Pension Legislation and that is either (a) maintained or sponsored by a Group Member for employees in Canada or (b) maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, or other arrangement under which more than one employer makes contributions and to which a Group Member is making, or accruing an obligation to make, contributions in respect of employees in Canada.
Capitalization Rate means (a) 6.5% for Real Property that is owned or subject to a ground lease and (b) 8.5% for Real Property that is a Leased Asset.
Captive Insurance Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings that is subject to regulation as an insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereof).
A-3
Cash Equivalents means (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the government of the United States, Canada or England and Wales or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, Canada or England and Wales, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers acceptances having maturities of 180 days or less from the date of acquisition issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof, or the laws of England and Wales having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000; (c) commercial paper of an issuer maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or Moodys; and (d) fully collateralized repurchase obligations of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities described in clause (a) above; (e) money market funds that (x) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (y) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moodys and (z) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; or (f) solely with respect to any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, any investment that a Captive Insurance Subsidiary is not prohibited to make in accordance with applicable law.
Cash Management Banks means (a) a lender or the administrative agent or an Affiliate of a lender or the administrative agent under a Material Credit Facility at the time such services are entered into or (b) any financial institution or commercial bank permitted under the terms of the Material Credit Facility.
Cash Management Services means any of the following provided to an Obligor or any Subsidiary of an Obligor by a Cash Management Bank; provided Cash Management Services provided by a Cash Management Bank pursuant to clause (b) of the definition thereof, shall not exceed in the aggregate $25,000,000 at any time outstanding: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, commercial credit cards and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts, cash pooling services and interstate depository network services), (e) bank guarantees and (f) other cash management services.
CFC means a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) at any time prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO, the Investor shall, directly or indirectly, at any time collectively fail to own beneficially, directly or indirectly, voting Equity Interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Holdings (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested); or
(b) at any time after the consummation of a Qualified IPO, any person or group (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person and its subsidiaries and any Person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Investor, acquires beneficial ownership of voting Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Company representing (A) more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of such direct or indirect parent entity
A-4
(determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested) and (B) more than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power that is at the time beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Investor, taken together (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested); or
(c) Holdings ceases to own, beneficially and of record, one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of (x) the Company and (y) each other Issuer except, in the case of clause (y), pursuant to a transaction or designation permitted under this Agreement.
Change in Control Notice is defined in Section 8.11(a).
Closing is defined in Section 3.
CMBS Financing means any loans or notes incurred by or issued to Holdings or certain of its Subsidiaries as borrowers under commercial mortgage-backed securities financing transactions from time to time.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.
Company is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Compliance Certificate is defined in Section 7.2.
Confidential Information is defined in Section 21.
Contractual Obligation means as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any legally binding contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, loan, instrument, lease, conditional sales contract, mortgage, license, franchise agreement, binding commitment or other arrangement, whether written or oral, to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound (in each case other than other than this Agreement).
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 the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the term Controlled shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Controlled Entity means (a) any of the Subsidiaries of the Obligors and any of their or the Obligors respective Controlled Affiliates and (b) if the Obligors have a parent company, such parent company.
Danish Obligor Affiliate means an Obligor Affiliate incorporated in Denmark.
DBRS means DBRS Limited, and any successor to its rating agency business.
Debtor Relief Law means the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the Winding Up and Restructuring Act (Canada) and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, concurso mercantil, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, administration, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America, Canada or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
A-5
Default means an event or condition the occurrence or existence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default.
Default Rate means that rate of interest per annum that is the greater of (a) 2.0% above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Notes or (b) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. in New York, New York as its base or prime rate.
Designated Rating Agency means DBRS, Fitch, S&P, Moodys and Kroll.
Development Property means as of any date of determination, Real Property acquired or otherwise held for development or redevelopment on which the improvements related to the development or redevelopment have not been completed on such date; provided that such Real Property shall cease to be a Development Property, and shall thereafter be considered a Stabilized Property, upon the first to occur of (a) the date that is six full fiscal quarters following substantial completion (including issuance of a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy for the improvements under construction permitting the use and occupancy for their regular intended uses) of such Real Property, and (b) the first day of the first fiscal quarter following the date on which such Development Property has achieved an Occupancy Rate of at least 85%. For avoidance of doubt, any Real Property that is not (and has never been) a Development Property shall be considered a Stabilized Property from the first day of the first fiscal quarter following the date on which such Real Property has achieved an Occupancy Rate of at least 85%, and vacant land adjacent to and forming part of a Stabilized Property may become a Development Property if, as of any date of determination, the same is being developed with a new, improved or expanded facility. Similarly, a Stabilized Property may become a Development Property if, as of the date of determination, the same is being replaced, restored, remodeled or rebuilt where the purpose and effect of such work is to provide a functionally new, improved or expanded facility.
Disclosure Documents is defined in Section 5.3.
Disposition means with respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer, or other disposition thereof (in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a division or otherwise). The terms Dispose and Disposed of shall have correlative meanings.
Disqualified Equity Interests means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or requires the payment of any cash dividend or any other scheduled payment constituting a return of capital, in each case at any time on or prior to the date that is 91 days following the applicable Maturity Date at the time of the issuance of such Equity Interest; provided, however, that (i) only the portion of such Equity Interest which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be a Disqualified Equity Interest, (ii) if such Equity Interests are issued to any current or former employees or other service providers or to any plan for the benefit of employees, directors, officers, members of management or consultants (including any equity or incentive compensation or benefit plan) of Holdings or its subsidiaries or by any such compensation or plan to such
A-6
current or former employees, other service providers, directors, officers, members of management or consultants, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such current or former employees, other service providers, directors, officers, management members or consultants termination, death or disability, (iii) any class of Equity Interests of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests, and (iv) Equity Interests will not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because of provisions giving holders thereof the right to require repurchase or redemption upon an initial public offering, asset sale or change of control occurring prior to such date; or (b) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interest referred to in clause (a) above, in each case at any time prior to the date that is 91 days following the applicable Maturity Date at the time of the issuance of such Equity Interest.
Division means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the Dividing Person) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a plan of division or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.
Division Successor means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof, the District of Columbia, or any other jurisdiction within the United States.
Dutch Obligor means an Obligor that is organized under the laws of the Netherlands.
EBITDA means, with respect to Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, depletion and amortization calculated in accordance with GAAP, at all times excluding, without duplication, (i) impairment and other non-cash charges or gains including, for the avoidance of doubt, equity in earnings (but excluding any non-cash charge in respect of an item that was included in EBITDA in a prior period or any charges that result in a write-down or write-off of inventory and excluding amortization expense attributable to a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period), (ii) stock-based compensation expense, (iii) gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated assets, (iv) gains or losses from foreign exchange, (v) gains or losses from derivative instruments, (vi) gains or losses from the early extinguishment of indebtedness, (vii) severance and other non-recurring restructuring charges, (viii) transaction costs of acquisitions, dispositions, capital markets offerings, debt and equity financings and amendments thereto (in each case, whether or not consummated) not permitted to be capitalized pursuant to GAAP, (ix) other unusual, exceptional or extraordinary and non-recurring gains, losses, expenses or charges (whether or not classified as such under GAAP), (x) amounts accruing and/or payable pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement during such period and (xi) the amount of any minority interest expense attributable to minority interests of third parties in the positive income of any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for the purposes of determining the contribution to EBITDA of, or portion of EBITDA attributable to, any Real Property, any operating asset or any business managed or operated by Holdings or any Subsidiary thereof, (1) EBITDA shall equal rents and other
A-7
revenues in respect of such asset, less, without duplication, (A) operating expenses in respect of such asset (exclusive of corporate-level general and administrative and other overhead expenses, impairment on intangibles and long-lived assets and depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses) and (B) cash rent expenses of operating, finance and ground leases in respect of such asset, and shall at all times exclude unusual, extraordinary or exceptional and non-recurring gains, losses, expenses or charges (whether or not classified as such under GAAP) and (2) solely for purposes of calculating Total Asset Value and Unencumbered Asset Value, in no event shall EBITDA of any such Real Property, operating asset or business determined pursuant to clause (1) be less than zero. All of the foregoing shall be adjusted to include the pro rata share of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis of the net income or loss of all Joint Ventures for such period, determined and adjusted in the same manner as provided above in this definition with respect to the net income or loss of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
EDGAR means the SECs Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System or any successor SEC electronic filing system for such purposes.
Eligibility Criteria Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria or Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria, as applicable.
Eligible Value means as of any date of determination, with respect to each Real Property that is (x) owned or ground leased by Holdings or any Subsidiary or (y) a Leased Asset (i) the Applicable EBITDA with respect to such Real Property divided by (ii) the applicable Capitalization Rate.
Eligible Ground Leased Assets means any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) One hundred percent (100%) of such Real Property is ground leased directly or indirectly by one or more Qualified Asset Owners.
(b) Such Real Property is a Stabilized Property, a Development Property or undeveloped land.
(c) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is improved with one or more completed warehouse/distribution buildings that are used as dry and/or cold storage facilities and such improvements are owned or held pursuant to such ground lease by a Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
(d) None of such leasehold interest or such improvements is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under this Agreement, and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
(e) No event of default (i.e., after any applicable notice and cure period) has occurred and is continuing under the ground lease regarding such Real Property.
(f) The lessor under the ground lease regarding such Real Property shall not have the unilateral right to terminate such ground lease prior to the expiration of the stated term of such ground lease absent the occurrence of any casualty, condemnation or default thereunder by any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
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(g) The lessee under the ground lease has the right to sublease, mortgage and encumber (subject to customary terms and limitations) its interest in such Real Property without the consent of the lessor (provided that a provision that if a consent of such ground lessor is required, such consent is subject to either an express reasonableness standard or an objective financial standard for the transferee shall be deemed acceptable); provided, this clause (g) shall not apply to the Real Property listed on Schedule 25 and (ii) such other Real Property as agreed by the administrative agent under the Principal Credit Facility in its reasonable discretion from time to time.
(h) The ground lease regarding such Real Property has a remaining term (inclusive of any unexercised extension options as to which there is no condition precedent to the exercise thereof other than compliance of lessee with the terms of the applicable ground lease and the giving of a notice of exercise by the lessee) of 25 years or more from the Closing.
(i) (i) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is free of any material structural defects, and (ii) such Real Property is free of any material Environmental Liabilities and is in material compliance with all Environmental Laws.
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Ground Leased Asset.
Eligible Leased Assets means any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) Such Real Property is a Leased Asset and the lessee is one or more Qualified Asset Owners.
(b) Such leasehold interest is not directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under this Agreement and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
(c) No event of default (i.e., after any applicable notice and cure period) has occurred and is continuing under the operating lease regarding such Real Property.
(d) The lessor under the operating lease regarding such Real Property shall not have the unilateral right to terminate such operating lease prior to the expiration of the stated term of such operating lease absent the occurrence of any casualty, condemnation or default thereunder by any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Leased Asset.
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Eligible Owned Asset means any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) (i) One hundred percent (100%) of such Real Property is owned in fee simple by one or more Qualified Asset Owners or (ii) such Real Property satisfies the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria (other than limb (h) of that definition, whereby for the purposes of this definition the requirement shall be that there shall be not less than ninety-nine (99) years from the Closing Date).
(b) Such Real Property is a Stabilized Property, a Development Property or undeveloped land.
(c) (i) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is free of any material structural defects, and (ii) such Real Property is free of any material Environmental Liabilities and is in material compliance with all Environmental Laws.
(d) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is improved with one or more completed warehouse/distribution buildings that are used as dry and/or cold storage facilities.
(e) Such Real Property (and any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is not directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under the this Agreement and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Owned Asset.
Environmental Laws means any and all foreign, federal, state, provincial, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments, notices or binding agreements issued by or entered into with any Governmental Authority, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning pollution, air emissions, the management, use or release of Materials of Environmental Concern or protection of human health (to the extent such relates to Materials of Environmental Concern) or the environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.
Environmental Liability means all liabilities, obligations, damages, losses, claims, actions, suits, judgments, orders, fines, penalties, fees, expenses and costs (including administrative oversight costs, natural resource damages, monitoring and remediation costs and reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and consultants), whether contingent or otherwise, including those arising out of or relating to: (a) compliance or non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment, recycling, disposal (or arrangement for such activities) of any Materials of Environmental Concern, (c) exposure to any Materials of Environmental Concern, (d) the presence or release of any Materials of Environmental Concern or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
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Equity Interests means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Obligors, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code and, for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code, any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or 414(o) of the Code.
ERISA Event means (a) any reportable event, as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived), (b) the failure of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate to satisfy the minimum funding standard with respect to a Plan within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 or 303 of ERISA, as applicable, or the failure of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code or Section 303(j) of ERISA with respect to a Plan or the failure of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan, (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, (d) the incurrence by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan, (d) the occurrence of a non-exempt prohibited transaction with respect to which any Obligor or any of the Subsidiaries is a disqualified person (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) which could result in the incurrence by any Obligor or any of the Subsidiaries of any material liability, (e) the receipt by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate of notice from any Multiemployer Plan (1) imposing any withdrawal liability on any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate, (2) notifying any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate that such Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in insolvency pursuant to Section 4245 of ERISA, if applicable or (3) notifying any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate that such Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in endangered or critical status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA, if applicable), or (f) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in at risk status (as defined in Section 430(i)(4) of the Code or Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA, if applicable).
EUR Issuer is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Euro or means the single currency unit of the member States of the European Community that adopt or have adopted the Euro as their lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Community relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
Event of Default is defined in Section 11.
Excluded Subsidiary means a Subsidiary that is (a) a CFC or FSHCO, (b) a Subsidiary of a CFC or FSHCO, (c) any other Foreign Subsidiary or (d) a Domestic Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, and in each case does not provide a Guarantee of Indebtedness obligations of a United States Person.
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FATCA means (a) sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), together with any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, (b) any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the United States of America and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of the foregoing clause (a), and (c) any agreements entered into pursuant to section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
Financial Covenants means the financial covenants set forth in Section 10.5.
Fitch Ratings means Fitch Inc., and any successor to any of the foregoing.
Fixed Charges means for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (i) Interest Expense, plus (ii) regularly scheduled installments (whether or not paid) of principal payable with respect to Total Indebtedness (excluding scheduled balloon principal payments due on maturity of any such Indebtedness and including Holdingss pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures), plus (iii) the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid or required to be paid by any of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in cash to any third party during such period in respect of its preferred capital stock but excluding redemption payments or repurchases or charges in connection with the mandatory final redemption or repurchase in whole of any preferred capital stock plus (iv) all income tax payments with respect to the taxable REIT Subsidiaries of Holdings and the Company.
Foreign Currency Note means any Note issued in Euros or Sterling.
Foreign Joint and Several Enforcement Costs is defined in Section 24.4.
Foreign Obligor Affiliate means any Obligor Affiliate that is not a US Obligor Affiliate.
Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness is defined in Section 24.2.
Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations is defined in Section 24.2.
Foreign Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings other than a Domestic Subsidiary.
FSHCO means (a) any Subsidiary all or substantially all of the assets of which consists of Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and Indebtedness) of one or more CFCs or other FSHCOs, and (b) any Subsidiary treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that holds Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and Indebtedness) of one or more CFCs or other FSHCOs.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, except that for purposes of Section 10.5, GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such principles in effect on the date hereof and consistent with those used in the preparation of the most recent audited financial statements referred to in Section 5.5. In the event that any Accounting Change (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Company and the Required Holders agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect equitably such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Companys financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Company and
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the Required Holders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. Accounting Changes refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC.
Governing Documents means (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction), including in the case of corporations (sociedades anónimas) incorporated under the laws of Mexico, the articles of incorporation and bylaws (acta constituiva and estatutos sociales), (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement or memorandum and articles of association (including in the case of a limited liability company organized under the laws of Mexico, the acta constitutiva and estatutos sociales), and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and, if applicable, any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
Governmental Authority means any nation or government, any state, provincial or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank, supranational organization or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).
Governmental Official means any governmental official or employee, employee of any government-owned or government-controlled entity, political party, any official of a political party, candidate for political office, official of any public international organization or anyone else acting in an official capacity.
Ground Leased Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Ground Leased Assets.
Group Members means the collective reference to Holdings and its Subsidiaries.
Guarantee Obligation means as to any Person (the guaranteeing person), any obligation, including a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, of the guaranteeing person that guarantees or in effect guarantees, or which is given to induce the creation of a separate obligation by another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) that guarantees or in effect guarantees, 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 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 (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) 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
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in the ordinary course of business, or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing or entered into in connection with any acquisition or Disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee 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 persons maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Company in good faith.
Guaranty, Guaranteed, or to Guarantee means, with respect to any Person, any obligation (except the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) of such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any indebtedness, dividend or other obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including obligations incurred through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, by such Person:
(a) to purchase such indebtedness or obligation or any property constituting security therefor;
(b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation, or (ii) to maintain any working capital or other balance sheet condition or any income statement condition of any other Person or otherwise to advance or make available funds for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation;
(c) to lease properties or to purchase properties or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of such indebtedness or obligation of the ability of any other Person to make payment of the indebtedness or obligation; or
(d) otherwise to assure the owner of such indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect thereof.
In any computation of the indebtedness or other liabilities of the obligor under any Guaranty, the indebtedness or other obligations that are the subject of such Guaranty shall be assumed to be direct obligations of such obligor.
holder means, with respect to any Note, the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 14.1, provided, however, that if such Person is a nominee, then for the purposes of Sections 7, 12, 18.2 and 19 and any related definitions in this Schedule A, holder shall mean the beneficial owner of such Note whose name and address appears in such register.
Immaterial Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings that on a consolidated basis with its respective Subsidiaries and treated as if all such Subsidiaries and their respective Subsidiaries were combined and consolidated as a single Subsidiary, holds assets that constitute less than 7.5% of Total Asset Value.
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Indebtedness of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding (A) accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business, (B) any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP (excluding disclosure on the notes and footnotes thereto) and if not paid after becoming due and payable, (C) obligations in respect of employment and consulting services, and (D) deferred obligations under any management services agreement, deferred rent obligations, taxes and compensation and any pension-related or post-employment liabilities), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed (valued in the case of this clause (e) at the lesser of (A) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (B) if such Indebtedness is non-recourse, the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith), (f) all guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others (except for guarantees of exceptions to non-recourse liabilities), (g) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, and (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers acceptances . The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Persons ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
Indemnitee is defined in Section 16.1(c).
INHAM Exemption is defined in Section 6.2(e).
Institutional Investor means (a) any Purchaser of a Note, (b) any holder of a Note holding (together with one or more of its affiliates) more than 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, (c) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form, and (d) any Related Fund of any holder of any Note.
Intercreditor Agreement means the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2021, entered into between the Purchasers and the administrative agent, on behalf of the lenders, under the Principal Credit Facility and any Additional Creditors (as defined therein) that from time to time accede thereto.
Interest Expense means for any period, an amount equal to the sum of the following with respect to Total Indebtedness: (i) total interest expense, accrued in accordance with GAAP plus (ii) all capitalized interest determined in accordance with GAAP (including in the case of (i) and (ii), Holdingss pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures), and excluding non-cash amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs or debt discount (including Holdingss pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures).
Investment means (a) any purchase or other acquisition for value by any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Equity Interests of any other Person; (b) any purchase or other acquisition for value by any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries from any Person of all or a substantial portion of the business, property or fixed assets of such Person or any division or line of business or other business unit of such Person; and (c) any loan, advance or capital contributions by any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries to, or Guarantee Obligations with respect to any obligations of, any other Person, including all indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the outstanding amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
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Investor means (a) BG LLH, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Lineage Growth Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation, BG LLH Intermediate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, LLH MGMT Profits, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and BG Maverick, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or (b) any other Person that is managed and controlled by any of Bay Grove Management Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, any other Affiliate of Bay Grove Management Company, LLC or Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, BG LLH, LLC, BG LLH Intermediate, LLC, Lineage Growth Properties, Inc., LLH MGMT Profits, LLC and/or BG Maverick, LLC.
Issuer is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Joinder Agreement means a joinder agreement in the form attached as Schedule 2.
Joint Ventures means any unconsolidated joint ventures of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
Kroll means Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC, and any successor to its rating agency business.
Lamb Weston Mortgage means the second ranking deed of mortgage dated 25 August 2017 between Lineage Bergen op Zoom B.V. as mortgagor and the Lamb Weston entities as mortgagees in respect of a mortgage over the parcels of land, locally known as Blankenweg 2 and 4 in Bergen op Zoom, cadastrally known as municipality of Bergen op Zoom, section I, number 712, 713 and 775 or any replacement of that right of mortgage.
Leased Asset means any Real Property that operates as a dry and/or cold storage facility or is Development Property or undeveloped land and that is leased by Holdings or a Subsidiary thereof pursuant to a lease (other than a ground lease) with a remaining term (including any unexercised extension options at the option of the tenant) of not less than 10 years from the Closing and otherwise on market terms (as determined by the Company in good faith).
Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Leased Assets.
Liabilities means any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.
Lien means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, assignment by way of security, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing); provided, that, in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to be a Lien and in no event shall a Lien include a security interest as defined in section 12(3) of the Australian PPSA or section 17(1)(b) of the New Zealand Personal Property Securities Act that in each case does not in substance secure the payment or performance of an obligation.
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Maintenance Capital Expenditures means for any period, all capital expenditures actually made in cash by Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries (and the pro rata share of capital expenditures made by Joint Ventures) during such period for the maintenance of capital assets of such Person, excluding capital expenditures for modernization and in any event excluding any capital expenditures for expansions.
Make-Whole Amount is defined in Section 8.8.
Management Agreement means that certain Seventh Amended and Restated Operating Services Agreement dated as of August 3, 2020, by and between Holdings and Bay Grove Management Company, LLC.
Material means material in relation to the business, assets, property or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Material Acquisition means any individual Permitted Acquisition or a series of Permitted Acquisitions (whether by direct purchase, merger or otherwise and whether in one or more related transactions) within a four fiscal quarter period by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in which the purchase price of the assets acquired (on a cumulative basis since the Closing or the beginning of such four fiscal quarter period, as applicable) exceeds an amount equal to 10% of Total Asset Value as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.
Material Adverse Effect any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property or financial condition of Holdings, the Company and their subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Notes.
Material Debt Facility means, as to the Obligors and their Subsidiaries,
(a) the Principal Credit Facility; and
(b) any note purchase agreement or similar document, instrument or agreement executed in connection with a private placement debt financing, regardless of the principal amount outstanding thereunder from time to time, in each case including any renewals, refinancings and replacements thereof.
Material Indebtedness means, as to any Group Member, indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of $10 million.
Material Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.
Materials of Environmental Concern means any substances, materials or wastes defined in or regulated under any Environmental Law, including any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products, asbestos, anhydrous ammonia, ozone-depleting substances, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
Maturity Date is defined in the first paragraph of each Note.
Memorandum is defined in Section 5.3.
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Modified Make-Whole Amount is defined in Section 8.8.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
Multiemployer Plan means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and in respect of which the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate is an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA, which for the avoidance of doubt shall not include any Canadian Pension Plan.
NAIC means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Negative Pledge means with respect to a given asset, any provision of a document, instrument or agreement (other than this Agreement) which prohibits or purports to prohibit the creation or assumption of any Lien on such asset as security for Indebtedness of the Person owning such asset or any other Person; provided, however, that any provision of a document, instrument or an agreement that either (a) conditions a Persons ability to encumber its assets upon the maintenance of one or more specified ratios or financial tests (including any financial ratio such as a maximum ratio of unsecured debt to unencumbered assets) that limit such Persons ability to encumber its assets but that do not generally prohibit the encumbrance of its assets, or the encumbrance of specific assets or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure Unsecured Indebtedness if a Lien is granted to secure other Unsecured Indebtedness of such Person, shall not constitute a Negative Pledge; provided, however, no restriction under a CMBS Financing, mortgage financing or other financing on the pledge of Equity Interest in the direct or indirect parent of a Qualified Asset Owner, Group Member (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) or Obligor (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) shall be considered a Negative Pledge.
Newly Acquired Property means as of any date, a Real Property (other than a Development Property or undeveloped land), that has been owned or ground leased or leased by Holdings or a Subsidiary for less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date.
Newly Stabilized Property means as of any date, a Real Property owned or ground leased or leased by Holdings or a Subsidiary that has been a Stabilized Property for less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date.
Non-recourse Indebtedness means (a) with respect to a Person, Indebtedness in respect of which recourse for payment (except for exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, violation of special purpose entity covenants and other exceptions to nonrecourse liability customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements) is contractually limited to specific assets of such Person encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary that is a special purpose entity, Indebtedness of such Subsidiary so long as there is no recourse to Holdings or any of its other Subsidiaries other than recourse in respect of guaranties of customary exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, violation of special purpose entity covenants and other exceptions to nonrecourse liability customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements, and for the avoidance of doubt, any Indebtedness incurred by any Subsidiary under or in connection with any CMBS Financing shall constitute Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
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Non-U.S. Plan means any plan, fund or other similar program that (a) is established or maintained outside the United States of America or Canada by the Company or any Subsidiary primarily for the benefit of employees of the Company or one or more Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America or Canada, which plan, fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and (b) is not subject to ERISA, the Code, or Canadian Pension Legislation.
Normalized Adjusted FFO means for any fiscal period, funds from operations of the Group Members as defined in accordance with resolutions adopted by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts as in effect from time to time; provided that Normalized Adjusted FFO shall (a) be based on net income after payment of distributions to holders of preferred partnership units in Holdings and distributions necessary to pay holders of preferred stock of Holdings and (b) exclude gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated non-real estate assets, non-real estate depreciation, depletion and amortization, amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of debt discount, amortization of above or below market leases, adjustments for straight line rents, non-cash or extraordinary gains or losses from foreign exchange, non-cash or extraordinary gains or losses from derivative instruments and other extraordinary or non-recurring charges.
Noteholder Sanctions Event means, with respect to any holder of a Note (an Affected Noteholder), such holder or any of its affiliates being in violation of or subject to sanctions (a) under any U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws as a result of the Company or any Controlled Entity becoming a Blocked Person or, directly or indirectly, having any investment in or engaging in any dealing or transaction (including any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Blocked Person or (b) under any similar laws, regulations or orders adopted by any State within the United States as a result of the name of the Company or any Controlled Entity appearing on a State Sanctions List.
Notes is defined in Section 1.
Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness means the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness.
Obligor Affiliate Obligations means the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations and the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
Obligor Affiliates means the Obligor Affiliates described on Schedule B and each other Person that from time to time accedes to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement as provided in Section 9.7.
Obligors means the Issuers, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates.
Occupancy Rate means at any time, with respect to any Real Property, the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the rentable operating square footage of such Real Property actually leased by tenants paying rent at rates not materially less than rates generally prevailing at the time the applicable lease was entered into, pursuant to binding leases as to which no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing to (b) the aggregate rentable operating square footage of such Real Property.
OFAC means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
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Officers Certificate means a certificate of (i) a Senior Financial Officer or any other officer of an Obligor, as the context requires, whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.
Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Owned Asset
Holdings is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA.
Permitted Acquisition means any acquisition, whether by purchase, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise, of (x) all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, or a business line or unit or a division of any Person, or any parcel of Real Property and any improvements thereto or (y) the Equity Interests of any Person such that such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that:
(a) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;
(b) before and after giving effect thereto, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the Financial Covenants; and
after giving effect thereto, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with Section 10.3.
Permitted Dispositions means:
(a) Dispositions of (i) worn-out, obsolete or surplus property, in each case in the ordinary course of business or (ii) property that is reasonably determined by the applicable Obligor or Subsidiary to be no longer economically practicable to maintain or no longer useful in any material respect in the conduct of the business of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(b) licenses and sublicenses granted by an Obligor or any Subsidiary and leases and subleases (by an Obligor or any Subsidiary as lessor or sub-lessor) to third parties in each case not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Obligors or the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(c) Disposition or abandonment of any intellectual property that is reasonably determined by the applicable Obligor or Subsidiary to be no longer economically practicable to maintain or worth the cost of maintaining or no longer useful in any material respect in the conduct of the business of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(d) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Dispositions of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(f) transfers of property between and among Holdings and its Subsidiaries;
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(g) Disposition of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;
(h) Liens (and any dispositions required to be made in accordance with such Liens) permitted by Section 10.7, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 10.9, Investments permitted by Section 10.10 and transactions permitted by Section 10.2;
(i) (i) the discount or write-off of accounts receivable for the purpose of collection to any collection agency, in each case in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Dispositions of receivables in connection with the settlement of delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;
(j) transfers of property (i) subject to casualty events upon receipt of the net cash proceeds of such casualty event, (ii) by reason of the exercise of termination rights under any lease, sublease, license, sublicense, concession or other agreement or (iii) pursuant to buy/sell or other similar arrangements under any joint venture or similar agreement or arrangement;
(k) the unwinding of any Swap Contract pursuant to its terms;
(l) Dispositions required to be made to comply with the order of any Governmental Authority or applicable law;
(m) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;
(n) Dispositions of property acquired, constructed, renovated or improved after the Closing in connection with the financing of such acquisition, construction, renovation or improvement; provided, that, (i) any such financing which is permitted under Section 10.6 and (ii) such Disposition occurs within 180 days after the applicable acquisition, construction, renovation or improvement; and
(o) with respect to assets that are not Qualified Assets, Dispositions of such assets permitted by the documentation governing any CMBS Financing or other financing that relates to such assets.
Permitted Encumbrances means:
(a) Liens outstanding on (or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on) the Closing as set forth on Schedule 5.15(b) and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(b) Liens imposed by law and other non-consensual Liens, in each case for Taxes or other related governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Group Member in conformity with GAAP;
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(c) landlords, carriers, warehousemens, landlords mortgagees, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens, construction contractors, vendors and other similar Liens and agricultural and similar Liens (including those arising pursuant to Canadian Pension Legislation), in each case, imposed by law or otherwise non-consensual, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 60 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(d) judgments and Liens in respect of judgements, orders or decrees for the payment of money or other court proceedings that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 11(j);
(e) (i) easements, servitudes, restrictions, licenses, rights-of-way, use restrictions, rights of first refusal, site plan agreements, development agreements, cross easement or reciprocal agreements and other non-monetary encumbrances on Real Property that do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary (taken as a whole) or the operation of such Real Property for its intended purpose, (ii) title defects or irregularities with respect to Real Property which are of a minor nature and which in the aggregate do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary (taken as a whole) or the operation of such Real Property for its intended purpose, or (iii) other exceptions to title approved by the Required Holders;
(f) any zoning or similar law, restriction or right reserved to, or vested in, any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any Real Property that does not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Group Members (taken as a whole);
(g) Liens affecting title on Real Property that have been fully paid off and satisfied and which remain of record through no fault of the Person that owns such Real Property and that, in any event do not have a material and adverse effect with respect to the use or operations of the affected Real Property or with respect to the ownership of the affected Real Property, and do not interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the applicable Group Member;
(h) rights of lessors under Eligible Ground Leased Assets;
(i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law which secure payment of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;
(j) with respect to leasehold interests, any mortgages, obligations, Liens and other encumbrances incurred, created, assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord, ground lessor or owner of the leased property, with or without the consent of the lessee; provided, that (i) this clause (j) shall not apply if the leasehold interest is protected by law or (ii) with respect to mortgages by the ground lessor or owner of a ground leased property, such mortgages are either subordinate to such ground leasehold interest or pursuant to which the lender thereunder has provided a customary non-disturbance agreement with respect to such ground leasehold interests;
(k) intercompany leases;
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(l) any Lien arising under Article 24 or 26 of the general terms and conditions (Algemene Bank Voorwaarden) of any member of the Dutch Bankers Association (Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken) or any similar term applied by a financial institution in the Netherlands pursuant to its general terms and conditions;
(m) any netting or set-off as a result of a fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch tax purposes;
(n) any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any Obligor in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debt and credit balances;
(o) the Lamb Weston Mortgage; and
(p) intercompany mortgages securing Indebtedness among Group Members, provided that with respect to any such Group Member who is the mortgagee in respect of any such intercompany mortgage, (i) such Group Member is an Obligor, and (ii) such Group Member shall subordinate such mortgage to the obligations under the Notes.
Permitted Equity Encumbrances means:
(a) Liens and Negative Pledges pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) Liens imposed by law and other non-consensual Liens for Taxes or other related governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Group Member in conformity with GAAP; and
(c) Liens arising from judgments or decrees for the payment of money in circumstances that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 11(j).
Permitted Indebtedness means:
(a) (x) Indebtedness incurred or created hereunder and under the Notes, (y) Indebtedness constituting Cash Management Services and (z) Indebtedness under the Principal Credit Facility as of the date of this Agreement;
(b) Indebtedness outstanding on (or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on) the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 5.5 and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(c) intercompany Indebtedness among Holdings and its Subsidiaries;
(d) Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take or pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation, severance and health and retirement benefits or the equivalent thereof to employees, directors, management and consultants of Holdings or the Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;
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(f) Indebtedness consisting of obligations with respect to indemnification, the adjustment of the purchase price (including customary earnouts) or similar adjustments incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment or Disposition expressly permitted hereunder;
(g) (i) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Indebtedness in respect of credit card processing agreements, automatic clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections and similar arrangements in each case in connection with cash management and deposit accounts and in the ordinary course of business;
(h) Indebtedness incurred by Holdings or any Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers acceptances, warehouse receipts or similar instruments, in each case, issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits (including with respect to immediate family members of employees, directors or members of management) or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims or obligations referred to in paragraph (m) below, letters of credit in the nature of a security deposit (or similar deposit or security) given to a lessor under an operating lease of Real Property under which such Person is lessee, and letters of credit in connection with the maintenance of, or pursuant to the requirements of, environmental or other permits or licenses from Governmental Authorities, and any refund, replacement, refinancing or defeasance of any of the foregoing;
(i) obligations in respect of surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by Holdings or any of the Subsidiaries, in each case, issued or created in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
(j) Indebtedness arising under Swap Contracts not incurred for purposes of speculation;
(k) Guarantees of Indebtedness of Holdings or any Subsidiary, which Indebtedness is otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that (x) if such Indebtedness is subordinated to the obligations under this Agreement and the Notes, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the same extent and (y) no such Guarantee by an Obligor shall be permitted under this paragraph (k) of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not an Obligor, other than Guarantees constituting an Investment permitted under Section 10.10;
(l) Indebtedness owing to current or former officers, directors, managers, consultants or employees of Holdings or immediate family members to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings);
(m) Indebtedness of Holdings or any Subsidiary owing to any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) that is not a subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business of Holdings and its subsidiaries in connection with the cash management operations (including with respect to intercompany self-insurance arrangements);
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(n) Indebtedness of Holdings or any Subsidiary arising pursuant to arrangements contemplated in Section 10.1(k), (m) or (n);
(o) Indebtedness arising under guarantees entered into pursuant to Section 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code in respect of a Dutch Loan Party and any residual liability with respect to such guarantees arising under Section 2:404 of the Dutch Civil Code;
(p) any joint and several liability as a result of a fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch tax purposes; and
(q) Indebtedness that is a refinancing, replacement, restatement or modification of any existing Indebtedness provided that such refinancing, replacement, restatement or modification does not result in an increase to the then outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced, except to the extent of accrued interest, fees, premium (if any) and expenses.
Permitted Investments means:
(a) Investments existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Closing and set forth on Schedule 10.10 or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification, renewal, replacement or reinvestment of any such Investment that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(b) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;
(c) Investments by any Obligor or any Subsidiary in another Obligor or Subsidiary;
(d) Investments acquired in connection with the settlement of delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;
(e) loans or advances to officers, directors, members of management, and employees of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings) (i) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding, for business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes and (ii) for any other purposes not described in the foregoing clause (i) (in each of clauses (i) and (ii) determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans or advances); provided, that the aggregate amount outstanding at any time under clause (ii) above shall not exceed $9,000,000;
(f) accounts receivable owing to Holdings or the Subsidiaries, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary terms;
(g) Investments in the form of Swap Contracts which establish, or were intended to establish, an effective hedge in respect of liabilities, commitments or assets held or reasonably anticipated by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary;
(h) Investments consisting of promissory notes or other non-cash consideration received in connection with a permitted Disposition;
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(i) Investments consisting of non-cash loans made by Holdings to management, executives, officers, directors, consultants, professional advisors and/or employees of a Subsidiary which are used by such Persons to simultaneously purchase Equity Interests of Holdings;
(j) Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;
(k) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of (i) endorsements for collection or deposit or (ii) customary trade arrangements with customers;
(l) loans and advances to Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments permitted to be made to Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof in accordance with Section 10.9;
(m) (i) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business and (ii) prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits and advance payments (including retainers) for goods or services paid or provided, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(n) Investments held by a Person that becomes a Subsidiary (or is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into a Subsidiary) after the Closing to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; and
(o) to the extent constituting Investments, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 10.9, Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.10 and transactions permitted by Section 10.2.
Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, business entity or Governmental Authority.
Plan means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA, which for the avoidance of doubt shall not include any Canadian Pension Plan.
Principal Credit Facility means the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of December 22, 2020, as amended by that First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021, among the Company, Holdings, the borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch, as sustainability agent, including any renewals, extensions, amendments, supplements, restatements, replacements or refinancing thereof.
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Pro Forma Basis means with respect to the calculation of the Financial Covenants as of any date (and the definitions used therein), that such calculation shall give pro forma effect to all Permitted Acquisitions and other Investments, all issuances, incurrences, assumptions, redemptions, retirements, repayments or extinguishments of Indebtedness (with any such Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable testing period in accordance with its terms) and all sales, transfers or other Dispositions of any material assets outside the ordinary course of business that have occurred during (or, if such calculation is being made for the purpose of determining whether any proposed acquisition will constitute a Permitted Acquisition, since the beginning of) the then-applicable testing as if they occurred on the first day of such testing period (excluding cost savings, synergies, operating expense reductions and other operating improvements). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Swap Contract applicable to such Indebtedness if such Swap Contract has a remaining term in excess of 12 months).
property or properties means, unless otherwise specifically limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate or inchoate.
PTE is defined in Section 6.2(a).
Purchaser or Purchasers means each of the purchasers that has executed and delivered this Agreement to the Company and such Purchasers successors and assigns (so long as any such assignment complies with Section 13.2), provided, however, that any Purchaser of a Note that ceases to be the registered holder or a beneficial owner (through a nominee) of such Note as the result of a transfer thereof pursuant to Section 13.2 shall cease to be included within the meaning of Purchaser of such Note for the purposes of this Agreement upon such transfer.
Purchaser Schedule means the Purchaser Schedule to this Agreement listing the Purchasers of the Notes and including their notice and payment information.
Purchaser Swap Schedule means the Purchaser Swap Schedule to this Agreement listing the swap pricing confirmation information in respect of its Swapped Notes.
QPAM Exemption is defined in Section 6.2(d).
Qualified Asset means any Eligible Owned Asset, Eligible Ground Leased Asset or Eligible Leased Asset; provided, that the Company may from time to time, upon a Qualified Asset ceasing to satisfy the applicable Eligibility Criteria in a transaction permitted by this Agreement designate a Qualified Asset as a non-Qualified Asset and, from such date of determination, such Qualified Asset shall cease to be a Qualified Asset.
Qualified Asset Owners as to any Qualified Asset, means each owner or lessor thereof that is either (a) a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings or (b) a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings that is at least 51% owned, directly or indirectly, by Holdings so long as Holdings exclusively controls the sale, encumbrance and financing of such Qualified Asset.
Qualified Institutional Buyer means any Person who is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of such term as set forth in Rule 144A(a)(1) under the Securities Act.
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Qualified IPO means an underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8) of the Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof which generates net cash proceeds that are contributed as cash common equity to the Company of at least $250,000,000.
Real Property means, at any time of determination, all right, title and interest (including any leasehold estate) in and to any and all parcels of or interests in real property owned in fee or leased by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures (or equivalent interest in any applicable jurisdiction), together with, in each case, all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances relating thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures incidental to the ownership or lease thereof.
Recourse Indebtedness means with respect to a Person, Indebtedness of such Person other than Non-recourse Indebtedness of such Person.
Refrigerated Railcar Business means the refrigerated and insulated railcar business segment of Holdings and its Subsidiaries.
Refunding Capital Stock is defined in Section 10.9.
REIT means a real estate investment trust, as defined in Section 856 of the Code.
REIT Parent means any direct or indirect parent of Holdings that intends to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including Lineage Growth Properties, Inc.
REIT Subsidiary mean any Subsidiary of Holdings that intends to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Related Fund means, with respect to any holder of any Note, any fund or entity that (a) invests in Securities or bank loans, and (b) is advised or managed by such holder, the same investment advisor as such holder or by an affiliate of such holder or such investment advisor.
Related Party means with respect to any specified Person, such Persons Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Persons Affiliates.
Release means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the indoor or outdoor environment.
Required Holders means at any time (i) prior to the Closing, the Purchasers and (ii) on or after the Closing, the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of Notes then owned by Holdings, the Company or any of its Affiliates).
Requirement of Law means as to any Person, the organizational or Governing Documents of such Person, and any law, 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 property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
Responsible Officer means any Senior Financial Officer or any authorized signatory of the Company, Holdings or such Person, as applicable, in each case, with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this Agreement.
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Restricted Payment is defined in Section 10.9.
Retired Capital Stock is defined in Section 10.9.
S&P means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
Sanctioned Country means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is the subject or target of any Sanctions.
Sanctioned Person means, at any time, any Person (a) that is the subject of Sanctions or listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, the United Nations, Her Majestys Treasury or any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over any Obligor, (b) operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) that is publicly identified as prohibited from doing business with the United States under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act, or any other Requirement of Law, (d) that is a Canadian Blocked Person, or (e) owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons
Sanctions means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, the United Nations, Her Majestys Treasury, the federal government of Canada and sanctions under other similar Requirements of Law of other jurisdictions in which a Person conducts its business.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America.
Secured Indebtedness with respect to any Person means, Indebtedness of such Person that is secured by a Lien. Indebtedness of Holdings or a Subsidiary secured solely by a pledge of Equity Interests in one or more Subsidiaries shall not be treated as Secured Indebtedness but shall be treated as Unsecured Indebtedness.
Securities or Security shall have the meaning specified in section 2(1) of the Securities Act.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
Senior Financial Officer means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or comptroller of the Company or Holdings.
series of Notes means each of the Series A Notes, Series B Notes, Series C Notes, Series D Notes, Series E Notes and Series F Notes, as applicable.
Series A Notes is defined in Section 1.
Series B Notes is defined in Section 1.
Series C Notes is defined in Section 1.
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Series D Notes is defined in Section 1.
Series E Notes is defined in Section 1.
Series F Notes is defined in Section 1.
Solvent with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, means (a) the amount of the present fair saleable value (determined on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value (determined on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured in the ordinary course, (c) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its business as contemplated on the date hereof and (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature or fall due in the ordinary course.
Source is defined in Section 6.2.
Specified Jurisdictions means the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales, Scotland, Guernsey, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Ireland, Portugal, Austria and Finland; and such other jurisdictions as may be agreed after the Closing by the Company and the Required Holders.
Stabilized Property has the meaning specified in the definition of Development Property.
State Sanctions List means a list that is adopted by any state Governmental Authority within the United States of America pertaining to Persons that engage in investment or other commercial activities in Iran or any other country that is a target of economic sanctions imposed under U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws.
Sterling or £ means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.
Subsidiary means, as to any Person, any other Person in which such first Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries or such first Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries owns sufficient equity or voting interests to enable it or them (as a group) ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, to elect a majority of the directors (or Persons performing similar functions) of such second Person, and any partnership or joint venture if more than a 50% interest in the profits or capital thereof is owned by such first Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries or such first Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries (unless such partnership or joint venture can and does ordinarily take major business actions without the prior approval of such Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries). Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to a Subsidiary is a reference to a Subsidiary of Holdings.
Substitute Purchaser is defined in Section 21.
SVO means the Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC.
Swap Breakage Amount is defined in Section 8.9.
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Swap Breakage Amount Notice is defined in Section 8.9.
Swap Breakage Gain is defined in Section 8.9.
Swap Breakage Loss is defined in Section 8.9.
Swap Contract means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Obligors or any of their Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Contract.
Swap Termination Value means in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any netting agreements relating to such Swap Contracts (to the extent, and only to the extent, such netting agreements are legally enforceable in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding against the applicable counterparty obligor thereunder), (i) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (ii) for any date prior to the date referenced in preceding clause (i), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts.
Swap Unwind Event is defined in Section 8.9.
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
TARGET Day means any day on which TARGET2 is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.
TARGET2 means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system which utilizes a single shared platform and which was launched on 19 November 2007.
Total Asset Value means on any date, without duplication, the sum of:
(a) with respect to Real Property (other than Newly Acquired Properties, Development Properties, Newly Stabilized Properties and undeveloped land) that is (x) owned or ground leased or (y) a Leased Asset as of such date by Holdings or any Subsidiary, the sum of the Eligible Values at such time of each such Real Property;
(b) with respect to the transportation and other ancillary businesses (including the Refrigerated Railcar Business) as of such date of Holdings or any Subsidiary, the sum of the portion of EBITDA attributable to each such business segment for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 9.0; provided, that with respect to any such business segment of Holdings or such Subsidiary that has been owned for less than four full quarters as of such date, the purchase price paid for such business segment;
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(c) with respect to any Newly Acquired Property (other than a Development Property, a Newly Stabilized Property or undeveloped land), EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended for such Real Property, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(d) with respect to any (i) Development Property (until such Development Property becomes a Stabilized Property), (ii) Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for less than one full fiscal quarter as of such date and (iii) undeveloped land, the lesser of (x) cost (including the cost of the land and all hard and soft costs) or (y) book value in accordance with GAAP;
(e) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least one full fiscal quarter but less than two full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent full fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date in respect of which financial statements for such quarter or fiscal year have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(f) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least two full fiscal quarters but less than three full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of two full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for such each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 2, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(g) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least three full fiscal quarters but less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of three full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4/3, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(h) unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents and unrestricted marketable securities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000;
(i) the sum of (x) the book value of other assets consisting of inventory, accounts receivable not more than 90 days past due or otherwise in payment default, and other tangible assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries minus (y) the book value of accounts payable of Holdings and its Subsidiaries; and
(j) solely with respect to the calculation of Total Leverage Ratio herein, the amount of cash contributions that the direct or indirect owners of the Equity Interests of Holdings have irrevocably committed to contribute to Holdings when requested by Holdings pursuant to subscription agreements or similar agreements, which commitments were received on or prior to the date of delivery of the applicable Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 7.2(a), or on or prior to the date of the applicable pro forma financial covenant calculation, as applicable, but have not yet funded;
A-32
provided that not more than 15% of the Total Asset Value at any time may be attributable to undeveloped land and Development Properties, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Total Asset Value.
Holdingss pro rata share of assets held by Joint Ventures will be included in the calculation of Total Asset Value consistent with the above-described treatment for assets owned by Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
Total Indebtedness means the sum of all Indebtedness of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries and the pro rata share of all Indebtedness of Joint Ventures.
Total Leverage Ratio is defined in Section 10.5(a).
Total Secured Indebtedness means the portion of Total Indebtedness that is Secured Indebtedness.
Total Unsecured Indebtedness means the portion of Total Indebtedness that is Unsecured Indebtedness.
Unencumbered Asset Value means as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, without duplication, the sum of:
(a) (i) Unencumbered NOI for Qualified Assets that are not Newly Acquired Properties, Development Properties or Newly Stabilized Properties for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended, divided by (ii) the applicable Capitalization Rate;
(b) with respect to any Qualified Asset that is a Newly Acquired Property (other than a Development Property or a Newly Stabilized Property), the EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended for such Qualified Asset, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(c) with respect to Qualified Asset that is a (i) Development Property (until such Development Property becomes a Stabilized Property), a (ii) Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for less than one full fiscal quarter as of such date or (iii) undeveloped land, the lesser of (x) cost or (y) book value in accordance with GAAP;
(d) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least one full fiscal quarter but less than two full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent full fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date in respect of which financial statements for such quarter or fiscal year have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(e) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least two full fiscal quarters but less than three full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of two full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 2, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
A-33
(f) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least three full fiscal quarters but less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of three full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4/3, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(g) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000; and
(h) with respect to the Refrigerated Railcar Business as of such date, the sum of the portion of the EBITDA attributable to the Refrigerated Railcar Business for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 9.0; provided that with respect to any Refrigerated Railcar Business that has been owned for less than four full quarters as of such date, the purchase price paid for such Refrigerated Railcar Business; and provided further that not more than 15% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to the Refrigerated Railcar Business, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
provided that:
(i) not more than 20% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets located in jurisdictions outside the Specified Jurisdictions, Qualified Assets that are owned or leased by a non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings, and undeveloped land and Development Properties, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
(ii) not more than 25% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Eligible Leased Assets, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value; and
(iii) not more than 10% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets that are owned or leased by a Subsidiary which (together with any other Subsidiary that is the direct or indirect holder of Equity Interests in such Subsidiary, referred to as the Parent Subsidiary) has outstanding Indebtedness at such time (unless such Subsidiary or Parent Subsidiary, as applicable, is an US Obligor Affiliate or the lender of such Indebtedness is a party to the Intercreditor Agreement), with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value.
Unencumbered Leverage Ratio is defined in Section 10.5(c).
Unencumbered NOI means as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, the aggregate portion of EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended that is attributable to Qualified Assets.
A-34
United States Person has the meaning set forth for the term United States person in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
Unsecured Indebtedness with respect to any Person means, Indebtedness of such Person that is not Secured Indebtedness.
US Dollars or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
US Joint and Several Enforcement Costs is defined in Section 24.4.
US Obligor Affiliate means (i) an Obligor Affiliate organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof, the District of Columbia, or any other jurisdiction within the United States and (ii) any other Obligor Affiliate required to accede to this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.7(a).
US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness is defined in Section 24.1.
US Obligor Affiliate Obligations is defined in Section 24.1.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary means as to any Person, any other Person all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares required by law) is owned by such Person directly and/or through other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
A-35
OBLIGOR AFFILIATES
US Obligor Affiliates (Delaware)
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Lineage AUS RE Holdings, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Foodservice Solutions, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics AFS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics HCS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics PFS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics SCS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics Services, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Manufacturing, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Redistribution, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Transportation, LLC | Delaware | |
New Orleans Cold Storage and Warehouse Company, LLC | Delaware | |
NOCS South Atlantic Cold Storage & Warehouse, LLC | Delaware | |
NOCS West Gulf, LLC | Delaware |
Other US Obligor Affiliates
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Lineage Customs Brokerage, LLC | Washington | |
Preferred Freezer Logistics, LLC | New Jersey |
Foreign Obligor Affiliates
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Emergent Cold Bidco Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Emergent Cold Midco 3 Pty Ltd. | Australia | |
Emergent Cold Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Lineage AUS TRS Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Lineage Danish Bidco ApS | Denmark | |
Lineage UK Holdings Limited | Guernsey | |
Lineage Dutch Bidco B.V. | Netherlands | |
Lineage Dutch Coöperatief U.A. | Netherlands | |
Lineage Logistics New Zealand (f/k/a Emergent Cold) | New Zealand | |
Lineage NZ TRS Limited | New Zealand | |
Lineage Norway Holdings I AS | Norway | |
Lineage UK T&F Holdings Limited | England & Wales | |
Lineage Logistics ORS Ltd. | Ontario, Canada | |
Lineage Logistics ORS TRS LP | Ontario, Canada |
SCHEDULE B
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
[FORM OF SERIES A NOTE]
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC
2.22% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES A DUE AUGUST 20, 2026
No. RA-[_____] | [Date] | |
$[_______] | PPN 53567@ AA0 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC (herein called the Company), a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] US Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2026 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 2.22% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 4.22% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, the EUR Issuer, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest on this Note shall be jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed by Holdings and each US Obligor Affiliate in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
SCHEDULE 1-A
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC | ||
By |
| |
[Title] |
1-A-2
[FORM OF SERIES B NOTE]
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC
2.52% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES B DUE AUGUST 20, 2028
No. RB-[_____] | [Date] | |
$[_______] | PPN 53567@ AB8 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC (herein called the Company), a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] US Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2028 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 2.52% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 4.52% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, the EUR Issuer, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest on this Note shall be jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed by Holdings and each US Obligor Affiliate in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
SCHEDULE 1-B
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC | ||
By |
| |
[Title] |
1-B-2
[FORM OF SERIES C NOTE]
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
0.89% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES C DUE AUGUST 20, 2026
No. RC-[_____] | [Date] | |
[_______] | PPN N5269@ AA6 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. (herein called the Company), a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Euros (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2026 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 0.89% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount and, at any time that this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 2.89% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the European Union; provided that, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, certain amounts payable with respect to this Note (including, without limitation, any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) shall be payable in the lawful money of the United States of America.1 All of the foregoing shall be made at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York, or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, Lineage Logistics, LLC, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
1 | To include payments in the lawful money of Canada, as applicable, for any Canadian transferee of a Swapped Note. |
SCHEDULE 1-C
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on this Note shall be unconditionally guaranteed by the Obligors in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount and, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
By |
| |
[Title] | ||
By |
| |
[Title] |
1-C-2
[FORM OF SERIES D NOTE]
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
1.26% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES D DUE AUGUST 20, 2031
No. RD-[_____] | [Date] | |
[_______] | PPN N5269@ AB4 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. (herein called the Company), a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Euros (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2031 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 1.26% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount and, at any time that this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 3.26% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the European Union; provided that, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, certain amounts payable with respect to this Note (including, without limitation, any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) shall be payable in the lawful money of the United States of America.2 All of the foregoing shall be made at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York, or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, Lineage Logistics, LLC, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
2 | To include payments in the lawful money of Canada, as applicable, for any Canadian transferee of a Swapped Note. |
SCHEDULE 1-D
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on this Note shall be unconditionally guaranteed by the Obligors in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount and, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
By |
| |
[Title] | ||
By |
| |
[Title] |
1-D-2
[FORM OF SERIES E NOTE]
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
1.98% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES E DUE AUGUST 20, 2026
No. RE-[_____] | [Date] | |
£[_______] | PPN N5269@ AC2 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. (herein called the Company), a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands,, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Sterling (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2026 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 1.98% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount and, at any time that this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 3.98% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United Kingdom; provided that, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, certain amounts payable with respect to this Note (including, without limitation, any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) shall be payable in the lawful money of the United States of America.3 All of the foregoing shall be made at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York, or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, Lineage Logistics, LLC, the EUR Issuer, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
3 | To include payments in the lawful money of Canada, as applicable, for any Canadian transferee of a Swapped Note. |
SCHEDULE 1-E
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on this Note shall be unconditionally guaranteed by the Obligors in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount and, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
By |
| |
[Title] | ||
By |
| |
[Title] |
1-E-2
[FORM OF SERIES F NOTE]
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
2.13% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES F DUE AUGUST 20, 2028
No. RF-[_____] | [Date] | |
£[_______] | PPN N5269@ AD0 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. (herein called the Company), a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands,, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Sterling (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2028 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 2.13% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount and, at any time that this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 4.13% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United Kingdom; provided that, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, certain amounts payable with respect to this Note (including, without limitation, any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) shall be payable in the lawful money of the United States of America.4 All of the foregoing shall be made at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York, or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, Lineage Logistics, LLC, the EUR Issuer, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
4 | To include payments in the lawful money of Canada, as applicable, for any Canadian transferee of a Swapped Note. |
SCHEDULE 1-F
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on this Note shall be unconditionally guaranteed by the Obligors in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount and, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
By |
| |
[Title] | ||
By |
| |
[Title] |
1-F-2
FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
(OBLIGOR AFFILIATES)
JOINDER AGREEMENT dated as of [_____] (this Joinder Agreement) to the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of August 20, 2021 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Note Purchase Agreement), among Lineage Logistics, LLC, Lineage Treasury Europe B.V. and Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, and each of the other Obligors from time to time party thereto and the holders of the Notes from time to time party thereto.
A. Reference is made to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes issued thereunder. Capitalized terms used herein not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
B. Pursuant to Section 9.7[(a)/(b)] of the Note Purchase Agreement, the undersigned Subsidiary is required to enter into a supplement to the Note Purchase Agreement in the form of this Joinder Agreement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the New Obligor Affiliate) is executing this Joinder Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the Note Purchase Agreement to become a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate and an Obligor under the Note Purchase Agreement.
Accordingly, the New Obligor Affiliate agrees as follows:
Section 1. In accordance with Section 9.7[(a)/)(b)] of the Note Purchase Agreement, the New Obligor Affiliate by its signature below becomes an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate under the Note Purchase Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate and the New Obligor Affiliate hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement applicable to it as an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate thereunder. Each reference to an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate in the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall be deemed to include the New Obligor Affiliate. The Note Purchase Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. The New Obligor Affiliate represents and warrants to the holders that this Joinder Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
Section 3. This Joinder Agreement shall become effective when the holders shall have received counterparts of this Joinder Agreement executed on behalf of the New Obligor Affiliate. Execution and delivery of this Joinder Agreement may be made in accordance with Section 23.5 of the Note Purchase Agreement and such clause is incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.
Section 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall remain in full force and effect. All references herein to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall include all amendments, supplements and modifications thereto.
SCHEDULE 2
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Section 5. This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Section 6. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
[Section 7. The New Obligor Affiliate hereby irrevocably appoints Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377 to receive for it, and on its behalf, service of process in the United States, from the date hereof through August 20, 2032.]5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Obligor Affiliate has duly executed this Joinder Agreement to the Note Purchase Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
[NAME OF NEW OBLIGOR AFFILIATE] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address: |
5 | NTD: To be included only in respect of Foreign Obligor Affiliates. |
2-2
Exhibit 10.36
EXECUTION VERSION
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC
FIRST AMENDMENT
Dated as of September 9, 2022
to
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated as of August 20, 2021
FIRST AMENDMENT TO NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS FIRST AMENDMENT dated as of September 9, 2022 (this First Amendment), to the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of August 20, 2021 and referred to below, is by and among LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V., a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands (the EUR Issuer, and together with the Company, jointly the Issuers and each an Issuer), LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Holdings), each Person listed on Schedule B hereto as an Obligor Affiliate party thereto from time to time (the Obligor Affiliates, and together with the Company, the EUR Issuer and Holdings, the Obligors) and each of the institutions that is a signatory to this First Amendment (collectively, the Noteholders).
RECITALS:
A. The Company, the EUR Issuer, Holdings, the Obligor Affiliates and each of the Noteholders have heretofore entered into the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of August 20, 2021 (as the same may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Note Agreement), pursuant to which (a) (i) $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2.22% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series A, due August 20, 2026 (the Series A Notes) and (ii) $375,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2.52% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series B, due August 20, 2028 (the Series B Notes) of the Company and (b) (i) 128,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 0.89% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series C, due August 20, 2026 (the Series C Notes), (ii) 251,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 1.26% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series D, due August 20, 2031 (the Series D Notes), (iii) £145,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 1.98% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series E, due August 20, 2026 (the Series E Notes) and (iv) £130,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2.13% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series F, due August 20, 2028 (the Series F Notes) of the EUR Issuer, were issued and sold. Together, the Series A Notes, the Series B Notes, the Series C Notes, the Series D Notes, the Series E Notes and the Series F Notes, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, replaced or exchanged or otherwise modified from time to time, are the Notes. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Note Agreement.
B. The payment by each Issuer of all amounts due with respect to the Notes and the performance by each Issuer of its obligations under the Note Agreement are joint and several obligations of Holdings, the Issuers and the Obligor Affiliates pursuant to the provisions of Section 24 of the Note Agreement.
C. The Company has requested that the Note Agreement be amended as provided herein and the Noteholders holding 100% of the principal amount of the Notes are willing to so agree, subject to the terms and conditions of this First Amendment.
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NOW, THEREFORE, upon the full and complete satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this First Amendment set forth in Section 3.1 hereof, and in consideration of good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Obligors and the Noteholders party hereto hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS.
Section 1.1. Effective as of the date of satisfaction or waiver of each condition precedent set forth in
Section 3.1 below, the Note Agreement is hereby amended as set forth in Exhibit 1 to this First Amendment, with text marked in
bold double underline indicating additions to the Note Agreement, text marked in bold strikethrough indicating deletions to the Note Agreement.
SECTION 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OBLIGORS.
Section 2.1. To induce the Noteholders to execute and deliver this First Amendment, each Obligor jointly and severally hereby represents and warrants to the Noteholders that:
(a) Each Group Member (i) is duly organized, incorporated, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and 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, (iii) is duly qualified to do business in, and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of, each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification except for where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (iv) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that the failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each Obligor has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and the legal right, to enter into and perform the First Amendment. Each Obligor has taken all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this First Amendment. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this First Amendment, except consents, authorizations, filings, notices and other acts that have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect. This First Amendment has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Obligor party thereto. This First Amendment constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Obligor party thereto, enforceable against each such Obligor in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or 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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(c) The execution, delivery and performance by the applicable Obligor of this First Amendment will not (i) violate any Requirement of Law, any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding on an Obligor or its assets, or any Governing Document of any Obligor, except where such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any such indenture, agreement or other instrument.
(d) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Obligors of this First Amendment. It is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence in the United States or the Netherlands, as applicable, of this First Amendment that this First Amendment or any other document be filed, recorded or enrolled with any Governmental Authority, or that any such agreement or document be stamped with any stamp, registration or similar transaction tax that may be required in connection with admissibility into evidence.
(e) As of the date hereof, both before and after giving effect to this First Amendment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
(f) No lender under any agreement or other evidence of Indebtedness of the Obligors, including but not limited to any Material Debt Facility, has received any collateral or consideration in connection with any amendments that are substantially similar to the amendments set forth in Section 1 of this First Amendment.
SECTION 3. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS FIRST AMENDMENT.
Section 3.1. This First Amendment shall not become effective until, and shall become effective as of the first date written above when, each and every one of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(a) executed counterparts of this First Amendment, duly executed by the Obligors and each holder of a Note, shall have been delivered to the Noteholders;
(b) the representations and warranties of the Obligors set forth in Section 2.1 hereof shall be true and correct on and with respect to the date hereof; and
(c) the Company shall have paid all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, special counsel to the Noteholders, in connection with the negotiation, preparation, approval, execution and delivery of this First Amendment to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Company at least one Business Day prior to the date hereof.
Upon satisfaction of all of the foregoing, this First Amendment shall become effective.
-3-
SECTION 4. MISCELLANEOUS.
Section 4.1. This First Amendment shall be construed in connection with and as part of the Note Agreement, and, except as modified and expressly amended by this First Amendment, all terms, conditions and covenants contained in the Note Agreement and the Notes are hereby ratified and shall be and remain in full force and effect. Upon and after the effectiveness of this First Amendment, each reference in the Note Agreement to this Agreement, hereunder, hereof or words of like import referring to the Note Agreement, and each reference in the Notes or other documents to the Note Purchase Agreement, thereof or words of like import referring to the Note Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Note Agreement as modified and amended hereby.
Section 4.2. This First Amendment shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Obligors and the Noteholders and their respective successors and assigns, except as otherwise provided herein or in the Note Agreement. None of the Obligors may assign, transfer, hypothecate or otherwise convey its rights, benefits, obligations or duties hereunder except as otherwise provided in the Note Agreement. The terms and provisions of this First Amendment are for the purpose of defining the relative rights and obligations of the Obligors and the Noteholders with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and there shall be no third-party beneficiaries of any of the terms and provisions of this First Amendment.
Section 4.3. This First Amendment, including all schedules and other documents attached hereto or incorporated by reference herein or delivered in connection herewith, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other understandings, oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Section 4.4 Any and all notices, requests, certificates and other instruments executed and delivered after the execution and delivery of this First Amendment may refer to the Note Agreement without making specific reference to this First Amendment but nevertheless all such references shall include this First Amendment unless the context otherwise requires.
Section 4.5. Wherever possible, each provision of this First Amendment shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this First Amendment shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this First Amendment.
Section 4.6. The descriptive headings of the various Sections or parts of this First Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
Section 4.7. This First Amendment shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would require or permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
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Section 4.8. This First Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
The parties agree to electronic contracting and signatures with respect to this First Amendment. Delivery of an electronic signature to, or a signed copy of, this First Amendment by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be fully binding on the parties to the same extent as the delivery of the signed originals and shall be admissible into evidence for all purposes. The words execution, execute, signed, signature and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this First Amendment shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Company, 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.
Section 4.9. All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this First Amendment, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of such Noteholder or any other holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Obligors pursuant to this First Amendment shall be deemed representations and warranties of the Obligors, as applicable, under this First Amendment.
Section 4.10. THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT ON OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS FIRST AMENDMENT OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH.
[Signatures on Following Page]
-5-
The execution hereof by you shall constitute a contract between us for the uses and purposes hereinabove set forth, and this First Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each executed counterpart constituting an original, but all together only one agreement.
HOLDINGS: | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
THE COMPANY/OBLIGORS: | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS PFS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SCS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC | ||
LINEAGE MANUFACTURING, LLC | ||
LINEAGE TRANSPORTATION, LLC | ||
LINEAGE REDISTRIBUTION, LLC | ||
LINEAGE FOODSERVICE SOLUTIONS, LLC | ||
NOCS SOUTH ATLANTIC COLD STORAGE & WAREHOUSE, LLC | ||
NOCS WEST GULF, LLC | ||
NEW ORLEANS COLD STORAGE AND WAREHOUSE COMPANY, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HCS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE AUS RE HOLDINGS, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS AFS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS CANADA HOLDINGS, LLC each a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 Note Purchase Agreement]
PREFERRED FREEZER LOGISTICS, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
LINEAGE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE, LLC, a Washington limited liability company | ||
By: Lineage Transportation Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole member | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 Note Purchase Agreement]
Executed by each of: Emergent Cold Bidco Pty Ltd Emergent Cold Midco 3 Pty Ltd. Emergent Cold Pty Ltd Lineage AUS TRS Pty Ltd, in accordance with section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) by: |
||||
/s/ Craig Bowyer | /s/ Diane Jungmann | |||
Director signature | Secretary signature | |||
CRAIG BOWYER | DIANE JUNGMANN | |||
Director full name (BLOCK LETTERS) |
Secretary full name (BLOCK LETTERS) |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 Note Purchase Agreement]
LINEAGE LOGISTICS NEW ZEALAND, (NZ Company Number: 1232) By: |
||||||||
Stephen Foote | /s/ Stephen Foote | |||||||
Name of Director | Signature of Director | |||||||
LINEAGE NZ TRS LIMITED, (NZ Company Number: 7967497) By: |
||||||||
Stephen Foote | /s/ Stephen Foote | |||||||
Name of Director | Signature of Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 Note Purchase Agreement]
For and on behalf of
Lineage Danish Bidco ApS
/s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman |
Name: Johannes Albrecht Poelman Title: Special Attorney |
/s/ Harld Johan Peters |
Name: Harld Johan Peters Title: Special Attorney |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 Note Purchase Agreement]
Lineage Norway Holdings I AS, | ||
By: | /s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman | |
Name: Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
Title: Attorney-in-Fact | ||
By: | /s/ Harld Johan Peters | |
Name: Harld Johan Peters | ||
Title: Attorney-in-Fact |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 Note Purchase Agreement]
LINEAGE DUTCH BIDCO B.V., | ||
/s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
By: Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
Title: Authorised Signatory | ||
/s/ Harld Johan Peters | ||
By: Harld Johan Peters | ||
Title: Authorised Signatory | ||
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V., | ||
/s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
By: Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
Title: Authorised Signatory | ||
/s/ Harld Johan Peters | ||
By: Harld Johan Peters | ||
Title: Authorised Signatory | ||
LINEAGE DUTCH COOPERATIEF U.A., | ||
/s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
By: Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
Title: Authorised Signatory | ||
/s/ Harld Johan Peters | ||
By: Harld Johan Peters | ||
Title: Authorised Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 Note Purchase Agreement]
SIGNED for and on behalf of | ) | |||
LINEAGE UK HOLDINGS | ) | |||
LIMITED, | ) | |||
as Borrower, | ||||
a company incorporated in | ) | /s/ Ian David King | ||
Guernsey, acting by | ) | |||
Ian David King | ) | Director | ||
who, in accordance with the laws | ) | |||
of that territory, is acting under | ) | |||
the authority of the company |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 Note Purchase Agreement]
For and on behalf of Lineage UK T&F Holdings Limited | ||
/s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
Name: Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
Title: Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 Note Purchase Agreement]
LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS LTD. | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS TRS LP, by its general partner: LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS TRS, GP LTD. | ||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 Note Purchase Agreement]
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD., a company incorporated in Singapore, with registration number 202206184N, | ||
By: | /s/ Craig Bowyer | |
Name: Craig Bowyer | ||
Title: Director | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SINGAPORE INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., a company incorporated in Singapore, with registration number 202213934R, | ||
By: | /s/ Craig Bowyer | |
Name: Craig Bowyer | ||
Title: Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 Note Purchase Agreement]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
THE LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Macquarie Investment Management Advisers, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust, Attorney in Fact | ||
By: | /s/ Karl Spaeth | |
Name: | Karl Spaeth | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
PENSION INSURANCE CORPORATION PLC | ||
By: Macquarie Investment Management Advisers, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust, Attorney in Fact | ||
By: | /s/ Karl Spaeth | |
Name: | Karl Spaeth | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Barings LLC as Investment Adviser | ||
By: | /s/ James Moore | |
Name: | James Moore | |
Title: | Managing Director | |
C.M. LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | Barings LLC as Investment Adviser | |
By: | /s/ James Moore | |
Name: | James Moore | |
Title: | Managing Director | |
BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Brighthouse Services, LLC, as adviser | ||
By: Barings LLC as Investment Adviser | ||
By: | /s/ James Moore | |
Name: | James Moore | |
Title: | Managing Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
ALLIANZ LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA | ||
By: Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC As the authorized signatory and investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Scott Brown | |
Name: | Scott Brown | |
Title: | Vice President | |
ALLIANZ GLOBAL RISKS US INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC As the authorized signatory and investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Scott Brown | |
Name: | Scott Brown | |
Title: | Vice President | |
ALLIANZ ALD FONDS | ||
By: Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC As the authorized signatory and investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Scott Brown | |
Name: | Scott Brown | |
Title: | Vice President | |
ALLIANZ VKRENTEN DIREKT FONDS | ||
By: Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC As the authorized signatory and investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Scott Brown | |
Name: | Scott Brown | |
Title: | Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Andrew Leisman | |
Name: | Andrew Leisman, CFA | |
Title: | Senior Director | |
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION | ||
BY: NYL Investors LLC, its Investment Manager | ||
By: | /s/ Andrew Leisman | |
Name: | Andrew Leisman, CFA | |
Title: | Senior Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION | ||
By: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., as investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: | Marshall Merriman | |
Title: | Managing Director | |
USAA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK | ||
By: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., as investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: | Marshall Merriman | |
Title: | Managing Director | |
USAA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., as investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: | Marshall Merriman | |
Title: | Managing Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
GARRISON PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., as investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: | Marshall Merriman | |
Title: | Managing Director | |
USAA GENERAL INDEMNITY COMPANY | ||
By: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., as investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: | Marshall Merriman | |
Title: | Managing Director | |
CATASTROPHE REINSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., as investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: | Marshall Merriman | |
Title: | Managing Director | |
USAA CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., as investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: | Marshall Merriman | |
Title: | Managing Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
THE DOCTORS COMPANY, AN INTERINSURANCE EXCHANGE | ||
By: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., as investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: |
Marshall Merriman | |
Title: |
Managing Director | |
HOSPITALS INSURANCE COMPANY, INC. | ||
By: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., as investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: |
Marshall Merriman | |
Title: |
Managing Director | |
HUMANA INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. Its Investment Manager | ||
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: |
Marshall Merriman | |
Title: |
Managing Director | |
HUMANA MEDICAL PLAN, INC. | ||
By: BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. Its Investment Manager | ||
By: | /s/ Marshall Merriman | |
Name: |
Marshall Merriman | |
Title: |
Managing Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
EQUITABLE FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Amy Judd | |
Name: |
Amy Judd | |
Title: |
Investment Officer | |
EQUITABLE FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA | ||
By: | /s/ Amy Judd | |
Name: |
Amy Judd | |
Title: |
Investment Officer |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
ATHENE ANNUITY AND LIFE COMPANY | ||
By: Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP, its investment adviser | ||
By: Apollo Capital Management, L.P., its sub adviser | ||
By: Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC, its General Partner | ||
By: | /s/ William Kuesel | |
Name: | William Kuesel | |
Title: | Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
SECURITY LIFE OF DENVER INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
CORPORATE SOLUTIONS LIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY | ||
VOYA RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY | ||
COMPSOURCE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
STANDARD GUARANTY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
AMERICAN SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
CONSUMER PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS, INC. | ||
UNITED SERVICE PROTECTION CORPORATION | ||
VIRGINIA SURETY COMPANY, INC. | ||
AMERICAN BANKERS INSURANCE COMPANY OF FLORIDA | ||
FEDERAL WARRANTY SERVICE CORPORATION | ||
BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SFM MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SHELTER MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SHELTER LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SHELTER REINSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Voya Investment Management Co. LLC, as Agent | ||
By: | /s/ Scott Brown | |
Name: | Scott Brown | |
Title: | Vice President | |
NN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LTD. | ||
By: Voya Investment Management LLC, as Attorney in fact | ||
By: | /s/ Scott Brown | |
Name: | Scott Brown | |
Title: | Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Josh Prieskorn | |
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President | |
TRANSAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Josh Prieskorn | |
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President | |
TRANSAMERICA LIFE (BERMUDA) LTD | ||
By: AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Josh Prieskorn | |
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
VERSO CORPORATION | ||
By: AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Josh Prieskorn | |
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President | |
AEGON USA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COLLECTIVE INVESTMENT TRUST | ||
By: AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Josh Prieskorn | |
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Principal Global Investors, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Karl Goodman | |
Name: | Karl Goodman | |
Title: | Counsel |
By: |
/s/ Wei-erh Chen | |
Name: |
Wei-erh Chen | |
Title: |
Counsel |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
NAVIGATORS INSURANCE COMPANY HARTFORD ACCIDENT AND INDEMNITY COMPANY HARTFORD LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Hartford Investment Management Company, | ||
By: | /s/ Dawn M. Crunden | |
Name: | Dawn M. Crunden | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
THE HARTFORD RETIREMENT PLAN TRUST FOR U.S. EMPLOYEES | ||
By: Hartford Investment Management Company, its investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Dawn M. Crunden | |
Name: | Dawn M. Crunden | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS | ||
By: | /s/ Martin Rosacker | |
Name: | Martin Rosacker | |
Title: | Managing Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA | ||
By: | /s/ Barry Scheinholtz | |
Name: | Barry Scheinholtz | |
Title: | Managing Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
INDUSTRIAL ALLIANCE INSURANCE
AND | ||
By: |
/s/ Maxime Durivage | |
Name: |
Maxime Durivage | |
Title: |
Director, Private Placement | |
By: |
/s/ Dominic Siciliano | |
Name: |
Dominic Siciliano | |
Title: |
Director, Head of Fixed Income |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
FARM CREDIT MID-AMERICA PCA | ||
By: |
/s/ John J. DeCoursey | |
Name: |
John J. DeCoursey | |
Title: |
Vice President, Food & Agribusiness Fixed Income |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, PCA | ||
By: |
/s/ Curt A. Brown | |
Name: |
Curt A. Brown | |
Title: |
Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
ENSIGN PEAK ADVISORS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Matthew D. Dall | |
Name: | Matthew D. Dall | |
Title: | Head of Credit Research | |
CLIFTON PARK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Matthew D. Dall | |
Name: | Matthew D. Dall | |
Title: | Head of Credit Research |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
CUMIS INSURANCE SOCIETY, INC. | ||
By: MEMBERS Capital Advisors, Inc. acting | ||
By: |
/s/ Stan J. Van Aartsen | |
Name: |
Stan J. Van Aartsen | |
Title: |
Managing Director, Investments | |
CMFG LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: MEMBERS Capital Advisors, Inc. acting | ||
By: |
/s/ Stan J. Van Aartsen | |
Name: |
Stan J. Van Aartsen | |
Title: |
Managing Director, Investments |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY GBU FINANCIAL LIFE GUARANTEE TRUST LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY PROASSURANCE CASUALTY COMPANY UNITY FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY BETTERLIFE CATHOLIC UNITED FINANCIAL TRINITY UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY SECURIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Securian Asset Management, Inc. | ||
By: |
/s/ Jennifer L. Wolf | |
Name: |
Jennifer L. Wolf | |
Title: |
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
THE CONTINENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Anthony Pelafas | |
Name: |
Anthony Pelafas | |
Title: |
Assistant Vice President | |
CONTINENTAL CASUALTY COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Anthony Pelafas | |
Name: |
Anthony Pelafas | |
Title: |
Assistant Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
NASSAU LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Nassau Asset Management LLC | ||
Its: Investment Manager | ||
By: |
/s/ David E. Czerniecki | |
Name: |
David E. Czerniecki | |
Title: |
Chief Investment Officer |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
STATE OF WISCONSIN INVESTMENT BOARD | ||
By: |
/s/ Christopher P. Prestigiacomo | |
Name: |
Christopher P. Prestigiacomo | |
Title: |
Portfolio Manager |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD LIFE INSURANCE SOCIETY | ||
By: |
/s/ Shawn Bengtson | |
Name: |
Shawn Bengtson | |
Title: |
Vice President & Chief Investment Officer |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE CORP. | ||
By: Ameritas Investment Partners Inc., as Agent | ||
By: |
/s/ Tina Udell | |
Name: |
Tina Udell | |
Title: |
Vice President & Managing Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
UNITED OF OMAHA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Justin P. Kavan |
Name: | Justin P. Kavan | |
Title: | Head of Private Placements | |
MUTUAL OF OMAHA INSURANCE COMPANY |
By: | /s/ Justin P. Kavan |
Name: | Justin P. Kavan | |
Title: | Head of Private Placements |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
THE OHIO NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Brenda Kalb |
Name: | Brenda Kalb | |
Title: | Vice President | |
OHIO NATIONAL LIFE ASSURANCE CORPORATION |
By: | /s/ Brenda Kalb |
Name: | Brenda Kalb | |
Title: | Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
STANDARD INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Chris Beaulieu | |
Name: | Chris Beaulieu | |
Title: | VP, Individual Annuities & Investments |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
ASSURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Victor Weber | |
Name: | Victor Weber | |
Title: | Senior Director Investments |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
COUNTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ John A. Jacobs |
Name: | John. A. Jacobs | |
Title: | Director Fixed Income | |
COUNTRY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY |
By: | /s/ John A. Jacobs |
Name: | John. A. Jacobs | |
Title: | Director Fixed Income |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
Accepted and agreed to as
of the first date written above.
SOUTHERN FARM BUREAU LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Bradley Blakney |
Name: | Bradley Blakney | |
Title: | Portfolio Manager |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to 2021 NPA Lineage Logistics]
OBLIGOR AFFILIATES
US Obligor Affiliates (Delaware)
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Lineage AUS RE Holdings, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics Canada Holdings, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Foodservice Solutions, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics AFS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics HCS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics PFS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics SCS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics Services, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Manufacturing, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Redistribution, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Transportation, LLC | Delaware | |
New Orleans Cold Storage and Warehouse Company, LLC | Delaware | |
NOCS South Atlantic Cold Storage & Warehouse, LLC | Delaware | |
NOCS West Gulf, LLC |
Delaware |
Other US Obligor Affiliates
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Lineage Customs Brokerage, LLC | Washington | |
Preferred Freezer Logistics, LLC | New Jersey |
Foreign Obligor Affiliates
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Emergent Cold Bidco Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Emergent Cold Midco 3 Pty Ltd. | Australia | |
Emergent Cold Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Lineage AUS TRS Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Lineage Danish Bidco ApS | Denmark | |
Lineage UK Holdings Limited | Guernsey |
SCHEDULE B
(TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT)
Lineage Dutch Bidco B.V. | Netherlands | |
Lineage Dutch Coöperatief U.A. | Netherlands | |
Lineage Logistics New Zealand (f/k/a Emergent Cold) | New Zealand | |
Lineage NZ TRS Limited | New Zealand | |
Lineage Norway Holdings I AS | Norway | |
Lineage UK T&F Holdings Limited | England & Wales | |
Lineage Logistics ORS Ltd. | Ontario, Canada | |
Lineage Logistics ORS TRS LP | Ontario, Canada | |
Lineage Logistics Singapore Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | |
Lineage Logistics Singapore Intermediate Holdings Pte. Ltd. | Singapore |
B-2
EXHIBIT 1
[Attached.]
EXHIBIT 1
(TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT)
EXHIBIT 1
AMENDMENT NO. 1
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC
US$ 300,000,000
2.22% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series A, due August 20, 2026
US$ 375,000,000
2.52% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series B, due August 20, 2028
128,000,000
0.89% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series C, due August 20, 2026
251,000,000
1.26% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series D, due August 20, 2031
£145,000,000
1.98% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series E, due August 20, 2026
£130,000,000
2.13% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series F, due August 20, 2028
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated August 20, 2021
and as amended as of September 9, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION | HEADING | PAGE | ||||
SECTION 1. | AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES | 6 | ||||
SECTION 2. | SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES; JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGORS | 7 | ||||
Section 2.1. |
Sale and Purchase of Notes |
7 | ||||
Section 2.2. |
Joint and Several Obligors |
7 | ||||
Section 2.3. |
Intercreditor Agreement |
7 | ||||
SECTION 3. | CLOSING | 8 | ||||
SECTION 4. | CONDITIONS TO CLOSING | 8 | ||||
Section 4.1. |
Representations and Warranties |
8 | ||||
Section 4.2. |
Performance; No Default |
9 | ||||
Section 4.3. |
Compliance Certificates |
9 | ||||
Section 4.4. |
Opinions of Counsel |
10 | ||||
Section 4.5. |
Purchase Permitted By Applicable Law, Etc. |
10 | ||||
Section 4.6. |
Sale of Other Notes |
10 | ||||
Section 4.7. |
Payment of Special Counsel Fees |
10 | ||||
Section 4.8. |
Private Placement Number |
10 | ||||
Section 4.9. |
Changes in Corporate Structure |
111 | ||||
Section 4.10. |
Funding Instructions |
11 | ||||
Section 4.11. |
Intercreditor Agreement |
11 | ||||
Section 4.12. |
Acceptance of Appointment to Receive Service of Process |
11 | ||||
Section 4.13. |
Investment Grade Financial Covenant Election Date |
11 | ||||
Section 4.14. |
Rating of Notes |
11 | ||||
Section 4.15. |
Proceedings and Documents |
11 | ||||
SECTION 5. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OBLIGORS | 12 | ||||
Section 5.1. |
Organization; Power and Authority |
12 | ||||
Section 5.2. |
Authorization, Etc. |
12 | ||||
Section 5.3. |
Disclosure |
12 | ||||
Section 5.4. |
Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates |
13 | ||||
Section 5.5. |
Financial Statements; Material Liabilities |
13 | ||||
Section 5.6. |
Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc. |
13 | ||||
Section 5.7. |
Governmental Authorizations, Etc. |
13 | ||||
Section 5.8. |
Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders |
14 | ||||
Section 5.9. |
Taxes |
14 | ||||
Section 5.10. |
Title to Property; Leases |
15 |
Section 5.11. |
Licenses, Permits, Etc. |
15 | ||||
Section 5.12. |
Compliance with Employee Benefit Plans |
15 | ||||
Section 5.13. |
Private Offering by the Issuers |
16 | ||||
Section 5.14. |
Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations |
16 | ||||
Section 5.15. |
Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens |
16 | ||||
Section 5.16. |
Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc. |
17 | ||||
Section 5.17. |
Status under Certain Statutes |
17 | ||||
Section 5.18. |
Environmental Matters |
17 | ||||
Section 5.19. |
REIT Status |
18 | ||||
Section 5.20. |
Solvency |
18 | ||||
Section 5.21. |
Qualified Assets |
18 | ||||
Section 5.22. |
Ranking of Obligations |
18 | ||||
SECTION 6. | REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASERS | 19 | ||||
Section 6.1. |
Purchase for Investment |
19 | ||||
Section 6.2. |
Source of Funds |
20 | ||||
SECTION 7. | INFORMATION AS TO OBLIGORS | 21 | ||||
Section 7.1. |
Financial and Business Information |
21 | ||||
Section 7.2. |
Compliance Certificate |
23 | ||||
Section 7.3. |
Visitation |
24 | ||||
Section 7.4. |
Electronic Delivery |
25 | ||||
SECTION 8. | PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF THE NOTES | 25 | ||||
Section 8.1. |
Maturity |
25 | ||||
Section 8.2. |
Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount |
25 | ||||
Section 8.3. |
Prepayment for Tax Reasons |
26 | ||||
Section 8.4. |
Prepayment in Connection with a Noteholder Sanctions Event |
27 | ||||
Section 8.5. |
Allocation of Partial Prepayments |
29 | ||||
Section 8.6. |
Maturity; Surrender, Etc. |
29 | ||||
Section 8.7. |
Purchase of Notes |
29 | ||||
Section 8.8. |
Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount |
29 | ||||
Section 8.9. |
Swap Breakage |
38 | ||||
Section 8.10. |
Payments Due on Non-Business Days |
39 | ||||
Section 8.11. |
Change in Control Prepayment Offer |
39 | ||||
SECTION 9. | AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | 40 | ||||
Section 9.5. |
Corporate Existence, Etc. |
40 | ||||
Section 9.1. |
Compliance with Laws |
40 | ||||
Section 9.2. |
Insurance |
40 | ||||
Section 9.3. |
Maintenance of Properties |
40 | ||||
Section 9.4. |
Payment of Taxes and Claims |
41 |
-ii-
Section 9.6. |
Books and Records |
41 | ||||
Section 9.7. |
Additional Obligor Affiliates |
41 | ||||
Section 9.8. |
REIT Status |
43 | ||||
Section 9.9. |
Priority of Obligations |
43 | ||||
Section 9.10. |
Rating |
44 | ||||
SECTION 10. | NEGATIVE COVENANTS | 44 | ||||
Section 10.1. |
Transactions with Affiliates |
44 | ||||
Section 10.2. |
Merger, Consolidation, Etc. |
46 | ||||
Section 10.3. |
Line of Business |
48 | ||||
Section 10.4. |
Economic Sanctions, Etc. |
48 | ||||
Section 10.5. |
Financial Covenants |
48 | ||||
Section 10.6. |
Indebtedness |
49 | ||||
Section 10.7. |
Liens |
49 | ||||
Section 10.8. |
Disposition of Property |
50 | ||||
Section 10.9. |
Restricted Payments |
50 | ||||
Section 10.10. |
Investments |
52 | ||||
Section 10.12. |
Negative Pledge |
52 | ||||
SECTION 11. | EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 54 | ||||
SECTION 12. | REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC. | 56 | ||||
Section 12.1. |
Acceleration |
56 | ||||
Section 12.2. |
Other Remedies |
57 | ||||
Section 12.3. |
Rescission |
57 | ||||
Section 12.4. |
No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc. |
57 | ||||
SECTION 13. | TAX INDEMNIFICATION; FATCA INFORMATION | 58 | ||||
SECTION 14. | REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES | 62 | ||||
Section 14.1. |
Registration of Notes |
62 | ||||
Section 14.2. |
Transfer and Exchange of Notes |
62 | ||||
Section 14.3. |
Replacement of Notes |
63 | ||||
SECTION 15. | PAYMENTS ON NOTES | 63 | ||||
Section 15.1. |
Place of Payment |
63 | ||||
Section 15.2. |
Payment by Wire Transfer |
64 | ||||
SECTION 16. | EXPENSES, ETC. | 64 | ||||
Section 16.1. |
Transaction Expenses; Indemnity |
64 | ||||
Section 16.2. |
Certain Taxes |
65 | ||||
Section 16.3. |
Survival |
65 |
-iii-
SECTION 17. | SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT | 65 | ||||
SECTION 18. | AMENDMENT AND WAIVER | 65 | ||||
Section 18.1. |
Requirements |
65 | ||||
Section 18.2. |
Solicitation of Holders of Notes |
66 | ||||
Section 18.3. |
Binding Effect, Etc. |
67 | ||||
Section 18.4. |
Notes Held by Company, Etc. |
67 | ||||
SECTION 19. | NOTICES; ENGLISH LANGUAGE | 67 | ||||
SECTION 20. | REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS | 68 | ||||
SECTION 21. | CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION | 68 | ||||
SECTION 22. | SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER | 70 | ||||
SECTION 23. | MISCELLANEOUS | 70 | ||||
Section 23.1. |
Successors and Assigns |
70 | ||||
Section 23.2. |
Accounting Terms |
70 | ||||
Section 23.3. |
Severability |
70 | ||||
Section 23.4. |
Construction, Etc. |
71 | ||||
Section 23.5. |
Counterparts; Electronic Signatures |
71 | ||||
Section 23.6. |
Governing Law |
72 | ||||
Section 23.7. |
Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial |
72 | ||||
Section 23.8. |
Obligation to Make Payments in Applicable Currency |
73 | ||||
Section 23.9. |
Exchange Rate |
74 | ||||
SECTION 24. | JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGORS | 74 | ||||
Section 24.1. |
US Joint and Several Liability |
74 | ||||
Section 24.2. |
Foreign Joint and Several Liability |
76 | ||||
Section 24.3. |
Obligations Absolute and Unconditional |
79 | ||||
Section 24.4. |
Enforcement Costs |
81 | ||||
Section 24.5. |
Subrogation |
81 | ||||
Section 24.6. |
Preference |
82 | ||||
Section 24.7. |
Marshalling and Accounts |
82 | ||||
Signature | 83 |
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SCHEDULE A |
| Defined Terms | ||||
SCHEDULE B |
| Obligor Affiliates | ||||
SCHEDULE 1-A |
| Form of US$ 2.22% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series A, due August 20, 2026 | ||||
SCHEDULE 1-B |
| Form of US$ 2.52% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series B, due August 20, 2028 | ||||
SCHEDULE 1-C |
| Form of 0.89% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series C, due August 20, 2026 | ||||
SCHEDULE 1-D |
| Form of 1.26% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series D, due August 20, 2031 | ||||
SCHEDULE 1-E |
| Form of £ 1.98% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series E, due August 20, 2026 | ||||
SCHEDULE 1-F |
| Form of £ 2.13% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series F, due August 20, 2028 | ||||
SCHEDULE 2 |
| Form of Joinder Agreement | ||||
SCHEDULE 4.4(a) |
| Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Obligors | ||||
SCHEDULE 5.3 |
| Disclosure Materials | ||||
SCHEDULE 5.4 |
| Subsidiaries of Holdings and Ownership of Subsidiary Stock | ||||
SCHEDULE 5.5 |
| Financial Statements | ||||
SCHEDULE 5.15 |
| Existing Indebtedness | ||||
SCHEDULE 5.21 |
| Qualified Assets | ||||
SCHEDULE 10.1 |
| Transactions with Affiliates | ||||
SCHEDULE 10.10 |
| Permitted Investments | ||||
SCHEDULE 25 |
| Ground Leases |
PURCHASER SWAP SCHEDULE |
| Purchaser Swap Information Re: Swapped Notes |
PURCHASER SCHEDULE |
| Information Relating to Purchasers |
-v-
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, MI 48377
US$ 300,000,000 2.22% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series A, due August 20, 2026
US$ 375,000,000 2.52% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series B, due August 20, 2028
128,000,000 0.89% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series C, due August 20, 2026
251,000,000 1.26% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series D, due August 20, 2031
£145,000,000 1.98% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series E, due August 20, 2026
£130,000,000 2.13% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series F, due August 20, 2028
August 20, 2021
TO EACH OF THE PURCHASERS LISTED IN
THE PURCHASER SCHEDULE HERETO:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Lineage Logistics, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), Lineage Treasury Europe B.V., a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands (the EUR Issuer, and together with the Company, jointly the Issuers and each an Issuer), Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Holdings), and each Person listed on Schedule B as an Obligor Affiliate agree with each of the Purchasers as follows:
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES.
(a) | The Company will authorize the issue and sale of $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.22% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series A, due August 20, 2026 (the Series A Notes). |
(b) | The Company will authorize the issue and sale of $375,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.52% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series B, due August 20, 2028 (the Series B Notes). |
(c) | The EUR Issuer will authorize the issue and sale of 128,000,0000 aggregate principal amount of its 0.89% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series C, due August 20, 2026 (the Series C Notes). |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
(d) | The EUR Issuer will authorize the issue and sale of 251,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1.26% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series D, due August 20, 2031 (the Series D Notes). |
(e) | The EUR Issuer will authorize the issue and sale of £145,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1.98% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series E, due August 20, 2026 (the Series E Notes). |
(f) | The EUR Issuer will authorize the issue and sale of £130,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.13% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series F, due August 20, 2028 (the Series F Notes). |
The Series A Notes, together with the Series B Notes, the Series C Notes, the Series D Notes, the Series E Notes and the Series F Notes, are referred to in this Agreement as the Notes. The Notes shall be substantially in the form set out in Schedules 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, 1-D, 1-E and 1-F respectively. Certain capitalized and other terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule A and, for purposes of this Agreement, the rules of construction set forth in Section 22.5 shall govern.
SECTION 2. SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES; JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGORS; INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT.
Section 2.1. Sale and Purchase of Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Issuers will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser will purchase from each respective Issuer, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Notes in the principal amount and series specified opposite such Purchasers name in the Purchaser Schedule at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The Purchasers obligations hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance of any obligation by any other Purchaser hereunder.
Section 2.2. Joint and Several Obligors. The payment by each Issuer of all amounts due with respect to the Notes and the performance by each Issuer of its obligations under this Agreement are joint and several obligations of Holdings, the Issuers and the Obligor Affiliates pursuant to (as limited by) the provisions of Section 24 herein.
Section 2.3. Intercreditor Agreement. The Purchasers and the administrative agent, on behalf of the lenders, under the Principal Credit Facility will enter into the Intercreditor Agreement on the Closing Date (together with any future additional creditors that may from time to time in the future accede thereto) providing for the sharing of certain payments from guarantors and borrowers (other than the Company) among the parties following an Event of Default.
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
SECTION 3. CLOSING
The sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, 77 West Wacker Drive, Suite 3100, Chicago, Illinois 60601, at 9:00 a.m., Chicago time, at a closing (the Closing) on August 20, 2021 (the Closing Date). At the Closing, each Issuer will deliver to each Purchaser the Notes of the series to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Note (or such greater number of Notes in denominations of at least $100,000, 100,000 or £100,000, as applicable, as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchasers name (or in the name of its nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the respective Issuer or its order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of:
(i) | the Company to account number 510152361 at JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. in connection with the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes, |
(ii) | the EUR Issuer to account number NL16 BOFA 0030 1800 16 at Bank of America Europe DAC (SWIFT: BOFANLNX) in connection with the Series C Notes and the Series D Notes, and |
(iii) | the EUR Issuer to account number NL91 BOFA 0030 1800 24 at Bank of America Europe DAC (SWIFT: BOFANLNX) in connection with the Series E Notes and the Series F Notes. |
If at the Closing an Issuer shall fail to tender such Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to such Purchasers satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at its election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure by the Issuer to tender such Notes or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 not having been fulfilled to such Purchasers satisfaction.
SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.
Each Purchasers obligation to purchase and pay for the Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchasers satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of the following conditions:
Section 4.1. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Representations and Warranties of the Issuers. The representations and warranties of each Issuer in this Agreement shall be correct when made on the date of this Agreement and at the Closing.
(b) Representations and Warranties of Holdings. The representations and warranties of Holdings in this Agreement shall be correct when made on the date of this Agreement and at the Closing.
(c) Representations and Warranties of the Obligor Affiliates. The representations and warranties of the Obligor Affiliates in this Agreement shall be correct when made on the date of this Agreement and at the Closing.
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
Section 4.2. Performance; No Default. The Obligors shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing. Before and after giving effect to the issue and sale of the Notes (and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.14), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. None of the Obligors or any Subsidiary shall have entered into any transaction since the date of the Memorandum that would have been prohibited by Section 10 had such Section applied since such date.
Section 4.3. Compliance Certificates.
(a) Officers Certificates of the Issuers. Each of the Issuers shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officers Certificate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1(a), 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.
(b) Secretarys Certificates of the Issuers. Each of the Issuers shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of a Responsible Officer, or with respect to the EUR Issuer, a managing director or any other person who is authorized to represent the EUR Issuer, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of the Notes and this Agreement and (ii) if customary in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Obligor Affiliate, the incumbency of the authorized signatories of such Issuer executing this Agreement and the Notes and (iii) the Issuers organizational documents as then in effect.
(c) Officers Certificate of Holdings. Holdings shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officers Certificate with respect to Holdings, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1(b), 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.
(d) Secretarys Certificate of Holdings. Holdings shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate with respect to Holdings, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, (ii) the incumbency of the authorized signatories of Holdings executing this Agreement and (iii) Holdings organizational documents as then in effect.
(e) Officers Certificate of Obligor Affiliates. Each Obligor Affiliate shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officers Certificate with respect to such Obligor Affiliate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1(c), 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.
(f) Secretarys Certificate of Obligor Affiliates. Each Obligor Affiliate shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of its Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Director or a Responsible Officer, or with respect to a Danish Obligor Affiliate, a managing director or any other person who is authorized to represent the Danish Obligor Affiliate, or with respect to a New Zealand Obligor Affiliate, a director of that New Zealand Obligor Affiliate, in each case dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, (ii) if customary in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Obligor Affiliate, the incumbency of the authorized signatories of the Obligor Affiliate executing this Agreement and (iii) such Obligor Affiliates organizational documents as then in effect.
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
Section 4.4. Opinions of Counsel. Such Purchaser shall have received opinions in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser, dated the date of the Closing (a) from Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Issuers, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates, covering the matters set forth in Schedule 4.4(a) and covering such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated hereby as such Purchaser or its counsel may reasonably request (and the Obligors hereby instruct its counsel to deliver such opinion to the Purchasers), (b) Johnson Winter & Slattery, counsel to the Australian Obligor Affiliates, covering matters set forth of Schedule 4.4(b), (c) McCarthy Tétrault LLP, counsel to the Canadian Obligor Affiliates, covering matters set forth on Schedule 4.4(c), (d) NautaDutilh, counsel to the Dutch Obligors covering matters set forth on Schedule 4.4(d); (e) from various counsel for the other Obligor Affiliates listed on Schedule 4.4(e) covering power and capacity of such Obligor Affiliate and such matters relating to this Agreement as such Purchaser may reasonably request, and (f) from Greenberg Traurig, LLP, the Purchasers special counsel in connection with such transactions, and covering such other matters incident to such transactions as such Purchaser may reasonably request.
Section 4.5. Purchase Permitted By Applicable Law, Etc. On the date of the Closing such Purchasers purchase of Notes shall (a) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which such Purchaser is subject, without recourse to provisions (such as section 1405(a)(8) of the New York Insurance Law) permitting limited investments by insurance companies without restriction as to the character of the particular investment, (b) not violate any applicable law or regulation (including Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and (c) not subject such Purchaser to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof. If requested by such Purchaser, such Purchaser shall have received an Officers Certificate certifying as to such matters of fact as such Purchaser may reasonably specify to enable such Purchaser to determine whether such purchase is so permitted.
Section 4.6. Sale of Other Notes. Contemporaneously with the Closing each of the Issuers shall sell to each other Purchaser and each other Purchaser shall purchase the Notes to be purchased by it at the Closing as specified in the Purchaser Schedule.
Section 4.7. Payment of Special Counsel Fees. Without limiting Section 15.1, the Company shall have paid on or before the Closing the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of the Purchasers special counsel referred to in Section 4.4 to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Company at least one Business Day prior to the Closing.
Section 4.8. Private Placement Number. A Private Placement Number issued by Standard & Poors CUSIP Service Bureau (in cooperation with the SVO) shall have been obtained for each series of Notes.
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
Section 4.9. Changes in Corporate Structure. Except as permitted by Section 10.2, none of the Issuers, Holdings or any Obligor Affiliate shall have changed its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as applicable, or been a party to any merger or consolidation or succeeded to all or any substantial part of the liabilities of any other entity, at any time following the date of the most recent financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.5.
Section 4.10. Funding Instructions. At least three Business Days prior to the date of the Closing, each Purchaser shall have received written instructions signed by a Responsible Officer on letterhead of the Company confirming the information specified in Section 3 including (i) the name and address of the transferee bank, (ii) such transferee banks ABA number and (iii) the account name and number into which the purchase price for the Notes is to be deposited.
Section 4.11. Intercreditor Agreement. The Intercreditor Agreement shall have been executed and delivered by each of the Purchasers and the administrative agent, on behalf of the lenders, under the Principal Credit Facility.
Section 4.12. Acceptance of Appointment to Receive Service of Process. Such Purchaser shall have received evidence of the acceptance by Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377 of the appointment and designation provided for by Section 23.7(e) for the period from the date of the Closing to 1 year after maturity of the Notes (and the payment in full of all fees in respect thereof).
Section 4.13. Investment Grade Financial Covenant Election Date. Such Purchaser shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that the Investment Grade Financial Covenant Election Date as defined under and in accordance with the Principal Credit Facility shall have occurred or shall occur on the Closing Date.
Section 4.14. Rating of Notes. DBRS shall have delivered to the Company a letter assigning a private credit rating to the Notes of not less than BBB (which letter shall comply with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 9.10), and the Company shall have delivered a copy of such ratings letter to such Purchaser.
Section 4.15. Proceedings and Documents. All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Purchaser and its special counsel, and such Purchaser and its special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as such Purchaser or such special counsel may reasonably request.
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OBLIGORS.
As of the date of this Agreement and as of the date of the Closing, each Obligor jointly and severally represents and warrants to each Purchaser that:
Section 5.1. Organization; Power and Authority. Each Group Member (a) is duly organized, incorporated, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and 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, (c) is duly qualified to do business in, and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of, each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification except for where failure to do so could not reasonably be 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 could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.2. Authorization, Etc. Each Obligor has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and the legal right, to enter into and perform this Agreement and the Notes to which it is a party. Each Obligor has taken all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Notes to which it is a party. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the sale of the Notes hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Notes, except consents, authorizations, filings, notices and other acts that have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect. This Agreement and each Note has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Obligor party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and the Notes upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Obligor party thereto, enforceable against each such Obligor in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
Section 5.3. Disclosure. The Company through its agents, BofA Securities, Inc and JP Morgan Securities LLC has delivered to each Purchaser a copy of a Private Placement Memorandum dated July 2021 (the Memorandum) and the Investor Presentation dated July 2021 (the Investor Presentation), relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. The Memorandum and the Investor Presentation, together, fairly describe, in all material respects, the general nature of the business and principal properties of the Obligors and their respective Subsidiaries. This Agreement, the Memorandum, the Investor Presentation and the financial statements listed in Schedule 5.5 and the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Issuers prior to August 11, 2021 in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and identified in Schedule 5.3 (this Agreement, the Memorandum, the Investor Presentation and such documents, certificates or other writings and such financial statements delivered to each Purchaser being referred to, collectively, as the Disclosure Documents), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since December 31, 2020, there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the Obligors or any of their respective Subsidiaries except changes that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
Section 5.4. Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates. As of the Closing Date, (a) Schedule 5.4 sets forth the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Subsidiary of a Group Member and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Equity Interests owned by any Group Member and (b) except as set forth on Schedule 5.4, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, acquisition rights or other similar agreements or similar commitments (other than (i) stock options granted to employees or directors and (ii) directors qualifying shares) of any nature relating to any Equity Interests of Holdings or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary.
(c) No Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary is subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than this Agreement, the agreements listed on Schedule 5.4, customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes and customary limitations imposed by the terms of agreements governing Non-Recourse Indebtedness) restricting the ability of such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar Equity Interests of such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary.
Section 5.5. Financial Statements; Material Liabilities. The Company has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.5. All of such financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) (i) present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date of such financial statements and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified in such financial statements and (ii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the period covered thereby except as otherwise expressly noted therein (subject, in the case of unaudited consolidated balance sheets, to year-end audit adjustments). The Obligors and their respective Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.
Section 5.6. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by the applicable Obligor of this Agreement and the Notes to which such Obligor is a party, the sale of the Notes hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof will not (i) violate any Requirement of Law, any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding on an Obligor or its assets, or any Governing Document of any Obligor, except where such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any such indenture, agreement or other instrument.
Section 5.7. Governmental Authorizations, Etc. No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Obligors of this Agreement or, with respect to the Issuers only, the Notes, including any thereof required in
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connection with the obtaining of the Applicable Currency to make payments under this Agreement or the Notes and the payment of such Applicable Currency to Persons resident in the United States of America. It is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence in the United States or the Netherlands, as applicable, of this Agreement or the Notes that any thereof or any other document be filed, recorded or enrolled with any Governmental Authority, or that any such agreement or document be stamped with any stamp, registration or similar transaction tax that may be required in connection with admissibility into evidence.
Section 5.8. Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders. (a) No action, suit, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threatened in writing against any Group Member or against any of their respective property as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) None of the Group Members is (i) in default under any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (ii) in violation of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, any arbitrator of any kind or any Governmental Authority or (iii) in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws, the USA PATRIOT Act or any of the other laws and regulations that are referred to in Section 5.16), in each case where such default or violation could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.9. Taxes. (a) Each Group Member has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state and other material tax returns and reports that are required to have been filed and has paid all Taxes on any assessments made against it or any of its property, and all other material Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any Taxes the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the relevant Group Member), in each case, except where the failure to file or pay, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Tax Lien has been filed with respect to any Qualified Asset that is not a Permitted Encumbrance, and as of the Closing Date, to the knowledge of any Obligor, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Taxes, fees or other charges of any Group Member that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) No liability for any Tax, directly or indirectly, imposed, assessed, levied or collected by or for the account of any Governmental Authority of the Netherlands or any political subdivision thereof will be incurred by Obligors or any holder of a Note as a result of the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the Notes and no deduction or withholding in respect of Taxes imposed by or for the account of any Governmental Authority of the Netherlands is required to be made from any payment by the Obligors under this Agreement or the Notes except for any such liability, withholding or deduction imposed, assessed, levied or collected by or for the account of any such Governmental Authority arising out of circumstances described in clauses (i) through (vii) of Section 13(b).
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Section 5.10. Title to Property; Leases. Subject to Liens not prohibited by this Agreement, each Group Member has good and valid title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all of its Real Property that is material to the operation of its business, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or the right to use, all its other property that is material to the operation of its business, in each case other than (x) minor defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, or (y) where the failure to have such title, interest or other right to use would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Qualified Assets or the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner is subject to any Lien except Permitted Encumbrances and Permitted Equity Encumbrances.
Section 5.11. Licenses, Permits, Etc. Each Group Member owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, except to the extent that the failure to so own or license such Intellectual Property, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been asserted against any Group Member and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nor does any Obligor know of any valid basis for any such claim in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The use of Intellectual Property by each Group Member does not infringe on the rights of any Person except to the extent that such infringements, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.12. Compliance with Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) each Group Member and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Code relating to Plans and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder; and (ii) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur.
(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (1) to the extent applicable, each Group Member is in compliance with Canadian Pension Legislation with respect to each (i) Canadian Pension Plan, and (ii) Canadian Defined Benefit Plan; (2) no Canadian Pension Event has occurred; and (3) no Lien has arisen, choate or inchoate, in respect of any Obligor or their property in connection with any Canadian Pension Plan administered or sponsored by a Group Member, other than a Permitted Encumbrance.
(c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Notes hereunder will not involve any transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of Section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code. The representation by the Obligors to each Purchaser in the first sentence of this Section 5.12(e) is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of such Purchasers representation in Section 6.2 as to the sources of the funds to be used to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser.
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(d) All Non-U.S. Plans have been established, operated, administered and maintained in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders applicable thereto, except where failure so to comply could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All premiums, contributions and any other amounts required by applicable Non-U.S. Plan documents or applicable laws to be paid or accrued by the Company and its Subsidiaries have been paid or accrued as required, except where failure so to pay or accrue could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.13. Private Offering by the Issuers. None of the Obligors or anyone acting on their behalf has offered the Notes or any similar Securities for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy the Notes or any similar Securities from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any Person other than the Purchasers and not more than 55 other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Notes at a private sale for investment. None of the Obligors or anyone acting on their behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Notes to the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any Securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction.
Section 5.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. The Issuers will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Notes hereunder as set forth in the section entitled Proposed Offering and Capitalization of the Memorandum. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder will be used, (i) for the purpose, whether immediate or ultimate, of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221) as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or (ii) for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board. No Obligor nor any Subsidiary is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying margin stock. Margin stock does not constitute more than 25% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Company does not have any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than 25% of the value of such assets.
Section 5.15. Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens. (a) Except as described therein, Schedule 5.15 sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Material Indebtedness of the Group Members as of March 31, 2021 (other than Indebtedness in the nature of letters of credit, Capital Lease Obligations and intercompany Indebtedness). Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary and no event or condition exists with respect to any Material Indebtedness of any Issuer or any Subsidiary that would permit (or that with notice or the lapse of time, or both, would permit) one or more Persons to cause such Material Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment.
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(b) None of the Obligors or any Subsidiary thereof has agreed or consented to cause or permit any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien that secures Indebtedness or to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien that secures Indebtedness, in each case except as not prohibited by this Agreement.
Section 5.16. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc. The Obligors have implemented and maintain in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Obligors, the other Group Members and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions, and Holdings, the other Group Members and their respective officers and employees and, to the knowledge of the Obligors after reasonable due diligence, their respective directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of the Obligors, any of their respective Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of any Obligor or any such Subsidiary, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person, (iii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to any Anti-Terrorism Law or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purposes of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate any Anti-Terrorism Laws. All borrowings, use of proceeds and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will comply with applicable Sanctions in all material respects, and no borrowing, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will violate Anti-Corruption Laws (including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977) or Anti-Money Laundering Laws. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall require Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any director, officer, employee, agent or Affiliate of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries that are registered or incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province thereof to commit an act or omission that contravenes the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures (United States) Order, 1992.
Section 5.17. Status under Certain Statutes. No Group Member is an investment company required to be registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 5.18. Environmental Matters. Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) the facilities and real properties owned, leased or operated by any Group Member (the Properties) do not contain any Materials of Environmental Concern in amounts or concentrations or under circumstances that constitute a violation of Environmental Law or would reasonably be expected to result in any Environmental Liability;
(b) no Group Member has received any written notice from any Person alleging, or knows of any basis for, any Environmental Liability with regard to any Group Member, the Properties or the business operated by any Group Member (the Business);
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(c) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or disposed of to, at or from the Properties by or on behalf of any Group Member in violation of Environmental Law or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability, nor have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, used, treated or stored at, on or under any of the Properties in violation of Environmental Law or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability;
(d) no claim, proceeding, suit, action or, to the knowledge of the Obligors, investigation is pending or, to the knowledge of the Obligors, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which any Group Member is or, to the knowledge of the Obligors, will be named as a party, nor are there any judicial decrees, consent decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other governmental orders outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to any Group Member, the Properties or the Business;
(e) there has been no Release of or exposure to nor, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threat of Release of Materials of Environmental Concern at, in, on, under or from the Properties or any other location that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability;
(f) neither the Group Members nor their respective operations at the Properties have failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law; and
(g) no Group Member has retained or assumed (by contract or operation of law) any Environmental Liability of any other Person or with respect to any former or predecessor operations or properties.
Section 5.19. REIT Status. REIT Parent (i) qualifies as a REIT for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, (ii) will elect to be treated as a REIT beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2020 and (iii) is in compliance with all other requirements and conditions imposed under the Code to allow it to maintain its status as a REIT.
Section 5.20. Solvency. As of the Closing, the Company and its Subsidiaries and Holdings and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole and on a consolidated basis, immediately after the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the Notes, are Solvent.
Section 5.21. Qualified Assets. Schedule 5.21 is a correct and complete list of all Qualified Assets. None of the Qualified Assets or the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner is subject to any Lien except Permitted Encumbrances and Permitted Equity Encumbrances.
Section 5.22. Ranking of Obligations. The Obligors payment obligations under this Agreement and the Notes will, upon issuance of the Notes, rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Obligors.
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SECTION 6. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASERS.
Section 6.1. Purchase for Investment. (a) Each Purchaser severally represents that it is purchasing the Notes for its own account or for one or more separate accounts maintained by such Purchaser or for the account of one or more pension or trust funds and not with a view to the distribution thereof, provided that the disposition of such Purchasers or their property shall at all times be within such Purchasers or their control. Each Purchaser understands that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from registration is available, except under circumstances where neither such registration nor such an exemption is required by law, and that the Issuers are not required to register the Notes.
(b) Each Purchaser severally represents that it is an accredited investor within the meaning of subparagraph (a) of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act acting for its own account (and not for the account of others) or as a fiduciary or agent for others (which others are also accredited investors). In addition, each Purchaser that is not an accredited investor under subparagraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(7) of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act severally represents that it is an institutional account under FINRA Rule 4512(c). Each Purchaser further severally represents that such Purchaser has had the opportunity to ask questions of the Issuers and received answers concerning the terms and conditions of the sale of the Notes.
For purposes of FINRA Rule 4512(c), the term institutional account shall mean the account of:
(1) a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company or registered investment company;
(2) an investment adviser registered either with the SEC under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act or with a state securities commission (or any agency or office performing like functions); or
(3) any other person (whether a natural person, corporation, partnership, trust or otherwise) with total assets of at least $50,000,000.
(c) Each Purchaser located in the European Economic Area severally represents that it is a professional client within the meaning of Directive 2014/65/EU.
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Section 6.2. Source of Funds. Each Purchaser severally represents that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a Source) to be used by such Purchaser to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser hereunder:
(a) the Source is an insurance company general account (as the term is defined in the United States Department of Labors Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE) 95-60) in respect of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for life insurance companies approved by the NAIC (the NAIC Annual Statement)) for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the total reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with such Purchasers state of domicile; or
(b) the Source is a separate account that is maintained solely in connection with such Purchasers fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account; or
(c) the Source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38 and, except as disclosed by such Purchaser to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (c), no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund; or
(d) the Source constitutes assets of an investment fund (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14 (the QPAM Exemption)) managed by a qualified professional asset manager or QPAM (within the meaning of Part VI of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plans assets that are managed by the QPAM in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, represent more than 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part I(c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the QPAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the QPAM maintains an ownership interest in any Issuer that would cause the QPAM and such Issuer to be related within the meaning of Part VI(h) of the QPAM Exemption and (i) the identity of such QPAM and (ii) the names of any employee benefit plans whose assets in the investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization, represent 10% or more of the assets of such investment fund, have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (d); or
(e) the Source constitutes assets of a plan(s) (within the meaning of Part IV(h) of PTE 96-23 (the INHAM Exemption)) managed by an in-house asset manager or INHAM (within the meaning of Part IV(a) of the INHAM Exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the
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INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of control in Part IV(d)(3) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 10% or more interest in any Issuer and (i) the identity of such INHAM and (ii) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (e); or
(f) the Source is a governmental plan; or
(g) the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (g); or
(h) the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA.
As used in this Section 6.2, the terms employee benefit plan, governmental plan, and separate account shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in Section 3 of ERISA.
SECTION 7. INFORMATION AS TO OBLIGORS
Section 7.1. Financial and Business Information. The Obligors shall deliver to each Purchaser and each holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor:
(a) Quarterly Statements within 45 days (and with respect to the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2021, 60 days after the end of such fiscal quarter) after the end of each quarterly fiscal period in each fiscal year of Holdings (other than the last quarterly fiscal period of each such fiscal year), duplicate copies of,
(i) a consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter, and
(ii) consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, for such quarter and (in the case of the second and third quarters) for the portion of the fiscal year ending with such quarter,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding periods in the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to quarterly financial statements generally, and certified by a Senior Financial Officer as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported on and their results of operations and cash flows, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments;
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(b) Annual Statements within 120 days (or 90 days at all times after a Qualified IPO) after the end of each fiscal year of Holdings, duplicate copies of
(i) a consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year, and
(ii) consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such year,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and accompanied by an opinion thereon (without a going concern or similar qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of the audit on which such opinion is based, other than a going concern explanatory note or qualification resulting from (i) the maturity of the loans under any Indebtedness of any Obligor or Subsidiary permitted hereunder occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or (ii) anticipated (but not actual) covenant non-compliance hereunder or under Indebtedness of any Obligor or Subsidiary permitted hereunder) of independent public accountants of recognized national standing, which opinion shall state that such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported upon and their results of operations and cash flows and have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, and that the examination of such accountants in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and that such audit provides a reasonable basis for such opinion in the circumstances;
(c) SEC and other Reports promptly after (i) the same are available, and only to the extent not publicly available on EDGAR, copies of each annual report, proxy, financial statement or other periodic report sent to the stockholders of Holdings in respect of any public securities of Holdings, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which Holdings or any Issuer may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Purchasers or the holders pursuant hereto and (ii) the furnishing thereof, copies of any notice of default received from or furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Obligor or Subsidiary thereof pursuant to the terms of any material indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the holders pursuant to this Section 7;
(d) Notice of Default or Event of Default promptly, and in any event within 5 Business Days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of the existence of any Default or Event of Default or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default hereunder or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default of the type referred to in Section 11(f), a written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Obligors are taking or propose to take with respect thereto;
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(e) Employee Benefits Matters the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability to a Group Member in an aggregate amount exceeding $50,000,000;
(f) Notices from Governmental Authority promptly, and in any event within 30 days of receipt thereof, copies of any notice to the Obligors or any Subsidiary from any Governmental Authority relating to any order, ruling, statute or other law or regulation that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(g) Resignation or Replacement of Auditors within 10 days following the date on which Holdingss auditors resign or Holdings changes auditors, as the case may be, notification thereof, together with such further information as the Required Holders may reasonably request;
(h) Requested Information with reasonable promptness, such other data and information relating to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Obligors or any of their Subsidiaries (including actual copies of the Obligors Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, if applicable) or relating to the ability of the Obligors to perform their respective obligations hereunder and under the Notes as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any such Purchaser or holder of a Note; and
(i) Change in Rating within 15 Business Days after a Responsible Officer receives notice of any change in credit rating or outlook on the Notes by any Designated Rating Agency, copies of such notice thereof, or copies of such credit rating or outlook from such Designated Rating Agency, including the analysis and methodologies used by the Designated Rating Agency in determining such credit rating of the Notes, if applicable, which may be delivered electronically to each holder of a Note by any method set forth in Section 7.4 for the delivery of information (i.e., email or posting on its website or IntraLinks).
Section 7.2. Compliance Certificate. Each set of financial statements delivered to a Purchaser (prior to the Closing Date) or holder of a Note pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer (the Compliance Certificate):
(a) Covenant Compliance setting forth the information from such financial statements that is required in order to establish whether the Obligors were in compliance with the requirements of Section 10.5 during the quarterly or annual period covered by the financial statements then being furnished (including with respect to each such provision that involves mathematical calculations, the information from such financial statements that is required to perform such calculations) and detailed calculations of the maximum or minimum amount, ratio or percentage, as the case may be, permissible under the terms of such Section, and the calculation of the amount, ratio or percentage then in existence. In the event that the Company or any Subsidiary has made an election to measure any financial liability using fair value (which election is being disregarded for purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement pursuant to Section 23.2) as to the period covered by any such financial statement, such Senior Financial Officers certificate as to such period shall include a reconciliation from GAAP with respect to such election;
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(b) Event of Default certifying that such Senior Financial Officer has reviewed the relevant terms hereof and has made, or caused to be made, under his or her supervision, a review of the transactions and conditions of the Obligors and the Subsidiaries thereof from the beginning of the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished to the date of the certificate and that such review shall not have disclosed the existence during such period of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or, if any such condition or event existed or exists (including any such event or condition resulting from the failure of the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any Environmental Law), specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Obligors shall have taken or proposes to take with respect thereto; and
(c) Obligors setting forth a list of all Obligor Affiliates and certifying that each Subsidiary that is required to be an Obligor Affiliate pursuant to Section 9.7 is an Obligor Affiliate, in each case, as of the date of such certificate of the Senior Financial Officer.
Section 7.3. Visitation. The Obligors shall permit the representatives of each Purchaser and each holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor:
(a) No Default if no Default or Event of Default then exists, once each calendar year at the expense of such Purchaser or such holder and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company and at a time mutually agreed with the Company, to visit the principal executive office of the Obligors, to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries with the Obligors officers, and (with the consent of the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, but subject to the rights of tenants) to visit the other offices and properties of the Obligors and each Subsidiary, in each case, once each calendar year as may be reasonably requested in writing and at a time mutually agreed with the Company; and
(b) Default if a Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of the Obligors and subject to the rights of tenants, to visit and inspect any of the offices or properties of the Obligors or any Subsidiary, to examine all their respective books of account, records, reports and other papers, to make copies and extracts therefrom (other than materials (i) that constitute trade secrets or similar commercially sensitive information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to such Purchaser or such holder (or its representatives or contractors) is prohibited by law, would violate the fiduciary duties owed by the disclosing party or would violate any binding agreement or (iii) that is subject to attorney client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product), and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers , all at such times and as often as may be requested.
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Section 7.4. Electronic Delivery. Financial statements, opinions of independent certified public accountants, other information and Compliance Certificates that are required to be delivered by the Obligors pursuant to Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (c) and Section 7.2 shall be deemed to have been delivered if the Obligors satisfy any of the following requirements with respect thereto:
(a) such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or (b) and related Compliance Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 and any other information required under Section 7.1(c) are delivered to each Purchaser or holder of a Note by e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in such holders Purchaser Schedule or as communicated from time to time in a separate writing delivered to the Company; or
(b) such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) and related Compliance Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 and any other information required under Section 7.1(c), if any, are timely posted by or on behalf of the Obligors on its home page on the internet or on IntraLinks or on any other similar website to which each holder of Notes has free access;
provided however, that in no case shall access to such financial statements, other information and Compliance Certificates be conditioned upon any waiver or other agreement or consent (other than confidentiality provisions consistent with Section 21 of this Agreement); provided further, that in the case of any of clause (b), the Company or Holdings shall have given each holder of a Note prior written notice, which may be by e-mail or in accordance with Section 19, of such posting or filing in connection with each delivery
SECTION 8. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF THE NOTES.
Section 8.1. Maturity. As provided therein, the entire unpaid principal balance of each Note shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date thereof.
Section 8.2. Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount. The Issuers may, at their option, upon notice as provided below, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the Notes, in an amount not less than 5 % of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount (unless such prepayment is made within 30 days of the Maturity Date of the respective Series of Notes to be prepaid, in which case no Make-Whole Amount will be payable). The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2 not less than 10 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment unless the Company and the Required Holders agree to another time period pursuant to Section 17. Each such notice shall specify such date (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 8.5), and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice
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were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any such notice delivered pursuant to this Section 8.2 may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of or receipt of proceeds of other Indebtedness which will be utilized to prepay the Notes in connection with the Issuers exercising their prepayment rights under this Section 8.2, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Company (by notice to the holders of Notes on or prior to the date that is 5 Business Days in advance of the date fixed for such prepayment) if such condition is not expected to be satisfied. Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the Company shall deliver to each holder of Notes a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Make-Whole Amount as of the specified prepayment date.
Section 8.3. Prepayment for Tax Reasons. (a) If at any time as a result of a Change in Tax Law (as defined below) any Issuer is or becomes obligated to make any Additional Payments (as defined below) in respect of any payment of interest on account of any of the Notes, the Company may give the holders of all affected Notes irrevocable written notice (each, a Tax Prepayment Notice) of the prepayment of such affected Notes on a specified prepayment date (which shall be a Business Day not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice) and the circumstances giving rise to the obligation of the Issuer to make any Additional Payments and the amount thereof and stating that all of the affected Notes shall be prepaid on the date of such prepayment at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment plus an amount equal to the Modified Make-Whole Amount for each such Note, except in the case of an affected Note if the holder of such Note shall, by written notice given to the Company no more than 20 days after receipt of the Tax Prepayment Notice, reject such prepayment of such Note (each, a Rejection Notice). Such Tax Prepayment Notice shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Modified Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation. The form of Rejection Notice shall also accompany the Tax Prepayment Notice and shall state with respect to each Note covered thereby that execution and delivery thereof by the holder of such Note shall operate as a permanent waiver of such holders right to receive the Additional Payments arising as a result of the circumstances described in the Tax Prepayment Notice in respect of all future payments of interest on such Note (but not of such holders right to receive any Additional Payments that arise out of circumstances not described in the Tax Prepayment Notice or which exceed the amount of the Additional Payment described in the Tax Prepayment Notice), which waiver shall be binding upon all subsequent transferees of such Note. The Tax Prepayment Notice having been given as aforesaid to each holder of the affected Notes, the principal amount of such Notes together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment plus the Modified Make-Whole Amount shall become due and payable on such prepayment date, except in the case of Notes the holders of which shall timely give a Rejection Notice as aforesaid. Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the Company shall deliver to each holder of a Note being so prepaid a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Modified Make-Whole Amount as of such prepayment date.
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(b) No prepayment of the Notes pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall affect the obligation of any Issuer to pay Additional Payments in respect of any payment made on or prior to the date of such prepayment. For purposes of this Section 8.3, any holder of more than one affected Note may act separately with respect to each affected Note so held (with the effect that a holder of more than one affected Note may accept such offer with respect to one or more affected Notes so held and reject such offer with respect to one or more other affected Notes so held).
(c) No Issuer may offer to prepay or prepay Notes pursuant to this Section 8.3 (i) if a Default or Event of Default then exists, (ii) until the Issuer shall have taken commercially reasonable steps to mitigate the requirement to make the related Additional Payments or (iii) if the obligation to make such Additional Payments directly results or resulted from actions taken by the Issuer or any Subsidiary (other than actions required to be taken under applicable law), and any Tax Prepayment Notice given pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall certify to the foregoing and describe such mitigation steps, if any.
(d) For purposes of this Section 8.3: Additional Payments means additional amounts required to be paid to a holder of any Note pursuant to Section 13 by reason of a Change in Tax Law; and a Change in Tax Law means (individually or collectively with one or more prior changes) (i) an amendment to, or change in, any law, treaty, rule or regulation of the Netherlands after the date of the Closing, or an amendment to, or change in, an official interpretation or application of such law, treaty, rule or regulation after the date of the Closing, which amendment or change is in force and continuing and meets the opinion and certification requirements described below or (ii) in the case of any other jurisdiction that becomes a Taxing Jurisdiction after the date of the Closing, an amendment to, or change in, any law, treaty, rule or regulation of such jurisdiction, or an amendment to, or change in, an official interpretation or application of such law, treaty, rule or regulation, in any case after such jurisdiction shall have become a Taxing Jurisdiction, which amendment or change is in force and continuing and meets such opinion and certification requirements. No such amendment or change shall constitute a Change in Tax Law unless the same would in the opinion of the Company (which shall be evidenced by an Officers Certificate of the Company and supported by a written opinion of counsel having recognized expertise in the field of taxation in the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, both of which shall be delivered to all holders of the Notes prior to or concurrently with the Tax Prepayment Notice in respect of such Change in Tax Law) affect the deduction or require the withholding of any Tax imposed by such Taxing Jurisdiction on any payment payable on the Notes.
Section 8.4. Prepayment in Connection with a Noteholder Sanctions Event. (a) Upon the Companys receipt of notice from any Affected Noteholder that a Noteholder Sanctions Event has occurred (which notice shall refer specifically to this Section 8.4(a) and describe in reasonable detail such Noteholder Sanctions Event), the Company shall promptly, and in any event within 10 Business Days, make an offer (the Sanctions Prepayment Offer) to prepay the entire unpaid principal amount of Notes held by such Affected Noteholder (the Affected Notes), together with interest thereon to the prepayment date selected by the Company with respect to each Affected Note but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect thereto, which prepayment shall be on a Business Day not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after the date of the Sanctions Prepayment Offer (the Sanctions Prepayment Date). Such Sanctions Prepayment Offer shall provide that such Affected Noteholder notify the Company in writing by a stated date, which date is not later than 10 Business Days prior to the stated Sanctions Prepayment Date, of its acceptance or rejection of such prepayment offer. If such Affected Noteholder does not notify the Company as provided above, then the holder shall be deemed to have accepted such offer.
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(b) Subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (c) and (d) of this Section 8.4, the Issuer shall prepay on the Sanctions Prepayment Date the entire unpaid principal amount of the Affected Notes held by such Affected Noteholder who has accepted (or has been deemed to have accepted) such prepayment offer (in accordance with subparagraph (a)), together with interest thereon to the Sanctions Prepayment Date with respect to each such Affected Note, but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect thereto.
(c) If a Noteholder Sanctions Event has occurred but such Issuer and/or its Controlled Entities have taken such action(s) in relation to their activities so as to remedy such Noteholder Sanctions Event (with the effect that a Noteholder Sanctions Event no longer exists, as reasonably determined by such Affected Noteholder) prior to the Sanctions Prepayment Date, then such Issuer shall no longer be obliged or permitted to prepay such Affected Notes in relation to such Noteholder Sanctions Event. If such Issuer and/or its Controlled Entities shall undertake any actions to remedy any such Noteholder Sanctions Event, the Company shall keep the holders reasonably and timely informed of such actions and the results thereof.
(d) If any Affected Noteholder that has given written notice to the Company of its acceptance of (or has been deemed to have accepted) the Companys prepayment offer in accordance with subparagraph (a) also gives notice to the Company prior to the relevant Sanctions Prepayment Date that it has determined (in its sole discretion) that it requires clearance from any Governmental Authority in order to receive a prepayment pursuant to this Section 8.4, the principal amount of each Note held by such Affected Noteholder, together with interest accrued thereon to the date of prepayment, shall become due and payable on the later to occur of (but in no event later than the Maturity Date of the relevant Note) (i) such Sanctions Prepayment Date and (ii) the date that is 10 Business Days after such Affected Noteholder gives notice to the Company that it is entitled to receive a prepayment pursuant to this Section 8.4 (which may include payment to an escrow account designated by such Affected Noteholder to be held in escrow for the benefit of such Affected Noteholder until such Affected Noteholder obtains such clearance from such Governmental Authority), and in any event, any such delay in accordance with the foregoing clause (ii) shall not be deemed to give rise to any Default or Event of Default.
(e) Promptly, and in any event within 5 Business Days, after the Companys receipt of notice from any Affected Noteholder that a Noteholder Sanctions Event shall have occurred with respect to such Affected Noteholder, the Company shall forward a copy of such notice to each other holder of Notes.
(f) The Company shall promptly, and in any event within 10 Business Days, give written notice to the holders after any Issuer or any Controlled Entity having been notified that (i) its name appears or may in the future appear on a State Sanctions List or (ii) it is in violation of, or is subject to the imposition of sanctions under, any Sanctions, in each case which notice shall describe the facts and circumstances thereof and set forth the action, if any, that the Company or a Controlled Entity proposes to take with respect thereto.
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(g) The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.4 shall be in addition to any rights or remedies available to any holder of Notes that may arise under this Agreement as a result of the occurrence of a Noteholder Sanctions Event; provided, that, if the Notes shall have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 as a result of the events, conditions or actions of the Company or its Controlled Entities that gave rise to a Noteholder Sanctions Event, the remedies set forth in Section 12 shall control.
Section 8.5. Allocation of Partial Prepayments. In the case of each partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment.
Section 8.6. Maturity; Surrender, Etc. In the case of each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Section 8, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment, together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and in the case of any Swapped Notes, Swap Breakage Loss, if any. From and after such date, unless such Issuer shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and in the case of any Swapped Notes, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.
Section 8.7. Purchase of Notes. The Company will not and will not permit any Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except (a) upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes in accordance with this Agreement and the Notes or (b) pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company or such Affiliate pro rata to the holders of all Notes at the time outstanding and upon the same terms and conditions. Any such offer shall provide each holder with sufficient information to enable it to make an informed decision with respect to such offer, and shall remain open for at least 15 Business Days. If the holders of more than 50% of the principal amount of the Notes then outstanding accept such offer, the Company shall promptly notify the remaining holders of Notes of such fact and the expiration date for the acceptance by holders of Notes of such offer shall be extended by the number of days necessary to give each such remaining holder at least 5 Business Days from its receipt of such notice to accept such offer. The Company will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate thereof pursuant to any payment or prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.
Section 8.8. Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount.
(a) Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to Non-Swapped Notes. The terms Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount mean, with respect to any Non-Swapped Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of
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such Non-Swapped Note over the amount of such Called Principal, provided that neither the Make-Whole Amount nor the Modified Make-Whole Amount may in any event be less than zero. All payments of Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount in respect of any Non-Swapped Note shall be made in the Applicable Currency of the relevant Non-Swapped Note. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to any Non-Swapped Note, the following terms have the following meanings:
Applicable Percentage in the case of a computation of the Modified Make-Whole Amount for purposes of Section 8.3 means 1.0% (100 basis points), and in the case of a computation of the Make-Whole Amount for any other purpose means 0.50% (50 basis points).
Called Principal means the principal of such Non-Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
Discounted Value means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on the Non-Swapped Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.
Non-Swapped Note means any Note other than a Swapped Note.
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Reinvestment Yield means:
(i) US Dollar Notes. With respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note denominated in US Dollars, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the Ask Yield(s) reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as Page PX1 (or such other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. If there are no such U.S. Treasury securities reported having a maturity equal to such Remaining Average Life, then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the Ask Yields reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
If such yields are not Reported or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then Reinvestment Yield means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note denominated in US Dollars, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the U.S. Treasury constant maturity yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or any comparable successor publication) for the U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. If there is no such U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to such Remaining Average Life, such implied yield to maturity will be determined by interpolating linearly between (1) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
(ii) Euro Notes. With respect to the Called Principal of a Non-Swapped Note denominated in Euros, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the Ask Yields shown on the display designated as Page PXGE (or such other display as may replace Page PXGE) on Bloomberg Financial Markets as of 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal for the then most recently issued actively traded German federal bonds (Bundesobligationen) having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. If there are no such Bundesobligationen reported having a maturity equal to such Remaining Average Life,
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then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting Bundesobligationen quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the Ask Yields reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded Bundesobligationen with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
If such yields are not reported or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then Reinvestment Yield means, with respect to the Called Principal of such Non-Swapped Note denominated in Euros, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the average of the yields for such Bundesobligationen having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date as reported by three internationally recognized dealers of Bundesobligationen selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Non-Swapped Notes denominated in Euros (exclusive of Notes then owned by the Company and its Affiliates). If there are no such Bundesobligationen having a term equal to such Remaining Average Life, such implied yield will be determined, if necessary, by interpolating linearly between (1) the applicable Bundesobligationen with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (y) the Bundesobligationen with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
(iii) Sterling Notes. With respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note denominated in Sterling, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by (A) the Ask yield(s) reported as of 10:00 a.m. (London time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as Page PXUK (or such other display as may replace Page PXUK) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the then most actively traded on-the-run UK Gilt securities (the Reference Stock) having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date or (B) if (i) Page PXUK on Bloomberg Financial Markets (or such other display as may replace Page PXUK) is not published on that day, or (ii) the calculation in Page PXUK ceases to be in keeping with the Formula for the Calculation of Redemption Yields indicated by the Joint Index and Classification Committee of the Faculty of Actuaries as reported in the Journal of the Institute of Actuaries Volume 105, Part I, 1978, page 18 (the Formula), the gross redemption yield calculated on the basis of the average of the yields for the Reference Stock having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date as reported by three authorized leading market makers in the gilt-edged market as at or about 11:00 a.m. London time on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date according to the Formula, selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Non-Swapped Notes denominated in Sterling (exclusive of Notes then owned by the Company and its Affiliates).
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Such implied yield (as determined in the foregoing paragraph) will be determined, if necessary, by (a) converting UK Gilt quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between (1) the applicable UK Gilt security with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the applicable UK Gilt security with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
Remaining Average Life means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and calculated to two decimal places, that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.
Remaining Scheduled Payments means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2, Section 8.3 or Section 12.1.
Settlement Date means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
(b) Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to Swapped Notes. The terms Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount mean, with respect to any Swapped Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Swapped Note Discounted Value of the Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount related to such Swapped Note over such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, provided that neither the Make-Whole Amount nor the Modified Make-Whole Amount may in any event be less than zero. All payments of Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount (i) in respect of any Swapped Note for which the Applicable Currency is US Dollars, shall be made in US Dollars and (ii) in respect of any Swapped Notes for which the Applicable Currency is Canadian Dollars, shall be made in Canadian Dollars. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to any Swapped Note, the following terms have the following meanings:
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New Swap Agreement means any cross-currency swap agreement (which does not qualify as a Replacement Swap Agreement) pursuant to which the holder of a Swapped Note is to receive payment in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, and which is entered into in full or partial replacement of an Original Swap Agreement as a result of such Original Swap Agreement having terminated for any reason. The terms of a New Swap Agreement with respect to any Swapped Note do not have to be identical to those of the Original Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note. Any holder of a Swapped Note that enters into or terminates a New Swap Agreement shall within a reasonable period of time thereafter deliver to the Company (i) an updated Purchaser Swap Schedule describing the confirmation or termination related thereto or (ii) a copy of the confirmation or termination related thereto.
Original Swap Agreement means, with respect to any Swapped Note, (x) a cross-currency swap agreement and annexes and schedules thereto (an Initial Swap Agreement) that is entered into on an arms length basis by the original Purchaser of such Swapped Note (or any affiliate thereof) in connection with the execution of this Agreement and the purchase of such Swapped Note and relates to the scheduled payments by the Company of interest and principal on such Swapped Note, under which the Purchaser of such Swapped Note is to receive payments from the counterparty thereunder in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, and which is more particularly described on the Purchaser Swap Schedule, (y) any Initial Swap Agreement that has been assumed (without any waiver, amendment, deletion or replacement of any material economic term or provision thereof) by a holder of a Swapped Note in connection with a transfer of such Swapped Note and (z) any Replacement Swap Agreement; and a Replacement Swap Agreement means, with respect to any Swapped Note, a cross-currency swap agreement and annexes and schedules thereto with payment terms and provisions (other than a reduction in notional amount, if applicable) identical to those of the Initial Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note that is entered into on an arms length basis by the holder of such Swapped Note in full or partial replacement (by amendment, modification or otherwise) of such Initial Swap Agreement (or any subsequent Replacement Swap Agreement) in a notional amount not exceeding the outstanding principal amount of such Swapped Note following a non-scheduled partial prepayment or a partial repayment or purchase of such Swapped Note prior to its scheduled maturity or an acceleration and rescission thereof of such Swapped Note as provided in Section 12.3. Any holder of a Swapped Note that enters into, assumes or terminates an Initial Swap Agreement or Replacement Swap Agreement shall within a reasonable period of time thereafter deliver to the Company (i) an updated Purchaser Swap Schedule describing the confirmation, assumption or termination related thereto or (ii) a copy of the confirmation, assumption or termination related thereto.
Swap Agreement means, with respect to any Swapped Note, an Original Swap Agreement or a New Swap Agreement, as the case may be.
Swapped Note means any Note that, as of the date of the Closing, a Swap Agreement has been entered into in respect of such Note. A Swapped Note shall no longer be deemed a Swapped Note for so long as the related Swap Agreement ceases to be in force in respect thereof; provided that if there is any Note that is a Swapped Note outstanding as of the date on which either the Company has provided notice of prepayment or offer of prepayment or purchase of such Note pursuant to Section 8 or such Note has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, then such Note shall be deemed to be a Swapped Note until payment in full of the principal, interest and Make-Whole Amount (if any) and Swap Breakage Amount due with respect to such Note.
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Swapped Note Applicable Percentage in the case of a computation of the Modified Make-Whole Amount for purposes of Section 8.3 means 1.0% (100 basis points), and in the case of a computation of the Make-Whole Amount for any other purpose means 0.50% (50 basis points).
Swapped Note Called Notional Amount means, with respect to any Swapped Note Called Principal of any Swapped Note, the payment in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, due to the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Swap Agreement to which such holder is a party, attributable to and in exchange for such Swapped Note Called Principal and assuming that such Swapped Note Called Principal is paid on its scheduled payment date, provided that if such Swap Agreement is not an Original Swap Agreement, then the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount in respect of such Swapped Note shall not exceed the amount in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, which would have been due to the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement to which such holder was a party (or if such holder was never party to an Original Swap Agreement, then the last Original Swap Agreement to which the most recent predecessor in interest to such holder as a holder of such Swapped Note was a party), attributable to and in exchange for such Swapped Note Called Principal and assuming that such Swapped Note Called Principal is paid on its scheduled payment date.
Swapped Note Called Principal means, with respect to any Swapped Note, the principal of such Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
Swapped Note Discounted Value means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires, the amount obtained by discounting all Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments corresponding to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of such Swapped Note from their respective scheduled due dates to the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Swapped Note is payable) equal to the Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount.
Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield means,
(i) with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note for which the Applicable Currency is US Dollars, the sum of (a) the Swapped Note Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the Ask Yield(s) reported as of 10.00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, on the display designated as Page PX1 (or such other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Swapped Note
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Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date. If there are no such U.S. Treasury securities reported having a maturity equal to such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life, then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the Ask Yields reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life. The Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Swapped Note.
If such yields are not reported or the yields Reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note, the sum of (a) the Swapped Note Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the U.S. Treasury constant maturity yields reported for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or any comparable successor publication) for the U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date. If there is no such U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life, such implied yield to maturity will be determined by interpolating linearly between (1) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and greater than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life and (2) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and less than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life. The Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Swapped Note.
(ii) with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note for which the Applicable Currency is Canadian Dollars, the sum of (a) the Swapped Note Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by (i) the Ask yield(s) reported as of 10:00 A.M. (Toronto time) on the second Business Day preceding the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, on the display designated as Page PXCA on Bloomberg Financial Markets (or such other display as may replace Page PXCA on Bloomberg Financial Markets) for noncallable Government of Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with interest compounded semi-annually in arrears and having a maturity equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date or (ii) if such yields are not reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), the yield (rounded to two places) to the maturity (based on the offered price) of a noncallable Government of Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with interest compounded semi-annually in arrears and having a maturity equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average
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Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date, the whole as constituting the arithmetic average of such yields as determined by two Canadian investment dealers chosen by the Issuer and reasonably acceptable to the holders of the applicable Swapped Notes (at such holders expense) and, for the purposes of the foregoing, a Canadian investment dealer shall mean any Person which carries on and is licensed to carry-on the activities of intermediary in the trading of securities in the Province of Ontario. Such implied yield (as determined under the foregoing clause (i) or clause (ii) as applicable) will be determined, if necessary, by interpolating linearly between (1) the non-callable Government of Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with the maturity closest to and greater than the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of the applicable Swapped Note and (2) the non-callable Government of Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with the maturity closest to and less than the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of the applicable Swapped Note. The Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Swapped Note.
Swapped Note Remaining Average Life means, with respect to any Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payment with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount by (b) the number of years, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and calculated to two decimal places, that will elapse between the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount and the scheduled due date of such Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payment.
Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount relating to any Swapped Note, the payments due to the holder of such Swapped Note in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, under the terms of the Swap Agreement to which such holder is a party which correspond to all payments of the Swapped Note Called Principal of such Swapped Note corresponding to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount and interest on such Swapped Note Called Principal (other than that portion of the payment due under such Swap Agreement corresponding to the interest accrued on the Swapped Note Called Principal to the Swapped Note Settlement Date) that would be due after the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount assuming that no payment of such Swapped Note Called Principal is made prior to its originally scheduled payment date, provided that (i) if such Swapped Note Settlement Date is not a date on which an interest payment is due to be made under the terms of such Swapped Note, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Swapped Note Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Swapped Note Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 12.1 and (ii) if the Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note is not an Original Swap Agreement, then the interest on such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount shall not exceed the amount in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, that would have been due with respect to such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement.
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Swapped Note Settlement Date means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note Called Principal of any Swapped Note, the date on which such Swapped Note Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
Section 8.9. Swap Breakage. (a) If any Swapped Note is prepaid or purchased pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.7 or 8.11 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 (each a Swap Unwind Event), then upon any such Swap Unwind Event (i) any resulting Swap Breakage Loss in connection therewith shall be reimbursed to the holder of such Swapped Note by such Issuer in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, no later than five Business Days after the date such holder has delivered the Swap Breakage Amount Notice with respect to such Swap Unwind Event and (ii) any resulting Swap Breakage Gain in connection therewith shall be forwarded to the Company by the holder of such Swapped Note in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, no later than five Business Days after the date such holder shall have received payment in full of the principal, interest and Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount, as applicable (if any), due hereunder with respect to such Swap Unwind Event, in each case unless alternative arrangements are otherwise agreed between the Company and the holder of a Swapped Note. Each holder of a Swapped Note shall be responsible for calculating its own Swap Breakage Amount in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, in connection with any Swap Unwind Event, and such calculations shall (unless alternative arrangements are otherwise agreed between the Company and the holder of a Swapped Note) promptly, but no longer than two Business Days following such Swap Unwind Event, be reported to the Company in writing and in reasonable detail (the Swap Breakage Amount Notice) and shall be binding on the Company absent demonstrable error.
(b) As used in this Section 8.9 Swap Breakage Amount means, with respect to the Swap Agreement associated with any Swapped Note, the amount that is received (in which case the Swap Breakage Amount shall be referred to as the Swap Breakage Gain) or paid (in which case the Swap Breakage Amount shall be referred to as the Swap Breakage Loss) by the holder of such Swapped Note in connection with a termination or amendment of its Swap Agreement resulting from a Swap Unwind Event, where:
(i) such Swap Breakage Amount shall be calculated upon the inclusion of an accelerated exchange and payment of principal amounts and associated accrued and unpaid interest, whereby in connection with and incorporated into the termination or amendment of the Swap Agreement and determination of the Swap Breakage Amount, all remaining associated principal payments otherwise scheduled through the natural duration of the Swap Agreement and associated accrued and unpaid interest shall be accelerated and made (in their respective Applicable Currencies) at the time of the settlement of such termination or amendment (or, in the case of a Swap Unwind Event resulting from a Swapped Note becoming or being declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as if such remaining associated principal payments and associated accrued and unpaid interest had been accelerated and made at the time of the settlement of such termination); and
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(ii) the holder of such Swapped Note shall determine such Swap Breakage Amount in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner in accordance with customary practices for calculating such amounts under the ISDA 1992 Multi-Currency Cross Border Master Agreement or ISDA 2002 Master Agreement, as applicable (the ISDA Master Agreement) pursuant to which such holder entered into such Swap Agreement and assuming for the purpose of such calculation that there are no transactions outstanding under such ISDA Master Agreement other than such Swap Agreement,
provided, however, that if such holder (or its predecessor-in-interest with respect to such Swapped Note) was, but is not at the time, a party to an Original Swap Agreement but is a party to a New Swap Agreement, then the Swap Breakage Amount shall mean the lesser of (x) the Swap Breakage Amount that would have been received or paid by the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement (if any) in respect of such Swapped Note to which such holder (or any affiliate thereof) was a party (or if such holder was never a party to an Original Swap Agreement, then the last Original Swap Agreement to which the most recent predecessor in interest to such holder as a holder of a Swapped Note was a party) and (y) the Swap Breakage Amount actually received or paid by the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the New Swap Agreement to which such holder (or any affiliate thereof) is a party.
Section 8.10. Payments Due on Non-Business Days. Anything in this Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, (x) except as set forth in clause (y), any payment of interest on any Note that is due on a date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day; and (y) any payment of principal of or Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount on any Note (including principal due on the Maturity Date of such Note) that is due on a date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and shall include the additional days elapsed in the computation of interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.
Section 8.11. Change in Control Prepayment Offer. (a) Promptly upon becoming aware that a Change in Control has occurred (and in any event not later than 10 Business Days thereafter), the Company shall give written notice (the Change in Control Notice) of such fact to each holder of the Notes. The Change in Control Notice shall (i) describe the facts and circumstances of such Change in Control in reasonable detail, (ii) refer to this Section 8.11 and the rights of the holders hereunder and (iii) contain an offer by the Company to prepay the entire unpaid principal amount of Notes held by each holder at 100% of the principal amount of such Notes at par (without any make-whole, premium, penalty, Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount), together with interest accrued thereon to the prepayment date selected by the Company, which prepayment shall be on a date specified in the Change in Control Notice, which date shall be a Business Day not less than 45 nor more than 90 days after such Change in Control Notice is given should any agreement to the contrary not be reached among the Company and each of the holders of the Notes.
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(b) A holder of Notes may accept the offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.11 by causing a notice of such acceptance to be delivered to the Company not more than 30 days after the date of the written offer notice referred to in subsection (a) of this Section 8.11. A failure by a holder of Notes to respond to an offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.11 shall be deemed to constitute a rejection of such offer by such holder.
(c) On the prepayment date specified in the Change in Control Notice, the entire unpaid principal amount of the Notes held by each holder of Notes which has accepted such prepayment offer, together with interest accrued thereon to the prepayment date (but without any make-whole, premium, penalty, Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount), shall become due and payable.
SECTION 9. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.
From the date of this Agreement until the Closing and thereafter, each Obligor jointly and severally covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:
Section 9.1. Compliance with Laws; Corporate Existence, Etc. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to (a)(i) preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organizational existence and good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by Section 10.2 or Section 10.8 and except, in the case of clause (i) (solely with respect to good standing of Group Members other than the Obligors) and clause (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) comply with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Company, the other Group Members and their respective directors, officers and employees with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
Section 9.2. Insurance. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, maintain, with insurance companies that the Company believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) are financially sound and reputable or with a Captive Insurance Subsidiary, insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability, product liability and business interruption) as are usually (as determined in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) insured against in the same general area by similarly situated companies either (x) engaged in the same or a similar business or (y) with comparable EBITDA.
Section 9.3. Maintenance of Properties. Except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to keep Qualified Assets in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted.
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Section 9.4. Payment of Taxes. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, file or cause to be filed all federal, state and other tax returns and reports that are required to be filed and pay all Taxes on any assessments made against it or any of its property, and all other Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than (a) the amount or validity of which are contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP are provided on the books of the relevant Group Member or (b) where the failure to file or pay, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).
Section 9.5. [Reserved].
Section 9.6. Books and Records. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct entries in all material respects in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities (it being understood and agreed that any Foreign Subsidiary may maintain additional individual books and records in a manner that permits preparation of its financial statements in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles that are applicable in its jurisdiction of organization and that such maintenance shall not constitute a breach of the representations, warranties or covenants hereunder).
Section 9.7. Additional Obligor Affiliates. (a) The Obligors will cause each of their Subsidiaries (other than (i) any Subsidiary that is already a US Obligor Affiliate or (ii) any Excluded Subsidiary) that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time, whether as a borrower or an additional or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under any Material Debt Facility to concurrently therewith:
(i) enter into a Joinder Agreement acceding to this Agreement, to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as a US Obligor Affiliate, whereupon such Person shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as if their respective terms were incorporated in full into the terms of this Agreement, and guaranty, on a joint and several basis with all other such Subsidiaries, (x) the prompt payment in full when due of all amounts payable by the Issuers pursuant to the Notes (whether for principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount, Swap Breakage Loss or otherwise) and this Agreement, including all indemnities, fees and expenses payable by each Issuer thereunder and (y) the prompt, full and faithful performance, observance and discharge by the Issuers of each and every covenant, agreement, undertaking and provision required pursuant to the Notes or this Agreement to be performed, observed or discharged by it; and
(ii) deliver the following to each holder of a Note:
(A) an executed counterpart of such Joinder Agreement;
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(B) a certificate signed by an authorized responsible officer of such Subsidiary, containing representations and warranties on behalf of such Subsidiary to the same effect, mutatis mutandis, as those contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.6, and 5.7 of this Agreement (but with respect to such Subsidiary as an Obligor Affiliate);
(C) all documents as may be reasonably requested by the Required Holders to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and, where applicable, good standing of such Subsidiary and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of such Subsidiary of the execution and delivery of such Joinder Agreement and the performance by such Subsidiary of its obligations under this Agreement; and
(D) an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders covering such matters relating to such Subsidiary and such Joinder Agreement as the Required Holders may reasonably request.
(b) The Obligors will cause each of their Foreign Subsidiaries (other than any Subsidiary that is already an Obligor) that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time, whether as a borrower or an additional or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under any Material Debt Facility to concurrently therewith:
(i) enter into a Joinder Agreement acceding to this Agreement, to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as an Foreign Obligor Affiliate, whereupon such Person shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as if their respective terms were incorporated in full into the terms of this Agreement, and guaranty, on a joint and several basis with all other such Foreign Subsidiaries, (x) the prompt payment in full when due of all amounts payable by the EUR Issuer pursuant to the Foreign Currency Notes (whether for principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount, Swap Breakage Loss or otherwise) and this Agreement, including all indemnities, fees and expenses payable by the EUR Issuer thereunder and (y) the prompt, full and faithful performance, observance and discharge by the EUR Issuer of each and every covenant, agreement, undertaking and provision required pursuant to the Notes or this Agreement to be performed, observed or discharged by it; and
(ii) deliver the following to each holder of a Note:
(A) an executed counterpart of such Joinder Agreement;
(B) a certificate signed by an authorized responsible officer of such Subsidiary, containing representations and warranties on behalf of such Subsidiary to the same effect, mutatis mutandis, as those contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.6, and 5.7 of this Agreement (but with respect to such Subsidiary as an Obligor Affiliate);
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(C) all documents as may be reasonably requested by the Required Holders to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and, where applicable, good standing of such Subsidiary and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of such Subsidiary of the execution and delivery of such Joinder Agreement and the performance by such Subsidiary of its obligations under this Agreement;
(D) an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders covering such matters relating to such Subsidiary and such Joinder Agreement as the Required Holders may reasonably request; and
(E) evidence of the acceptance by Lineage Logistics, LLC of the appointment of designation provided for by Section 23.7(e), as such Foreign Subsidiarys agent to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process for the period from the date of the Joinder Agreement to August 20, 2032.
(c) The Obligors may, from time to time at their discretion and upon written notice to the holders of Notes, cause any of their Subsidiaries which are not otherwise required to accede to this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.7(a) or 9.7(b), as applicable, to become an Obligor Affiliate and deliver the documents required by Section 9.7(a) or 9.7(b), as applicable.
(d) At the election of the Company and by written notice to each holder of Notes, any Obligor Affiliate that has acceded to this Agreement under subparagraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 9.7 may be discharged from all of its obligations and liabilities under this Agreement and shall be automatically released from its obligations thereunder without the need for the execution or delivery of any other document by the holders, provided that (i) if such Obligor Affiliate is a guarantor or is otherwise liable for or in respect of any Material Debt Facility, then such Obligor Affiliate shall have been released and discharged (or will be released and discharged concurrently with the release of such Obligor Affiliate under this Section 9.7 of this Agreement) under such Material Debt Facility, (ii) at the time of, and after giving effect to, such release and discharge, no Default or Event of Default shall be existing, (iii) no amount is then due and payable under this Agreement, (iv) if in connection with such Obligor Affiliate being released and discharged under any Material Debt Facility, any fee or other form of consideration is given to any holder of Indebtedness under such Material Debt Facility for such release, the holders of the Notes shall receive equivalent consideration substantially concurrently therewith, and (v) each holder shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying as to the matters set forth in clauses (i) through (iv). The release provision of this Section 9.7(d) shall not apply to any Obligor that is an Issuer.
Section 9.8. REIT Status. The Obligors shall cause the REIT Parent to continue to be treated as a REIT.
Section 9.9. Priority of Obligations. The Obligors will ensure that their payment obligations under this Agreement and the Notes will at all times rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Obligors.
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Although it will not be a Default or an Event of Default if the Obligors fail to comply with any provision of Section 9 on or after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing, if such a failure occurs, then any of the Purchasers may elect not to purchase the Notes on the date of Closing that is specified in Section 3.
Section 9.10. Rating. The Obligors will use reasonable efforts to ensure that at all times the Notes shall have at least one credit rating from a Designated Rating Agency. At any time that any credit rating is not a public rating, the Company will provide to each holder of a Note a copy of a letter evidencing such credit rating at least annually (such that at all times, the credit rating shall have been confirmed within the last 12 months), which letter shall (i) identify each series of Notes by Private Placement Number issued by the PPN CUSIP Unit of CUSIP Global Services, (ii) address the likelihood of payment of both the principal and interest of such Notes (which requirement shall be deemed satisfied if the rating is silent on the likelihood of payment of both principal and interest and does not otherwise include any indication to the contrary), (iii) not include any prohibition against any holder of a Note sharing such evidence with the SVO or any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such holder and (iv) setting out in reasonable detail the analysis carried out and ratings methodologies used by the Designated Rating Agency in determining such credit rating of the Notes and generally consistent with the work product that the Designated Rating Agency would produce for a similar publicly rated security and otherwise in form and substance generally required by the SVO or any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over any holder of any Notes from time to time.
SECTION 10. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.
From the date of this Agreement until the Closing and thereafter, each Obligor jointly and severally covenants (provided, that the second paragraph in Section 10.3 shall only apply to Holdings) that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:
Section 10.1. Transactions with Affiliates. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into directly or indirectly any transaction or group of related transactions (including the purchase, lease, sale or exchange of properties of any kind or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate (other than another Obligor or another Subsidiary), except:
(a) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 10.9;
(b) pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the business of such Obligor or such Subsidiary upon fair and reasonable terms not materially less favorable to such Obligor or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of such Obligor or such Subsidiary;
(c) entering into employment and severance arrangements between any Obligor (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), any Subsidiary and any of their respective officers and employees, as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of the relevant Person;
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(d) the payment of customary fees and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket costs of, and customary indemnities provided to or on behalf of, directors, officers, management, consultants and employees of any Obligor (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and their respective Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(e) the payment of fees, expenses, indemnities or other payments pursuant to, and transactions pursuant to any agreements in existence on the date of Closing and set forth on Schedule 10.1 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not materially more disadvantageous to the holders than the original agreement in effect on the date of Closing;
(f) transactions between or among (i) Subsidiaries that are not Obligors, (ii) between or among Holdings and its Subsidiaries that are Obligors (on the one hand) and any Subsidiaries that are not Obligors (on the other hand) or (iii) Holdings and its Subsidiaries;
(g) the issuance or transfer of Equity Interests in Holdings (other than any Disqualified Equity Interests) to the Investor or any Affiliate thereof, or to any current, former or future director, manager, employee or consultant (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) of Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent thereof or any Affiliate of Holdings;
(h) transactions contemplated by customary shareholders agreements entered into with holders of the Equity Interests of Holdings;
(i) the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses related to registration rights and indemnities provided to shareholders under any shareholders agreement referred to in clause (h) above;
(j) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) or advances to employees, officers, directors, members of management or consultants (or the estate, heirs, family members, spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner or any of the foregoing) of Holdings, any direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Subsidiaries and employment agreements, consulting arrangements, severance arrangements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees, officers, directors, members of management or consultants (or the estate, heirs, family members, spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner of any of the foregoing);
(k) the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement to the extent payments under such agreement or arrangement would otherwise be permitted under this Agreement;
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(l) transactions permitted under Section 10.2 and/or Section 10.10 solely for the purpose of (a) reorganizing to facilitate any initial public offering of securities of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company (b) forming a holding company, or (c) reincorporating Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary in a new jurisdiction;
(m) the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business including making payments to an Affiliate to pay any Taxes due by such group that are permitted by Section 10.9;
(n) transactions for cash management and other management services (including property and asset management services) for Holdings and its Subsidiaries on customary terms; and
(o) the issuance of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the board of directors or manager of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings or a Subsidiary, as appropriate, in good faith.
Section 10.2. Merger, Consolidation, Etc. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any merger, demerger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or reorganize itself, in the case of a Domestic Subsidiary, in any non-U.S. jurisdiction, and in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, under the laws of any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, or Dispose (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a Division or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Group Members (taken as a whole), except that:
(a) (i) any Domestic Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving Person; (ii) any Domestic Subsidiary other than the Company may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into a US Obligor Affiliate in a transaction in which the US Obligor Affiliate shall be the continuing or surviving entity or a successor by merger, consolidation or amalgamation that becomes a US Obligor Affiliate upon such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall be the continuing or surviving entity; and (iii) any Foreign Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate, arrange, combine or liquidate with or into a Foreign Obligor or a Foreign Obligor Affiliate in a transaction in which the Foreign Obligor or Foreign Obligor Affiliate, as applicable, or a successor by merger, consolidation, amalgamation, arrangement or combination that becomes a Foreign Obligor or Foreign Obligor Affiliate, as applicable, upon such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, arrangement or combination shall be the continuing or surviving entity;
(b) any Person other than Holdings may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving entity, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction and (ii) Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants;
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(c) any Person other than an Issuer or Holdings may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into any other Subsidiary in a transaction in which the continuing or surviving entity is a Subsidiary, if (x) at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction and (ii) Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants or (y) if both of the parties to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation are Subsidiaries but only one party is an Obligor Affiliate, the Obligor Affiliate or a successor by such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation that becomes the Obligor Affiliate upon such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation shall be the continuing or surviving entity (and, in the case where the other party to such merger or amalgamation is a Qualified Asset Owner, either the continuing or surviving entity shall be a Qualified Asset Owner or successor by amalgamation that becomes the Qualified Asset Owner or all Qualified Assets owned or leased by such Qualified Asset Owner shall, contemporaneously with such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation cease to be included as Qualified Assets in any calculations hereunder); provided, (1) no Domestic Subsidiary will merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate into a Foreign Subsidiary, (2) if both parties to such merger or amalgamation are Obligor Affiliates and one of the parties thereto is a Qualified Asset Owner, either the Qualified Asset Owner or a successor by amalgamation that becomes the Qualified Asset Owner shall be the continuing or surviving entity or all Qualified Assets owned or leased by such Qualified Asset Owner shall, contemporaneously with such merger, cease to be included as Qualified Assets in any calculations hereunder, and (3) for the avoidance of doubt, Subsidiaries of Holdings may merge, consolidate, amalgamate, or liquidate with or into another Subsidiary in a transaction that constitutes an Investment that is permitted by Section 10.10 (other than pursuant to clause (o) of the definition of Permitted Investment);
(d) (i) any Domestic Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets to the Company or to another Domestic Subsidiary; provided that, if one of the parties to such transaction is an Obligor Affiliate, either (A) the Obligor Affiliate shall be the transferee or (B) the transaction is permitted by Section 10.8; and (ii) any Foreign Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets to the Company or to another Foreign Subsidiary; provided that, (A) if one of the parties to such transaction is the EUR Issuer, the EUR Issuer shall be the transferee, or (B) if one of the parties to such transaction is an Obligor Affiliate, either (1) the Obligor Affiliate shall be the transferee or (2) the transaction is permitted by Section 10.8; and
(e) any Subsidiary which is not an Obligor or Qualified Asset Owner may liquidate or dissolve itself if the Company determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Obligors or the Group Members.
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Section 10.3. Line of Business. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to engage in any business if, as a result, the general nature of the business in which the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, would then be engaged would be substantially changed from the general nature of the business in which the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are engaged on the date of this Agreement as described in the Memorandum.
Holdings shall not engage in any material business activities or own any material assets other than (a) ownership of the Equity Interests of the Company and other Subsidiaries, ownership of Equity Interests held pursuant to Investments permitted by this Agreement and ownership of commercially reasonable insurance policies, including director and officer, employment practices and similar liability insurance, (b) activities and contractual rights and obligations incidental to maintenance of its corporate existence (including the payment of accounting and other professional fees and expenses), (c) activities related to the payment of tax liabilities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (d) entering into confidentiality agreements, (e) entering into any transactions not prohibited under this Agreement, (f) the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and, to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement, agreements for other Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement, management agreements, transaction fee agreements, director indemnification agreements, unit appreciation rights agreements and acquisition agreements, (g) entering into, making and performing guaranties, option agreements, shareholder agreements and other incentive compensation agreements, in each case, to which Holdings is a party, (h) the transactions entered into under this Agreement on the Closing, and (i) other activities incidental to or in furtherance of any of the foregoing.
Section 10.4. Economic Sanctions, Etc. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Controlled Entity to (a) become (including by virtue of being owned or Controlled by a Sanctioned Person), own or Control a Sanctioned Person or (b) directly or indirectly have any investment in or engage in any dealing or transaction (including any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Person if such investment, dealing or transaction (i) would cause any Purchaser or holder or any Affiliate of such holder to be in violation of, or subject to sanctions under, any law or regulation applicable to such holder, or (ii) is prohibited by or subject to sanctions under any Sanctions.
Section 10.5. Financial Covenants. The Obligors will not permit:
(a) Total Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value (the Total Leverage Ratio) to exceed 60%; provided, that the Company may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 60% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Total Leverage Ratio exceed 65% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
(b) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) (i) EBITDA minus (ii) Maintenance Capital Expenditures to (b) Fixed Charges, each from the period of four fiscal quarters then ended, to be less than 1.5 to 1.0.
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(c) Unsecured Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Unsecured Indebtedness to Unencumbered Asset Value (the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio) to exceed 60%; provided, that the Company may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 60% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio exceed 65% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
(d) Secured Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Secured Indebtedness to Total Asset Value (the Secured Leverage Ratio) to exceed 40%; provided, that the Company may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 40% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Secured Leverage Ratio exceed 45% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
Section 10.6. Indebtedness. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly create, issue, incur, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness (including any Capital Lease Obligations, securitizations and similar Indebtedness), other than Permitted Indebtedness, unless at the time of such creation, issuance, incurrence, assumption or sufferance thereof (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (b) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
Section 10.7. Liens. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on:
(a) any Qualified Asset, other than Permitted Encumbrances;
(b) any Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner, other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances; and
(c) any income or revenues from, or proceeds of, any of the foregoing;
or sign, file or authorize under the Uniform Commercial Code (of any jurisdiction) a financing statement that includes in its collateral description any portion of any Qualified Asset or the Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner, or any income or revenue from, or proceeds of, any of the foregoing.
The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) to, secure any Indebtedness outstanding under or pursuant to any Material Debt Facility unless it shall concurrently secure the Notes (and any guaranty delivered in connection therewith) equally and ratably with such Indebtedness pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders in substance and in form, including an intercreditor agreement and opinions of counsel to the Company and/or any such Subsidiary as reasonably requested, as the case may be, from counsel that is reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders.
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Section 10.8. Disposition of Property. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, dispose of any property or asset, including Equity Interests owned by it and including pursuant to any sale-leaseback transaction, other than a Permitted Disposition, unless immediately before and after giving effect to such Disposition (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such Disposition, (b) on a Pro Forma Basis, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants and (c) if any Obligor Affiliate consummates a Division, the Company shall cause each Division Successor to comply with any applicable obligations under Section 9.7.
Section 10.9. Restricted Payments. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, declare or pay any dividend on, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement, cancellation, termination or other acquisition of, any Equity Interests of any Group Member, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in respect thereof, whether in cash or property (collectively, Restricted Payments), directly or indirectly, except that:
(a) the Company and any Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional limited liability company interests or its common stock (or their respective equivalents in any jurisdiction),
(b) Holdings may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional limited liability company interests,
(c) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends or distributions ratably with respect to their Equity Interests,
(d) Holdings or any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments (including for the purposes of effectuating repurchases of Equity Interests) pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of Holdings and its Subsidiaries,
(e) Holdings, the Company and their Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments to their owners (A) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto, in an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) 95% of Normalized Adjusted FFO attributable to the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended plus (2) any additional minimum amount reasonably necessary to enable any REIT Parent and REIT Subsidiary to make distributions to maintain the REIT Parents and such REIT Subsidiarys status as a REIT and avoid the imposition of U.S. federal income or excise taxes on the REIT Parent or such REIT Subsidiary and (B) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto, in an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) the minimum amount reasonably necessary to enable any REIT Parent and REIT Subsidiary to make distributions to maintain the REIT Parents and such REIT Subsidiarys status as a REIT and avoid the imposition of U.S. federal income or excise taxes on the REIT Parent or such REIT Subsidiary, plus (2) at any time prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO: (x) $60,000,000 per fiscal year, plus (y) management fees payable by Holdings pursuant to the Operating Agreement in an amount not to exceed $30,000,000 per fiscal year,
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(f) Holdings may make Restricted Payments with any amounts received by it from the Company pursuant to clause (e) of this Section,
(g) Restricted Payments to Holdings in such amounts as are necessary or appropriate to pay (i) administrative expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable directors fees, employee compensation and benefits, customary indemnity payments and payroll, social security or similar taxes) payable by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), (ii) nominal expenses to maintain the corporate existence of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), (iii) premiums and other charges necessary to maintain the insurance required under the terms of this Agreement and other commercially reasonable insurance acquired and maintained by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), including director and officer, employment practices and other similar liability insurance and (iv) the payment of business related expenses which are incurred by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) in the ordinary course of business, in each case, to the extent the incurrence of such expenses and other obligations, the taking of such actions, and the payment of such expenses and other obligations, as applicable are permitted by this Agreement,
(h) Restricted Payments, the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings to make (or to make a payment to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to enable it to make) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof,
(i) repurchases of Equity Interests in Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings), or any of its subsidiaries, deemed to occur upon cashless exercise of stock options or warrants,
(j) Restricted Payments the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay fees and expenses (other than to Affiliates) related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering not prohibited by this Agreement (in the case of any such parent or indirect parent, only to the extent such parent or indirect parent does not hold material assets other than those relating to Holdings and its subsidiaries),
(k) (i) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (Retired Capital Stock) of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or contributions to the equity capital of Holdings (other than any Disqualified Equity Interests or any Equity Interests sold to a subsidiary of Holdings) (collectively, including any such contributions, Refunding Capital Stock) and (ii) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a subsidiary of Holdings) of Refunding Capital Stock,
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(l) Restricted Payments to Holdings to finance any Investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 10.10; provided, that such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing or consummation of such Investment,
(m) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, transactions expressly permitted by Section 10.1, Section 10.2, and Section 10.10, and
(n) for any taxable period in which (A) Holdings, Obligors or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a member of a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar tax group (or comparable group under foreign law), or (B) any of Holdings, Obligors or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a pass-through entity for income tax purposes (including under foreign tax law), Holdings, Obligors or their respective applicable Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments in amounts required for such of its direct or indirect owners as are members of such group, or as are required to include the income of such pass-through entity in income for Tax purposes, to pay any Taxes imposed directly on such owners, to the extent such Taxes are attributable to the income, assets or activities of such entity and only after taking into account all available credits and deductions; provided, that no such entity shall make any Restricted Payment under this provision in any amount greater than the share of such Taxes arising out of such entitys net income calculated as if such entity filed tax returns on a standalone basis.
In any event and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the extent any Subsidiary is permitted to make a Restricted Payment to Holdings for any of the foregoing purposes, such Subsidiary may, alternatively, make any such payment directly to the applicable obligee or payee of Holdings on its behalf, and such payment shall be treated, for all purposes of this Agreement as a permitted Restricted Payment.
Section 10.10. Investments. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make or allow any Investment, other than a Permitted Investment, unless immediately before and after giving effect to such Investment, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) on a Pro Forma Basis, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
Section 10.11. Negative Pledge. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement) that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon the ability of (a) any Group Member to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets (including the Equity Interests owned by such Group Member), (b) any Group Member to make Restricted Payments to the Company or any other Obligor or to make or repay loans or advances to the Company or any other Obligor or to guarantee the Guarantee Obligations or (c) Group Member to otherwise transfer (including by way of a pledge) property to the Company or an Obligor; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions and conditions imposed by Requirements of Law or by Contractual Obligations in
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effect as of the Closing (and any extensions, renewals or modifications thereof) (and, for the avoidance of doubt, such restrictions do not apply to any Qualified Asset or to the Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner unless it relates to a Permitted Encumbrance), (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary prohibitions, restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary or its assets pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary or assets that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement (including mortgage financings and CMBS Financings) if such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (and, for the avoidance of doubt, such restrictions do not apply to any Qualified Asset or to the Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner, except to the extent permitted by clause (x) below), (iv) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to Joint Ventures that are applicable solely to such Joint Venture and entered into in the ordinary course of business, (v) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions that are customary prohibitions, restrictions or conditions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions solely relate to the assets subject thereto, (vi) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions or conditions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, (vii) the foregoing shall not apply to provisions restricting the granting of a security interest in intellectual property contained in licenses or sublicenses by the Company and its Subsidiaries of such intellectual property, which licenses and sublicenses were entered into in the ordinary course of business (in which case such prohibition or restriction shall relate only to such intellectual property), (viii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions on cash or other deposits or minimum net worth requirements imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ix) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in any agreement that evidences Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement that are substantially similar to, or not materially more restrictive than, those prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in this Agreement, (x) the foregoing clause (a) shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in any mortgage financing, CMBS Financing or other financing on the pledge of Equity Interests in the direct or indirect parent of an Obligor (other than a Qualified Asset Owner), Group Member (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) or a Qualified Asset Owner, (xi) the foregoing shall not apply to assets subject to retention of title and (xii) the foregoing shall not apply to any prohibitions, restrictions or conditions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (x) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions than those in place prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
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SECTION 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
An Event of Default shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:
(a) any Issuer defaults in the payment of any principal, Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or
(b) any Issuer defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note for more than five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable, or defaults in the payment of any other amounts hereunder for more than ten Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or
(c) any Obligor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (d), 7.2 (if such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 15 days), 9.1(a)(1) (solely with respect to any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner), 9.7, 9.8 or 10; or
(d) any Obligor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein (other than those referred to in Sections 11(a), (b) and (c)) and such default is not remedied within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) the Company receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a notice of default and to refer specifically to this Section 11(d)); provided, that, if such default is capable of being cured but cannot be cured within such 30 day period and so long as the applicable Obligor shall have commenced to cure such default within such 30 day period and shall be diligently pursuing such cure, the applicable Obligor shall have an additional 30 day period to cure such default; or
(e) any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of any Obligor or by any of their officers in this Agreement or in any writing furnished in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall prove to have been inaccurate or misleading in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made (or, to the extent qualified by materiality, shall be inaccurate or misleading in any respect after giving effect to such qualification when made or deemed made); or
(f) (i) any Group Member is in default (as principal or as guarantor or other surety) in the payment when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace or cure periods (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) of any principal of or premium or make-whole amount or interest on any Indebtedness that is outstanding (excluding any Indebtedness hereunder, under any Note and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) in an aggregate principal amount of (or, with respect to any Swap Contracts, a Swap Termination Value of) at least $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) beyond any period of grace provided
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with respect thereto, or (ii) any Group Member is in default in the performance of or compliance with any term of any agreement or condition evidencing any Indebtedness (excluding any Indebtedness hereunder, under any Note and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of (or, with respect to any Swap Contracts, a Swap Termination Value of) at least $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) and as a consequence of such default, with the giving of notice if required and after giving effect to any applicable grace periods thereunder, such Indebtedness has become, or has been declared (or one or more Persons are entitled to declare such Indebtedness to be), due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (iii) as a consequence of the occurrence or continuation of any event or condition (other than the passage of time, (x) any Group Member has become obligated to purchase or repay Indebtedness (excluding any Indebtedness hereunder, under any Note and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) before its regular maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment), or (y) one or more Persons have the right to require any Group Member so to purchase or repay Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least $100,000,000; provided that clauses (i) (other than in the case of clause (x) below), (ii) and (iii) shall not apply to (x) Secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the Disposition or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such Disposition or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness and (y) Indebtedness that is convertible into Equity Interests and has been converted to Equity Interests in accordance with its terms and such conversion is not prohibited hereunder; or
(g) any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary (i) files, or consents by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law of any applicable jurisdiction, (ii) makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, (iv) is adjudicated as insolvent or to be liquidated, or (v) takes corporate action for the purpose of any of the foregoing; or
(h) a court or other Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction enters an order appointing, without consent by any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary, a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, or constituting an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or reorganization or any other petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any applicable jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of any Obligor or any of its Material Subsidiaries, or any such petition shall be filed against any Obligor or any of its Material Subsidiaries and such petition shall not be dismissed within 60 days; or
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(i) any event occurs with respect to any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary which under any Debtor Relief Law is analogous to any of the events described in Section 11(g) or Section 11(h), provided that the applicable grace period, if any, which shall apply shall be the one applicable to the relevant proceeding which most closely corresponds to the proceeding described in Section 11(g) or Section 11(h); or
(j) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money aggregating (to the extent not covered by insurance or third-party indemnities as to which the relevant insurance company or third party has not denied coverage) in excess of $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment), including any such final order enforcing a binding arbitration decision, are rendered against one or more of the Group Members and which judgments are not, within 60 days after entry thereof, bonded, discharged or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged within 60 days after the expiration of such stay or (ii) one or more non-monetary final judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Group Member that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and there is a period of 45 consecutive days during which such judgment or decree is not vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal and, in either case, enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree; or
(k) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(l) this Agreement shall cease to be in full force and effect, any Obligor or any Person acting on behalf of any Obligor shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of this Agreement, or the obligations of any Obligor under this Agreement are not or cease to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof.
SECTION 12. REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC.
Section 12.1. Acceleration. (a) If an Event of Default with respect to any Obligor described in Section 11(g), (h) or (i) has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.
(b) If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Holders may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.
(c) If any Event of Default described in Section 11(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of Default may at any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable.
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Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 12.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus (x) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including interest accrued thereon at the Default Rate), (y) the Make-Whole Amount determined in respect of such principal amount and (z) with respect to any Swapped Notes, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived. The Obligors acknowledge, and the parties hereto agree, that each holder of a Note has the right to maintain its investment in the Notes free from repayment by the Obligors (except as herein specifically provided for) and that the provision for payment of a Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, by the Obligors in the event that the Notes are prepaid or are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, is intended to provide compensation for the deprivation of such right under such circumstances.
Section 12.2. Other Remedies. If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 12.1, the holder of any Note at the time outstanding may proceed to protect and enforce the rights of such holder by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in any Note, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.
Section 12.3. Rescission. At any time after any Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1(b) or (c), the Required Holders, by written notice to the Company, may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (a) such Issuer has paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Notes and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on any Swapped Notes, that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (b) neither the Company nor any other Person shall have paid any amounts which have become due solely by reason of such declaration, (c) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 17, and (d) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to the Notes. No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 12.4. No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc. No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any holder of any Note in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such holders rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement or any Note upon any holder thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the obligations of the Company under Section 16, the Company will pay to the holder of each Note on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of such holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including reasonable attorneys fees, expenses and disbursements.
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SECTION 13. TAX INDEMNIFICATION; FATCA INFORMATION.
(a) All payments whatsoever under this Agreement and the Notes will be made by the Obligors in lawful currency of the Applicable Currency free and clear of, and without liability for withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present or future Taxes of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction in which the Obligors (as applicable) are incorporated, organized, managed or controlled or otherwise resides for tax purposes or where a branch or office through which the Obligor (as applicable) are acting for purposes of this Agreement and the Notes is located or from or through which the Obligors (as applicable) are making any payment (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in such jurisdiction) (hereinafter a Taxing Jurisdiction), unless the withholding or deduction of such Tax is compelled by law.
(b) If any deduction or withholding for any Tax of a Taxing Jurisdiction shall at any time be required in respect of any amounts to be paid by such Obligor under this Agreement or the Notes, such Obligor will pay to the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction the full amount required to be withheld, deducted or otherwise paid before penalties attach thereto or interest accrues thereon and pay to each holder of a Note such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amounts paid to such holder pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Notes after such deduction, withholding or payment (including any required deduction or withholding of Tax on or with respect to such additional amount), shall be not less than the amounts then due and payable to such holder under the terms of this Agreement or the Notes before the assessment of such Tax, provided that no payment of any additional amounts shall be required to be made for or on account of:
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(i) any Tax that (A) is imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes as a result of such holder being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or applicable lending office located in, the Taxing Jurisdiction or (B) would not have been imposed but for the existence of any present or former connection between such holder (or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member of, shareholder of, or possessor of a power over, such holder, if such holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation or any Person other than the holder to whom the Notes or any amount payable thereon is attributable for the purposes of such Tax) and the Taxing Jurisdiction, other than the mere holding of the relevant Note or the receipt of payments thereunder or in respect thereof or the exercise of remedies in respect thereof, including such holder (or such other Person described in the above parenthetical) being or having been a citizen or resident thereof, or being or having been present or engaged in trade or business therein or having or having had an establishment, office, fixed base or branch therein, provided that this exclusion shall not apply with respect to a Tax that would not have been imposed but for any Obligor, after the date of the Closing, opening an office in, moving an office to, reincorporating in, or changing the Taxing Jurisdiction from or through which payments on account of this Agreement or the Notes are made to, the Taxing Jurisdiction imposing the relevant Tax;
(ii) any Tax that would not have been imposed but for the delay or failure by such holder (following a written request by the Company) in the filing with the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction of Forms (as defined below) that are required to be filed by such holder to avoid or reduce such Taxes (including for such purpose any refilings or renewals of filings that may from time to time be required by the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction), provided that the filing of such Forms would not (in such holders reasonable judgment) impose any unreasonable burden (in time, resources or otherwise) on such holder or result in any confidential or proprietary income tax return information being revealed, either directly or indirectly, to any Person and such delay or failure could have been lawfully avoided by such holder, and provided further that such holder shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this clause (b)(ii) upon the good faith completion and submission of such Forms (including refilings or renewals of filings) as may be specified in a written request of the Company no later than 60 days after receipt by such holder of such written request (accompanied by copies of such Forms and related instructions, if any, all in the English language or with an English translation thereof);
(iii) any withholding Taxes imposed on an amount payable to or for the account of such holder with respect to the relevant Note pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which such holder acquires the relevant Note, except to the extent that, pursuant to this Section 13, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable to such holders assignor immediately before such holder acquired the relevant Note;
(iv) any Taxes imposed under FATCA;
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(v) any Taxes imposed pursuant to the Dutch Withholding Tax Act 2021 (Wet bronbelasting 2021) in the form as at the date of this Agreement;
(vi) any Taxes assessed on a holder under the laws of the Netherlands, if and to the extent such Taxes become payable as a result of such holder having a substantial interest (aanmerkelijk belang) as defined in the Dutch Income Tax Act 2021 (Wet inkomstenbelasting 2001) in a Dutch Obligor; or
(vii) any combination of clauses (i) through (vi) above;
provided further that in no event shall any Obligor be obligated to pay such additional amounts to any holder (i) not resident in the United States of America or any other jurisdiction in which an original Purchaser is resident for tax purposes on the date of the Closing in excess of the amounts that such Obligor would be obligated to pay if such holder had been a resident of the United States of America or such other jurisdiction, as applicable, for purposes of, and eligible for the benefits of, any double taxation treaty from time to time in effect between the United States of America or such other jurisdiction and the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or (ii) registered in the name of a nominee if under the law of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (or the current regulatory interpretation of such law) securities held in the name of a nominee do not qualify for an exemption from the relevant Tax and the Company shall have given timely notice of such law or interpretation to such holder.
(c) By acceptance of any Note, the holder of such Note agrees, subject to the limitations of clause (b)(ii) above, that it will from time to time with reasonable promptness (x) duly complete and deliver to or as reasonably directed by the Company all such forms, certificates, documents and returns provided to such holder by the Company (collectively, together with instructions for completing the same, Forms) required to be filed by or on behalf of such holder in order to avoid or reduce any such Tax pursuant to the provisions of an applicable statute, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or of a tax treaty between the United States or other applicable jurisdiction and such Taxing Jurisdiction and (y) provide the Company with such information with respect to such holder as the Company may reasonably request in order to complete any such Forms, provided that nothing in this Section 13 shall require any holder to provide information with respect to any such Form or otherwise if in the opinion of such holder such Form or disclosure of information would involve the disclosure of tax return or other information that is confidential or proprietary to such holder, and provided further that each such holder shall be deemed to have complied with its obligation under this paragraph with respect to any Form if such Form shall have been duly completed and delivered by such holder to the Company or mailed to the appropriate taxing authority, whichever is applicable, within 60 days following a written request of the Company (which request shall be accompanied by copies of such Form and English translations of any such Form not in the English language) and, in the case of a transfer of any Note, at least 90 days prior to the relevant interest payment date.
(d) On or before the date of the Closing the Company will furnish each Purchaser with copies of the appropriate Form (and English translation if required as aforesaid) currently required to be filed in the applicable Taxing Jurisdiction pursuant to Section 13(b)(ii), if any, and in connection with the transfer of any Note the Company will furnish the transferee of such Note with copies of any Form and English translation then required.
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(e) If any payment is made by any Obligor to or for the account of the holder of any Note after deduction for or on account of any Taxes, and increased payments are made by such Obligor pursuant to this Section 13, then, if such holder at its sole discretion determines that it has received or been granted a refund of such Taxes, such holder shall, to the extent that it can do so without prejudice to the retention of the amount of such refund, reimburse to such Obligor such amount as such holder shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be attributable to the relevant Taxes or deduction or withholding. Nothing herein contained shall interfere with the right of the holder of any Note to arrange its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit and, in particular, no holder of any Note shall be under any obligation to claim relief from its corporate profits or similar tax liability in respect of such Tax in priority to any other claims, reliefs, credits or deductions available to it or (other than as set forth in Section 13(b)(ii)) oblige any holder of any Note to disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any computations in respect thereof.
(f) The Company will furnish the holders of Notes, promptly and in any event within 60 days after the date of any payment by an Obligor of any Tax in respect of any amounts paid under this Agreement or the Notes, the original tax receipt issued by the relevant taxation or other authorities involved for all amounts paid as aforesaid (or if such original tax receipt is not available or must legally be kept in the possession of such Obligor, a duly certified copy of the original tax receipt or any other reasonably satisfactory evidence of payment), together with such other documentary evidence with respect to such payments as may be reasonably requested from time to time by any holder of a Note.
(g) If an Obligor is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of the taxation or other authority of any relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, to make any deduction or withholding of any Tax in respect of which such Obligor would be required to pay any additional amount under this Section 13, but for any reason does not make such deduction or withholding with the result that a liability in respect of such Tax is assessed directly against the holder of any Note, and such holder pays such liability, then such Obligor will promptly reimburse such holder for such payment (including any related interest or penalties to the extent such interest or penalties arise by virtue of a default or delay by such Obligor) upon demand by such holder accompanied by an official receipt (or a duly certified copy thereof) issued by the taxation or other authority of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction.
(h) If an Obligor makes payment to or for the account of any holder of a Note and such holder is entitled to a refund of the Tax to which such payment is attributable upon the making of a filing (other than a Form described above), then such holder shall, as soon as practicable after receiving written request from the Company (which shall specify in reasonable detail and supply the refund forms to be filed) use reasonable efforts to complete and deliver such refund forms to or as directed by the Company, subject, however, to the same limitations with respect to Forms as are set forth above.
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(i) The obligations of the Obligors under this Section 13 shall survive the payment or transfer of any Note and the provisions of this Section 13 shall also apply to successive transferees of the Notes.
(j) By acceptance of any Note, the holder of such Note agrees that such holder will with reasonable promptness duly complete and deliver to the Company, or to such other Person as may be reasonably requested by the Company, from time to time (i) in the case of any such holder that is a United States Person, such holders United States tax identification number or other Forms reasonably requested by the Company necessary to establish such holders status as a United States Person under FATCA and as may otherwise be necessary for the Obligors to comply with their obligations under FATCA and (ii) in the case of any such holder that is not a United States Person, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation as may be necessary for the Obligors to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such holder has complied with such holders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount (if any) to deduct and withhold from any such payment made to such holder. Nothing in this Section 13(j) shall require any holder to provide information that is confidential or proprietary to such holder unless the Obligors are required to obtain such information under FATCA and, in such event, the Obligors shall treat any such information it receives as confidential.
SECTION 14. REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES.
Section 14.1. Registration of Notes. The Company shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes. The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. If any holder of one or more Notes is a nominee, then (a) the name and address of the beneficial owner of such Note or Notes shall also be registered in such register as an owner and holder thereof and (b) at any such beneficial owners option, either such beneficial owner or its nominee may execute any amendment, waiver or consent pursuant to this Agreement. The entries in the register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. The Company shall give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes.
Section 14.2. Transfer and Exchange of Notes. Upon surrender of any Note to the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 19(a)(iii)), for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the relevant name, address and other information for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), within 10 Business Days thereafter, the applicable issuer of such Note shall execute and deliver, at the Obligors expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes (as requested by the holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal
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amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Schedule 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, 1-D, 1-E or 1-F as applicable. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than $100,000, 100,000 or £100,000, as applicable, provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a denomination of less than $100,000, 100,000 or £100,000, as applicable. Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representation set forth in Section 6.2.
Section 14.3. Replacement of Notes. Upon receipt by the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 19(a)(iii)) of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and
(a) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, an original Purchaser or another holder of a Note with a minimum net worth of at least $50,000,000 or a Qualified Institutional Buyer, such Persons own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or
(b) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,
within 10 Business Days thereafter, the Company at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a replacement Note, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.
SECTION 15. PAYMENTS ON NOTES.
Section 15.1. Place of Payment. Subject to Section 15.2, payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made by the Issuers in lawful currency of the Applicable Currency in New York, New York at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. in such jurisdiction. The Company may at any time, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either the principal office of the Company in such jurisdiction or the principal office of a bank or trust company in such jurisdiction.
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Section 15.2. Payment by Wire Transfer. So long as any Purchaser or its nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 15.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Issuers will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, interest and all other amounts becoming due hereunder by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below such Purchasers name in the Purchaser Schedule, or by such other method or at such other address as such Purchaser shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section 15.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by a Purchaser or its nominee, such Purchaser will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a new Note or Notes pursuant to Section 14.2. The Company will afford the benefits of this Section 15.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by a Purchaser under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as the Purchasers have made in this Section 15.2.
SECTION 16. EXPENSES, ETC.
Section 16.1. Transaction Expenses ; Indemnity. (a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Obligors will pay all costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys fees of one special counsel for the holders, taken as a whole, and, if reasonably required by the Required Holders, one local or other counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction for the holders, taken as a whole) incurred by the Purchasers and each other holder of a Note in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments, waivers or consents under or in respect of this Agreement or the Notes (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent becomes effective), including: (a) the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights under this Agreement or the Notes or in responding to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with this Agreement or the Notes, or by reason of being a holder of any Note, (b) the costs and expenses, including fees of on financial advisor for all the Purchasers and the holders of the Notes, as a whole, incurred in connection with the insolvency or bankruptcy of any Obligor or any Subsidiary or in connection with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Notes and (c) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Agreement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO provided, that such costs and expenses under this clause (c) shall not exceed $5,000 per series of Notes. If required by the NAIC, each Issuer shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI).
(b) The Obligors will pay, and will save each Purchaser and each other holder of a Note harmless from, (i) all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses, if any, of brokers and finders (other than those, if any, retained by a Purchaser or other holder in connection with its purchase of the Notes), (ii) any and all wire transfer fees that any bank or other financial institution deducts from any payment under such Note to such holder or otherwise charges to a
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holder of a Note with respect to a payment under such Note, provided such holder shall have submitted a request for such deducted amount within 30 days of the receipt of the related payment under its Note and (iii) any judgment, liability, claim, order, decree, fine, penalty, cost, fee, expense (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) or obligation resulting from the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the use of the proceeds of the Notes by the Company.
Section 16.2. Certain Taxes. The Obligors agree to pay all stamp, documentary or similar taxes or fees which may be payable in respect of the execution and delivery or the enforcement of this Agreement or the execution and delivery (but not the transfer) or the enforcement of any of the Notes in the United States or any other jurisdiction of organization of any Obligor or any other jurisdiction where any Obligor has assets or of any amendment of, or waiver or consent under or with respect to, this Agreement or of any of the Notes, and to pay any value added tax due and payable in respect of reimbursement of costs and expenses by the Company pursuant to this Section 16 to the extent the relevant Purchaser or holder of a Note (as the case may be) determines that such value added tax is otherwise irrecoverable by such Purchaser or holder of a Note or Affiliate thereof, and will save each holder of a Note to the extent permitted by applicable law harmless against any loss or liability resulting from nonpayment or delay in payment of any such tax or fee required to be paid by the Company hereunder.
Section 16.3. Survival. The obligations of the Obligors under this Section 16 will survive the payment or transfer of any Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the Notes, and the termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 17. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Notes, the purchase or transfer by any Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of such Purchaser or any other holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties of such Obligor under this Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement and the Notes embody the entire agreement and understanding among each Purchaser and the Obligors and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
SECTION 18. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.
Section 18.1. Requirements. This Agreement and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Obligors and the Required Holders, except that:
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(a) no amendment or waiver of any of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 22 hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), will be effective as to any Purchaser unless consented to by such Purchaser in writing; and
(b) no amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of each Purchaser and the holder of each Note at the time outstanding, (i) subject to Section 12 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of (x) interest on the Notes or (y) the Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, (ii) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment or waiver or the principal amount of the Notes that the Purchasers are to purchase pursuant to Section 2 upon the satisfaction of the conditions to Closing that appear in Section 4, or (iii) amend any of Sections 8 (except as set forth in the second sentence of Section 8.2), 11(a), 11(b), 12, 18, 21 or 23.1, or any defined term as used in such Sections.
Section 18.2. Solicitation of Holders of Notes.
(a) Solicitation. The Company will provide each Purchaser and each holder of a Note with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such Purchaser and such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof or of the Notes. The Company will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to this Section 18 to each Purchaser and each holder of a Note promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite Purchasers or holders of Notes.
(b) Payment. None of the Obligors will directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any Purchaser or holder of a Note as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by such Purchaser or holder of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof or of any Note unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each Purchaser and each holder of a Note even if such Purchaser or holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.
(c) Consent in Contemplation of Transfer. Any consent given pursuant to this Section 18 by a holder of a Note that has transferred or has agreed to transfer its Note to (i) any Issuer, (ii) Holdings, (iii) any Subsidiary or (iv) any other Affiliate of the Obligors or (v) any other Person in connection with, or in anticipation of, such other Person acquiring, making a tender offer for or merging with any Obligor and/or any of its Affiliates, in each case in connection with such consent, shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder, and any amendments effected or waivers granted or to be effected or granted that would not have been or would not be so effected or granted but for such consent (and the consents of all other holders of Notes that were acquired under the same or similar conditions) shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder.
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Section 18.3. Binding Effect, Etc. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 18 applies equally to all Purchasers and holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon each Obligor without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between the Obligors and any Purchaser or holder of a Note and no delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any Purchaser or holder of such Note.
Section 18.4. Notes Held by Company, Etc. Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in any Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.
SECTION 19. NOTICES; ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
(a) Except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 7.4, all notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by facsimile or electronic transmission if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by an internationally recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), or (b) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid), or (c) by an internationally recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent:
(i) if to any Purchaser or its nominee, to such Purchaser or nominee at the address specified for such communications in the Purchaser Schedule, or at such other address as such Purchaser or nominee shall have specified to the Company in writing,
(ii) if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Company in writing, or
(iii) if to any Obligor, to the Company at its address set forth at the beginning hereof to the attention of Treasurer, or at such other address as such Issuer or Holdings shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing, with a copy to Lineage Logistics, LLC Attn: Legal Department, 1 Park Plaza, Suite 550, Irvine, CA 92614.
Notices under this Section 19 will be deemed given only when actually received.
(b) Each document, instrument, financial statement, report, notice or other communication delivered in connection with this Agreement shall be in English or accompanied by an English translation thereof.
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(c) This Agreement and the Notes have been prepared and signed in English and the parties hereto agree that the English version hereof and thereof (to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law) shall be the only version valid for the purpose of the interpretation and construction hereof and thereof notwithstanding the preparation of any translation into another language hereof or thereof, whether official or otherwise or whether prepared in relation to any proceedings which may be brought in the Netherlands or any other jurisdiction in respect hereof or thereof.
SECTION 20. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS.
This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by any Purchaser at the Closing (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to any Purchaser, may be reproduced by such Purchaser by any photographic, photostatic, electronic, digital, or other similar process and such Purchaser may destroy any original document so reproduced. The Obligors agree and stipulate that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Purchaser in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 19 shall not prohibit the Issuers, Holdings or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.
SECTION 21. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
For the purposes of this Section 21, Confidential Information means information delivered to any Purchaser by or on behalf of the Company, Holdings or any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and (i) that was clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by such Purchaser as being confidential information of the Company, Holdings or such Subsidiary or (ii) that a reasonable person would expect to be treated as confidential under the circumstances of its disclosure, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to such Purchaser prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Purchaser or any Person acting on such Purchasers behalf, (c) otherwise becomes known to such Purchaser other than through disclosure by the Company, Holdings or any Subsidiary or (d) constitutes financial statements delivered to such Purchaser under Section 7.1 that are otherwise publicly available. Each Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in accordance with procedures adopted by such Purchaser in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Purchaser, and agrees to, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law from doing so, give the Company prompt written notice of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information, and assist the Company in remedying any such unauthorized use or disclosure, provided that such Purchaser may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, trustees and
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affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by its Notes and such recipient is notified of its obligation to maintain confidentiality of such information), (ii) its auditors, financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with this Section 21, (iii) any other holder of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor to which it sells or offers to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by this Section 21), (v) any Person from which it offers to purchase any Security of Holdings or the Company (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by this Section 20), (vi) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Purchaser, (vii) the NAIC or the SVO or, in each case, any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about such Purchasers investment portfolio, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Purchaser, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which such Purchaser is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Purchaser may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Purchasers Notes or this Agreement and, in the event Confidential Information is so required to be disclosed pursuant to any of the foregoing clauses (w), (x) or (y), the applicable Purchaser agrees to disclose such required Confidential Information to the minimum extent required and (other than at the request of a regulatory authority, governmental agency or pursuant to a broad based subpoena or similar discovery process, in each case, not directly related to any Obligor or the transactions contemplated hereby), such Purchaser shall provide the Company with prompt written notice (unless such notification shall be prohibited by applicable law or legal process) of such permitted disclosure. To the extent that any breach of terms of this Section 21 occurs, the Purchaser that has breached this Section 21 agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Company in restricting or preventing such further breaches. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 21 as though it were a party to this Agreement. On reasonable request by the Company or Holdings in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder (other than a holder that is a party to this Agreement or its nominee), such holder will enter into an agreement with the Company or Holdings embodying this Section 21.
In the event that as a condition to receiving access to information relating to Holdings, the Company or their Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, any Purchaser or holder of a Note is required to agree to a confidentiality undertaking (whether through IntraLinks, another secure website, a secure virtual workspace or otherwise) which is different from this Section 21, this Section 21 shall not be amended thereby and, as between such Purchaser or such holder and the Company or Holdings, as applicable, this Section 21 shall supersede any such other confidentiality undertaking.
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SECTION 22. SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER.
Each Purchaser shall have the right to substitute any one of its Affiliates or another Purchaser or any one of such other Purchasers Affiliates (a Substitute Purchaser) as the purchaser of the Notes that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, by written notice to the Company, which notice shall be signed by both such Purchaser and such Substitute Purchaser, shall contain such Substitute Purchasers agreement to be bound by this Agreement and shall contain a confirmation by such Substitute Purchaser of the accuracy with respect to it of the representations set forth in Section 6. Upon receipt of such notice, any reference to such Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 22), shall be deemed to refer to such Substitute Purchaser in lieu of such original Purchaser. In the event that such Substitute Purchaser is so substituted as a Purchaser hereunder and such Substitute Purchaser thereafter transfers to such original Purchaser all of the Notes then held by such Substitute Purchaser, upon receipt by the Company of notice of such transfer, any reference to such Substitute Purchaser as a Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 22), shall no longer be deemed to refer to such Substitute Purchaser, but shall refer to such original Purchaser, and such original Purchaser shall again have all the rights of an original holder of the Notes under this Agreement.
SECTION 23. MISCELLANEOUS.
Section 23.1. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not, except that, subject to Section 10.2, no Obligor may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or (in the case of the Issuers) under the Notes without the prior written consent of each holder. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 23.2. Accounting Terms. All accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this Agreement have the meanings respectively given to them in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, (i) all computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with GAAP and (ii) all financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement (including Section 9, Section 10 and the definition of Indebtedness), any election by the Company or Holdings to measure any financial liability using fair value (as permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 825-10-25 Fair Value Option, International Accounting Standard 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or any similar accounting standard) shall be disregarded and such determination shall be made as if such election had not been made.
Section 23.3. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that 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 (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
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Section 23.4. Construction, Etc. Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.
Defined terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein) and, for purposes of the Notes, shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 14, (b) subject to Section 23.1, any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, (c) the words herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Sections and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Sections of, and Schedules to, this Agreement, and (e) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
Section 23.5. Counterparts; Electronic 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. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto. The parties agree to electronic contracting and signatures with respect to this Agreement. Delivery of an electronic signature to, or a signed copy of, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be fully binding on the parties to the same extent as the delivery of the signed originals and shall be admissible into evidence for all purposes. The words execution, execute, signed, signature and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Company, 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.
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Section 23.6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
Section 23.7. Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) Each of the Obligors irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Notes. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Obligors irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(b) Each of the Obligors agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that a final judgment in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 23.7(a) brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon it subject to rights of appeal, as the case may be, and may be enforced in the courts of the United States of America or the State of New York (or any other courts to the jurisdiction of which it or any of its assets is or may be subject) by a suit upon such judgment.
(c) Each of the Obligors consents to process being served by or on behalf of any holder of Notes in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 23.7(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered, certified, priority or express mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, return receipt or delivery confirmation requested, to it at its address specified in Section 19, to Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377, as its agent for the purpose of accepting service of any process in the United States, with a copy to Lineage Logistics, LLC Attn: Legal Department, 1 Park Plaza, Suite 550, Irvine, CA 92614. Each of the Obligors agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it. Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service.
(d) Nothing in this Section 23.7 shall affect the right of any holder of a Note to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders of any of the Notes may have to bring proceedings against the Obligors in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.
(e) Each Obligor hereby irrevocably appoints Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377 to receive for it, and on its behalf, service of process in the United States, from the Closing Date through August 20, 2032. Lineage Logistics, LLC hereby accepts its irrevocable appointment as agent for service of process for each Obligor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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(f) THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT ON OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH.
Section 23.8. Obligation to Make Payments in Applicable Currency. (a) Any payment by an Obligor on account of an amount that is payable hereunder or under a Note in the Applicable Currency that is made to or for the account of any holder of such Note in any other currency, whether as a result of any judgment or order or the enforcement thereof or the liquidation of such Obligor, shall constitute a discharge of the obligation of such Obligor under this Agreement or the Notes, as the case may be, only to the extent of the amount of the Applicable Currency that such holder could purchase in the foreign exchange markets in London, England, with the amount of such other currency in accordance with normal banking procedures at the rate of exchange prevailing on the London Banking Day following receipt of the payment first referred to above. If the amount of the Applicable Currency that could be so purchased is less than the amount of the Applicable Currency originally due to such holder, the Obligors agree to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and save harmless such holder from and against all loss or damage arising out of or as a result of such deficiency.
(b) Any payment under any provision of this Agreement (other than as otherwise specified in Section 23.8(a)) shall be in U.S. Dollars and any such payment made in any other currency, whether as a result of any judgment or order or the enforcement thereof or the liquidation of either Obligor, shall constitute a discharge of the obligation of the relevant Obligor hereunder only to the extent of the amount of US Dollars that the relevant holder of Notes could purchase in the foreign exchange markets in London, England, with the amount of such other currency in accordance with normal banking procedures at the rate of exchange prevailing on the London Banking Day following receipt of the payment first referred to above. If the amount of US Dollars that could be so purchased is less than the amount of US Dollars originally due to such holder, the Obligors agree to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and save harmless such holder from and against all loss or damage arising out of or as a result of such deficiency.
(c) The indemnities contained in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, constitute obligations separate and independent from the other obligations contained in this Agreement and the Notes, as the case may be, shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by such holder from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum in respect of an amount due hereunder or under the Notes or under any judgment or order. As used herein the term London Banking Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in London, England.
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Section 23.9. Exchange Rate. For the purpose of (a) determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding have approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in the Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, the principal amount of any outstanding Series C Notes, Series D Notes, Series E Notes or Series F Notes, as applicable, shall be deemed to be the equivalent amount in U.S. Dollars calculated by converting such principal amount of such Notes into U.S. Dollars at a rate of exchange of US$1.00 = 0.8524, or US$1.00 = £0.7218, as applicable, and (b) allocating any partial prepayment of Notes or offer of partial prepayment of Notes pursuant to Section 8.5, the principal amount of any outstanding Series C Notes, Series D Notes, Series E Notes or Series F Notes, as applicable, shall be deemed to be the equivalent amount in U.S. Dollars calculated by converting such principal amount at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day immediately preceding the date of the relevant written notice of prepayment or purchase, as the case may be.
Section 23.10. Guernsey Terms. In this Agreement, where it relates to any Obligor organized in the island of Guernsey, a reference to: (a) a liquidator, trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer includes the HM Sheriff of the Royal Court of Guernsey or any other person performing the same function of the foregoing; (b) any analogous procedure or step being taken under any Debtor Relief Law in Guernsey includes: (i) any step taken in connection with the commencement of proceedings towards the making of a declaration that the affairs of such Guernsey Obligor are en désastre (or the making of such a declaration); (ii) any step is taken in connection with the commencement of proceedings towards the making of an application for a preliminary vesting order in saisie proceedings in Guernsey in respect of any realty of such Guernsey Obligor (or the making of such a preliminary vesting order); and (c) any insolvency, winding-up, administration or similar proceedings includes any procedure or proceedings referred to in Parts XXI and XXIII of The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 as amended.
SECTION 24. JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGORS .
Section 24.1. US Joint and Several Liability. (a) Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate hereby agrees it is jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably liable (together with each of the respective Issuers) to each of the holders for:
(i) the full and prompt payment of the principal of, interest, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on the Notes when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and the prompt payment of all sums that are now or will hereafter become due and owing under the Notes or this Agreement;
(ii) the payment of all US Joint and Several Enforcement Costs (as defined in Section 24.4 below); and
(iii) the full, complete, and punctual observance, performance, and satisfaction of all of the obligations, duties, covenants, and agreements of the Issuers under this Agreement.
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All amounts due, debts, liabilities, and payment obligations described in subparagraph (i) of this Section 24.1(a) are referred to herein as the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness. All obligations described in this Section 24.1(a) are referred to herein as the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
(b) In the event of any default by any Issuer in making payment of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, or in performance of the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations, as aforesaid, in each case beyond the expiration of any applicable grace period, Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate agrees, on demand by the holders, to pay all the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and to perform all the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations as are then or thereafter become due and owing or are to be performed under the terms of the Notes and this Agreement.
(c) Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate does hereby waive (i) any and all notices and demands of every kind that may be required to be given by any law, (ii) any defense or right of set-off that it may have against the Issuers or that it or the Issuers may have against any holder of a Note, (iii) presentment for payment, demand for payment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b) above), notice of nonpayment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b) above) or dishonor, protest and notice of protest, diligence in collection and any and all formalities that otherwise might be legally required to charge Holdings, the Company or such US Obligor Affiliate with liability, (iv) any defense based on the failure by the holders to inform it of any fact that the holders may now or hereafter know about the Issuers, the Notes, this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, it being understood and agreed that the holders have no duty so to inform and that Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate is fully responsible for being and remaining informed by the Issuers of all circumstances bearing on the existence or creation, or the risk of nonpayment of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the risk of nonperformance of the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations, and (v) any and all right to cause a marshalling of assets of the Issuers or any other action by any court or governmental body with respect thereto, or to cause the holders to proceed against any other security given another holder in connection with the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations. The holders shall have no obligation to disclose or discuss with Holdings such holders assessment of the financial condition of the Issuers. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate acknowledges that no representations of any kind whatsoever have been made by the holders to Holdings, except as expressly set forth in Section 6 herein.
(d) Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate further agrees that its liability as joint and several obligors shall in no way be impaired by any renewals or extensions that may be made from time to time, with or without the knowledge or consent of Holdings, the Company or such US Obligor Affiliate of the time for payment of interest or principal under a Note, any Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or any Swap Breakage Loss or by any forbearance or delay in collecting interest or principal under a Note, or by any waiver by any holder, or by any holders failure or election not to pursue any other remedies it may have against the Issuers, or by any change or modification in a Note or this Agreement, or by the acceptance by any holder of any security or any increase, substitution or change therein, or by the release by any holder of any security or any withdrawal thereof or decrease therein, or by the application of payments received from any source to the payment of any obligation other than
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the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, (unless such payment was expressly directed to be applied to the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and such direction was made in accordance with this Agreement) even though a holder may lawfully have elected to apply such payments to any part or all of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, it being the intent hereof that Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate shall remain liable as principal for payment of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and performance of the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations until all Indebtedness has been paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations) and the other terms, covenants and conditions of this Agreement, the Notes, and this Section 24 have been performed. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate further understands and agrees that the holders may at any time enter into agreements with the Issuers to amend or modify a Note or this Agreement and may waive or release any provision or provisions of a Note or this Agreement and, with reference to such instruments, may make and enter into any such agreement or agreements as the holders and the Issuers, Holdings and Obligor Affiliates may deem proper and desirable, without in any manner impairing the guaranty in this Section 24 or any of the holders rights hereunder or any of Holdingss, the Companys or such US Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24.
Section 24.2. Foreign Joint and Several Liability. (a)The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate hereby agrees it is jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably liable (together with each of the respective Issuers) to each of the holders for:
(i) the full and prompt payment of the principal of, interest, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on the Foreign Currency Notes when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and the prompt payment of all sums that are now or will hereafter become due and owing under the Foreign Currency Notes or this Agreement;
(ii) the payment of all Foreign Joint and Several Enforcement Costs (as defined in Section 24.4 below); and
(iii) the full, complete, and punctual observance, performance, and satisfaction of all of the obligations, duties, covenants, and agreements of the EUR Issuer under this Agreement.
All amounts due, debts, liabilities, and payment obligations described in subparagraph (i) of this Section 24.2(a) are referred to herein as the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness. All obligations described in this Section 24.2(a) are referred to herein as the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
(b) In the event of any default by the EUR Issuer in making payment of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, or in performance of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations, as aforesaid, in each case beyond the expiration of any applicable grace period, the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate agrees, on demand by the holders, to pay all the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and to perform all the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations as are then or thereafter become due and owing or are to be performed under the terms of the Foreign Currency Notes and this Agreement.
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(c) The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate does hereby waive (i) any and all notices and demands of every kind that may be required to be given by any law, (ii) any defense or right of set-off that it may have against the EUR Issuer or that it or the EUR Issuer may have against any holder of a Foreign Currency Note, (iii) presentment for payment, demand for payment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b) above), notice of nonpayment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b) above) or dishonor, protest and notice of protest, diligence in collection and any and all formalities that otherwise might be legally required to charge the EUR Issuer or such Foreign Obligor Affiliate with liability, (iv) any defense based on the failure by the holders to inform it of any fact that the holders may now or hereafter know about the EUR Issuer, the Foreign Currency Notes, this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, it being understood and agreed that the holders have no duty so to inform and that the EUR Issuer and Foreign Obligor Affiliates are fully responsible for being and remaining informed by the EUR Issuer of all circumstances bearing on the existence or creation, or the risk of nonpayment of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the risk of nonperformance of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations, and (v) any and all right to cause a marshalling of assets of the EUR Issuer or any other action by any court or governmental body with respect thereto, or to cause the holders to proceed against any other security given another holder in connection with the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations. The holders shall have no obligation to disclose or discuss with the EUR Issuer or any Foreign Obligor Affiliate such holders assessment of the financial condition of the EUR Issuer. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate acknowledges that no representations of any kind whatsoever have been made by the holders to the EUR Issuer or any Foreign Obligor Affiliate, except as expressly set forth in Section 6 herein.
(d) The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate further agrees that its liability as joint and several obligors shall in no way be impaired by any renewals or extensions that may be made from time to time, with or without the knowledge or consent of the EUR Issuer or such Foreign Obligor Affiliate of the time for payment of interest or principal under a Foreign Currency Note, any Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or any Swap Breakage Loss or by any forbearance or delay in collecting interest or principal under a Foreign Currency Note, or by any waiver by any holder, or by any holders failure or election not to pursue any other remedies it may have against the EUR Issuer, or by any change or modification in a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement, or by the acceptance by any holder of any security or any increase, substitution or change therein, or by the release by any holder of any security or any withdrawal thereof or decrease therein, or by the application of payments received from any source to the payment of any obligation other than the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, (unless such payment was expressly directed to be applied to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and such direction was made in accordance with this Agreement) even though a holder may lawfully have elected to apply such payments to any part or all of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, it being the intent hereof that the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate shall remain liable as principal for payment of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and performance of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations until all Indebtedness has been paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations) and the other terms, covenants and conditions of this Agreement, the Foreign Currency Notes, and this Section 24 have been performed. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate further understands and agrees that the holders may at any time enter into agreements with the EUR
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Issuer to amend or modify a Foreign Currency Note, or this Agreement and may waive or release any provision or provisions of a Note or this Agreement and, with reference to such instruments, may make and enter into any such agreement or agreements as the holders, the Issuers, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates may deem proper and desirable, without in any manner impairing the guaranty in this Section 24 or any of the holders rights hereunder or any of the EUR Issuers or any of the Foreign Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement and in particular this Section 24, the obligations expressed to be assumed in this Agreement and in particular this Section 24 (a) shall be deemed not to be assumed by a Danish Obligor Affiliate or by a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Danish Obligor Affiliate (and any security or guarantee created in relation thereto shall be limited) if and to the extent required to comply with Danish statutory provisions on unlawful financial assistance including, but not limited to, sections 206 through 212 of the Danish Companies Act (in Danish: selskabsloven) as amended and supplemented from time to time and (b) shall, in relation to obligations not incurred as a result of borrowings under the Principal Credit Facility by the Danish Obligor Affiliate, further be limited to an amount equal to the greater of (A) the equity of the Danish Obligor Affiliate at the date of this Agreement or, as the case may be, the date of the Danish Obligor Affiliates accession to this Agreement and (B) the equity at the date when a claim for payment is made against the Danish Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement, in each case calculated in accordance with the Danish Obligor Affiliates generally accepted accounting principles at the relevant time (including, if applied by the Danish Obligor Affiliate, IFRS), however, adjusted upwards by adding back obligations (in the amounts outstanding at the time when a claim for payment is made) of the Danish Obligor Affiliate (and its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) in respect of any intercompany loan owing by the Danish Obligor Affiliate (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) to a Borrower (as defined in the Principal Credit Facility) and originally borrowed by that Borrower under the Principal Credit Facility and on-lent (directly or indirectly) by that Borrower to the Danish Obligor Affiliate (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) provided always that any payment made by the Danish Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement in respect of such liabilities shall reduce pro tanto the outstanding amount of the intercompany loan owing by the Danish Obligor Affiliate (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries). The above limitations shall apply to any security by guarantee, indemnity, collateral or otherwise and to subordination of rights and claims, subordination or turnover of rights of recourse, application of proceeds and any other means of direct and indirect financial assistance.
(f) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the obligations expressed to be assumed in this Agreement by a Foreign Obligor Affiliate incorporated in Norway (each a Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate) shall be limited if (and only if) required by the mandatory provisions of the Norwegian Limited Companies Act of 13 June 1997 No. 44 (Nw. aksjeloven) (the Norwegian Companies Act), including Sections 8-7 and 8-10 cf. Sections 1-3, regulating unlawful financial assistance and other restrictions on a Norwegian limited liability companys ability to grant guarantees, loans or security interests. It is understood that the obligations and liabilities of each Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate shall always be interpreted so as to make each Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate liable to the fullest extent permitted by the above provisions of the Norwegian Companies Act.
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The liability of each Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement shall be limited to USD $2,500,000,000 plus any unpaid amount of interest, fees and expenses in respect of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
(g) the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate irrevocably and unconditionally abandons and waives any right it may have at any time under the existing or future laws of Guernsey:
(h) whether by virtue of the droit de discussion or otherwise that recourse be had to the assets of any person before any claim is enforced against the EUR Issuer or Foreign Obligor Affiliate (as the case may be) in respect of the obligations or liabilities assumed by it under this Agreement; and
(i) whether by virtue of the droit de division or otherwise to require that any liability under this Agreement be divided or apportioned with any other person or reduced in any manner whatsoever.
Section 24.3. Obligations Absolute and Unconditional.
(a) The obligations of Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be a complete, present and continuing joint and several obligation of payment and performance and not just of collection. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate agrees that its obligations under this Section 24 shall be joint and several with any and any other Guarantees given in connection with this Agreement and the Notes from time to time. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate agrees that the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations in this Section 24 may be enforced by the holders without the necessity at any time of resorting to or exhausting any security or collateral, if any, given in connection herewith or with a Note or this Agreement or by or resorting to any other guaranties, and Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate hereby waives the right to require any holder to join Holdings, the Company or any US Obligor Affiliate in any action brought under this Agreement or the Notes or to commence any action against or obtain any judgment against the Issuers or to pursue any other remedy or enforce any other right. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate further agrees that nothing contained herein or otherwise shall prevent any holder from pursuing concurrently or successively all rights and remedies available to them at law and/or in equity or under a Note or this Agreement, and the exercise of any of their rights or the completion of any of their remedies shall not constitute a discharge of any of Holdingss, the Companys or such US Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24, it being the purpose and intent of Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate that the obligations of Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be absolute, independent and unconditional under any and all circumstances whatsoever. None of Holdingss, the Companys or US Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24 nor any remedy for the enforcement thereof shall be impaired, modified, changed or released in any manner whatsoever by any impairment, modification, change, release or limitation of the liability of the Issuers under a Note or this Agreement or by reason of any Issuers bankruptcy or by reason of any creditor or bankruptcy proceeding instituted by or against any Issuer. This joint and several obligation shall continue to be effective and be deemed to have continued in
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
existence or be reinstated (as the case may be) if at any time payment of all or any part of any sum payable pursuant to a Note or this Agreement is rescinded or otherwise required to be returned by the payee upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the payor, all as though such payment to such holder had not been made, regardless of whether such holder contested the order requiring the return of such payment. The obligations of Holdings pursuant to the preceding sentence shall survive any termination, cancellation, or release of these US Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
(b) The obligations of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be a complete, present and continuing joint and several obligation of payment and performance and not just of collection. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate agrees that its obligations under this Section 24 shall be joint and several with any and any other Guarantees given in connection with this Agreement with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations and the Foreign Currency Notes from time to time. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate agrees that the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations in this Section 24 may be enforced by the holders without the necessity at any time of resorting to or exhausting any security or collateral, if any, given in connection herewith or with a Note or this Agreement or by or resorting to any other guaranties, and the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate hereby waives the right to require any holder to join the EUR Issuer or any Foreign Obligor Affiliate in any action brought under this Agreement or the Foreign Currency Notes or to commence any action against or obtain any judgment against the EUR Issuer or to pursue any other remedy or enforce any other right. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate further agrees that nothing contained herein or otherwise shall prevent any holder from pursuing concurrently or successively all rights and remedies available to them at law and/or in equity or under a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations), and the exercise of any of their rights or the completion of any of their remedies shall not constitute a discharge of any of the EUR Issuers or such Foreign Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24, it being the purpose and intent of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate that the obligations of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be absolute, independent and unconditional under any and all circumstances whatsoever. None of the EUR Issuers or Foreign Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24 nor any remedy for the enforcement thereof shall be impaired, modified, changed or released in any manner whatsoever by any impairment, modification, change, release or limitation of the liability of the EUR Issuer under a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or by reason of the EUR Issuers bankruptcy or by reason of any creditor or bankruptcy proceeding instituted by or against the EUR Issuer. This joint and several obligation shall continue to be effective and be deemed to have continued in existence or be reinstated (as the case may be) if at any time payment of all or any part of any sum payable pursuant to a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) is rescinded or otherwise required to be returned by the payee upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the payor, all as though such payment to such holder had not been made, regardless of whether such holder contested the order requiring the return of such payment. The obligations of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate pursuant to the preceding sentence shall survive any termination, cancellation, or release of these Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
Section 24.4. Enforcement Costs. (a) If: (i) this Agreement (including this guaranty) or a Note are placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or is collected through any legal proceeding; (ii) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, or other proceedings affecting creditors rights and involving a claim under this Agreement (including these US Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Note; (iii) an attorney is retained to provide advice or other representation with respect to this Agreement or the Notes in connection with an enforcement action or potential enforcement action; or (iv) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any other legal proceedings whatsoever in connection with this Agreement (including these US Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Note, or any property securing the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, then Holdings, the Company and such US Obligor Affiliates shall pay to such holder upon demand all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys fees, costs and expenses actually incurred, including, without limitation, court costs, filing fees and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith (the US Joint and Several Enforcement Costs), in addition to, but without duplication of, all other amounts due hereunder.
(b) If: (i) this Agreement (including this guaranty) or a Note are placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or is collected through any legal proceeding; (ii) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, or other proceedings affecting creditors rights and involving a claim under this Agreement (with respect to Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Foreign Currency Note; (iii) an attorney is retained to provide advice or other representation with respect to this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or the Foreign Currency Notes in connection with an enforcement action or potential enforcement action; or (iv) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any other legal proceedings whatsoever in connection with this Agreement (with respect to Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Foreign Currency Note, or any property securing the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, then the EUR Issuer and such Obligor Affiliate shall pay to such holder upon demand all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys fees, costs and expenses actually incurred, including, without limitation, court costs, filing fees and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith (the Foreign Joint and Several Enforcement Costs), in addition to, but without duplication of, all other amounts due hereunder.
Section 24.5. Subrogation. Holdings, each Issuer and each Obligor Affiliate hereby subordinates to the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness any and all claims and rights, including, without limitation, subrogation rights, contribution rights, reimbursement rights and set-off rights, which Holdings or such Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate may have against any Issuer arising from a payment made by Holdings, such Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate under its Obligor Affiliate Obligations hereunder and agrees that, until the entire Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness is paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations), not to assert or take advantage of any subrogation rights of Holdings, such Issuer, such Obligor Affiliate or the holders or any right of Holdings, such Issuer, such Obligor Affiliate or the holders proceed against (i) any Issuer for reimbursement, or (ii) any other joint and several obligor, any guarantor or any collateral security or guaranty or right of offset held by the holders for the payment of the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and performance of the Obligor Affiliate Obligations, nor shall Holdings, such Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
reimbursement from any Issuer or any other joint and several obligor or any other guarantor in respect of payments made by Holdings, such Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate hereunder. It is expressly understood that the agreements of Holdings, the Issuers and the Obligor Affiliates set forth above constitute additional and cumulative benefits given to the holders for their security and as an inducement for their purchase of the Notes of the Issuers.
Section 24.6. Preference. Any Indebtedness of the Issuers to Holdings, an Issuer or an Obligor Affiliate now or hereafter existing is hereby subordinated to the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness. None of Holdings, the Issuers or any Obligor Affiliate will seek, accept, or retain for its own account, any payment from any Issuer on account of such subordinated Indebtedness at any time when a Default or Event of Default exists under this Agreement or the Notes, and any such payments to Holdings or an Issuer or an Obligor Affiliate made while any Default or Event of Default then exists under this Agreement or the Notes on account of such subordinated Indebtedness shall be collected and received by Holdings or an Issuer or an Obligor Affiliate in trust for the holders and shall be paid over to the holders on account of the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness without impairing or releasing the obligations of Holdings, the Issuer or the Obligor Affiliate hereunder.
Section 24.7. Marshalling and Accounts. (a) None of the holders of the Notes shall be under any obligation (i) to marshal any assets in favor of Holdings or the Issuers or the Obligor Affiliates or in payment of any or all of the liabilities of any Issuer under or in respect of the Notes and this Agreement or the obligation of Holdings, the Issuers or the Obligor Affiliates under this Section 24 or (ii) to pursue any other remedy that Holdings, the Issuers or the Obligor Affiliates may or may not be able to pursue itself and that may lessen Holdingss, the Issuers or the Obligor Affiliates burden or any right to which Holdings, each Issuer and each Obligor Affiliate hereby expressly waives.
(b) Until all amounts which may be or become payable by any Issuer under or in connection with the Notes have been irrevocably paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations), while an Event of Default is continuing, any moneys received from Holdings, an Issuer or an Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement may be held in an interest-bearing bank account.
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of agreement on a counterpart of this Agreement and return it to the Issuers, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement among you, the Issuers, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates.
Very truly yours, | ||
HOLDINGS: | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | ||
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
ISSUERS/OBLIGORS: | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS PFS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SCS, LLC | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC | ||
LINEAGE MANUFACTURING, LLC | ||
LINEAGE TRANSPORTATION, LLC | ||
LINEAGE REDISTRIBUTION, LLC | ||
LINEAGE FOODSERVICE SOLUTIONS, LLC, | ||
NEW ORLEANS COLD STORAGE AND WAREHOUSE | ||
NOCS SOUTH ATLANTIC COLD STORAGE & WAREHOUSE, LLC NOCS WEST GULF, LLC, | ||
LINEAGE AUS RE HOLDINGS, LLC each a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | ||
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
LINEAGE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE, LLC a Washington limited liability company | ||
By: Lineage Transportation Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole member | ||
By: | ||
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS AFS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: Preferred Freezer Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, its sole member | ||
By: | ||
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HCS, LLC a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: Henningsen Cold Storage Co., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole member | ||
By: | ||
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
PREFERRED FREEZER LOGISTICS, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company | ||
By: | ||
Name: Michelle Domas | ||
Title: Treasurer |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
Executed by each of: Emergent Cold Bidco Pty Ltd Emergent Cold Midco 3 Pty Ltd. Emergent Cold Pty Ltd Lineage AUS TRS Pty Ltd in accordance with section 127 of the
|
|
|||
Director signature | Director/Secretary signature | |||
JEFFREY ERNEST HOGARTH | MICHAEL JOSEPH MCCLENDON | |||
Director full name (BLOCK LETTERS) |
Director/Secretary full name (BLOCK LETTERS) |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS NEW ZEALAND (NZ Company Number: 1232)
By: | ||||
Signature of Director |
Signature of Director | |||
JEFFREY ERNEST HOGARTH Name of Director |
MICHAEL JOSEPH MCCLENDON Name of Director |
LINEAGE NZ TRS LIMITED (NZ Company Number: 7967497)
By: | ||||
Signature of Director |
Signature of Director | |||
JEFFREY ERNEST HOGARTH Name of Director |
|
MICHAEL JOSEPH MCCLENDON Name of Director |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
For and on behalf of |
Lineage Danish Bidco ApS |
|
Name: Jason E. Burnett |
Title: Special Attorney |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
Lineage Norway Holdings I AS | ||
By: | ||
Name: Jason E. Burnett | ||
Title: Attorney in fact / board member |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
LINEAGE DUTCH BIDCO B.V. | ||
| ||
By: Jason E. Burnett | ||
Title: Authorised signatory | ||
LINEAGE DUTCH COÖPERATIEF U.A. | ||
| ||
By: Jason E. Burnett | ||
Title: Authorised signatory | ||
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
| ||
By: Jason E. Burnett | ||
Title: Authorised signatory |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
For and on behalf of Lineage UK T&F Holdings Limited | ||
| ||
Name: Jason E. Burnett | ||
Title: Director |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS LTD. |
|
Name: |
Title: |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS TRS LP, by its general partner: LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS TRS GP, LTD. |
|
Name: |
Title: |
92
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
THE LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Macquarie Investment Management Advisers, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust, Attorney in Fact | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
93
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
PENSION INSURANCE CORPORATION PLC | ||
By: | Macquarie Investment Management Advisers, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust, Attorney in Fact |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
94
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | Barings LLC as Investment Adviser | |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
C.M. LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Barings LLC as Investment Adviser |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Brighthouse Services, LLC, as adviser | ||
By: Barings LLC as Investment Adviser |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
95
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
ALLIANZ LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA | ||
By: | Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC As the authorized signatory and investment manager | |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
ALLIANZ GLOBAL RISKS US INSURANCE COMPANY |
By: | Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC As the authorized signatory and investment manager |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
ALLIANZ ALD FONDS |
By: | Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC As the authorized signatory and investment manager |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
ALLIANZ VKRENTEN DIREKT FONDS |
By: | Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC As the authorized signatory and investment manager |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
96
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION |
BY: | NYL Investors LLC, its Investment Manager |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
97
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
CATASTROPHE REINSURANCE COMPANY | ||
GARRISON PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION | ||
USAA CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
USAA GENERAL INDEMNITY COMPANY | ||
USAA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
THE DOCTORS COMPANY, AN INTERINSURANCE EXCHANGE | ||
HOSPITALS INSURANCE COMPANY, INC. | ||
USAA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK | ||
By: | BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., as investment manager |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
HUMANA INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
HUMANA MEDICAL PLAN, INC. | ||
By: | BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. Its Investment Manager |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
98
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
EQUITABLE FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
EQUITABLE FINANCIAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
99
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
ATHENE ANNUITY AND LIFE COMPANY | ||
By: Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LLC, its investment adviser | ||
By: Apollo Capital Management, L.P., its sub adviser | ||
By: Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC, its General Partner | ||
By: |
Name: | Joseph D. Glatt | |
Title: | Vice President |
100
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
SECURITY LIFE OF DENVER INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
CORPORATE SOLUTIONS LIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY | ||
VOYA RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY | ||
COMPSOURCE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
STANDARD GUARANTY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
AMERICAN SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
CONSUMER PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS, INC. | ||
UNITED SERVICE PROTECTION CORPORATION | ||
VIRGINIA SURETY COMPANY, INC. | ||
AMERICAN BANKERS INSURANCE COMPANY OF FLORIDA | ||
FEDERAL WARRANTY SERVICE CORPORATION | ||
BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SFM MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SHELTER MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SHELTER LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SHELTER REINSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Voya Investment Management Co. LLC, as Agent | ||
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
NN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LTD. | ||
By: Voya Investment Management LLC, as Attorney in fact |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
101
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | |
By: | ||
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President | |
TRANSAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | |
By: | ||
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President | |
TRANSAMERICA LIFE (BERMUDA) LTD | ||
By: | AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager | |
By: | ||
Name: | Josh Prieskorn | |
Title: | Vice President |
102
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
103
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Principal Global Investors, LLC a Delaware limited liability company, its authorized signatory | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
104
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
NAVIGATORS INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
HARTFORD ACCIDENT AND INDEMNITY COMPANY | ||
HARTFORD LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Hartford Investment Management Company, their investment manager | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
||
THE HARTFORD RETIREMENT PLAN TRUST FOR U.S. EMPLOYEES | ||
By: Hartford Investment Management Company, their investment manager | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
105
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
Martin Rosacker | |
Title: |
Managing Director |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
107
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
INDUSTRIAL ALLIANCE INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
108
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
FARM CREDIT MID-AMERICA PCA | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
109
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, PCA | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
110
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
112
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
GBU FINANCIAL LIFE | ||
GUARANTEE TRUST LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
PROASSURANCE CASUALTY COMPANY | ||
UNITY FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
BETTERLIFE | ||
CATHOLIC UNITED FINANCIAL | ||
TRINITY UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
SECURIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Securian Asset Management, Inc. | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
113
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
THE CONTINENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
CONTINENTAL CASUALTY COMPANY | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
114
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
NASSAU LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | Nassau Asset Management LLC | |
Its: | Investment Manager | |
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
115
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
STATE OF WISCONSIN INVESTMENT BOARD | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
116
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD LIFE INSURANCE SOCIETY | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | Shawn Bengtson | |
Title: | Vice President & Chief Investment Officer | |
By: |
| |
Name: | Dean R. Holdsworth | |
Title: | Director Mortgage and Real Estate Investment |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
UNITED OF OMAHA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
MUTUAL OF OMAHA INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
119
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
ASSURITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | Victor Weber | |
Title: | Senior Director Investments |
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Lineage Logistics, LLC | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
COUNTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
COUNTRY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
123
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
SOUTHERN FARM BUREAU LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
DEFINED TERMS
As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Section hereof following such term:
Affiliate means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 25% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.
Agreement means this Note Purchase Agreement, including all Schedules attached to this Agreement.
Anti-Corruption Laws means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding bribery or any other corrupt activity, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act 2010.
Anti-Money Laundering Laws means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist-related activities or other money laundering predicate crimes, including the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (otherwise known as the Bank Secrecy Act) and the USA PATRIOT Act.
Anti-Terrorism Laws means any Requirement of Law related to terrorism financing, economic sanctions or money laundering, including: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957; The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5332 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820b and 1951-1959), as amended by the Patriot Act, and their implementing regulations; the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., as amended), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq. , as amended), Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001), and their implementing regulations and including Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation.
Applicable Currencies means: (a) with respect to the Notes, US Dollars, Sterling and Euros, as applicable to the relevant Notes and (b) with respect to any Swapped Notes, US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, in the case of any Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount and Swap Breakage Amount in respect of such Swapped Notes.
Applicable EBITDA means with respect to any Real Property that is (x) owned or ground leased by Holdings or any Subsidiary or (y) a Leased Asset, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA attributable to such Real Property for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters.
Australian Obligor means an Obligor that is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia.
SCHEDULE A
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Australian PPSA means the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Bankruptcy Code means the provisions of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 USC §§ 101 et seq., as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
Business Day means:
(a) | for the purposes of Section 8.8(a) only, in respect of any determination of the Reinvestment Yield with respect to (i) any Non-Swapped Notes denominated in US Dollars, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed, (ii) any Non-Swapped Notes denominated in Sterling, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or London, England are required or authorized to be closed and (iii) any Non-Swapped Notes denominated in Euro, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed or any day which is not a TARGET Day; |
(b) | for the purposes of Section 8.8(b) only, in respect of any determination of the Reinvestment Yield with respect to (i) any Swapped Notes relating to a Swap Agreement with respect to an exchange of US Dollars for Euros or Sterling, as applicable, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed and (ii) any Swapped Notes relating to a Swap Agreement with respect to an exchange of Canadian Dollars for Euros or Sterling, as applicable, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in Toronto, Canada are required or authorized to be closed; |
(c) | for purposes of any date for payment of Notes denominated in US Dollars, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed; |
(d) | for purposes of any date for payment of Notes denominated in Euro (other than any Swapped Note for which the holder has entered into a Swap Agreement to receive Canadian Dollars, as described on the Purchaser Swap Schedule), any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed or any day which is not a TARGET Day; |
(e) | for purposes of any date for payment of Notes denominated in Sterling (other than any Swapped Note for which the holder has entered into a Swap Agreement to receive Canadian Dollars, as described on the Purchaser Swap Schedule), any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or London, England are required or authorized to be closed; |
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(f) | for purposes of any date for payment of Notes denominated in Euro that are Swapped Notes for which the holder has entered into a Swap Agreement to receive Canadian Dollars (as described on the Purchaser Swap Schedule), any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Toronto, Canada are required or authorized to be closed or any day which is not a TARGET Day; |
(g) | for purposes of any date for payment of Notes denominated in Sterling that are Swapped Notes for which the holder has entered into a Swap Agreement to receive Canadian Dollars (as described on the Purchaser Swap Schedule), any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York, London, England or Toronto, Canada are required or authorized to be closed; and |
(h) | for the purposes of any other provision of this Agreement, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Amsterdam, the Kingdom of the Netherlands are required or authorized to be closed. |
Canadian Obligor means an Obligor that is incorporated or formed under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada.
Capital Lease Obligations of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation means, collectively, Parts II.1 and XII.2 of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, the Proceeds of Crime Act and the United Nations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. U-2 or any similar Canadian legislation, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto including, without limitation, the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on the Suppression of Terrorism and the United Nations Al Qaida and Taliban Regulations promulgated under the United Nations Act.
Canadian Blocked Person means any Person that is a designated person, politically exposed foreign person or terrorist group as described in any Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws.
Canadian Defined Benefit Plan means a Canadian Pension Plan that contains a defined benefit provision as such term is defined in Section 147.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
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Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws means any Canadian laws, regulations or orders governing transactions in controlled goods or technologies or dealings with countries, entities, organizations, or individuals subject to economic sanctions and similar measures, including the Special Economic Measures Act (Canada), the United Nations Act (Canada), the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Canada), Part II.1 of the Criminal Code (Canada) and the Export and Import Permits Act (Canada), and any related regulations.
Canadian Pension Event means (a) the filing by a Group Member of a notice of intent to terminate in whole or in part a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan or the treatment of a Canadian Pension Plan amendment filed by a Group Member as a termination or partial termination; or (b) the institution of proceedings by any Governmental Authority to terminate in whole or in part or have a trustee appointed to administer a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan that is sponsored or administered by a Group Member; or (c) any other event or condition which might constitute grounds for the termination of, winding up or partial termination of winding up or the appointment of trustee to administer, any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan that is sponsored or administered by a Group Member.
Canadian Pension Legislation means applicable pension standards laws of any jurisdiction in Canada, such as the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario) and any similar provincial or federal legislation.
Canadian Pension Plan means a pension plan that is subject to Canadian Pension Legislation and that is either (a) maintained or sponsored by a Group Member for employees in Canada or (b) maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, or other arrangement under which more than one employer makes contributions and to which a Group Member is making, or accruing an obligation to make, contributions in respect of employees in Canada.
Capitalization Rate means (a) 6.5% for Real Property that is owned or subject to a ground lease and (b) 8.5% for Real Property that is a Leased Asset.
Captive Insurance Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings that is subject to regulation as an insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereof).
Cash Equivalents means (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the government of the United States, Canada or England and Wales or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, Canada or England and Wales, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers acceptances having maturities of 180 days or less from the date of acquisition issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof, or the laws of England and Wales having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000; (c) commercial paper of an issuer maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or Moodys; and (d) fully collateralized repurchase obligations of any
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commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities described in clause (a) above; (e) money market funds that (x) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (y) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moodys and (z) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; or (f) solely with respect to any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, any investment that a Captive Insurance Subsidiary is not prohibited to make in accordance with applicable law.
Cash Management Banks means (a) a lender or the administrative agent or an Affiliate of a lender or the administrative agent under a Material Debt Facility at the time such services are entered into or (b) any financial institution or commercial bank permitted under the terms of the Material Debt Facility.
Cash Management Services means any of the following provided to an Obligor or any Subsidiary of an Obligor by a Cash Management Bank; provided Cash Management Services provided by a Cash Management Bank pursuant to clause (b) of the definition thereof, shall not exceed in the aggregate $25,000,000 at any time outstanding: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, commercial credit cards and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts, cash pooling services and interstate depository network services), (e) bank guarantees and letters of credit and (f) other cash management services.
CFC means a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) at any time prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO, the Investor shall, directly or indirectly, at any time collectively fail to own beneficially, directly or indirectly, voting Equity Interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Holdings (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested); or
(b) at any time after the consummation of a Qualified IPO, any person or group (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person and its subsidiaries and any Person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Investor, acquires beneficial ownership of voting Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Company representing (A) more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of such direct or indirect parent entity (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested) and (B) more than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power that is at the time beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Investor, taken together (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested); or
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(c) Holdings ceases to own, beneficially and of record, one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of (x) the Company and (y) each other Issuer except, in the case of clause (y), pursuant to a transaction or designation permitted under this Agreement.
Change in Control Notice is defined in Section 8.11(a).
Closing is defined in Section 3.
CMBS Financing means any loans or notes incurred by or issued to Holdings or certain of its Subsidiaries as borrowers under commercial mortgage-backed securities financing transactions from time to time.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.
Company is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Compliance Certificate is defined in Section 7.2.
Confidential Information is defined in Section 21.
Contractual Obligation means as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any legally binding contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, loan, instrument, lease, conditional sales contract, mortgage, license, franchise agreement, binding commitment or other arrangement, whether written or oral, to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound (in each case other than this Agreement).
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 the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the term Controlled shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Controlled Entity means (a) any of the Subsidiaries of the Obligors and any of their or the Obligors respective Controlled Affiliates and (b) if the Obligors have a parent company, such parent company.
Danish Obligor Affiliate means an Obligor Affiliate incorporated in Denmark.
DBRS means DBRS Limited, and any successor to its rating agency business.
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Debtor Relief Law means the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the Winding Up and Restructuring Act (Canada) and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, concurso mercantil, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, administration, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America, Canada or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
Default means an event or condition the occurrence or existence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default.
Default Rate means that rate of interest per annum that is the greater of (a) 2.0% above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Notes or (b) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. in New York, New York as its base or prime rate.
Designated Rating Agency means DBRS, Fitch Ratings, S&P, Moodys and Kroll.
Development Property means as of any date of determination, Real Property acquired or otherwise held for development or redevelopment on which the improvements related to the development or redevelopment have not been completed on such date; provided that such Real Property shall cease to be a Development Property, and shall thereafter be considered a Stabilized Property, upon the first to occur of (a) the date that is six full fiscal quarters following substantial completion (including issuance of a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy for the improvements under construction permitting the use and occupancy for their regular intended uses) of such Real Property, and (b) the first day of the first fiscal quarter following the date on which such Development Property has achieved an Occupancy Rate of at least 85%. For avoidance of doubt, any Real Property that is not (and has never been) a Development Property shall be considered a Stabilized Property from the first day of the first fiscal quarter following the date on which such Real Property has achieved an Occupancy Rate of at least 85%, and vacant land adjacent to and forming part of a Stabilized Property may become a Development Property if, as of any date of determination, the same is being developed with a new, improved or expanded facility. Similarly, a Stabilized Property may become a Development Property if, as of the date of determination, the same is being replaced, restored, remodeled or rebuilt where the purpose and effect of such work is to provide a functionally new, improved or expanded facility.
Disclosure Documents is defined in Section 5.3.
Disposition means with respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer, or other disposition thereof (in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a division or otherwise). The terms Dispose and Disposed of shall have correlative meanings.
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Disqualified Equity Interests means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or requires the payment of any cash dividend or any other scheduled payment constituting a return of capital, in each case at any time on or prior to the date that is 91 days following the applicable Maturity Date at the time of the issuance of such Equity Interest; provided, however, that (i) only the portion of such Equity Interest which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be a Disqualified Equity Interest, (ii) if such Equity Interests are issued to any current or former employees or other service providers or to any plan for the benefit of employees, directors, officers, members of management or consultants (including any equity or incentive compensation or benefit plan) of Holdings or its subsidiaries or by any such compensation or plan to such current or former employees, other service providers, directors, officers, members of management or consultants, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such current or former employees, other service providers, directors, officers, management members or consultants termination, death or disability, (iii) any class of Equity Interests of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests, and (iv) Equity Interests will not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because of provisions giving holders thereof the right to require repurchase or redemption upon an initial public offering, asset sale or change of control occurring prior to such date; or (b) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interest referred to in clause (a) above, in each case at any time prior to the date that is 91 days following the applicable Maturity Date at the time of the issuance of such Equity Interest.
Dividing Person has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of Division.
Division means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the Dividing Person) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a plan of division or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.
Division Successor means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof, the District of Columbia, or any other jurisdiction within the United States.
Dutch Obligor means an Obligor that is organized under the laws of the Netherlands.
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EBITDA means, with respect to Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, depletion and amortization calculated in accordance with GAAP, at all times excluding, without duplication, (i) impairment and other non-cash charges or gains including, for the avoidance of doubt, equity in earnings (but excluding any non-cash charge in respect of an item that was included in EBITDA in a prior period or any charges that result in a write-down or write-off of inventory and excluding amortization expense attributable to a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period), (ii) stock-based compensation expense, (iii) gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated assets, (iv) gains or losses from foreign exchange, (v) gains or losses from derivative instruments, (vi) gains or losses from the early extinguishment of indebtedness, (vii) severance and other non-recurring restructuring charges, (viii) transaction costs of acquisitions, dispositions, capital markets offerings, debt and equity financings and amendments thereto (in each case, whether or not consummated) not permitted to be capitalized pursuant to GAAP, (ix) other unusual, exceptional or extraordinary and non-recurring gains, losses, expenses or charges (whether or not classified as such under GAAP), (x) amounts accruing and/or payable pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement during such period and (xi) the amount of any minority interest expense attributable to minority interests of third parties in the positive income of any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for the purposes of determining the contribution to EBITDA of, or portion of EBITDA attributable to, any Real Property, any operating asset or any business managed or operated by Holdings or any Subsidiary thereof, (1) EBITDA shall equal rents and other revenues in respect of such asset, less, without duplication, (A) operating expenses in respect of such asset (exclusive of corporate-level general and administrative and other overhead expenses, impairment on intangibles and long-lived assets and depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses) and (B) cash rent expenses of operating, finance and ground leases in respect of such asset, and shall at all times exclude unusual, extraordinary or exceptional and non-recurring gains, losses, expenses or charges (whether or not classified as such under GAAP) and (2) solely for purposes of calculating Total Asset Value and Unencumbered Asset Value, in no event shall EBITDA of any such Real Property, operating asset or business determined pursuant to clause (1) be less than zero. All of the foregoing shall be adjusted to include the pro rata share of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis of the net income or loss of all Joint Ventures for such period, determined and adjusted in the same manner as provided above in this definition with respect to the net income or loss of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
EDGAR means the SECs Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System or any successor SEC electronic filing system for such purposes.
Eligibility Criteria means Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria or Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria, as applicable.
Eligible Value means as of any date of determination, with respect to each Real Property that is (x) owned or ground leased by Holdings or any Subsidiary or (y) a Leased Asset (i) the Applicable EBITDA with respect to such Real Property divided by (ii) the applicable Capitalization Rate.
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Eligible Ground Leased Assets means any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) One hundred percent (100%) of such Real Property is ground leased directly or indirectly by one or more Qualified Asset Owners.
(b) Such Real Property is a Stabilized Property, a Development Property, undeveloped land or a Newly Acquired Property.
(c) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is improved with one or more completed warehouse/distribution buildings that are used as dry and/or cold storage facilities and such improvements are owned or held pursuant to such ground lease by a Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
(d) None of such leasehold interest or such improvements is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under this Agreement, and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
(e) No event of default (i.e., after any applicable notice and cure period) has occurred and is continuing under the ground lease regarding such Real Property.
(f) The lessor under the ground lease regarding such Real Property shall not have the unilateral right to terminate such ground lease prior to the expiration of the stated term of such ground lease absent the occurrence of any casualty, condemnation or default thereunder by any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
(g) The lessee under the ground lease has the right to sublease, mortgage and encumber (subject to customary terms and limitations) its interest in such Real Property without the consent of the lessor (provided that a provision that if a consent of such ground lessor is required, such consent is subject to either an express reasonableness standard or an objective financial standard for the transferee shall be deemed acceptable); provided, this clause (g) shall not apply to (i) the Real Property listed on Schedule 25 and (ii) such other Real Property as agreed by the administrative agent under the Principal Credit Facility in its reasonable discretion from time to time.
(h) The ground lease regarding such Real Property has a remaining term (inclusive of any unexercised extension options as to which there is no condition precedent to the exercise thereof other than compliance of lessee with the terms of the applicable ground lease and the giving of a notice of exercise by the lessee) of 25 years or more from the date of relevant covenant calculation.
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(i) (i) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is free of any material structural defects, and (ii) such Real Property is free of any material Environmental Liabilities and is in material compliance with all Environmental Laws.
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Ground Leased Asset.
Eligible Leased Assets means any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) Such Real Property is a Leased Asset and the lessee is one or more Qualified Asset Owners.
(b) Such leasehold interest is not directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under this Agreement and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
(c) No event of default (i.e., after any applicable notice and cure period) has occurred and is continuing under the operating lease regarding such Real Property.
(d) The lessor under the operating lease regarding such Real Property shall not have the unilateral right to terminate such operating lease prior to the expiration of the stated term of such operating lease absent the occurrence of any casualty, condemnation or default thereunder by any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Leased Asset.
Eligible Owned Asset means any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) (i) One hundred percent (100%) of such Real Property is owned in fee simple by one or more Qualified Asset Owners or (ii) such Real Property satisfies the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria (other than clause (h) of that definition, whereby for the purposes of this definition the requirement shall be that there shall be not less than ninety-nine (99) years from the date of relevant covenant calculation).
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(b) Such Real Property is a Stabilized Property, a Development Property, undeveloped land or a Newly Acquired Property.
(c) (i) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is free of any material structural defects, and (ii) such Real Property is free of any material Environmental Liabilities and is in material compliance with all Environmental Laws.
(d) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is improved with one or more completed warehouse/distribution buildings that are used as dry and/or cold storage facilities.
(e) Such Real Property (and any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is not directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under this Agreement and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Owned Asset.
Environmental Laws means any and all foreign, federal, state, provincial, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments, notices or binding agreements issued by or entered into with any Governmental Authority, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning pollution, air emissions, the management, use or Release of Materials of Environmental Concern or protection of human health (to the extent such relates to Materials of Environmental Concern) or the environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.
Environmental Liability means all liabilities, obligations, damages, losses, claims, actions, suits, judgments, orders, fines, penalties, fees, expenses and costs (including administrative oversight costs, natural resource damages, monitoring and remediation costs and reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and consultants), whether contingent or otherwise, including those arising out of or relating to: (a) compliance or non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment, recycling, disposal (or arrangement for such activities) of any Materials of Environmental Concern, (c) exposure to any Materials of Environmental Concern, (d) the presence or release of any Materials of Environmental Concern or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
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Equity Interests means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Obligors, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code and, for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code, any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or 414(o) of the Code.
ERISA Event means (a) any reportable event, as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived), (b) the failure of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate to satisfy the minimum funding standard with respect to a Plan within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 or 303 of ERISA, as applicable, or the failure of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code or Section 303(j) of ERISA with respect to a Plan or the failure of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan, (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, (d) the incurrence by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or the complete withdrawal or partial withdrawal (within the meanings of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan, (d) the occurrence of a non-exempt prohibited transaction with respect to which any Obligor or any of the Subsidiaries is a disqualified person (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) which could result in the incurrence by any Obligor or any of the Subsidiaries of any material liability, (e) the receipt by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate of notice from any Multiemployer Plan (1) imposing any withdrawal liability on any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate, (2) notifying any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate that such Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in insolvency pursuant to Section 4245 of ERISA, if applicable or (3) notifying any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate that such Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in endangered or critical status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA, if applicable), or (f) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in at risk status (as defined in Section 430(i)(4) of the Code or Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA, if applicable).
EUR Issuer is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Euro or means the single currency unit of the member States of the European Community that adopt or have adopted the Euro as their lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Community relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
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Event of Default is defined in Section 11.
Excluded Subsidiary means a Subsidiary that is (a) a CFC or FSHCO, (b) a Subsidiary of a CFC or FSHCO, (c) any other Foreign Subsidiary or (d) a Domestic Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, and in each case does not provide a Guarantee of Indebtedness obligations of a United States Person.
FATCA means (a) sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), together with any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, (b) any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the United States of America and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of the foregoing clause (a), and (c) any agreements entered into pursuant to section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
Financial Covenants means the financial covenants set forth in Section 10.5.
First Amendment means the First Amendment dated September 9, 2022, to the Note Purchase Agreement dated August 20, 2021, by and among the Company, Holdings, the EUR Issuer and each of the other obligors from time to time party thereto and the holders of the notes issued thereunder from time to time party thereto.
Fitch Ratings means Fitch Inc., and any successor to any of the foregoing.
Fixed Charges means for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (i) Interest Expense, plus (ii) regularly scheduled installments (whether or not paid) of principal payable with respect to Total Indebtedness (excluding scheduled balloon principal payments due on maturity of any such Indebtedness and including Holdingss pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures), plus (iii) the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid or required to be paid by any of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in cash to any third party during such period in respect of its preferred capital stock but excluding redemption payments or repurchases or charges in connection with the mandatory final redemption or repurchase in whole of any preferred capital stock plus (iv) all income tax payments with respect to the taxable REIT Subsidiaries of Holdings and the Company.
Foreign Currency Note means any Note issued in Euros or Sterling.
Foreign Joint and Several Enforcement Costs is defined in Section 24.4.
Foreign Obligor Affiliate means any Obligor Affiliate that is not a US Obligor Affiliate.
Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness is defined in Section 24.2.
Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations is defined in Section 24.2.
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Foreign Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings other than a Domestic Subsidiary.
FSHCO means (a) any Subsidiary all or substantially all of the assets of which consists of Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and Indebtedness) of one or more CFCs or other FSHCOs, and (b) any Subsidiary treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that holds Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and Indebtedness) of one or more CFCs or other FSHCOs.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, except that for purposes of Section 10.5, GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such principles in effect on the date hereof and consistent with those used in the preparation of the most recent audited financial statements referred to in Section 5.5. In the event that any Accounting Change (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Company and the Required Holders agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect equitably such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Companys financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Company and the Required Holders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. Accounting Changes refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC.
Governing Documents means (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction), including in the case of corporations (sociedades anónimas) incorporated under the laws of Mexico, the articles of incorporation and bylaws (acta constituiva and estatutos sociales), (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement or memorandum and articles of association (including in the case of a limited liability company organized under the laws of Mexico, the acta constitutiva and estatutos sociales), and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and, if applicable, any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
Governmental Authority means any nation or government, any state, provincial or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank, supranational organization or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).
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Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Ground Leased Assets.
Group Members means the collective reference to Holdings and its Subsidiaries.
Guarantee Obligation means as to any Person (the guaranteeing person), any obligation, including a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, of the guaranteeing person that guarantees or in effect guarantees, or which is given to induce the creation of a separate obligation by another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) that guarantees or in effect guarantees, 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 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 (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) 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, or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing or entered into in connection with any acquisition or Disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee 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 persons maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Company in good faith.
Guaranty, Guaranteed, or to Guarantee means, with respect to any Person, any obligation (except the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) of such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any indebtedness, dividend or other obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including obligations incurred through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, by such Person:
(a) to purchase such indebtedness or obligation or any property constituting security therefor;
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(b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation, or (ii) to maintain any working capital or other balance sheet condition or any income statement condition of any other Person or otherwise to advance or make available funds for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation;
(c) to lease properties or to purchase properties or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of such indebtedness or obligation of the ability of any other Person to make payment of the indebtedness or obligation; or
(d) otherwise to assure the owner of such indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect thereof.
In any computation of the indebtedness or other liabilities of the obligor under any Guaranty, the indebtedness or other obligations that are the subject of such Guaranty shall be assumed to be direct obligations of such obligor.
holder means, with respect to any Note, the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 14.1, provided, however, that if such Person is a nominee, then for the purposes of Sections 7, 12, 18.2 and 19 and any related definitions in this Schedule A, holder shall mean the beneficial owner of such Note whose name and address appears in such register.
Holdings is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Immaterial Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings that on a consolidated basis with its respective Subsidiaries and treated as if all such Subsidiaries and their respective Subsidiaries were combined and consolidated as a single Subsidiary, holds assets that constitute less than 7.5% of Total Asset Value.
Indebtedness of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding (A) accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business, (B) any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP (excluding disclosure on the notes and footnotes thereto) and if not paid after becoming due and payable, (C) obligations in respect of employment and consulting services, and (D) deferred obligations under any management services agreement, deferred rent obligations, taxes and compensation and any pension-related or post-employment liabilities), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed (valued in the case of this clause (e) at the lesser of (A) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (B) if such Indebtedness is non-recourse, the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith), (f) all guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others (except for guarantees
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of exceptions to non-recourse liabilities), (g) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, and (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers acceptances . The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Persons ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
INHAM Exemption is defined in Section 6.2(e).
Institutional Investor means (a) any Purchaser of a Note, (b) any holder of a Note holding (together with one or more of its affiliates) more than 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, (c) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form, and (d) any Related Fund of any holder of any Note.
Intercreditor Agreement means the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2021, entered into between the Purchasers and the administrative agent, on behalf of the lenders, under the Principal Credit Facility and any Additional Creditors (as defined therein) that from time to time accede thereto.
Interest Expense means for any period, an amount equal to the sum of the following with respect to Total Indebtedness: (i) total interest expense, accrued in accordance with GAAP plus (ii) all capitalized interest determined in accordance with GAAP (including in the case of (i) and (ii), Holdingss pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures), and excluding non-cash amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs or debt discount (including Holdingss pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures).
Investment means (a) any purchase or other acquisition for value by any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Equity Interests of any other Person; (b) any purchase or other acquisition for value by any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries from any Person of all or a substantial portion of the business, property or fixed assets of such Person or any division or line of business or other business unit of such Person; and (c) any loan, advance or capital contributions by any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries to, or Guarantee Obligations with respect to any obligations of, any other Person, including all indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the outstanding amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
Investor means (a) BG LLH, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Lineage Growth Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation, BG LLH Intermediate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, LLH MGMT Profits, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and BG Maverick, LLC, a
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Delaware limited liability company, or (b) any other Person that is managed and controlled by any of Bay Grove Management Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, any other Affiliate of Bay Grove Management Company, LLC or Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, BG LLH, LLC, BG LLH Intermediate, LLC, Lineage Growth Properties, Inc., LLH MGMT Profits, LLC, LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC and/or BG Maverick, LLC.
Issuer is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Joinder Agreement means a joinder agreement in the form attached as Schedule 2.
Joint Ventures means any unconsolidated joint ventures of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
Kroll means Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC, and any successor to its rating agency business.
Lamb Weston Mortgage means the second ranking deed of mortgage dated 25 August 2017 between Lineage Bergen op Zoom B.V. as mortgagor and the Lamb Weston entities as mortgagees in respect of a mortgage over the parcels of land, locally known as Blankenweg 2 and 4 in Bergen op Zoom, cadastrally known as municipality of Bergen op Zoom, section I, number 712, 713 and 775 or any replacement of that right of mortgage.
Leased Asset means any Real Property that operates as a dry and/or cold storage facility or is Development Property or undeveloped land and that is leased by Holdings or a Subsidiary thereof pursuant to a lease (other than a ground lease) with a remaining term (including any unexercised extension options at the option of the tenant) of not less than 10 years from the date of relevant covenant calculation and otherwise on market terms (as determined by the Company in good faith).
Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Leased Assets.
Liabilities means any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.
Lien means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, assignment by way of security, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing); provided, that, in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to be a Lien and in no event shall a Lien include a security interest as defined in section 12(3) of the Australian PPSA or section 17(1)(b) of the New Zealand Personal Property Securities Act that in each case does not in substance secure the payment or performance of an obligation.
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Maintenance Capital Expenditures means for any period, all capital expenditures actually made in cash by Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries (and the pro rata share of capital expenditures made by Joint Ventures) during such period for the maintenance of capital assets of such Person, excluding capital expenditures for modernization and in any event excluding any capital expenditures for expansions.
Make-Whole Amount is defined in Section 8.8.
Material means material in relation to the business, assets, property or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Material Acquisition means any individual Permitted Acquisition or a series of Permitted Acquisitions (whether by direct purchase, merger or otherwise and whether in one or more related transactions) within a four fiscal quarter period by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in which the purchase price of the assets acquired (on a cumulative basis since the Closing or the beginning of such four fiscal quarter period, as applicable) exceeds an amount equal to 10% of Total Asset Value as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.
Material Adverse Effect means any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property or financial condition of Holdings, the Company and their subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Notes.
Material Debt Facility means, as to the Obligors and their Subsidiaries,
(a) the Principal Credit Facility; and
(b) any note purchase agreement or similar document, instrument or agreement executed in connection with a private placement debt financing, regardless of the principal amount outstanding thereunder from time to time, in each case including any renewals, refinancings and replacements thereof.
Material Indebtedness means, as to any Group Member, indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of $10 million.
Material Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.
Materials of Environmental Concern means any substances, materials or wastes defined in or regulated under any Environmental Law, including any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products, asbestos, anhydrous ammonia, ozone-depleting substances, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
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Maturity Date is defined in the first paragraph of each Note.
Memorandum is defined in Section 5.3.
Modified Make-Whole Amount is defined in Section 8.8.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
Multiemployer Plan means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and in respect of which the Obligors or any ERISA Affiliate is an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA, which for the avoidance of doubt shall not include any Canadian Pension Plan.
NAIC means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
NAIC Annual Statement is defined in Section 6.2(a).
Negative Pledge means with respect to a given asset, any provision of a document, instrument or agreement (other than this Agreement) which prohibits or purports to prohibit the creation or assumption of any Lien on such asset as security for Indebtedness of the Person owning such asset or any other Person; provided, however, that any provision of a document, instrument or an agreement that either (a) conditions a Persons ability to encumber its assets upon the maintenance of one or more specified ratios or financial tests (including any financial ratio such as a maximum ratio of unsecured debt to unencumbered assets) that limit such Persons ability to encumber its assets but that do not generally prohibit the encumbrance of its assets, or the encumbrance of specific assets or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure Unsecured Indebtedness if a Lien is granted to secure other Unsecured Indebtedness of such Person, shall not constitute a Negative Pledge; provided, however, no restriction under a CMBS Financing, mortgage financing or other financing on the pledge of Equity Interest in the direct or indirect parent of a Qualified Asset Owner, Group Member (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) or Obligor (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) shall be considered a Negative Pledge.
Newly Acquired Property means as of any date, a Real Property (other than a Development Property or undeveloped land), that has been owned or ground leased or leased by Holdings or a Subsidiary for less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date.
Newly Stabilized Property means as of any date, a Real Property owned or ground leased or leased by Holdings or a Subsidiary that has been a Stabilized Property for less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date.
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Non-Recourse Indebtedness means (a) with respect to a Person, Indebtedness in respect of which recourse for payment (except for exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, violation of special purpose entity covenants and other exceptions to nonrecourse liability customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements) is contractually limited to specific assets of such Person encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary that is a special purpose entity, Indebtedness of such Subsidiary so long as there is no recourse to Holdings or any of its other Subsidiaries other than recourse in respect of guaranties of customary exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, violation of special purpose entity covenants and other exceptions to nonrecourse liability customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements, and for the avoidance of doubt, any Indebtedness incurred by any Subsidiary under or in connection with any CMBS Financing shall constitute Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
Non-U.S. Plan means any plan, fund or other similar program that (a) is established or maintained outside the United States of America or Canada by Holdings or any Subsidiary primarily for the benefit of employees of Holdings or one or more Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America or Canada, which plan, fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and (b) is not subject to ERISA, the Code, or Canadian Pension Legislation.
Normalized Adjusted FFO means for any fiscal period, funds from operations of the Group Members as defined in accordance with resolutions adopted by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts as in effect from time to time; provided that Normalized Adjusted FFO shall (a) be based on net income after payment of distributions to holders of preferred partnership units in Holdings and distributions necessary to pay holders of preferred stock of Holdings and (b) exclude gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated non-real estate assets, non-real estate depreciation, depletion and amortization, amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of debt discount, amortization of above or below market leases, adjustments for straight line rents, non-cash or extraordinary gains or losses from foreign exchange, non-cash or extraordinary gains or losses from derivative instruments and other extraordinary or non-recurring charges.
Noteholder Sanctions Event means, with respect to any holder of a Note (an Affected Noteholder), such holder or any of its affiliates being in violation of or subject to sanctions (a) under any Sanctions as a result of the Company or any Controlled Entity becoming a Sanctioned Person or, directly or indirectly, having any investment in or engaging in any dealing or transaction (including any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Sanctioned Person or (b) under any similar laws, regulations or orders adopted by any State within the United States as a result of the name of the Company or any Controlled Entity appearing on a State Sanctions List.
Notes is defined in Section 1.
Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness means the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness.
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Obligor Affiliate Obligations means the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations and the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
Obligor Affiliates means the Obligor Affiliates described on Schedule B and each other Person that from time to time accedes to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement as provided in Section 9.7.
Obligors means the Issuers, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates.
Occupancy Rate means at any time, with respect to any Real Property, the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the rentable operating square footage of such Real Property actually leased by tenants paying rent at rates not materially less than rates generally prevailing at the time the applicable lease was entered into, pursuant to binding leases as to which no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing to (b) the aggregate rentable operating square footage of such Real Property.
OFAC means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
Officers Certificate means a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer or any other officer of an Obligor, as the context requires, whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.
Operating Agreement means that certain Seventh Amended and Restated Operating Services Agreement dated as of August 3, 2020, by and between Holdings and Bay Grove Management Company, LLC.
Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Owned Asset.
Permitted Acquisition means any acquisition, whether by purchase, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise, of (x) all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, or a business line or unit or a division of any Person, or any parcel of Real Property and any improvements thereto or (y) the Equity Interests of any Person such that such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that:
(a) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;
(b) before and after giving effect thereto, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the Financial Covenants; and
after giving effect thereto, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with Section 10.3.
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Permitted Dispositions means:
(a) Dispositions of (i) worn-out, obsolete or surplus property, in each case in the ordinary course of business or (ii) property that is reasonably determined by the applicable Obligor or Subsidiary to be no longer economically practicable to maintain or no longer useful in any material respect in the conduct of the business of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(b) licenses and sublicenses granted by an Obligor or any Subsidiary and leases and subleases (by an Obligor or any Subsidiary as lessor or sub-lessor) to third parties in each case not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Obligors or the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(c) Disposition or abandonment of any intellectual property that is reasonably determined by the applicable Obligor or Subsidiary to be no longer economically practicable to maintain or worth the cost of maintaining or no longer useful in any material respect in the conduct of the business of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(d) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Dispositions of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(f) transfers of property between and among Holdings and its Subsidiaries;
(g) Disposition of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;
(h) Liens (and any dispositions required to be made in accordance with such Liens) permitted by Section 10.7, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 10.9, Investments permitted by Section 10.10 and transactions permitted by Section 10.2;
(i) (i) the discount or write-off of accounts receivable for the purpose of collection to any collection agency, in each case in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Dispositions of receivables in connection with the settlement of delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;
(j) transfers of property (i) subject to casualty events upon receipt of the net cash proceeds of such casualty event, (ii) by reason of the exercise of termination rights under any lease, sublease, license, sublicense, concession or other agreement or (iii) pursuant to buy/sell or other similar arrangements under any joint venture or similar agreement or arrangement;
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(k) the unwinding of any Swap Contract pursuant to its terms;
(l) Dispositions required to be made to comply with the order of any Governmental Authority or applicable law;
(m) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;
(n) Dispositions of property acquired, constructed, renovated or improved after the Closing in connection with the financing of such acquisition, construction, renovation or improvement; provided, that, (i) any such financing which is permitted under Section 10.6 and (ii) such Disposition occurs within 180 days after the applicable acquisition, construction, renovation or improvement; and
(o) with respect to assets that are not Qualified Assets, Dispositions of such assets permitted by the documentation governing any CMBS Financing or other financing that relates to such assets.
Permitted Encumbrances means:
(a) Liens outstanding on (or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on) the Closing as set forth on Schedule 5.15(b) and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(b) Liens imposed by law and other non-consensual Liens, in each case for Taxes or other related governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Group Member in conformity with GAAP;
(c) landlords, carriers, warehousemens, landlords mortgagees, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens, construction contractors, vendors and other similar Liens and agricultural and similar Liens (including those arising pursuant to Canadian Pension Legislation), in each case, imposed by law or otherwise non-consensual, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 60 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(d) judgments and Liens in respect of judgements, orders or decrees for the payment of money or other court proceedings that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 11(j);
(e) (i) easements, servitudes, restrictions, licenses, rights-of-way, use restrictions, rights of first refusal, site plan agreements, development agreements, cross
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easement or reciprocal agreements and other non-monetary encumbrances on Real Property that do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary (taken as a whole) or the operation of such Real Property for its intended purpose, (ii) title defects or irregularities with respect to Real Property which are of a minor nature and which in the aggregate do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary (taken as a whole) or the operation of such Real Property for its intended purpose, or (iii) other exceptions to title approved by the Required Holders;
(f) any zoning or similar law, restriction or right reserved to, or vested in, any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any Real Property that does not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Group Members (taken as a whole);
(g) Liens affecting title on Real Property that have been fully paid off and satisfied and which remain of record through no fault of the Person that owns such Real Property and that, in any event do not have a material and adverse effect with respect to the use or operations of the affected Real Property or with respect to the ownership of the affected Real Property, and do not interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the applicable Group Member;
(h) rights of lessors under Eligible Ground Leased Assets;
(i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law which secure payment of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;
(j) with respect to leasehold interests, any mortgages, obligations, Liens and other encumbrances incurred, created, assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord, ground lessor or owner of the leased property, with or without the consent of the lessee; provided, that (i) this clause (j) shall not apply if the leasehold interest is protected by law or (ii) with respect to mortgages by the ground lessor or owner of a ground leased property, such mortgages are either subordinate to such ground leasehold interest or pursuant to which the lender thereunder has provided a customary non-disturbance agreement with respect to such ground leasehold interests;
(k) intercompany leases;
(l) any Lien arising under Article 24 or 26 of the general terms and conditions (Algemene Bank Voorwaarden) of any member of the Dutch Bankers Association (Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken) or any similar term applied by a financial institution in the Netherlands pursuant to its general terms and conditions;
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(m) any netting or set-off as a result of a fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch tax purposes;
(n) any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any Obligor in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debt and credit balances;
(o) the Lamb Weston Mortgage; and
(p) intercompany mortgages securing Indebtedness among Group Members, provided that with respect to any such Group Member who is the mortgagee in respect of any such intercompany mortgage, (i) such Group Member is an Obligor, and (ii) such Group Member shall subordinate such mortgage to the obligations under the Notes.
Permitted Equity Encumbrances means:
(a) Liens and Negative Pledges pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) Liens imposed by law and other non-consensual Liens for Taxes or other related governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Group Member in conformity with GAAP; and
(c) Liens arising from judgments or decrees for the payment of money in circumstances that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 11(j).
Permitted Indebtedness means:
(a) (x) Indebtedness incurred or created hereunder and under the Notes, (y) Indebtedness constituting Cash Management Services and (z) Indebtedness under the Principal Credit Facility as of the date of the First Amendment;
(b) Indebtedness outstanding on (or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on) the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 5.15 and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(c) intercompany Indebtedness among Holdings and its Subsidiaries;
(d) Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take or pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;
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(e) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation, severance and health and retirement benefits or the equivalent thereof to employees, directors, management and consultants of Holdings or the Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Indebtedness consisting of obligations with respect to indemnification, the adjustment of the purchase price (including customary earnouts) or similar adjustments incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment or Disposition expressly permitted hereunder;
(g) (i) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Indebtedness in respect of credit card processing agreements, automatic clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections and similar arrangements in each case in connection with cash management and deposit accounts and in the ordinary course of business;
(h) Indebtedness incurred by Holdings or any Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers acceptances, warehouse receipts or similar instruments, in each case, issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits (including with respect to immediate family members of employees, directors or members of management) or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims or obligations referred to in paragraph (m) below, letters of credit in the nature of a security deposit (or similar deposit or security) given to a lessor under an operating lease of Real Property under which such Person is lessee, and letters of credit in connection with the maintenance of, or pursuant to the requirements of, environmental or other permits or licenses from Governmental Authorities, and any refund, replacement, refinancing or defeasance of any of the foregoing;
(i) obligations in respect of surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by Holdings or any of the Subsidiaries, in each case, issued or created in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
(j) Indebtedness arising under Swap Contracts not incurred for purposes of speculation;
(k) Guarantees of Indebtedness of Holdings or any Subsidiary, which Indebtedness is otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that (x) if such Indebtedness is subordinated to the obligations under this Agreement and the Notes, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the same extent and (y) no such Guarantee by an Obligor shall be permitted under this paragraph (k) of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not an Obligor, other than Guarantees constituting an Investment permitted under Section 10.10;
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(l) Indebtedness owing to current or former officers, directors, managers, consultants or employees of Holdings or immediate family members to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings);
(m) Indebtedness of Holdings or any Subsidiary owing to any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) that is not a subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business of Holdings and its subsidiaries in connection with the cash management operations (including with respect to intercompany self-insurance arrangements);
(n) Indebtedness of Holdings or any Subsidiary arising pursuant to arrangements contemplated in Section 10.1(k), (m) or (n);
(o) Indebtedness arising under guarantees entered into pursuant to Section 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code in respect of a Dutch Loan Party and any residual liability with respect to such guarantees arising under Section 2:404 of the Dutch Civil Code;
(p) any joint and several liability as a result of a fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch tax purposes; and
(q) Indebtedness that is a refinancing, replacement, restatement or modification of any existing Indebtedness provided that such refinancing, replacement, restatement or modification does not result in an increase to the then outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced, except to the extent of accrued interest, fees, premium (if any) and expenses.
Permitted Investments means:
(a) Investments existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Closing and set forth on Schedule 10.10 or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification, renewal, replacement or reinvestment of any such Investment that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(b) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;
(c) Investments by any Obligor or any Subsidiary in another Obligor or Subsidiary;
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(d) Investments acquired in connection with the settlement of delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;
(e) loans or advances to officers, directors, members of management, and employees of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings) (i) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding, for business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes and (ii) for any other purposes not described in the foregoing clause (i) (in each of clauses (i) and (ii) determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans or advances); provided, that the aggregate amount outstanding at any time under clause (ii) above shall not exceed $9,000,000;
(f) accounts receivable owing to Holdings or the Subsidiaries, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary terms;
(g) Investments in the form of Swap Contracts which establish, or were intended to establish, an effective hedge in respect of liabilities, commitments or assets held or reasonably anticipated by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary;
(h) Investments consisting of promissory notes or other non-cash consideration received in connection with a permitted Disposition;
(i) Investments consisting of non-cash loans made by Holdings to management, executives, officers, directors, consultants, professional advisors and/or employees of a Subsidiary which are used by such Persons to simultaneously purchase Equity Interests of Holdings;
(j) Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;
(k) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of (i) endorsements for collection or deposit or (ii) customary trade arrangements with customers;
(l) loans and advances to Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments permitted to be made to Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof in accordance with Section 10.9;
(m) (i) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business and (ii) prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits and advance payments (including retainers) for goods or services paid or provided, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
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(n) Investments held by a Person that becomes a Subsidiary (or is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into a Subsidiary) after the Closing to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; and
(o) to the extent constituting Investments, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 10.9, Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.10 and transactions permitted by Section 10.2.
Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, business entity or Governmental Authority.
Plan means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA, which for the avoidance of doubt shall not include any Canadian Pension Plan.
Principal Credit Facility means the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of December 22, 2020, as amended by that First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021, as further amended by that Second Amendment and Consent to Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2021, as further amended by that Third Amendment to Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2021, as further amended by that Fourth Amendment to Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2022, among the Company, Holdings, the borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch, as sustainability agent, including any renewals, extensions, amendments, supplements, restatements, replacements or refinancing thereof.
Pro Forma Basis means with respect to the calculation of the Financial Covenants as of any date (and the definitions used therein), that such calculation shall give pro forma effect to all Permitted Acquisitions and other Investments, all issuances, incurrences, assumptions, redemptions, retirements, repayments or extinguishments of Indebtedness (with any such Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable testing period in accordance with its terms) and all sales, transfers or other Dispositions of any material assets outside the ordinary course of business that have occurred during (or, if such calculation is being made for the purpose of determining whether any proposed acquisition will constitute a Permitted Acquisition, since the beginning of) the then-applicable testing as if they occurred on the first day of such testing period (excluding cost savings, synergies, operating expense reductions and other operating improvements). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Swap Contract applicable to such Indebtedness if such Swap Contract has a remaining term in excess of 12 months).
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property or properties means, unless otherwise specifically limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate or inchoate.
PTE is defined in Section 6.2(a).
Purchaser or Purchasers means each of the purchasers that has executed and delivered this Agreement to the Company and such Purchasers successors and assigns (so long as any such assignment complies with Section 14.2), provided, however, that any Purchaser of a Note that ceases to be the registered holder or a beneficial owner (through a nominee) of such Note as the result of a transfer thereof pursuant to Section 14.2 shall cease to be included within the meaning of Purchaser of such Note for the purposes of this Agreement upon such transfer.
Purchaser Schedule means the Purchaser Schedule to this Agreement listing the Purchasers of the Notes and including their notice and payment information.
Purchaser Swap Schedule means the Purchaser Swap Schedule to this Agreement listing the swap pricing confirmation information in respect of its Swapped Notes.
QPAM Exemption is defined in Section 6.2(d).
Qualified Asset means any Eligible Owned Asset, Eligible Ground Leased Asset or Eligible Leased Asset; provided, that the Company may from time to time, upon a Qualified Asset ceasing to satisfy the applicable Eligibility Criteria in a transaction permitted by this Agreement designate a Qualified Asset as a non-Qualified Asset and, from such date of determination, such Qualified Asset shall cease to be a Qualified Asset.
Qualified Asset Owners as to any Qualified Asset, means each owner or lessor thereof that is either (a) a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings, (b) a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings that is at least 51% owned, directly or indirectly, by Holdings so long as Holdings exclusively controls the sale, encumbrance and financing of such Qualified Asset or (c) a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings that is at least 50% owned, directly or indirectly, by Holdings so long as Holdings jointly controls the sale, encumbrance and financing of such Qualified Asset.
Qualified Institutional Buyer means any Person who is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of such term as set forth in Rule 144A(a)(1) under the Securities Act.
Qualified IPO means an underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8) of the Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof which generates net cash proceeds that are contributed as cash common equity to the Company of at least $250,000,000.
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Real Property means, at any time of determination, all right, title and interest (including any leasehold estate) in and to any and all parcels of or interests in real property owned in fee or leased by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures (or equivalent interest in any applicable jurisdiction), together with, in each case, all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances relating thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures incidental to the ownership or lease thereof.
Recourse Indebtedness means with respect to a Person, Indebtedness of such Person other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness of such Person.
Refrigerated Railcar Business means the refrigerated and insulated railcar business segment of Holdings and its Subsidiaries.
Refunding Capital Stock is defined in Section 10.9.
REIT means a real estate investment trust, as defined in Section 856 of the Code.
REIT Parent means any direct or indirect parent of Holdings that intends to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including Lineage Growth Properties, Inc.
REIT Subsidiary mean any Subsidiary of Holdings that intends to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Related Fund means, with respect to any holder of any Note, any fund or entity that (a) invests in Securities or bank loans, and (b) is advised or managed by such holder, the same investment advisor as such holder or by an affiliate of such holder or such investment advisor.
Release means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the indoor or outdoor environment.
Required Holders means at any time (i) prior to the Closing, the Purchasers and (ii) on or after the Closing, the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of Notes then owned by Holdings, the Company or any of its Affiliates).
Requirement of Law means as to any Person, the organizational or Governing Documents of such Person, and any law, 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 property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
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Responsible Officer means any Senior Financial Officer or any authorized signatory of the Company, Holdings or such Person, as applicable, in each case, with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this Agreement.
Restricted Payment is defined in Section 10.9.
Retired Capital Stock is defined in Section 10.9.
S&P means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
Sanctioned Country means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is the subject or target of any Sanctions.
Sanctioned Person means, at any time, any Person (a) that is the subject of Sanctions or listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, the United Nations, Her Majestys Treasury or any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over any Obligor, (b) operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) that is publicly identified as prohibited from doing business with the United States under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act, or any other Requirement of Law, (d) that is a Canadian Blocked Person, or (e) owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in clauses (a) through (d) hereof.
Sanctions means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, the United Nations, Her Majestys Treasury, the federal government of Canada and sanctions under other similar Requirements of Law of other jurisdictions in which a Person conducts its business.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America.
Secured Indebtedness with respect to any Person means, Indebtedness of such Person that is secured by a Lien. Indebtedness of Holdings or a Subsidiary secured solely by a pledge of Equity Interests in one or more Subsidiaries shall not be treated as Secured Indebtedness but shall be treated as Unsecured Indebtedness.
Securities or Security shall have the meaning specified in section 2(1) of the Securities Act.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
Senior Financial Officer means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or comptroller of the Company or Holdings.
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series of Notes means each of the Series A Notes, Series B Notes, Series C Notes, Series D Notes, Series E Notes and Series F Notes, as applicable.
Series A Notes is defined in Section 1.
Series B Notes is defined in Section 1.
Series C Notes is defined in Section 1.
Series D Notes is defined in Section 1.
Series E Notes is defined in Section 1.
Series F Notes is defined in Section 1.
Solvent with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, means (a) the amount of the present fair saleable value (determined on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value (determined on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured in the ordinary course, (c) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its business as contemplated on the date hereof and (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature or fall due in the ordinary course.
Source is defined in Section 6.2.
Specified Jurisdictions means the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales, Scotland, Guernsey, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Ireland, Portugal, Austria and Finland; and such other jurisdictions as may be agreed after the Closing by the Company and the Required Holders.
Stabilized Property has the meaning specified in the definition of Development Property.
State Sanctions List means a list that is adopted by any state Governmental Authority within the United States of America pertaining to Persons that engage in investment or other commercial activities in Iran or any other country that is a target of economic sanctions imposed under Sanctions.
Sterling or £ means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.
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Subsidiary means, as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity 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 or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to a Subsidiary is a reference to a Subsidiary of Holdings.
Substitute Purchaser is defined in Section 22.
SVO means the Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC.
Swap Breakage Amount is defined in Section 8.9.
Swap Breakage Amount Notice is defined in Section 8.9.
Swap Breakage Gain is defined in Section 8.9.
Swap Breakage Loss is defined in Section 8.9.
Swap Contract means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Obligors or any of their Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Contract.
Swap Termination Value means in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any netting agreements relating to such Swap Contracts (to the extent, and only to the extent, such netting agreements are legally enforceable in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding against the applicable counterparty obligor thereunder), (i) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (ii) for any date prior to the date referenced in preceding clause (i), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts.
Swap Unwind Event is defined in Section 8.9.
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
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TARGET Day means any day on which TARGET2 (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system reasonably, if any, determined by the Required Holders to be a suitable replacement) is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.
TARGET2 means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system which utilizes a single shared platform and which was launched on 19 November 2007.
Total Asset Value means on any date, without duplication, the sum of:
(a) with respect to Real Property (other than Newly Acquired Properties, Development Properties, Newly Stabilized Properties and undeveloped land) that is (x) owned or ground leased or (y) a Leased Asset as of such date by Holdings or any Subsidiary, the sum of the Eligible Values at such time of each such Real Property;
(b) with respect to the transportation and other ancillary businesses (including the Refrigerated Railcar Business) as of such date of Holdings or any Subsidiary, the sum of the portion of EBITDA attributable to each such business segment for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 9.0; provided, that with respect to any such business segment of Holdings or such Subsidiary that has been owned for less than four full quarters as of such date, the purchase price paid for such business segment;
(c) with respect to any Newly Acquired Property (other than a Development Property, a Newly Stabilized Property or undeveloped land), EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended for such Real Property, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(d) with respect to any (i) Development Property (until such Development Property becomes a Stabilized Property), (ii) Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for less than one full fiscal quarter as of such date and (iii) undeveloped land, the lesser of (x) cost (including the cost of the land and all hard and soft costs) or (y) book value in accordance with GAAP;
(e) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least one full fiscal quarter but less than two full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent full fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date in respect of which financial statements for such quarter or fiscal year have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
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(f) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least two full fiscal quarters but less than three full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of two full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for such each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 2, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(g) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least three full fiscal quarters but less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of three full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4/3, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(h) unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents and unrestricted marketable securities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000;
(i) the sum of (x) the book value of other assets consisting of inventory, accounts receivable not more than 90 days past due or otherwise in payment default, and other tangible assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries minus (y) the book value of accounts payable of Holdings and its Subsidiaries; and
(j) solely with respect to the calculation of Total Leverage Ratio herein, the amount of cash contributions that the direct or indirect owners of the Equity Interests of Holdings have irrevocably committed to contribute to Holdings when requested by Holdings pursuant to subscription agreements or similar agreements, which commitments were received on or prior to the date of delivery of the applicable Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 7.2(a), or on or prior to the date of the applicable pro forma financial covenant calculation, as applicable, but have not yet funded;
provided that not more than 15% of the Total Asset Value at any time may be attributable to undeveloped land and Development Properties, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Total Asset Value.
Holdingss pro rata share of assets held by Joint Ventures will be included in the calculation of Total Asset Value consistent with the above-described treatment for assets owned by Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
Total Indebtedness means the sum of all Indebtedness of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries and the pro rata share of all Indebtedness of Joint Ventures.
Total Leverage Ratio is defined in Section 10.5(a).
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Total Secured Indebtedness means the portion of Total Indebtedness that is Secured Indebtedness.
Total Unsecured Indebtedness means the portion of Total Indebtedness that is Unsecured Indebtedness.
Unencumbered Asset Value means as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, without duplication, the sum of:
(a) (i) Unencumbered NOI for Qualified Assets that are not Newly Acquired Properties, Development Properties or Newly Stabilized Properties for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended, divided by (ii) the applicable Capitalization Rate;
(b) with respect to any Qualified Asset that is a Newly Acquired Property (other than a Development Property or a Newly Stabilized Property), the EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended for such Qualified Asset, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(c) with respect to Qualified Asset that is a (i) Development Property (until such Development Property becomes a Stabilized Property), a (ii) Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for less than one full fiscal quarter as of such date or (iii) undeveloped land, the lesser of (x) cost or (y) book value in accordance with GAAP;
(d) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least one full fiscal quarter but less than two full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent full fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date in respect of which financial statements for such quarter or fiscal year have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(e) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least two full fiscal quarters but less than three full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of two full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 2, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
A-39
(f) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least three full fiscal quarters but less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of three full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4/3, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(g) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000; and
(h) with respect to the Refrigerated Railcar Business as of such date, the sum of the portion of the EBITDA attributable to the Refrigerated Railcar Business for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 9.0; provided that with respect to any Refrigerated Railcar Business that has been owned for less than four full quarters as of such date, the purchase price paid for such Refrigerated Railcar Business; and provided further that not more than 15% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to the Refrigerated Railcar Business, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
provided that:
(i) not more than 20% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets located in jurisdictions outside the Specified Jurisdictions, Qualified Assets that are owned or leased by a non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings, and undeveloped land and Development Properties, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
(ii) not more than 25% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Eligible Leased Assets, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
(iii) not more than 10% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets that are owned or leased by a Subsidiary which (together with any other Subsidiary that is the direct or indirect holder of Equity Interests in such Subsidiary, referred to as the Parent Subsidiary) has outstanding Indebtedness at such time (unless such Subsidiary or Parent Subsidiary, as applicable, is an US Obligor Affiliate or the lender of such Indebtedness is a party to the Intercreditor Agreement), with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value; and
(iv) not more than the lesser of (x) $400,000,000 or (y) 5% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets and assets set forth in clauses (g) and (h) of this definition of a Qualified Asset Owner described in clause (c) of the definition thereof, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value.
A-40
Unencumbered Leverage Ratio is defined in Section 10.5(c).
Unencumbered NOI means as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, the aggregate portion of EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended that is attributable to Qualified Assets.
United States Person has the meaning set forth for the term United States person in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
Unsecured Indebtedness with respect to any Person means, Indebtedness of such Person that is not Secured Indebtedness.
US Dollars or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
US Joint and Several Enforcement Costs is defined in Section 24.4.
US Obligor Affiliate means (i) an Obligor Affiliate organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof, the District of Columbia, or any other jurisdiction within the United States and (ii) any other Obligor Affiliate required to accede to this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.7(a).
US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness is defined in Section 24.1.
US Obligor Affiliate Obligations is defined in Section 24.1.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary means as to any Person, any other Person all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares required by law) is owned by such Person directly and/or through other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
A-41
OBLIGOR AFFILIATES
US Obligor Affiliates (Delaware)
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Lineage AUS RE Holdings, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Foodservice Solutions, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics AFS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics HCS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics PFS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics SCS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics Services, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Manufacturing, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Redistribution, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Transportation, LLC | Delaware | |
New Orleans Cold Storage and Warehouse Company, LLC | Delaware | |
NOCS South Atlantic Cold Storage & Warehouse, LLC | Delaware | |
NOCS West Gulf, LLC | Delaware |
Other US Obligor Affiliates
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Lineage Customs Brokerage, LLC | Washington | |
Preferred Freezer Logistics, LLC | New Jersey |
Foreign Obligor Affiliates
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Emergent Cold Bidco Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Emergent Cold Midco 3 Pty Ltd. | Australia | |
Emergent Cold Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Lineage AUS TRS Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Lineage Danish Bidco ApS | Denmark | |
Lineage UK Holdings Limited | Guernsey | |
Lineage Dutch Bidco B.V. | Netherlands |
SCHEDULE B
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Lineage Dutch Coöperatief U.A. | Netherlands | |
Lineage Logistics New Zealand (f/k/a Emergent Cold) | New Zealand | |
Lineage NZ TRS Limited | New Zealand | |
Lineage Norway Holdings I AS | Norway | |
Lineage UK T&F Holdings Limited | England & Wales | |
Lineage Logistics ORS Ltd. | Ontario, Canada | |
Lineage Logistics ORS TRS LP | Ontario, Canada |
B-2
[FORM OF SERIES A NOTE]
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC
2.22% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES A DUE AUGUST 20, 2026
No. RA-[_____] | [Date] | |
$[_______] | PPN 53567@ AA0 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC (herein called the Company), a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] US Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2026 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 2.22% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 4.22% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, the EUR Issuer, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
SCHEDULE 1-A
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest on this Note shall be jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed by Holdings and each US Obligor Affiliate in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC | ||
By | ||
[Title] |
1-A-2
[FORM OF SERIES B NOTE]
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC
2.52% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES B DUE AUGUST 20, 2028
No. RB-[_____] | [Date] | |
$[_______] | PPN 53567@ AB8 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC (herein called the Company), a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] US Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2028 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 2.52% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 4.52% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, the EUR Issuer, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
SCHEDULE 1-B
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest on this Note shall be jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed by Holdings and each US Obligor Affiliate in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC | ||
By | ||
[Title] |
1-B-2
[FORM OF SERIES C NOTE]
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
0.89% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES C DUE AUGUST 20, 2026
No. RC-[_____] | [Date] | |
[_______] | PPN N5269@ AA6 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. (herein called the Company), a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Euros (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2026 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 0.89% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount and, at any time that this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 2.89% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the European Union; provided that, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, certain amounts payable with respect to this Note (including, without limitation, any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) shall be payable in the lawful money of the United States of America.1 All of the foregoing shall be made at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York, or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
1 | To include payments in the lawful money of Canada, as applicable, for any Canadian transferee of a Swapped Note. |
SCHEDULE 1-C
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, Lineage Logistics, LLC, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on this Note shall be unconditionally guaranteed by the Obligors in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount and, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
1-C-2
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
By | ||
[Title] | ||
By | ||
[Title] |
1-C-3
[FORM OF SERIES D NOTE]
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
1.26% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES D DUE AUGUST 20, 2031
No. RD-[_____] | [Date] | |
[_______] | PPN N5269@ AB4 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. (herein called the Company), a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Euros (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2031 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 1.26% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount and, at any time that this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 3.26% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the European Union; provided that, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, certain amounts payable with respect to this Note (including, without limitation, any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) shall be payable in the lawful money of the United States of America.2 All of the foregoing shall be made at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York, or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time
2 | To include payments in the lawful money of Canada, as applicable, for any Canadian transferee of a Swapped Note. |
SCHEDULE 1-D
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, Lineage Logistics, LLC, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on this Note shall be unconditionally guaranteed by the Obligors in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount and, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
1-D-2
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
By | ||
[Title] | ||
By | ||
[Title] |
1-D-3
[FORM OF SERIES E NOTE]
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
1.98% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES E DUE AUGUST 20, 2026
No. RE-[_____] | [Date] | |||
£[_______] | PPN N5269@ AC2 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. (herein called the Company), a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands,, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Sterling (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2026 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 1.98% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount and, at any time that this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 3.98% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United Kingdom; provided that, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, certain amounts payable with respect to this Note (including, without limitation, any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) shall be payable in the lawful money of the United States of America.3 All of the foregoing shall be made at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York, or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
3 | To include payments in the lawful money of Canada, as applicable, for any Canadian transferee of a Swapped Note. |
SCHEDULE 1-E
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, Lineage Logistics, LLC, the EUR Issuer, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on this Note shall be unconditionally guaranteed by the Obligors in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount and, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
1-E-2
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
By | ||
[Title] | ||
By | ||
[Title] |
1-E-3
[FORM OF SERIES F NOTE]
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
2.13% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES F DUE AUGUST 20, 2028
No. RF-[_____] | [Date] | |||
£[_______] | PPN N5269@ AD0 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. (herein called the Company), a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands,, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Sterling (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2028 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 2.13% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20th or August 20th next succeeding the date hereof]/[February 20, 2022], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount and, at any time that this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 4.13% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United Kingdom; provided that, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, certain amounts payable with respect to this Note (including, without limitation, any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) shall be payable in the lawful money of the United States of America.4 All of the foregoing shall be made at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York, or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, Lineage Logistics, LLC, the EUR Issuer, Holdings and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits
4 | To include payments in the lawful money of Canada, as applicable, for any Canadian transferee of a Swapped Note. |
SCHEDULE 1-F
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on this Note shall be unconditionally guaranteed by the Obligors in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount and, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
1-F-2
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
By | ||
[Title] | ||
By | ||
[Title] |
1-F-3
FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
(OBLIGOR AFFILIATES)
JOINDER AGREEMENT dated as of [_____] (this Joinder Agreement) to the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of August 20, 2021 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Note Purchase Agreement), among Lineage Logistics, LLC, Lineage Treasury Europe B.V. and Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, and each of the other Obligors from time to time party thereto and the holders of the Notes from time to time party thereto.
A. Reference is made to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes issued thereunder. Capitalized terms used herein not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
B. Pursuant to Section 9.7[(a)/(b)] of the Note Purchase Agreement, the undersigned Subsidiary is required to enter into a supplement to the Note Purchase Agreement in the form of this Joinder Agreement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the New Obligor Affiliate) is executing this Joinder Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the Note Purchase Agreement to become a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate and an Obligor under the Note Purchase Agreement.
Accordingly, the New Obligor Affiliate agrees as follows:
Section 1. In accordance with Section 9.7[(a)/)(b)] of the Note Purchase Agreement, the New Obligor Affiliate by its signature below becomes an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate under the Note Purchase Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate and the New Obligor Affiliate hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement applicable to it as an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate thereunder. Each reference to an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate in the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall be deemed to include the New Obligor Affiliate. The Note Purchase Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. The New Obligor Affiliate represents and warrants to the holders that this Joinder Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
Section 3. This Joinder Agreement shall become effective when the holders shall have received counterparts of this Joinder Agreement executed on behalf of the New Obligor Affiliate. Execution and delivery of this Joinder Agreement may be made in accordance with Section 23.5 of the Note Purchase Agreement and such clause is incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.
SCHEDULE 2
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Section 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall remain in full force and effect. All references herein to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall include all amendments, supplements and modifications thereto.
Section 5. This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Section 6. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
[Section 7. The New Obligor Affiliate hereby irrevocably appoints Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377 to receive for it, and on its behalf, service of process in the United States, from the date hereof through August 20, 2032.]5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Obligor Affiliate has duly executed this Joinder Agreement to the Note Purchase Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
[NAME OF NEW OBLIGOR AFFILIATE] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address: |
5 | NTD: To be included only in respect of Foreign Obligor Affiliates. |
2-2
Exhibit 10.37
EXECUTION VERSION
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC
80,000,000
3.33% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series G, due August 20, 2027
110,000,000
3.54% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series H, due August 20, 2029
50,000,000
3.74% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series I, due August 20, 2032
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated August 15, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION | HEADING | PAGE | ||||
SECTION 1. |
AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES | 1 | ||||
SECTION 2. |
SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES; JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGORS | 2 | ||||
Section 2.1. |
Sale and Purchase of Notes | 2 | ||||
Section 2.2. |
Joint and Several Obligors | 2 | ||||
Section 2.3. |
Intercreditor Agreement | 2 | ||||
SECTION 3. |
CLOSING | 2 | ||||
SECTION 4. |
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING | 2 | ||||
Section 4.1. |
Representations and Warranties | 2 | ||||
Section 4.2. |
Performance; No Default | 3 | ||||
Section 4.3. |
Compliance Certificates | 3 | ||||
Section 4.4. |
Opinions of Counsel | 4 | ||||
Section 4.5. |
Purchase Permitted By Applicable Law, Etc. | 4 | ||||
Section 4.6. |
Sale of Other Notes | 4 | ||||
Section 4.7. |
Payment of Special Counsel Fees | 4 | ||||
Section 4.8. |
Private Placement Number | 5 | ||||
Section 4.9. |
Changes in Corporate Structure | 5 | ||||
Section 4.10. |
Funding Instructions | 5 | ||||
Section 4.11. |
Intercreditor Agreement | 5 | ||||
Section 4.12. |
Acceptance of Appointment to Receive Service of Process | 5 | ||||
Section 4.13. |
Rating of Notes | 5 | ||||
Section 4.14. |
Proceedings and Documents | 5 | ||||
SECTION 5. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OBLIGORS | 5 | ||||
Section 5.1. |
Organization; Power and Authority | 5 | ||||
Section 5.2. |
Authorization, Etc. | 6 | ||||
Section 5.3. |
Disclosure | 6 | ||||
Section 5.4. |
Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates | 6 | ||||
Section 5.5. |
Financial Statements; Material Liabilities | 7 | ||||
Section 5.6. |
Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc. | 7 | ||||
Section 5.7. |
Governmental Authorizations, Etc. | 7 | ||||
Section 5.8. |
Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders | 7 | ||||
Section 5.9. |
Taxes | 8 | ||||
Section 5.10. |
Title to Property; Leases | 8 | ||||
Section 5.11. |
Licenses, Permits, Etc. | 8 | ||||
Section 5.12. |
Compliance with Employee Benefit Plans | 8 | ||||
Section 5.13. |
Private Offering by the EUR Issuer | 9 | ||||
Section 5.14. |
Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations | 9 | ||||
Section 5.15. |
Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens | 9 |
Section 5.16. |
Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc. | 10 | ||||
Section 5.17. |
Status under Certain Statutes | 10 | ||||
Section 5.18. |
Environmental Matters | 10 | ||||
Section 5.19. |
REIT Status | 11 | ||||
Section 5.20. |
Solvency | 11 | ||||
Section 5.21. |
Qualified Assets | 11 | ||||
Section 5.22. |
Ranking of Obligations | 11 | ||||
SECTION 6. |
REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASERS | 11 | ||||
Section 6.1. |
Purchase for Investment | 11 | ||||
Section 6.2. |
Source of Funds | 12 | ||||
SECTION 7. |
INFORMATION AS TO OBLIGORS | 13 | ||||
Section 7.1. |
Financial and Business Information | 13 | ||||
Section 7.2. |
Compliance Certificate | 15 | ||||
Section 7.3. |
Visitation | 16 | ||||
Section 7.4. |
Electronic Delivery | 16 | ||||
SECTION 8. |
PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF THE NOTES | 17 | ||||
Section 8.1. |
Maturity | 17 | ||||
Section 8.2. |
Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount | 17 | ||||
Section 8.3. |
Prepayment for Tax Reasons | 17 | ||||
Section 8.4. |
Prepayment in Connection with a Noteholder Sanctions Event | 19 | ||||
Section 8.5. |
Allocation of Partial Prepayments | 20 | ||||
Section 8.6. |
Maturity; Surrender, Etc. | 20 | ||||
Section 8.7. |
Purchase of Notes | 20 | ||||
Section 8.8. |
Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount | 21 | ||||
Section 8.9. |
Swap Breakage | 26 | ||||
Section 8.10. |
Payments Due on Non-Business Days | 27 | ||||
Section 8.11. |
Change in Control Prepayment Offer | 27 | ||||
SECTION 9. |
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | 28 | ||||
Section 9.5. |
Corporate Existence, Etc. | 28 | ||||
Section 9.1. |
Compliance with Laws | 28 | ||||
Section 9.2. |
Insurance | 28 | ||||
Section 9.3. |
Maintenance of Properties | 28 | ||||
Section 9.4. |
Payment of Taxes and Claims | 28 | ||||
Section 9.6. |
Books and Records | 28 | ||||
Section 9.7. |
Additional Obligor Affiliates | 29 | ||||
Section 9.8. |
REIT Status | 31 | ||||
Section 9.9. |
Priority of Obligations | 31 | ||||
Section 9.10. |
Rating | 31 |
-ii-
SECTION 10. |
NEGATIVE COVENANTS | 31 | ||||
Section 10.1. |
Transactions with Affiliates | 31 | ||||
Section 10.2. |
Merger, Consolidation, Etc. | 33 | ||||
Section 10.3. |
Line of Business | 34 | ||||
Section 10.4. |
Economic Sanctions, Etc. | 35 | ||||
Section 10.5. |
Financial Covenants | 35 | ||||
Section 10.6. |
Indebtedness | 35 | ||||
Section 10.7. |
Liens | 35 | ||||
Section 10.8. |
Disposition of Property | 36 | ||||
Section 10.9. |
Restricted Payments | 36 | ||||
Section 10.10. |
Investments | 38 | ||||
Section 10.12. |
Negative Pledge | 38 | ||||
SECTION 11. |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 39 | ||||
SECTION 12. |
REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC. | 41 | ||||
Section 12.1. |
Acceleration | 41 | ||||
Section 12.2. |
Other Remedies | 42 | ||||
Section 12.3. |
Rescission | 42 | ||||
Section 12.4. |
No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc. | 42 | ||||
SECTION 13. |
TAX INDEMNIFICATION; FATCA INFORMATION | 43 | ||||
SECTION 14. |
REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES | 46 | ||||
Section 14.1. |
Registration of Notes | 46 | ||||
Section 14.2. |
Transfer and Exchange of Notes | 46 | ||||
Section 14.3. |
Replacement of Notes | 47 | ||||
SECTION 15. |
PAYMENTS ON NOTES | 47 | ||||
Section 15.1. |
Place of Payment | 47 | ||||
Section 15.2. |
Payment by Wire Transfer | 47 | ||||
SECTION 16. |
EXPENSES, ETC. | 48 | ||||
Section 16.1. |
Transaction Expenses; Indemnity | 48 | ||||
Section 16.2. |
Certain Taxes | 48 | ||||
Section 16.3. |
Survival | 48 | ||||
SECTION 17. |
SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT | 49 | ||||
SECTION 18. |
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER | 49 | ||||
Section 18.1. |
Requirements | 49 | ||||
Section 18.2. |
Solicitation of Holders of Notes | 49 | ||||
Section 18.3. |
Binding Effect, Etc. | 50 | ||||
Section 18.4. |
Notes Held by Company, Etc. | 50 |
-iii-
SECTION 19. |
NOTICES; ENGLISH LANGUAGE | 50 | ||||
SECTION 20. |
REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS | 51 | ||||
SECTION 21. |
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION | 51 | ||||
SECTION 22. |
SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER | 52 | ||||
SECTION 23. |
MISCELLANEOUS | 53 | ||||
Section 23.1. |
Successors and Assigns | 53 | ||||
Section 23.2. |
Accounting Terms | 53 | ||||
Section 23.3. |
Severability | 53 | ||||
Section 23.4. |
Construction, Etc. | 53 | ||||
Section 23.5. |
Counterparts; Electronic Signatures | 54 | ||||
Section 23.6. |
Governing Law | 54 | ||||
Section 23.7. |
Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial | 54 | ||||
Section 23.8. |
Obligation to Make Payments in Applicable Currency | 55 | ||||
Section 23.9. |
[Reserved] | 56 | ||||
SECTION 24. |
JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGORS | 56 | ||||
Section 24.1. |
US Joint and Several Liability | 56 | ||||
Section 24.2. |
Foreign Joint and Several Liability | 57 | ||||
Section 24.3. |
Obligations Absolute and Unconditional | 60 | ||||
Section 24.4. |
Enforcement Costs | 61 | ||||
Section 24.5. |
Subrogation | 62 | ||||
Section 24.6. |
Preference | 62 | ||||
Section 24.7. |
Marshalling and Accounts | 62 |
-iv-
SCHEDULE A | | Defined Terms | ||
SCHEDULE B | | Obligor Affiliates | ||
SCHEDULE 1-A | | Form of 3.33% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series G, due August 20, 2027 | ||
SCHEDULE 1-B | | Form of 3.54% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series H, due August 20, 2029 | ||
SCHEDULE 1-C | | Form of 3.74% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series I, due August 20, 2032 | ||
SCHEDULE 2 | | Form of Joinder Agreement | ||
SCHEDULE 4.4(a) | | Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Obligors | ||
SCHEDULE 4.4(b) | | Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Australian Obligors | ||
SCHEDULE 4.4(c) | | Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Canadian Obligors | ||
SCHEDULE 4.4(d) | | Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Dutch Obligors | ||
SCHEDULE 4.4(e) | | Other Obligors Legal Opinions | ||
SCHEDULE 5.3 | | Disclosure Materials | ||
SCHEDULE 5.4 | | Subsidiaries of Holdings and Ownership of Subsidiary Stock | ||
SCHEDULE 5.5 | | Financial Statements | ||
SCHEDULE 5.15 | | Existing Indebtedness and Existing Liens | ||
SCHEDULE 5.21 | | Qualified Assets | ||
SCHEDULE 6.1(D) | | Canadian Purchaser Representations | ||
SCHEDULE 10.1 | | Transactions with Affiliates | ||
SCHEDULE 10.10 | | Permitted Investments | ||
SCHEDULE 25 | | Ground Leases | ||
PURCHASER SWAP SCHEDULES | | Purchaser Swap Information Re: Swapped Notes | ||
PURCHASER SCHEDULE | | Information Relating to Purchasers |
-v-
Lineage Logistics | Note Purchase Agreement |
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC
46500 Humboldt Drive
Novi, MI 48377
80,000,000 3.33% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series G, due August 20, 2027
110,000,000 3.54% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series H, due August 20, 2029
50,000,000 3.74% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series I, due August 20, 2032
August 15, 2022
TO EACH OF THE PURCHASERS LISTED IN
THE PURCHASER SCHEDULE HERETO:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Lineage Logistics, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), Lineage Treasury Europe B.V., a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands (the EUR Issuer), Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Holdings), and each Person listed on Schedule B as an Obligor Affiliate agree with each of the Purchasers as follows:
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES.
(a) | The EUR Issuer will authorize the issue and sale of 80,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.33% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series G, due August 20, 2027 (the Series G Notes). |
(b) | The EUR Issuer will authorize the issue and sale of 110,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.54% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series H, due August 20, 2029 (the Series H Notes). |
(c) | The EUR Issuer will authorize the issue and sale of 50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.74% Guaranteed Senior Notes, Series I, due August 20, 2032 (the Series I Notes). |
The Series G Notes, together with the Series H Notes and the Series I Notes, are referred to in this Agreement as the Notes. The Notes shall be substantially in the form set out in Schedules 1-A, 1-B and 1-C respectively. Certain capitalized and other terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule A and, for purposes of this Agreement, the rules of construction set forth in Section 22.5 shall govern.
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Lineage Logistics | Note Purchase Agreement |
Section 2. Sale and Purchase of Notes; Joint and Several Obligors; Intercreditor Agreement.
Section 2.1. Sale and Purchase of Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the EUR Issuer will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser will purchase from the EUR Issuer, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Notes in the principal amount and series specified opposite such Purchasers name in the Purchaser Schedule at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The Purchasers obligations hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance of any obligation by any other Purchaser hereunder.
Section 2.2. Joint and Several Obligors. The payment by the EUR Issuer of all amounts due with respect to the Notes and the performance by the EUR Issuer of its obligations under this Agreement are joint and several obligations of the Company, Holdings, the EUR Issuer and the Obligor Affiliates pursuant to (as limited by) the provisions of Section 24 herein.
Section 2.3. Intercreditor Agreement. The Purchasers will execute and deliver the Intercreditor Joinder Agreement to each of the existing Creditors (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) on the Closing Date, acceding to the Intercreditor Agreement, providing for the sharing of certain payments from guarantors and borrowers (other than the Company in its borrowing capacity) among the Creditors from time to time party to the Intercreditor Agreement following an Event of Default.
SECTION 3. CLOSING
The sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, 77 West Wacker Drive, Suite 3100, Chicago, Illinois 60601, at 9:00 a.m., Chicago time, at a closing (the Closing) on August 15, 2022 (the Closing Date). At the Closing, the EUR Issuer will deliver to each Purchaser the Notes of the series to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Note (or such greater number of Notes in denominations of at least 100,000, as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchasers name (or in the name of its nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the EUR Issuer or its order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of the EUR Issuer to account number NL16 BOFA 0030 1800 16 at Bank of America Europe DAC (SWIFT: BOFANLNX). If at the Closing the EUR Issuer shall fail to tender such Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to such Purchasers satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at its election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure by the EUR Issuer to tender such Notes or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 not having been fulfilled to such Purchasers satisfaction.
SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.
Each Purchasers obligation to purchase and pay for the Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchasers satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of the following conditions:
Section 4.1. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Representations and Warranties of the EUR Issuer. The representations and warranties of the EUR Issuer in this Agreement shall be correct when made on the date of this Agreement and at the Closing.
2
Lineage Logistics | Note Purchase Agreement |
(b) Representations and Warranties of the Company. The representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement shall be correct when made on the date of this Agreement and at the Closing.
(c) Representations and Warranties of Holdings. The representations and warranties of Holdings in this Agreement shall be correct when made on the date of this Agreement and at the Closing.
(d) Representations and Warranties of the Obligor Affiliates. The representations and warranties of the Obligor Affiliates in this Agreement shall be correct when made on the date of this Agreement and at the Closing.
Section 4.2. Performance; No Default. The Obligors shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing. Before and after giving effect to the issue and sale of the Notes (and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.14), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. None of the Obligors or any Subsidiary shall have entered into any transaction since the date of the Investor Presentation that would have been prohibited by Section 10 had such Section applied since such date.
Section 4.3. Compliance Certificates.
(a) Officers Certificate of the EUR Issuer. The EUR Issuer shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officers Certificate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1(a), 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.
(b) Secretarys Certificate of the EUR Issuer. The EUR Issuer shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of a managing director or any other person who is authorized to represent the EUR Issuer, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of the Notes and this Agreement and (ii) the incumbency of the authorized signatories of the EUR Issuer executing this Agreement and the Notes and (iii) the EUR Issuers organizational documents as then in effect.
(c) Officers Certificate of the Company. The Company shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officers Certificate with respect to the Company, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1(b), 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.
(d) Secretarys Certificate of the Company. The Company shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate with respect to the Company, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, (ii) the incumbency of the authorized signatories of the Company executing this Agreement and (iii) the Companys organizational documents as then in effect.
(e) Officers Certificate of Holdings. Holdings shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officers Certificate with respect to Holdings, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1(c, 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.
(f) Secretarys Certificate of Holdings. Holdings shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate with respect to Holdings, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, (ii) the incumbency of the authorized signatories of Holdings executing this Agreement and (iii) Holdings organizational documents as then in effect.
3
Lineage Logistics | Note Purchase Agreement |
(g) Officers Certificate of Obligor Affiliates. Each Obligor Affiliate shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officers Certificate with respect to such Obligor Affiliate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1(d), 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.
(h) Secretarys Certificate of Obligor Affiliates. Each Obligor Affiliate shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of its Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Director or a Responsible Officer, or with respect to a Danish Obligor Affiliate, a managing director or any other person who is authorized to represent the Danish Obligor Affiliate, or with respect to a New Zealand Obligor Affiliate, a director of that New Zealand Obligor Affiliate, in each case dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, (ii) if customary in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Obligor Affiliate, the incumbency of the authorized signatories of the Obligor Affiliate executing this Agreement and (iii) such Obligor Affiliates organizational documents as then in effect.
Section 4.4. Opinions of Counsel. Such Purchaser shall have received opinions in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser, dated the date of the Closing (a) from Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the EUR Issuer, the Company, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates, covering the matters set forth in Schedule 4.4(a) and covering such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated hereby as such Purchaser or its counsel may reasonably request (and the Obligors hereby instruct its counsel to deliver such opinion to the Purchasers), (b) Johnson Winter & Slattery, counsel to the Australian Obligor Affiliates, covering matters set forth of Schedule 4.4(b), (c) McCarthy Tétrault LLP, counsel to the Canadian Obligor Affiliates, covering matters set forth on Schedule 4.4(c), (d) NautaDutilh, counsel to the Dutch Obligors covering matters set forth on Schedule 4.4(d); (e) from various counsel for the other Obligor Affiliates listed on Schedule 4.4(e) covering power and capacity of such Obligor Affiliate and such matters relating to this Agreement as such Purchaser may reasonably request, and (f) from Greenberg Traurig, LLP, the Purchasers special counsel in connection with such transactions, and covering such other matters incident to such transactions as such Purchaser may reasonably request.
Section 4.5. Purchase Permitted By Applicable Law, Etc. On the date of the Closing such Purchasers purchase of Notes shall (a) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which such Purchaser is subject, without recourse to provisions (such as section 1405(a)(8) of the New York Insurance Law) permitting limited investments by insurance companies without restriction as to the character of the particular investment, (b) not violate any applicable law or regulation (including Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and (c) not subject such Purchaser to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof. If requested by such Purchaser, such Purchaser shall have received an Officers Certificate certifying as to such matters of fact as such Purchaser may reasonably specify to enable such Purchaser to determine whether such purchase is so permitted.
Section 4.6. Sale of Other Notes. Contemporaneously with the Closing the EUR Issuer shall sell to each other Purchaser and each other Purchaser shall purchase the Notes to be purchased by it at the Closing as specified in the Purchaser Schedule.
Section 4.7. Payment of Special Counsel Fees. Without limiting Section 15.1, the EUR Issuer shall have paid on or before the Closing the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of the Purchasers special counsel referred to in Section 4.4 to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the EUR Issuer at least one Business Day prior to the Closing.
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Section 4.8. Private Placement Number. A Private Placement Number issued by the PPN CUSIP Unit of CUSIP Global Services (in cooperation with the SVO) shall have been obtained for each series of Notes.
Section 4.9. Changes in Corporate Structure. Except as permitted by Section 10.2, none of the EUR Issuer, the Company, Holdings or any Obligor Affiliate shall have changed its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as applicable, or been a party to any merger or consolidation or succeeded to all or any substantial part of the liabilities of any other entity, at any time following the date of the most recent financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.5.
Section 4.10. Funding Instructions. At least five Business Days prior to the date of the Closing, each Purchaser shall have received written instructions signed by a Responsible Officer on letterhead of the EUR Issuer confirming the information specified in Section 3 including (i) the name and address of the transferee bank, (ii) such transferee banks SWIFT code and (iii) the account name and number into which the purchase price for the Notes is to be deposited and the IBAN for such account.
Section 4.11. Intercreditor Agreement. The Intercreditor Joinder Agreement shall have been executed and delivered by each of the Purchasers to the Company; and the Company shall have delivered the Intercreditor Joinder Agreement to each of the existing Creditors under the Intercreditor Agreement.
Section 4.12. Acceptance of Appointment to Receive Service of Process. Such Purchaser shall have received evidence of the acceptance by Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377 of the appointment and designation provided for by Section 23.7(e) for the period from the date of the Closing to 1 year after maturity of the Notes (and the payment in full of all fees in respect thereof).
Section 4.13. Rating of Notes. DBRS shall have delivered to the Company a letter assigning a private credit rating to the Notes of not less than BBB (which letter shall comply with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 9.10), and the Company shall have delivered a copy of such ratings letter to such Purchaser.
Section 4.14. Proceedings and Documents. All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Purchaser and its special counsel, and such Purchaser and its special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as such Purchaser or such special counsel may reasonably request.
SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OBLIGORS.
As of the date of this Agreement and as of the date of the Closing, each Obligor jointly and severally represents and warrants to each Purchaser that:
Section 5.1. Organization; Power and Authority. Each Group Member (a) is duly organized, incorporated, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and 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, (c) is duly qualified to do business in, and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of, each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification except for where failure to do so could not reasonably be 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 could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 5.2. Authorization, Etc. Each Obligor has the corporate, limited liability or limited partnership, as applicable, power and authority, and the legal right, to enter into and perform this Agreement and the Notes to which it is a party. Each Obligor has taken all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Notes to which it is a party. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the sale of the Notes hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Notes, except consents, authorizations, filings, notices and other acts that have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect. This Agreement and each Note has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Obligor party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and the Notes upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Obligor party thereto, enforceable against each such Obligor in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
Section 5.3. Disclosure. The Company through its agents, BofA Securities, Inc. and JP Morgan Securities LLC has delivered to each Purchaser a copy of the Investor Presentation dated July 2022 (the Investor Presentation) relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the Investor Presentation and the most recent audited financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.5 fairly describe, in all material respects, the general nature of the business and principal properties of the Obligors and their respective Subsidiaries. This Agreement, the Investor Presentation and the financial statements listed in Schedule 5.5 and the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the EUR Issuer prior to August 4, 2022 in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and identified in Schedule 5.3 (this Agreement, the Investor Presentation and such documents, certificates or other writings and such financial statements delivered to each Purchaser being referred to, collectively, as the Disclosure Documents), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since December 31, 2021, there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the Obligors or any of their respective Subsidiaries except changes that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.4. Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates. As of the Closing Date, (a) Schedule 5.4 sets forth the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Subsidiary of a Group Member and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Equity Interests owned by any Group Member and (b) except as set forth on Schedule 5.4, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, acquisition rights or other similar agreements or similar commitments (other than (i) stock options granted to employees or directors and (ii) directors qualifying shares) of any nature relating to any Equity Interests of Holdings or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary.
(c) No Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary is subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than this Agreement, the agreements listed on Schedule 5.4, customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes and customary limitations imposed by the terms of agreements governing Non-Recourse Indebtedness) restricting the ability of such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar Equity Interests of such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary.
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Section 5.5. Financial Statements; Material Liabilities. The Company has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.5. All of such financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) (i) present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date of such financial statements and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified in such financial statements and (ii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the period covered thereby except as otherwise expressly noted therein (subject, in the case of unaudited consolidated balance sheets, to year-end audit adjustments). The Obligors and their respective Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.
Section 5.6. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by the applicable Obligor of this Agreement and the Notes to which such Obligor is a party, the sale of the Notes hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof will not (i) violate any Requirement of Law, any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding on an Obligor or its assets, or any Governing Document of any Obligor, except where such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any such indenture, agreement or other instrument.
Section 5.7. Governmental Authorizations, Etc. No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Obligors of this Agreement or, with respect to the EUR Issuer only, the Notes, including any thereof required in connection with the obtaining of the Applicable Currency to make payments under this Agreement or the Notes and the payment of such Applicable Currency to Persons resident in the United States of America. It is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence in the United States or the Netherlands, as applicable, of this Agreement or the Notes that any thereof or any other document be filed, recorded or enrolled with any Governmental Authority, or that any such agreement or document be stamped with any stamp, registration or similar transaction tax that may be required in connection with admissibility into evidence.
Section 5.8. Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders. (a) No action, suit, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threatened in writing against any Group Member or against any of their respective property as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) None of the Group Members is (i) in default under any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (ii) in violation of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, any arbitrator of any kind or any Governmental Authority or (iii) in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws, the USA PATRIOT Act or any of the other laws and regulations that are referred to in Section 5.16), in each case where such default or violation could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 5.9. Taxes. (a) Each Group Member has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state and other material tax returns and reports that are required to have been filed and has paid all Taxes on any assessments made against it or any of its property, and all other material Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any Taxes the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the relevant Group Member), in each case, except where the failure to file or pay, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Tax Lien has been filed with respect to any Qualified Asset that is not a Permitted Encumbrance, and as of the Closing Date, to the knowledge of any Obligor, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Taxes, fees or other charges of any Group Member that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) No liability for any Tax, directly or indirectly, imposed, assessed, levied or collected by or for the account of any Governmental Authority of the Netherlands or any political subdivision thereof will be incurred by Obligors or any holder of a Note as a result of the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the Notes and no deduction or withholding in respect of Taxes imposed by or for the account of any Governmental Authority of the Netherlands is required to be made from any payment by the Obligors under this Agreement or the Notes except for any such liability, withholding or deduction imposed, assessed, levied or collected by or for the account of any such Governmental Authority arising out of circumstances described in clauses (i) through (vii) of Section 13(b).
Section 5.10. Title to Property; Leases. Subject to Liens not prohibited by this Agreement, each Group Member has good and valid title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all of its Real Property that is material to the operation of its business, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or the right to use, all its other property that is material to the operation of its business, in each case other than (x) minor defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, or (y) where the failure to have such title, interest or other right to use would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Qualified Assets or the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner is subject to any Lien except Permitted Encumbrances and Permitted Equity Encumbrances.
Section 5.11. Licenses, Permits, Etc. Each Group Member owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, except to the extent that the failure to so own or license such Intellectual Property, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been asserted against any Group Member and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nor does any Obligor know of any valid basis for any such claim in each case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The use of Intellectual Property by each Group Member does not infringe on the rights of any Person except to the extent that such infringements, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.12. Compliance with Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) each Group Member and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Code relating to Plans and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder; and (ii) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur.
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(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (1) to the extent applicable, each Group Member is in compliance with Canadian Pension Legislation with respect to each (i) Canadian Pension Plan, and (ii) Canadian Defined Benefit Plan; (2) no Canadian Pension Event has occurred; and (3) no Lien has arisen, choate or inchoate, in respect of any Obligor or their property in connection with any Canadian Pension Plan administered or sponsored by a Group Member, other than a Permitted Encumbrance.
(c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Notes hereunder will not involve any transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code. The representation by the Obligors to each Purchaser in the first sentence of this Section 5.12(c) is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of such Purchasers representation in Section 6.2 as to the sources of the funds to be used to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser.
(d) All Non-U.S. Plans have been established, operated, administered and maintained in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders applicable thereto, except where failure so to comply could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All premiums, contributions and any other amounts required by applicable Non-U.S. Plan documents or applicable laws to be paid or accrued by Holdings and its Subsidiaries have been paid or accrued as required, except where failure so to pay or accrue could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.13. Private Offering by the EUR Issuer. None of the Obligors or anyone acting on their behalf has offered the Notes or any similar Securities for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy the Notes or any similar Securities from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any Person other than the Purchasers and not more than 72 other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Notes at a private sale for investment. None of the Obligors or anyone acting on their behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Notes to the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction.
Section 5.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. The EUR Issuer will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Notes hereunder as set forth in the Investor Presentation. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder will be used, (i) for the purpose, whether immediate or ultimate, of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221) as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or (ii) for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board. No Obligor nor any Subsidiary is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of buying or carrying any margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying margin stock. Margin stock does not constitute more than 25% of the value of the consolidated assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and Holdings does not have any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than 25% of the value of such assets.
Section 5.15. Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens. (a) Except as described therein, Schedule 5.15 sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Material Indebtedness of the Group Members as of June 30, 2022 (other than Indebtedness in the nature of letters of credit, Capital Lease Obligations and intercompany Indebtedness). Neither Holdings nor any Subsidiary is in default and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of Holdings or such Subsidiary and no event or condition exists with respect to any Material Indebtedness of Holdings or any Subsidiary that would permit (or that with notice or the lapse of time, or both, would permit) one or more Persons to cause such Material Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment.
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(b) None of the Obligors or any Subsidiary thereof has agreed or consented to cause or permit any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien that secures Indebtedness or to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien that secures Indebtedness, in each case except as not prohibited by this Agreement.
Section 5.16. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc. The Obligors have implemented and maintain in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Obligors, the other Group Members and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions, and Holdings, the other Group Members and their respective officers and employees and, to the knowledge of the Obligors after reasonable due diligence, their respective directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of the Obligors, any of their respective Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of any Obligor or any such Subsidiary, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person, (iii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to any Anti-Terrorism Law, or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purposes of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate any Anti-Terrorism Laws. All borrowings, use of proceeds and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will comply with applicable Sanctions in all material respects, and no borrowing, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will violate Anti-Corruption Laws (including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977) or Anti-Money Laundering Laws. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall require Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any director, officer, employee, agent or Affiliate of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries that are registered or incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province thereof to commit an act or omission that contravenes the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures (United States) Order, 1992.
Section 5.17. Status under Certain Statutes. No Group Member is an investment company required to be registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 5.18. Environmental Matters. Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) the facilities and real properties owned, leased or operated by any Group Member (the Properties) do not contain any Materials of Environmental Concern in amounts or concentrations or under circumstances that constitute a violation of Environmental Law or would reasonably be expected to result in any Environmental Liability;
(b) no Group Member has received any written notice from any Person alleging, or knows of any basis for, any Environmental Liability with regard to any Group Member, the Properties or the business operated by any Group Member (the Business);
(c) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or disposed of to, at or from the Properties by or on behalf of any Group Member in violation of Environmental Law or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability, nor have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, used, treated or stored at, on or under any of the Properties in violation of Environmental Law or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability;
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(d) no claim, proceeding, suit, action or, to the knowledge of the Obligors, investigation is pending or, to the knowledge of the Obligors, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which any Group Member is or, to the knowledge of the Obligors, will be named as a party, nor are there any judicial decrees, consent decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other governmental orders outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to any Group Member, the Properties or the Business;
(e) there has been no Release of or exposure to nor, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threat of Release of Materials of Environmental Concern at, in, on, under or from the Properties or any other location that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability;
(f) neither the Group Members nor their respective operations at the Properties have failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law; and
(g) no Group Member has retained or assumed (by contract or operation of law) any Environmental Liability of any other Person or with respect to any former or predecessor operations or properties.
Section 5.19. REIT Status. REIT Parent (i) qualifies as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (ii) is in compliance with all other requirements and conditions imposed under the Code to allow it to maintain its status as a REIT.
Section 5.20. Solvency. As of the Closing, the Company and its Subsidiaries and Holdings and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole and on a consolidated basis, immediately after the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the Notes, are Solvent.
Section 5.21. Qualified Assets. Schedule 5.21 is a correct and complete list of all Qualified Assets. None of the Qualified Assets or the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner is subject to any Lien except Permitted Encumbrances and Permitted Equity Encumbrances.
Section 5.22. Ranking of Obligations. The Obligors payment obligations under this Agreement and the Notes will, upon issuance of the Notes, rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Obligors.
SECTION 6. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASERS.
Section 6.1. Purchase for Investment. (a) Each Purchaser severally represents that it is purchasing the Notes for its own account or for one or more separate accounts maintained by such Purchaser or for the account of one or more pension or trust funds and not with a view to the distribution thereof, provided that the disposition of such Purchasers or their property shall at all times be within such Purchasers or their control. Each Purchaser understands that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from registration is available, except under circumstances where neither such registration nor such an exemption is required by law, and that the EUR Issuer is not required to register the Notes.
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(b) Each Purchaser severally represents that it is an accredited investor within the meaning of subparagraph (a) of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act acting for its own account (and not for the account of others) or as a fiduciary or agent for others (which others are also accredited investors). In addition, each Purchaser that is not an accredited investor under subparagraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(7) of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act severally represents that it is an institutional account under FINRA Rule 4512(c). Each Purchaser further severally represents that such Purchaser has had the opportunity to ask questions of the EUR Issuer and received answers concerning the terms and conditions of the sale of the Notes.
For purposes of FINRA Rule 4512(c), the term institutional account shall mean the account of:
(1) a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company or registered investment company;
(2) an investment adviser registered either with the SEC under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act or with a state securities commission (or any agency or office performing like functions); or
(3) any other person (whether a natural person, corporation, partnership, trust or otherwise) with total assets of at least $50,000,000.
(c) Each Purchaser located in the European Economic Area severally represents that it is a professional client within the meaning of Directive 2014/65/EU.
(d) Each Purchaser located in Canada severally makes the representations set forth in Schedule 6.1(d).
Section 6.2. Source of Funds. Each Purchaser severally represents that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a Source) to be used by such Purchaser to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser hereunder:
(a) the Source is an insurance company general account (as the term is defined in the United States Department of Labors Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE) 95-60) in respect of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for life insurance companies approved by the NAIC (the NAIC Annual Statement)) for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the total reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with such Purchasers state of domicile; or
(b) the Source is a separate account that is maintained solely in connection with such Purchasers fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account; or
(c) the Source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38 and, except as disclosed by such Purchaser to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (c), no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund; or
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(d) the Source constitutes assets of an investment fund (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14 (the QPAM Exemption)) managed by a qualified professional asset manager or QPAM (within the meaning of Part VI of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plans assets that are managed by the QPAM in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, represent more than 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part I(c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the QPAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the QPAM maintains an ownership interest in the EUR Issuer that would cause the QPAM and the EUR Issuer to be related within the meaning of Part VI(h) of the QPAM Exemption and (i) the identity of such QPAM and (ii) the names of any employee benefit plans whose assets in the investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization, represent 10% or more of the assets of such investment fund, have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (d); or
(e) the Source constitutes assets of a plan(s) (within the meaning of Part IV(h) of PTE 96-23 (the INHAM Exemption)) managed by an in-house asset manager or INHAM (within the meaning of Part IV(a) of the INHAM Exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of control in Part IV(d)(3) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 10% or more interest in the EUR Issuer and (i) the identity of such INHAM and (ii) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (e); or
(f) the Source is a governmental plan; or
(g) the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (g); or
(h) the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA.
As used in this Section 6.2, the terms employee benefit plan, governmental plan, and separate account shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in Section 3 of ERISA.
SECTION 7. INFORMATION AS TO OBLIGORS
Section 7.1. Financial and Business Information. The Obligors shall deliver to each Purchaser and each holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor:
(a) Quarterly Statements within 45 days after the end of each quarterly fiscal period in each fiscal year of Holdings (other than the last quarterly fiscal period of each such fiscal year), duplicate copies of,
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(i) a consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter, and
(ii) consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, for such quarter and (in the case of the second and third quarters) for the portion of the fiscal year ending with such quarter,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding periods in the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to quarterly financial statements generally, and certified by a Senior Financial Officer as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported on and their results of operations and cash flows, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments;
(b) Annual Statements within 120 days (or 90 days at all times after a Qualified IPO) after the end of each fiscal year of Holdings, duplicate copies of
(i) a consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year, and
(ii) consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such year,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and accompanied by an opinion thereon (without a going concern or similar qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of the audit on which such opinion is based, other than a going concern explanatory note or qualification resulting from (i) the maturity of the loans under any Indebtedness of any Obligor or Subsidiary permitted hereunder occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or (ii) anticipated (but not actual) covenant non-compliance hereunder or under Indebtedness of any Obligor or Subsidiary permitted hereunder) of independent public accountants of recognized national standing, which opinion shall state that such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported upon and their results of operations and cash flows and have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, and that the examination of such accountants in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and that such audit provides a reasonable basis for such opinion in the circumstances;
(c) SEC and other Reports promptly after (i) the same are available, and only to the extent not publicly available on EDGAR, copies of each annual report, proxy, financial statement or other periodic report sent to the stockholders of Holdings in respect of any public securities of Holdings, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which Holdings, the EUR Issuer or the Company may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Purchasers or the holders pursuant hereto and (ii) the furnishing thereof, copies of any notice of default received from or furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Obligor or Subsidiary thereof pursuant to the terms of any material indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the holders pursuant to this Section 7;
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(d) Notice of Default or Event of Default promptly, and in any event within 5 Business Days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of the existence of any Default or Event of Default or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default hereunder or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default of the type referred to in Section 11(f), a written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Obligors are taking or propose to take with respect thereto;
(e) Employee Benefits Matters the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability to a Group Member in an aggregate amount exceeding $50,000,000;
(f) Notices from Governmental Authority promptly, and in any event within 30 days of receipt thereof, copies of any notice to the Obligors or any Subsidiary from any Governmental Authority relating to any order, ruling, statute or other law or regulation that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(g) Resignation or Replacement of Auditors within 10 days following the date on which Holdingss auditors resign or Holdings changes auditors, as the case may be, notification thereof, together with such further information as the Required Holders may reasonably request;
(h) Requested Information with reasonable promptness, such other data and information relating to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Obligors or any of their Subsidiaries (including actual copies of the Obligors Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, if applicable) or relating to the ability of the Obligors to perform their respective obligations hereunder and under the Notes as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any such Purchaser or holder of a Note; and
(i) Change in Rating within 15 Business Days after a Responsible Officer receives notice of any change in credit rating or outlook on the Notes by any Designated Rating Agency, copies of such notice thereof, or copies of such credit rating or outlook from such Designated Rating Agency, including the analysis and methodologies used by the Designated Rating Agency in determining such credit rating of the Notes, if applicable, which may be delivered electronically to each holder of a Note by any method set forth in Section 7.4 for the delivery of information (i.e., email or posting on its website or IntraLinks).
Section 7.2. Compliance Certificate. Each set of financial statements delivered to a Purchaser (prior to the Closing Date) or holder of a Note pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer (the Compliance Certificate):
(a) Covenant Compliance setting forth the information from such financial statements that is required in order to establish whether the Obligors were in compliance with the requirements of Section 10.5 during the quarterly or annual period covered by the financial statements then being furnished (including with respect to each such provision that involves mathematical calculations, the information from such financial statements that is required to perform such calculations) and detailed calculations of the maximum or minimum amount, ratio or percentage, as the case may be, permissible under the terms of such Section, and the calculation of the amount, ratio or percentage then in existence. In the event that the Company or any Subsidiary has made an election to measure any financial liability using fair value (which election is being disregarded for purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement pursuant to Section 23.2) as to the period covered by any such financial statement, such Senior Financial Officers certificate as to such period shall include a reconciliation from GAAP with respect to such election;
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(b) Event of Default certifying that such Senior Financial Officer has reviewed the relevant terms hereof and has made, or caused to be made, under his or her supervision, a review of the transactions and conditions of the Obligors and the Subsidiaries thereof from the beginning of the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished to the date of the certificate and that such review shall not have disclosed the existence during such period of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or, if any such condition or event existed or exists (including any such event or condition resulting from the failure of the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any Environmental Law), specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Obligors shall have taken or proposes to take with respect thereto; and
(c) Obligors setting forth a list of all Obligor Affiliates and certifying that each Subsidiary that is required to be an Obligor Affiliate pursuant to Section 9.7 is an Obligor Affiliate, in each case, as of the date of such certificate of the Senior Financial Officer.
Section 7.3. Visitation. The Obligors shall permit the representatives of each Purchaser and each holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor:
(a) No Default if no Default or Event of Default then exists, once each calendar year at the expense of such Purchaser or such holder and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company and at a time mutually agreed with the Company, to visit the principal executive office of the Obligors, to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries with the Obligors officers, and (with the consent of the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, but subject to the rights of tenants) to visit the other offices and properties of the Obligors and each Subsidiary, in each case, once each calendar year as may be reasonably requested in writing and at a time mutually agreed with the Company; and
(b) Default if a Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of the Obligors and subject to the rights of tenants, to visit and inspect any of the offices or properties of the Obligors or any Subsidiary, to examine all their respective books of account, records, reports and other papers, to make copies and extracts therefrom (other than materials (i) that constitute trade secrets or similar commercially sensitive information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to such Purchaser or such holder (or its representatives or contractors) is prohibited by law, would violate the fiduciary duties owed by the disclosing party or would violate any binding agreement or (iii) that is subject to attorney client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product), and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers , all at such times and as often as may be requested.
Section 7.4. Electronic Delivery. Financial statements, opinions of independent certified public accountants, other information and Compliance Certificates that are required to be delivered by the Obligors pursuant to Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (c) and Section 7.2 shall be deemed to have been delivered if the Obligors satisfy any of the following requirements with respect thereto:
(a) such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or (b) and related Compliance Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 and any other information required under Section 7.1(c) are delivered to each Purchaser or holder of a Note by e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in such holders Purchaser Schedule or as communicated from time to time in a separate writing delivered to the Company; or
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(b) such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) and related Compliance Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 and any other information required under Section 7.1(c), if any, are timely posted by or on behalf of the Obligors on its home page on the internet or on IntraLinks or on any other similar website to which each holder of Notes has free access;
provided however, that in no case shall access to such financial statements, other information and Compliance Certificates be conditioned upon any waiver or other agreement or consent (other than confidentiality provisions consistent with Section 21 of this Agreement); provided further, that in the case of any of clause (b), the Company or Holdings shall have given each holder of a Note prior written notice, which may be by e-mail or in accordance with Section 19, of such posting or filing in connection with each delivery
SECTION 8. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF THE NOTES.
Section 8.1. Maturity. As provided therein, the entire unpaid principal balance of each Note shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date thereof.
Section 8.2. Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount. The EUR Issuer may, at its option, upon notice as provided below, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the Notes, in an amount not less than 5 % of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount (unless such prepayment is made within 30 days of the Maturity Date of the respective Series of Notes to be prepaid, in which case no Make-Whole Amount will be payable). The EUR Issuer will give each holder of Notes written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2 not less than 10 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment unless the EUR Issuer and the Required Holders agree to another time period pursuant to Section 17. Each such notice shall specify such date (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 8.5), and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any such notice delivered pursuant to this Section 8.2 may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of or receipt of proceeds of other Indebtedness which will be utilized to prepay the Notes in connection with the EUR Issuer exercising their prepayment rights under this Section 8.2, in which case such notice may be revoked by the EUR Issuer (by notice to the holders of Notes on or prior to the date that is 5 Business Days in advance of the date fixed for such prepayment) if such condition is not expected to be satisfied. Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the EUR Issuer shall deliver to each holder of Notes a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Make-Whole Amount as of the specified prepayment date.
Section 8.3. Prepayment for Tax Reasons. (a) If at any time as a result of a Change in Tax Law (as defined below) the EUR Issuer is or becomes obligated to make any Additional Payments (as defined below) in respect of any payment of interest on account of any of the Notes, the EUR Issuer may give the holders of all affected Notes irrevocable written notice (each, a Tax Prepayment Notice) of the prepayment of such affected Notes on a specified prepayment date (which shall be a Business Day not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice) and the circumstances giving rise to the obligation of the EUR Issuer to make any Additional Payments and the amount thereof and stating that all
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of the affected Notes shall be prepaid on the date of such prepayment at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment plus an amount equal to the Modified Make-Whole Amount for each such Note, except in the case of an affected Note if the holder of such Note shall, by written notice given to the EUR Issuer no more than 20 days after receipt of the Tax Prepayment Notice, reject such prepayment of such Note (each, a Rejection Notice). Such Tax Prepayment Notice shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Modified Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation. The form of Rejection Notice shall also accompany the Tax Prepayment Notice and shall state with respect to each Note covered thereby that execution and delivery thereof by the holder of such Note shall operate as a permanent waiver of such holders right to receive the Additional Payments arising as a result of the circumstances described in the Tax Prepayment Notice in respect of all future payments of interest on such Note (but not of such holders right to receive any Additional Payments that arise out of circumstances not described in the Tax Prepayment Notice or which exceed the amount of the Additional Payment described in the Tax Prepayment Notice), which waiver shall be binding upon all subsequent transferees of such Note. The Tax Prepayment Notice having been given as aforesaid to each holder of the affected Notes, the principal amount of such Notes together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment plus the Modified Make-Whole Amount shall become due and payable on such prepayment date, except in the case of Notes the holders of which shall timely give a Rejection Notice as aforesaid. Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the EUR Issuer shall deliver to each holder of a Note being so prepaid a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Modified Make-Whole Amount as of such prepayment date.
(b) No prepayment of the Notes pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall affect the obligation of the EUR Issuer to pay Additional Payments in respect of any payment made on or prior to the date of such prepayment. For purposes of this Section 8.3, any holder of more than one affected Note may act separately with respect to each affected Note so held (with the effect that a holder of more than one affected Note may accept such offer with respect to one or more affected Notes so held and reject such offer with respect to one or more other affected Notes so held).
(c) The EUR Issuer may not offer to prepay or prepay Notes pursuant to this Section 8.3 (i) if a Default or Event of Default then exists, (ii) until the EUR Issuer shall have taken commercially reasonable steps to mitigate the requirement to make the related Additional Payments or (iii) if the obligation to make such Additional Payments directly results or resulted from actions taken by the EUR Issuer or any Subsidiary (other than actions required to be taken under applicable law), and any Tax Prepayment Notice given pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall certify to the foregoing and describe such mitigation steps, if any.
(d) For purposes of this Section 8.3: Additional Payments means additional amounts required to be paid to a holder of any Note pursuant to Section 13 by reason of a Change in Tax Law; and a Change in Tax Law means (individually or collectively with one or more prior changes) (i) an amendment to, or change in, any law, treaty, rule or regulation of the Netherlands after the date of the Closing, or an amendment to, or change in, an official interpretation or application of such law, treaty, rule or regulation after the date of the Closing, which amendment or change is in force and continuing and meets the opinion and certification requirements described below or (ii) in the case of any other jurisdiction that becomes a Taxing Jurisdiction after the date of the Closing, an amendment to, or change in, any law, treaty, rule or regulation of such jurisdiction, or an amendment to, or change in, an official interpretation or application of such law, treaty, rule or regulation, in any case after such jurisdiction shall have become a Taxing Jurisdiction, which amendment or change is in force and continuing and meets such opinion and certification requirements. No such amendment or change shall constitute a Change in Tax Law unless the same would in the opinion of the EUR Issuer (which shall be evidenced by an Officers Certificate of the EUR Issuer and supported by a written opinion of counsel having recognized expertise in the field of taxation in the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, both of which shall be delivered to all holders of the Notes prior to or concurrently with the Tax Prepayment Notice in respect of such Change in Tax Law) affect the deduction or require the withholding of any Tax imposed by such Taxing Jurisdiction on any payment payable on the Notes.
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Section 8.4. Prepayment in Connection with a Noteholder Sanctions Event. (a) Upon the EUR Issuers receipt of notice from any Affected Noteholder that a Noteholder Sanctions Event has occurred (which notice shall refer specifically to this Section 8.4(a) and describe in reasonable detail such Noteholder Sanctions Event), the EUR Issuer shall promptly, and in any event within 10 Business Days, make an offer (the Sanctions Prepayment Offer) to prepay the entire unpaid principal amount of Notes held by such Affected Noteholder (the Affected Notes), together with interest thereon to the prepayment date selected by the EUR Issuer with respect to each Affected Note but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect thereto, which prepayment shall be on a Business Day not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after the date of the Sanctions Prepayment Offer (the Sanctions Prepayment Date). Such Sanctions Prepayment Offer shall provide that such Affected Noteholder notify the EUR Issuer in writing by a stated date, which date is not later than 10 Business Days prior to the stated Sanctions Prepayment Date, of its acceptance or rejection of such prepayment offer. If such Affected Noteholder does not notify the EUR Issuer as provided above, then the holder shall be deemed to have accepted such offer.
(b) Subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (c) and (d) of this Section 8.4, the EUR Issuer shall prepay on the Sanctions Prepayment Date the entire unpaid principal amount of the Affected Notes held by such Affected Noteholder who has accepted (or has been deemed to have accepted) such prepayment offer (in accordance with subparagraph (a)), together with interest thereon to the Sanctions Prepayment Date with respect to each such Affected Note, but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect thereto.
(c) If a Noteholder Sanctions Event has occurred but an Obligor and/or its Controlled Entities have taken such action(s) in relation to their activities so as to remedy such Noteholder Sanctions Event (with the effect that a Noteholder Sanctions Event no longer exists, as reasonably determined by such Affected Noteholder) prior to the Sanctions Prepayment Date, then the EUR Issuer shall no longer be obliged or permitted to prepay such Affected Notes in relation to such Noteholder Sanctions Event. If such Obligor and/or its Controlled Entities shall undertake any actions to remedy any such Noteholder Sanctions Event, the EUR Issuer shall keep the holders reasonably and timely informed of such actions and the results thereof.
(d) If any Affected Noteholder that has given written notice to the EUR Issuer of its acceptance of (or has been deemed to have accepted) the EUR Issuers prepayment offer in accordance with subparagraph (a) also gives notice to the EUR Issuer prior to the relevant Sanctions Prepayment Date that it has determined (in its sole discretion) that it requires clearance from any Governmental Authority in order to receive a prepayment pursuant to this Section 8.4, the principal amount of each Note held by such Affected Noteholder, together with interest accrued thereon to the date of prepayment, shall become due and payable on the later to occur of (but in no event later than the Maturity Date of the relevant Note) (i) such Sanctions Prepayment Date and (ii) the date that is 10 Business Days after such Affected Noteholder gives notice to the EUR Issuer that it is entitled to receive a prepayment pursuant to this Section 8.4 (which may include payment to an escrow account designated by such Affected Noteholder to be held in escrow for the benefit of such Affected Noteholder until such Affected Noteholder obtains such clearance from such Governmental Authority), and in any event, any such delay in accordance with the foregoing clause (ii) shall not be deemed to give rise to any Default or Event of Default.
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(e) Promptly, and in any event within 5 Business Days, after the EUR Issuers receipt of notice from any Affected Noteholder that a Noteholder Sanctions Event shall have occurred with respect to such Affected Noteholder, the EUR Issuer shall forward a copy of such notice to each other holder of Notes.
(f) The EUR Issuer shall promptly, and in any event within 10 Business Days, give written notice to the holders after any Obligor or any Controlled Entity having been notified that (i) its name appears or may in the future appear on a State Sanctions List or (ii) it is in violation of, or is subject to the imposition of sanctions under, any Sanctions, in each case which notice shall describe the facts and circumstances thereof and set forth the action, if any, that the EUR Issuer or a Controlled Entity proposes to take with respect thereto.
(g) The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.4 shall be in addition to any rights or remedies available to any holder of Notes that may arise under this Agreement as a result of the occurrence of a Noteholder Sanctions Event; provided, that, if the Notes shall have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 as a result of the events, conditions or actions of the Company or its Controlled Entities that gave rise to a Noteholder Sanctions Event, the remedies set forth in Section 12 shall control.
Section 8.5. Allocation of Partial Prepayments. In the case of each partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment.
Section 8.6. Maturity; Surrender, Etc. In the case of each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Section 8, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment, together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and in the case of any Swapped Notes, Swap Breakage Loss, if any. From and after such date, unless the EUR Issuer shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and in the case of any Swapped Notes, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the EUR Issuer and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.
Section 8.7. Purchase of Notes. The EUR Issuer will not and will not permit any Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except (a) upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes in accordance with this Agreement and the Notes or (b) pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the EUR Issuer or such Affiliate pro rata to the holders of all Notes at the time outstanding and upon the same terms and conditions. Any such offer shall provide each holder with sufficient information to enable it to make an informed decision with respect to such offer, and shall remain open for at least 15 Business Days. If the holders of more than 50% of the principal amount of the Notes then outstanding accept such offer, the EUR Issuer shall promptly notify the remaining holders of Notes of such fact and the expiration date for the acceptance by holders of Notes of such offer shall be extended by the number of days necessary to give each such remaining holder at least 5 Business Days from its receipt of such notice to accept such offer. The EUR Issuer will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate thereof pursuant to any payment or prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.
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Section 8.8. Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount.
(a) Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to Non-Swapped Notes. The terms Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount mean, with respect to any Non-Swapped Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Non-Swapped Note over the amount of such Called Principal, provided that neither the Make-Whole Amount nor the Modified Make-Whole Amount may in any event be less than zero. All payments of Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount in respect of any Non-Swapped Note shall be made in the Applicable Currency of the relevant Non-Swapped Note. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to any Non-Swapped Note, the following terms have the following meanings:
Applicable Percentage in the case of a computation of the Modified Make-Whole Amount for purposes of Section 8.3 means 1.0% (100 basis points), and in the case of a computation of the Make-Whole Amount for any other purpose means 0.50% (50 basis points).
Called Principal means the principal of such Non-Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
Discounted Value means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on the Non-Swapped Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.
Non-Swapped Note means any Note other than a Swapped Note.
Reinvestment Yield means with respect to the Called Principal of a Non-Swapped Note denominated in Euros, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the Ask Yields shown on the display designated as Page PXGE (or such other display as may replace Page PXGE) on Bloomberg Financial Markets as of 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal for the then most recently issued actively traded German federal bonds (Bundesobligationen) having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. If there are no such Bundesobligationen reported having a maturity equal to such Remaining Average Life, then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting Bundesobligationen quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the Ask Yields reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded Bundesobligationen with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
If such yields are not reported or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then Reinvestment Yield means, with respect to the Called Principal of such Non-Swapped Note denominated in Euros, the sum of (a) the Applicable Percentage plus (b) the average of the yields for such Bundesobligationen having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date as reported by three internationally recognized dealers of Bundesobligationen selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Non-Swapped Notes denominated in Euros (exclusive of Notes then owned by
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the Company and its Affiliates). If there are no such Bundesobligationen having a term equal to such Remaining Average Life, such implied yield will be determined, if necessary, by interpolating linearly between (1) the applicable Bundesobligationen with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (y) the Bundesobligationen with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.
Remaining Average Life means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and calculated to two decimal places, that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.
Remaining Scheduled Payments means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2, Section 8.3 or Section 12.1.
Settlement Date means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
(b) Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to Swapped Notes. The terms Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount mean, with respect to any Swapped Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Swapped Note Discounted Value of the Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount related to such Swapped Note over such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, provided that neither the Make-Whole Amount nor the Modified Make-Whole Amount may in any event be less than zero. All payments of Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount (i) in respect of any Swapped Note for which the Applicable Currency is US Dollars, shall be made in US Dollars and (ii) in respect of any Swapped Notes for which the Applicable Currency is Canadian Dollars, shall be made in Canadian Dollars. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount and Modified Make-Whole Amount with respect to any Swapped Note, the following terms have the following meanings:
New Swap Agreement means any cross-currency swap agreement (which does not qualify as a Replacement Swap Agreement) pursuant to which the holder of a Swapped Note is to receive payment in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, and which is entered into in full or partial replacement of an Original Swap Agreement as a result of such Original Swap Agreement having terminated for any reason. The terms of a New Swap Agreement with respect to any Swapped Note do not have to be identical to those of the Original Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note. Any holder of a Swapped Note that enters into or terminates a New Swap Agreement shall within a reasonable period of time thereafter deliver to the Company (i) an updated Purchaser Swap Schedule describing the confirmation or termination related thereto or (ii) a copy of the confirmation or termination related thereto.
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Original Swap Agreement means, with respect to any Swapped Note, (x) a cross-currency swap agreement and annexes and schedules thereto (an Initial Swap Agreement) that is entered into on an arms length basis by the original Purchaser of such Swapped Note (or any affiliate thereof) in connection with the execution of this Agreement and the purchase of such Swapped Note and relates to the scheduled payments by the Company of interest and principal on such Swapped Note, under which the Purchaser of such Swapped Note is to receive payments from the counterparty thereunder in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, and which is more particularly described on the Purchaser Swap Schedule, (y) any Initial Swap Agreement that has been assumed (without any waiver, amendment, deletion or replacement of any material economic term or provision thereof) by a holder of a Swapped Note in connection with a transfer of such Swapped Note and (z) any Replacement Swap Agreement; and a Replacement Swap Agreement means, with respect to any Swapped Note, a cross-currency swap agreement and annexes and schedules thereto with payment terms and provisions (other than a reduction in notional amount, if applicable) identical to those of the Initial Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note that is entered into on an arms length basis by the holder of such Swapped Note in full or partial replacement (by amendment, modification or otherwise) of such Initial Swap Agreement (or any subsequent Replacement Swap Agreement) in a notional amount not exceeding the outstanding principal amount of such Swapped Note following a non-scheduled partial prepayment or a partial repayment or purchase of such Swapped Note prior to its scheduled maturity or an acceleration and rescission thereof of such Swapped Note as provided in Section 12.3. Any holder of a Swapped Note that enters into, assumes or terminates an Initial Swap Agreement or Replacement Swap Agreement shall within a reasonable period of time thereafter deliver to the Company (i) an updated Purchaser Swap Schedule describing the confirmation, assumption or termination related thereto or (ii) a copy of the confirmation, assumption or termination related thereto.
Swap Agreement means, with respect to any Swapped Note, an Original Swap Agreement or a New Swap Agreement, as the case may be.
Swapped Note means any Note that, as of the date of the Closing, a Swap Agreement has been entered into in respect of such Note. A Swapped Note shall no longer be deemed a Swapped Note for so long as the related Swap Agreement ceases to be in force in respect thereof; provided that if there is any Note that is a Swapped Note outstanding as of the date on which either the Company has provided notice of prepayment or offer of prepayment or purchase of such Note pursuant to Section 8 or such Note has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, then such Note shall be deemed to be a Swapped Note until payment in full of the principal, interest and Make-Whole Amount (if any) and Swap Breakage Amount due with respect to such Note.
Swapped Note Applicable Percentage in the case of a computation of the Modified Make-Whole Amount for purposes of Section 8.3 means 1.0% (100 basis points), and in the case of a computation of the Make-Whole Amount for any other purpose means 0.50% (50 basis points).
Swapped Note Called Notional Amount means, with respect to any Swapped Note Called Principal of any Swapped Note, the payment in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, due to the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Swap Agreement to which such holder is a party, attributable to and in exchange for such Swapped Note Called Principal and assuming that such Swapped Note Called Principal is paid on its scheduled payment date, provided that if such Swap Agreement is not an Original Swap Agreement, then the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount in respect of such Swapped Note shall not exceed the amount in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, which would have been due to the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement to which such holder was a party (or if such holder was never party to an Original Swap Agreement, then the last Original Swap Agreement to which the most recent predecessor in interest to such holder as a holder of such Swapped Note was a party), attributable to and in exchange for such Swapped Note Called Principal and assuming that such Swapped Note Called Principal is paid on its scheduled payment date.
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Swapped Note Called Principal means, with respect to any Swapped Note, the principal of such Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
Swapped Note Discounted Value means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires, the amount obtained by discounting all Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments corresponding to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of such Swapped Note from their respective scheduled due dates to the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Swapped Note is payable) equal to the Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount.
Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield means,
(i) with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note for which the Applicable Currency is US Dollars, the sum of (a) the Swapped Note Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the Ask Yield(s) reported as of 10.00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, on the display designated as Page PX1 (or such other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date. If there are no such U.S. Treasury securities reported having a maturity equal to such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life, then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the Ask Yields reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life. The Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Swapped Note.
If such yields are not reported or the yields Reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note, the sum of (a) the Swapped Note Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by the U.S. Treasury constant maturity yields reported for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or any comparable successor publication) for the U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date. If there is no such U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life, such implied yield to maturity will be determined by interpolating linearly between (1) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and greater than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life and (2) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and less than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life. The Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Swapped Note.
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(ii) with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note for which the Applicable Currency is Canadian Dollars, the sum of (a) the Swapped Note Applicable Percentage plus (b) the yield to maturity implied by (i) the Ask yield(s) reported as of 10:00 A.M. (Toronto time) on the second Business Day preceding the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, on the display designated as Page PXCA on Bloomberg Financial Markets (or such other display as may replace Page PXCA on Bloomberg Financial Markets) for noncallable Government of Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with interest compounded semi-annually in arrears and having a maturity equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date or (ii) if such yields are not reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), the yield (rounded to two places) to the maturity (based on the offered price) of a noncallable Government of Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with interest compounded semi-annually in arrears and having a maturity equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date, the whole as constituting the arithmetic average of such yields as determined by two Canadian investment dealers chosen by the EUR Issuer and reasonably acceptable to the holders of the applicable Swapped Notes (at such holders expense) and, for the purposes of the foregoing, a Canadian investment dealer shall mean any Person which carries on and is licensed to carry-on the activities of intermediary in the trading of securities in the Province of Ontario. Such implied yield (as determined under the foregoing clause (i) or clause (ii) as applicable) will be determined, if necessary, by interpolating linearly between (1) the non-callable Government of Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with the maturity closest to and greater than the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of the applicable Swapped Note and (2) the non-callable Government of Canada Bond in Canadian Dollars with the maturity closest to and less than the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of the applicable Swapped Note. The Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Swapped Note.
Swapped Note Remaining Average Life means, with respect to any Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payment with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount by (b) the number of years, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and calculated to two decimal places, that will elapse between the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount and the scheduled due date of such Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payment.
Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount relating to any Swapped Note, the payments due to the holder of such Swapped Note in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, under the terms of the Swap Agreement to which such holder is a party which correspond to all payments of the Swapped Note Called Principal of such Swapped Note corresponding to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount and interest on such Swapped Note Called Principal (other than that portion of the payment due under such Swap Agreement corresponding to the interest accrued on the Swapped Note Called Principal to the Swapped Note Settlement Date) that would be due after the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount assuming that no payment of such Swapped Note Called Principal is made prior to its originally scheduled payment date, provided that (i) if such Swapped Note Settlement Date is not a date on which an interest payment is due to be made under the terms of such Swapped Note, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Swapped Note Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Swapped Note Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 12.1 and (ii) if the Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note is not an Original Swap Agreement, then the interest on such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount shall not exceed the amount in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, that would have been due with respect to such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement.
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Swapped Note Settlement Date means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note Called Principal of any Swapped Note, the date on which such Swapped Note Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
Section 8.9. Swap Breakage. (a) If any Swapped Note is prepaid or purchased pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.7 or 8.11 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 (each a Swap Unwind Event), then upon any such Swap Unwind Event (i) any resulting Swap Breakage Loss in connection therewith shall be reimbursed to the holder of such Swapped Note by the EUR Issuer in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, no later than five Business Days after the date such holder has delivered the Swap Breakage Amount Notice with respect to such Swap Unwind Event and (ii) any resulting Swap Breakage Gain in connection therewith shall be forwarded to the Company by the holder of such Swapped Note in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, no later than five Business Days after the date such holder shall have received payment in full of the principal, interest and Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount, as applicable (if any), due hereunder with respect to such Swap Unwind Event, in each case unless alternative arrangements are otherwise agreed between the Company and the holder of a Swapped Note. Each holder of a Swapped Note shall be responsible for calculating its own Swap Breakage Amount in US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, in connection with any Swap Unwind Event, and such calculations shall (unless alternative arrangements are otherwise agreed between the Company and the holder of a Swapped Note) promptly, but no longer than two Business Days following such Swap Unwind Event, be reported to the Company in writing and in reasonable detail (the Swap Breakage Amount Notice) and shall be binding on the Company absent demonstrable error.
(b) As used in this Section 8.9 Swap Breakage Amount means, with respect to the Swap Agreement associated with any Swapped Note, the amount that is received (in which case the Swap Breakage Amount shall be referred to as the Swap Breakage Gain) or paid (in which case the Swap Breakage Amount shall be referred to as the Swap Breakage Loss) by the holder of such Swapped Note in connection with a termination or amendment of its Swap Agreement resulting from a Swap Unwind Event, where:
(i) such Swap Breakage Amount shall be calculated upon the inclusion of an accelerated exchange and payment of principal amounts and associated accrued and unpaid interest, whereby in connection with and incorporated into the termination or amendment of the Swap Agreement and determination of the Swap Breakage Amount, all remaining associated principal payments otherwise scheduled through the natural duration of the Swap Agreement and associated accrued and unpaid interest shall be accelerated and made (in their respective Applicable Currencies) at the time of the settlement of such termination or amendment (or, in the case of a Swap Unwind Event resulting from a Swapped Note becoming or being declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as if such remaining associated principal payments and associated accrued and unpaid interest had been accelerated and made at the time of the settlement of such termination); and
(ii) the holder of such Swapped Note shall determine such Swap Breakage Amount in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner in accordance with customary practices for calculating such amounts under the ISDA 1992 Multi-Currency Cross Border Master Agreement or ISDA 2002 Master Agreement, as applicable (the ISDA Master Agreement) pursuant to which such holder entered into such Swap Agreement and assuming for the purpose of such calculation that there are no transactions outstanding under such ISDA Master Agreement other than such Swap Agreement,
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provided, however, that if such holder (or its predecessor-in-interest with respect to such Swapped Note) was, but is not at the time, a party to an Original Swap Agreement but is a party to a New Swap Agreement, then the Swap Breakage Amount shall mean the lesser of (x) the Swap Breakage Amount that would have been received or paid by the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement (if any) in respect of such Swapped Note to which such holder (or any affiliate thereof) was a party (or if such holder was never a party to an Original Swap Agreement, then the last Original Swap Agreement to which the most recent predecessor in interest to such holder as a holder of a Swapped Note was a party) and (y) the Swap Breakage Amount actually received or paid by the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the New Swap Agreement to which such holder (or any affiliate thereof) is a party.
Section 8.10. Payments Due on Non-Business Days. Anything in this Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, (x) except as set forth in clause (y), any payment of interest on any Note that is due on a date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day; and (y) any payment of principal of or Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount on any Note (including principal due on the Maturity Date of such Note) that is due on a date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and shall include the additional days elapsed in the computation of interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.
Section 8.11. Change in Control Prepayment Offer. (a) Promptly upon becoming aware that a Change in Control has occurred (and in any event not later than 10 Business Days thereafter), the Company shall give written notice (the Change in Control Notice) of such fact to each holder of the Notes. The Change in Control Notice shall (i) describe the facts and circumstances of such Change in Control in reasonable detail, (ii) refer to this Section 8.11 and the rights of the holders hereunder and (iii) contain an offer by the EUR Issuer to prepay the entire unpaid principal amount of Notes held by each holder at 100% of the principal amount of such Notes at par (without any make-whole, premium, penalty, Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount), together with interest accrued thereon to the prepayment date selected by the EUR Issuer, which prepayment shall be on a date specified in the Change in Control Notice, which date shall be a Business Day not less than 45 nor more than 90 days after such Change in Control Notice is given should any agreement to the contrary not be reached among the EUR Issuer and each of the holders of the Notes.
(b) A holder of Notes may accept the offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.11 by causing a notice of such acceptance to be delivered to the EUR Issuer not more than 30 days after the date of the written offer notice referred to in subsection (a) of this Section 8.11. A failure by a holder of Notes to respond to an offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.11 shall be deemed to constitute a rejection of such offer by such holder.
(c) On the prepayment date specified in the Change in Control Notice, the entire unpaid principal amount of the Notes held by each holder of Notes which has accepted such prepayment offer, together with interest accrued thereon to the prepayment date (but without any make-whole, premium, penalty, Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount), shall become due and payable.
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SECTION 9. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.
From the date of this Agreement until the Closing and thereafter, each Obligor jointly and severally covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:
Section 9.1. Compliance with Laws; Corporate Existence, Etc. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to (a)(i) preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organizational existence and good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by Section 10.2 or Section 10.8 and except, in the case of clause (i) (solely with respect to good standing of Group Members other than the Obligors) and clause (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) comply with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Company, the other Group Members and their respective directors, officers and employees with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
Section 9.2. Insurance. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, maintain, with insurance companies that the Company believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) are financially sound and reputable or with a Captive Insurance Subsidiary, insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability, product liability and business interruption) as are usually (as determined in the good faith judgment of the management of the Company) insured against in the same general area by similarly situated companies either (x) engaged in the same or a similar business or (y) with comparable EBITDA.
Section 9.3. Maintenance of Properties. Except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to keep Qualified Assets in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted.
Section 9.4. Payment of Taxes. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, file or cause to be filed all federal, state and other tax returns and reports that are required to be filed and pay all Taxes on any assessments made against it or any of its property, and all other Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than (a) the amount or validity of which are contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP are provided on the books of the relevant Group Member or (b) where the failure to file or pay, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).
Section 9.5. [Reserved].
Section 9.6. Books and Records. The Obligors will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct entries in all material respects in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities (it being understood and agreed that any Foreign Subsidiary may maintain additional individual books and records in a manner that permits preparation of its financial statements in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles that are applicable in its jurisdiction of organization and that such maintenance shall not constitute a breach of the representations, warranties or covenants hereunder).
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Section 9.7. Additional Obligor Affiliates. (a) The Obligors will cause each of their Subsidiaries (other than (i) any Subsidiary that is already a US Obligor Affiliate or (ii) any Excluded Subsidiary) that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time, whether as a borrower or an additional or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under any Material Debt Facility to concurrently therewith:
(i) enter into a Joinder Agreement acceding to this Agreement, to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as a US Obligor Affiliate, whereupon such Person shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as if their respective terms were incorporated in full into the terms of this Agreement, and guaranty, on a joint and several basis with all other such Subsidiaries, (x) the prompt payment in full when due of all amounts payable by the EUR Issuer pursuant to the Notes (whether for principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount, Swap Breakage Loss or otherwise) and this Agreement, including all indemnities, fees and expenses payable by the EUR Issuer thereunder and (y) the prompt, full and faithful performance, observance and discharge by the EUR Issuer of each and every covenant, agreement, undertaking and provision required pursuant to the Notes or this Agreement to be performed, observed or discharged by it; and
(ii) deliver the following to each holder of a Note:
(A) an executed counterpart of such Joinder Agreement;
(B) a certificate signed by an authorized responsible officer of such Subsidiary, containing representations and warranties on behalf of such Subsidiary to the same effect, mutatis mutandis, as those contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.6, and 5.7 of this Agreement (but with respect to such Subsidiary as an Obligor Affiliate);
(C) all documents as may be reasonably requested by the Required Holders to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and, where applicable, good standing of such Subsidiary and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of such Subsidiary of the execution and delivery of such Joinder Agreement and the performance by such Subsidiary of its obligations under this Agreement; and
(D) an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders covering such matters relating to such Subsidiary and such Joinder Agreement as the Required Holders may reasonably request.
(b) The Obligors will cause each of their Foreign Subsidiaries (other than any Subsidiary that is already an Obligor) that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time, whether as a borrower or an additional or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under any Material Debt Facility to concurrently therewith:
(i) enter into a Joinder Agreement acceding to this Agreement, to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as an Foreign Obligor Affiliate, whereupon such Person shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as if their respective terms were incorporated in full into the terms of this Agreement, and guaranty, on a joint and several basis with all other such Foreign Subsidiaries, (x) the prompt payment in full when due of all amounts payable by the EUR Issuer
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pursuant to the Foreign Currency Notes (whether for principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount, Swap Breakage Loss or otherwise) and this Agreement, including all indemnities, fees and expenses payable by the EUR Issuer thereunder and (y) the prompt, full and faithful performance, observance and discharge by the EUR Issuer of each and every covenant, agreement, undertaking and provision required pursuant to the Notes or this Agreement to be performed, observed or discharged by it; and
(ii) deliver the following to each holder of a Note:
(A) an executed counterpart of such Joinder Agreement;
(B) a certificate signed by an authorized responsible officer of such Subsidiary, containing representations and warranties on behalf of such Subsidiary to the same effect, mutatis mutandis, as those contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.6, and 5.7 of this Agreement (but with respect to such Subsidiary as an Obligor Affiliate);
(C) all documents as may be reasonably requested by the Required Holders to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and, where applicable, good standing of such Subsidiary and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of such Subsidiary of the execution and delivery of such Joinder Agreement and the performance by such Subsidiary of its obligations under this Agreement;
(D) an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders covering such matters relating to such Subsidiary and such Joinder Agreement as the Required Holders may reasonably request; and
(E) evidence of the acceptance by Lineage Logistics, LLC of the appointment of designation provided for by Section 23.7(e), as such Foreign Subsidiarys agent to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process for the period from the date of the Joinder Agreement to August 20, 2033.
(c) The Obligors may, from time to time at their discretion and upon written notice to the holders of Notes, cause any of their Subsidiaries which are not otherwise required to accede to this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.7(a) or 9.7(b), as applicable, to become an Obligor Affiliate and deliver the documents required by Section 9.7(a) or 9.7(b), as applicable.
(d) At the election of the Company and by written notice to each holder of Notes, any Obligor Affiliate that has acceded to this Agreement under subparagraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 9.7 may be discharged from all of its obligations and liabilities under this Agreement and shall be automatically released from its obligations thereunder without the need for the execution or delivery of any other document by the holders, provided that (i) if such Obligor Affiliate is a guarantor or is otherwise liable for or in respect of any Material Debt Facility, then such Obligor Affiliate shall have been released and discharged (or will be released and discharged concurrently with the release of such Obligor Affiliate under this Section 9.7 of this Agreement) under such Material Debt Facility, (ii) at the time of, and after giving effect to, such release and discharge, no Default or Event of Default shall be existing, (iii) no amount is then due and payable under this Agreement, (iv) if in connection with such Obligor Affiliate being released and discharged under any Material Debt Facility, any fee or other form of consideration is given to any holder of Indebtedness under such Material Debt Facility for such release, the holders of the Notes shall receive equivalent consideration substantially concurrently therewith, and (v) each holder shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying as to the matters set forth in clauses (i) through (iv). For the avoidance of doubt, the release provision of this Section 9.7(d) shall not apply to the Company or the EUR Issuer.
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Section 9.8. REIT Status. The Obligors shall cause the REIT Parent to continue to be treated as a REIT.
Section 9.9. Priority of Obligations. The Obligors will ensure that their payment obligations under this Agreement and the Notes will at all times rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Obligors.
Section 9.10. Rating. The Obligors will use reasonable efforts to ensure that at all times the Notes shall have at least one credit rating from a Designated Rating Agency. At any time that any credit rating is not a public rating, the Company will provide to each holder of a Note a copy of a letter evidencing such credit rating at least annually (such that at all times, the credit rating shall have been confirmed within the last 12 months), which letter shall (i) identify each series of Notes by Private Placement Number issued by the PPN CUSIP Unit of CUSIP Global Services, (ii) address the likelihood of payment of both the principal and interest of such Notes (which requirement shall be deemed satisfied if the rating is silent on the likelihood of payment of both principal and interest and does not otherwise include any indication to the contrary), (iii) not include any prohibition against any holder of a Note sharing such evidence with the SVO or any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such holder and (iv) setting out in reasonable detail the analysis carried out and ratings methodologies used by the Designated Rating Agency in determining such credit rating of the Notes and generally consistent with the work product that the Designated Rating Agency would produce for a similar publicly rated security and otherwise in form and substance generally required by the SVO or any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over any holder of any Notes from time to time.
SECTION 10. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.
From the date of this Agreement until the Closing and thereafter, each Obligor jointly and severally covenants (provided, that the second paragraph in Section 10.3 shall only apply to Holdings) that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:
Section 10.1. Transactions with Affiliates. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into directly or indirectly any transaction or group of related transactions (including the purchase, lease, sale or exchange of properties of any kind or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate (other than another Obligor or another Subsidiary), except:
(a) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 10.9;
(b) pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the business of such Obligor or such Subsidiary upon fair and reasonable terms not materially less favorable to such Obligor or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of such Obligor or such Subsidiary;
(c) entering into employment and severance arrangements between any Obligor (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), any Subsidiary and any of their respective officers and employees, as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of the relevant Person;
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(d) the payment of customary fees and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket costs of, and customary indemnities provided to or on behalf of, directors, officers, management, consultants and employees of any Obligor (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and their respective Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(e) the payment of fees, expenses, indemnities or other payments pursuant to, and transactions pursuant to any agreements in existence on the date of Closing and set forth on Schedule 10.1 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not materially more disadvantageous to the holders than the original agreement in effect on the date of Closing;
(f) transactions between or among (i) Subsidiaries that are not Obligors, (ii) between or among Holdings and its Subsidiaries that are Obligors (on the one hand) and any Subsidiaries that are not Obligors (on the other hand) or (iii) Holdings and its Subsidiaries;
(g) the issuance or transfer of Equity Interests in Holdings (other than any Disqualified Equity Interests) to the Investor or any Affiliate thereof, or to any current, former or future director, manager, employee or consultant (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) of Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent thereof or any Affiliate of Holdings;
(h) transactions contemplated by customary shareholders agreements entered into with holders of the Equity Interests of Holdings;
(i) the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses related to registration rights and indemnities provided to shareholders under any shareholders agreement referred to in clause (h) above;
(j) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) or advances to employees, officers, directors, members of management or consultants (or the estate, heirs, family members, spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner or any of the foregoing) of Holdings, any direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Subsidiaries and employment agreements, consulting arrangements, severance arrangements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees, officers, directors, members of management or consultants (or the estate, heirs, family members, spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner of any of the foregoing);
(k) the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement to the extent payments under such agreement or arrangement would otherwise be permitted under this Agreement;
(l) transactions permitted under Section 10.2 and/or Section 10.10 solely for the purpose of (a) reorganizing to facilitate any initial public offering of securities of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company (b) forming a holding company, or (c) reincorporating Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary in a new jurisdiction;
(m) the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business including making payments to an Affiliate to pay any Taxes due by such group that are permitted by Section 10.9;
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(n) transactions for cash management and other management services (including property and asset management services) for Holdings and its Subsidiaries on customary terms; and
(o) the issuance of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the board of directors or manager of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings or a Subsidiary, as appropriate, in good faith.
Section 10.2. Merger, Consolidation, Etc. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any merger, demerger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or reorganize itself, in the case of a Domestic Subsidiary, in any non-U.S. jurisdiction, and in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, under the laws of any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, or Dispose (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a Division or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Group Members (taken as a whole), except that:
(a) (i) any Domestic Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving Person; (ii) any Domestic Subsidiary other than the Company may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into a US Obligor Affiliate in a transaction in which the US Obligor Affiliate shall be the continuing or surviving entity or a successor by merger, consolidation or amalgamation that becomes a US Obligor Affiliate upon such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall be the continuing or surviving entity; and (iii) any Foreign Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate, arrange, combine or liquidate with or into a Foreign Obligor or a Foreign Obligor Affiliate in a transaction in which the Foreign Obligor or Foreign Obligor Affiliate, as applicable, or a successor by merger, consolidation, amalgamation, arrangement or combination that becomes a Foreign Obligor or Foreign Obligor Affiliate, as applicable, upon such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, arrangement or combination shall be the continuing or surviving entity;
(b) any Person other than Holdings may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving entity, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction and (ii) Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants;
(c) any Person other than the EUR Issuer, the Company or Holdings may merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate with or into any other Subsidiary in a transaction in which the continuing or surviving entity is a Subsidiary, if (x) at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction and (ii) Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants or (y) if both of the parties to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation are Subsidiaries but only one party is an Obligor Affiliate, the Obligor Affiliate or a successor by such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation that becomes the Obligor Affiliate upon such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation shall be the continuing or surviving entity (and, in the case where the other party to such merger or amalgamation is a Qualified Asset Owner, either the continuing or surviving entity shall be a Qualified Asset Owner or successor by amalgamation that becomes the
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Qualified Asset Owner or all Qualified Assets owned or leased by such Qualified Asset Owner shall, contemporaneously with such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or liquidation cease to be included as Qualified Assets in any calculations hereunder); provided, (1) no Domestic Subsidiary will merge, consolidate, amalgamate or liquidate into a Foreign Subsidiary, (2) if both parties to such merger or amalgamation are Obligor Affiliates and one of the parties thereto is a Qualified Asset Owner, either the Qualified Asset Owner or a successor by amalgamation that becomes the Qualified Asset Owner shall be the continuing or surviving entity or all Qualified Assets owned or leased by such Qualified Asset Owner shall, contemporaneously with such merger, cease to be included as Qualified Assets in any calculations hereunder, and (3) for the avoidance of doubt, Subsidiaries of Holdings may merge, consolidate, amalgamate, or liquidate with or into another Subsidiary in a transaction that constitutes an Investment that is permitted by Section 10.10 (other than pursuant to clause (o) of the definition of Permitted Investment);
(d) (i) any Domestic Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets to the Company or to another Domestic Subsidiary; provided that, if one of the parties to such transaction is an Obligor Affiliate, either (A) the Obligor Affiliate shall be the transferee or (B) the transaction is permitted by Section 10.8; and (ii) any Foreign Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets to the Company or to another Foreign Subsidiary; provided that, (A) if one of the parties to such transaction is the EUR Issuer, the EUR Issuer shall be the transferee, or (B) if one of the parties to such transaction is an Obligor Affiliate, either (1) the Obligor Affiliate shall be the transferee or (2) the transaction is permitted by Section 10.8; and
(e) any Subsidiary which is not an Obligor or Qualified Asset Owner may liquidate or dissolve itself if the Company determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Obligors or the Group Members.
Section 10.3. Line of Business. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to engage in any business if, as a result, the general nature of the business in which the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, would then be engaged would be substantially changed from the general nature of the business in which the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are engaged on the date of this Agreement as described in the Investor Presentation and the most recent audited financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.5.
Holdings shall not engage in any material business activities or own any material assets other than (a) ownership of the Equity Interests of the Company and other Subsidiaries, ownership of Equity Interests held pursuant to Investments permitted by this Agreement and ownership of commercially reasonable insurance policies, including director and officer, employment practices and similar liability insurance, (b) activities and contractual rights and obligations incidental to maintenance of its corporate existence (including the payment of accounting and other professional fees and expenses), (c) activities related to the payment of tax liabilities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (d) entering into confidentiality agreements, (e) entering into any transactions not prohibited under this Agreement, (f) the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and, to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement, agreements for other Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement, management agreements, transaction fee agreements, director indemnification agreements, unit appreciation rights agreements and acquisition agreements, (g) entering into, making and performing guaranties, option agreements, shareholder agreements and other incentive compensation agreements, in each case, to which Holdings is a party, (h) the transactions entered into under this Agreement on the Closing, and (i) other activities incidental to or in furtherance of any of the foregoing.
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Section 10.4. Economic Sanctions, Etc. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Controlled Entity to (a) become (including by virtue of being owned or Controlled by a Sanctioned Person), own or Control a Sanctioned Person or (b) directly or indirectly have any investment in or engage in any dealing or transaction (including any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Person if such investment, dealing or transaction (i) would cause any Purchaser or holder or any Affiliate of such holder to be in violation of, or subject to sanctions under, any law or regulation applicable to such holder, or (ii) is prohibited by or subject to sanctions under any Sanctions.
Section 10.5. Financial Covenants. The Obligors will not permit:
(a) Total Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Indebtedness to Total Asset Value (the Total Leverage Ratio) to exceed 60%; provided, that the Company may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 60% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Total Leverage Ratio exceed 65% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
(b) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) (i) EBITDA minus (ii) Maintenance Capital Expenditures to (b) Fixed Charges, each from the period of four fiscal quarters then ended, to be less than 1.5 to 1.0.
(c) Unsecured Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Unsecured Indebtedness to Unencumbered Asset Value (the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio) to exceed 60%; provided, that the Company may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 60% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Unencumbered Leverage Ratio exceed 65% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
(d) Secured Leverage Ratio. As at the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of Total Secured Indebtedness to Total Asset Value (the Secured Leverage Ratio) to exceed 40%; provided, that the Company may elect that such ratio be permitted to exceed 40% as of the last day of the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, but in no event shall the Secured Leverage Ratio exceed 45% as of the last day of any fiscal quarter.
Section 10.6. Indebtedness. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly create, issue, incur, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness (including any Capital Lease Obligations, securitizations and similar Indebtedness), other than Permitted Indebtedness, unless at the time of such creation, issuance, incurrence, assumption or sufferance thereof (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (b) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
Section 10.7. Liens. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on:
(a) any Qualified Asset, other than Permitted Encumbrances;
(b) any Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner, other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances; and
(c) any income or revenues from, or proceeds of, any of the foregoing;
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or sign, file or authorize under the Uniform Commercial Code (of any jurisdiction) a financing statement that includes in its collateral description any portion of any Qualified Asset or the Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner, or any income or revenue from, or proceeds of, any of the foregoing.
The Obligors will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) to, secure any Indebtedness outstanding under or pursuant to any Material Debt Facility unless it shall concurrently secure the Notes (and any guaranty delivered in connection therewith) equally and ratably with such Indebtedness pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders in substance and in form, including an intercreditor agreement and opinions of counsel to the Company and/or any such Subsidiary as reasonably requested, as the case may be, from counsel that is reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders.
Section 10.8. Disposition of Property. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, dispose of any property or asset, including Equity Interests owned by it and including pursuant to any sale-leaseback transaction, other than a Permitted Disposition, unless immediately before and after giving effect to such Disposition (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such Disposition, (b) on a Pro Forma Basis, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants and (c) if any Obligor Affiliate consummates a Division, the Company shall cause each Division Successor to comply with any applicable obligations under Section 9.7.
Section 10.9. Restricted Payments. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, declare or pay any dividend on, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement, cancellation, termination or other acquisition of, any Equity Interests of any Group Member, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in respect thereof, whether in cash or property (collectively, Restricted Payments), directly or indirectly, except that:
(a) the Company and any Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional limited liability company interests or its common stock (or their respective equivalents in any jurisdiction),
(b) Holdings may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional limited liability company interests,
(c) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends or distributions ratably with respect to their Equity Interests,
(d) Holdings or any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments (including for the purposes of effectuating repurchases of Equity Interests) pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of Holdings and its Subsidiaries,
(e) Holdings, the Company and their Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments to their owners (A) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto, in an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) 95% of Normalized Adjusted FFO attributable to the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended plus (2) any additional minimum amount reasonably necessary to enable any REIT Parent and REIT Subsidiary to make distributions to maintain the REIT Parents and such REIT Subsidiarys status as a REIT and avoid the imposition of U.S. federal income or excise taxes on the REIT Parent or such REIT Subsidiary and (B) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect
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thereto, in an amount not to exceed the sum of (1) the minimum amount reasonably necessary to enable any REIT Parent and REIT Subsidiary to make distributions to maintain the REIT Parents and such REIT Subsidiarys status as a REIT and avoid the imposition of U.S. federal income or excise taxes on the REIT Parent or such REIT Subsidiary, plus (2) at any time prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO: (x) $60,000,000 per fiscal year, plus (y) management fees payable by Holdings pursuant to the Operating Agreement in an amount not to exceed $30,000,000 per fiscal year,
(f) Holdings may make Restricted Payments with any amounts received by it from the Company pursuant to clause (e) of this Section,
(g) Restricted Payments to Holdings in such amounts as are necessary or appropriate to pay (i) administrative expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable directors fees, employee compensation and benefits, customary indemnity payments and payroll, social security or similar taxes) payable by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), (ii) nominal expenses to maintain the corporate existence of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), (iii) premiums and other charges necessary to maintain the insurance required under the terms of this Agreement and other commercially reasonable insurance acquired and maintained by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), including director and officer, employment practices and other similar liability insurance and (iv) the payment of business related expenses which are incurred by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) in the ordinary course of business, in each case, to the extent the incurrence of such expenses and other obligations, the taking of such actions, and the payment of such expenses and other obligations, as applicable are permitted by this Agreement,
(h) Restricted Payments, the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings to make (or to make a payment to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to enable it to make) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof,
(i) repurchases of Equity Interests in Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings), or any of its subsidiaries, deemed to occur upon cashless exercise of stock options or warrants,
(j) Restricted Payments the proceeds of which shall be used by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay fees and expenses (other than to Affiliates) related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering not prohibited by this Agreement (in the case of any such parent or indirect parent, only to the extent such parent or indirect parent does not hold material assets other than those relating to Holdings and its subsidiaries),
(k) (i) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (Retired Capital Stock) of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or contributions to the equity capital of Holdings (other than any Disqualified Equity Interests or any Equity Interests sold to a subsidiary of Holdings) (collectively, including any such contributions, Refunding Capital Stock) and (ii) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a subsidiary of Holdings) of Refunding Capital Stock,
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(l) Restricted Payments to Holdings to finance any Investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 10.10; provided, that such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing or consummation of such Investment,
(m) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, transactions expressly permitted by Section 10.1, Section 10.2, and Section 10.10, and
(n) for any taxable period in which (A) Holdings, Obligors or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a member of a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar tax group (or comparable group under foreign law), or (B) any of Holdings, Obligors or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a pass-through entity for income tax purposes (including under foreign tax law), Holdings, Obligors or their respective applicable Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments in amounts required for such of its direct or indirect owners as are members of such group, or as are required to include the income of such pass-through entity in income for Tax purposes, to pay any Taxes imposed directly on such owners, to the extent such Taxes are attributable to the income, assets or activities of such entity and only after taking into account all available credits and deductions; provided, that no such entity shall make any Restricted Payment under this provision in any amount greater than the share of such Taxes arising out of such entitys net income calculated as if such entity filed tax returns on a standalone basis.
In any event and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the extent any Subsidiary is permitted to make a Restricted Payment to Holdings for any of the foregoing purposes, such Subsidiary may, alternatively, make any such payment directly to the applicable obligee or payee of Holdings on its behalf, and such payment shall be treated, for all purposes of this Agreement as a permitted Restricted Payment.
Section 10.10. Investments. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make or allow any Investment, other than a Permitted Investment, unless immediately before and after giving effect to such Investment, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) on a Pro Forma Basis, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Financial Covenants.
Section 10.11. Negative Pledge. The Obligors will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement) that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon the ability of (a) any Group Member to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets (including the Equity Interests owned by such Group Member), (b) any Group Member to make Restricted Payments to the Company or any other Obligor or to make or repay loans or advances to the Company or any other Obligor or to guarantee the Guarantee Obligations or (c) Group Member to otherwise transfer (including by way of a pledge) property to the Company or an Obligor; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions and conditions imposed by Requirements of Law or by Contractual Obligations in effect as of the Closing (and any extensions, renewals or modifications thereof) (and, for the avoidance of doubt, such restrictions do not apply to any Qualified Asset or to the Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner unless it relates to a Permitted Encumbrance), (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary prohibitions, restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary or its assets pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary or assets that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement (including mortgage financings and CMBS Financings) if such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (and, for the
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avoidance of doubt, such restrictions do not apply to any Qualified Asset or to the Equity Interests of any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner, except to the extent permitted by clause (x) below), (iv) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to Joint Ventures that are applicable solely to such Joint Venture and entered into in the ordinary course of business, (v) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions that are customary prohibitions, restrictions or conditions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions solely relate to the assets subject thereto, (vi) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions or conditions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, (vii) the foregoing shall not apply to provisions restricting the granting of a security interest in intellectual property contained in licenses or sublicenses by the Company and its Subsidiaries of such intellectual property, which licenses and sublicenses were entered into in the ordinary course of business (in which case such prohibition or restriction shall relate only to such intellectual property), (viii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions on cash or other deposits or minimum net worth requirements imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ix) the foregoing shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in any agreement that evidences Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement that are substantially similar to, or not materially more restrictive than, those prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in this Agreement, (x) the foregoing clause (a) shall not apply to prohibitions, restrictions or conditions contained in any mortgage financing, CMBS Financing or other financing on the pledge of Equity Interests in the direct or indirect parent of an Obligor (other than a Qualified Asset Owner), Group Member (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) or a Qualified Asset Owner, (xi) the foregoing shall not apply to assets subject to retention of title and (xii) the foregoing shall not apply to any prohibitions, restrictions or conditions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (x) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions than those in place prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
SECTION 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
An Event of Default shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:
(a) the EUR Issuer defaults in the payment of any principal, Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or
(b) the EUR Issuer defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note for more than five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable, or defaults in the payment of any other amounts hereunder for more than ten Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or
(c) any Obligor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (d), 7.2 (if such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 15 days), 9.1(a)(1) (solely with respect to any Obligor or any Qualified Asset Owner), 9.7, 9.8 or 10; or
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(d) any Obligor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein (other than those referred to in Sections 11(a), (b) and (c)) and such default is not remedied within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) the Company receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a notice of default and to refer specifically to this Section 11(d)); provided, that, if such default is capable of being cured but cannot be cured within such 30 day period and so long as the applicable Obligor shall have commenced to cure such default within such 30 day period and shall be diligently pursuing such cure, the applicable Obligor shall have an additional 30 day period to cure such default; or
(e) any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of any Obligor or by any of their officers in this Agreement or in any writing furnished in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall prove to have been inaccurate or misleading in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made (or, to the extent qualified by materiality, shall be inaccurate or misleading in any respect after giving effect to such qualification when made or deemed made); or
(f) (i) any Group Member is in default (as principal or as guarantor or other surety) in the payment when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace or cure periods (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) of any principal of or premium or make-whole amount or interest on any Indebtedness that is outstanding (excluding any Indebtedness hereunder, under any Note and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) in an aggregate principal amount of (or, with respect to any Swap Contracts, a Swap Termination Value of) at least $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto, or (ii) any Group Member is in default in the performance of or compliance with any term of any agreement or condition evidencing any Indebtedness (excluding any Indebtedness hereunder, under any Note and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of (or, with respect to any Swap Contracts, a Swap Termination Value of) at least $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) and as a consequence of such default, with the giving of notice if required and after giving effect to any applicable grace periods thereunder, such Indebtedness has become, or has been declared (or one or more Persons are entitled to declare such Indebtedness to be), due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (iii) as a consequence of the occurrence or continuation of any event or condition (other than the passage of time, (x) any Group Member has become obligated to purchase or repay Indebtedness (excluding any Indebtedness hereunder, under any Note and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) before its regular maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment), or (y) one or more Persons have the right to require any Group Member so to purchase or repay Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least $100,000,000; provided that clauses (i) (other than in the case of clause (x) below), (ii) and (iii) shall not apply to (x) Secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the Disposition or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such Disposition or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness and (y) Indebtedness that is convertible into Equity Interests and has been converted to Equity Interests in accordance with its terms and such conversion is not prohibited hereunder; or
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(g) any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary (i) files, or consents by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law of any applicable jurisdiction, (ii) makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, (iv) is adjudicated as insolvent or to be liquidated, or (v) takes corporate action for the purpose of any of the foregoing; or
(h) a court or other Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction enters an order appointing, without consent by any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary, a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, or constituting an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or reorganization or any other petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any applicable jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of any Obligor or any of its Material Subsidiaries, or any such petition shall be filed against any Obligor or any of its Material Subsidiaries and such petition shall not be dismissed within 60 days; or
(i) any event occurs with respect to any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary which under any Debtor Relief Law is analogous to any of the events described in Section 11(g) or Section 11(h), provided that the applicable grace period, if any, which shall apply shall be the one applicable to the relevant proceeding which most closely corresponds to the proceeding described in Section 11(g) or Section 11(h); or
(j) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money aggregating (to the extent not covered by insurance or third-party indemnities as to which the relevant insurance company or third party has not denied coverage) in excess of $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment), including any such final order enforcing a binding arbitration decision, are rendered against one or more of the Group Members and which judgments are not, within 60 days after entry thereof, bonded, discharged or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged within 60 days after the expiration of such stay or (ii) one or more non-monetary final judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Group Member that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and there is a period of 45 consecutive days during which such judgment or decree is not vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal and, in either case, enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree; or
(k) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(l) this Agreement shall cease to be in full force and effect, any Obligor or any Person acting on behalf of any Obligor shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of this Agreement, or the obligations of any Obligor under this Agreement are not or cease to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof.
SECTION 12. REMEDIES ON DEFAULT, ETC.
Section 12.1. Acceleration. (a) If an Event of Default with respect to any Obligor described in Section 11(g), (h) or (i) has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.
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(b) If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Holders may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.
(c) If any Event of Default described in Section 11(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of Default may at any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to the EUR Issuer, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable.
Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 12.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus (x) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including interest accrued thereon at the Default Rate), (y) the Make-Whole Amount determined in respect of such principal amount and (z) with respect to any Swapped Notes, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived. The Obligors acknowledge, and the parties hereto agree, that each holder of a Note has the right to maintain its investment in the Notes free from repayment by the Obligors (except as herein specifically provided for) and that the provision for payment of a Make-Whole Amount or Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, by the Obligors in the event that the Notes are prepaid or are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, is intended to provide compensation for the deprivation of such right under such circumstances.
Section 12.2. Other Remedies. If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 12.1, the holder of any Note at the time outstanding may proceed to protect and enforce the rights of such holder by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in any Note, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.
Section 12.3. Rescission. At any time after any Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1(b) or (c), the Required Holders, by written notice to the EUR Issuer, may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (a) the EUR Issuer has paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Notes and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on any Swapped Notes, that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (b) neither the Company nor any other Person shall have paid any amounts which have become due solely by reason of such declaration, (c) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 17, and (d) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to the Notes. No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 12.4. No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc. No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any holder of any Note in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such holders rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement or any Note upon any holder thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the obligations of the Company under Section 16, the Company will pay to the holder of each Note on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of such holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including reasonable attorneys fees, expenses and disbursements.
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SECTION 13. TAX INDEMNIFICATION; FATCA INFORMATION.
(a) All payments whatsoever under this Agreement and the Notes will be made by the Obligors in lawful currency of the Applicable Currency free and clear of, and without liability for withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present or future Taxes of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction in which the Obligors (as applicable) are incorporated, organized, managed or controlled or otherwise resides for tax purposes or where a branch or office through which the Obligor (as applicable) are acting for purposes of this Agreement and the Notes is located or from or through which the Obligors (as applicable) are making any payment (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in such jurisdiction) (hereinafter a Taxing Jurisdiction), unless the withholding or deduction of such Tax is compelled by law.
(b) If any deduction or withholding for any Tax of a Taxing Jurisdiction shall at any time be required in respect of any amounts to be paid by such Obligor under this Agreement or the Notes, such Obligor will pay to the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction the full amount required to be withheld, deducted or otherwise paid before penalties attach thereto or interest accrues thereon and pay to each holder of a Note such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amounts paid to such holder pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Notes after such deduction, withholding or payment (including any required deduction or withholding of Tax on or with respect to such additional amount), shall be not less than the amounts then due and payable to such holder under the terms of this Agreement or the Notes before the assessment of such Tax, provided that no payment of any additional amounts shall be required to be made for or on account of:
(i) any Tax that (A) is imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes as a result of such holder being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or applicable lending office located in, the Taxing Jurisdiction or (B) would not have been imposed but for the existence of any present or former connection between such holder (or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member of, shareholder of, or possessor of a power over, such holder, if such holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation or any Person other than the holder to whom the Notes or any amount payable thereon is attributable for the purposes of such Tax) and the Taxing Jurisdiction, other than the mere holding of the relevant Note or the receipt of payments thereunder or in respect thereof or the exercise of remedies in respect thereof, including such holder (or such other Person described in the above parenthetical) being or having been a citizen or resident thereof, or being or having been present or engaged in trade or business therein or having or having had an establishment, office, fixed base or branch therein, provided that this exclusion shall not apply with respect to a Tax that would not have been imposed but for any Obligor, after the date of the Closing, opening an office in, moving an office to, reincorporating in, or changing the Taxing Jurisdiction from or through which payments on account of this Agreement or the Notes are made to, the Taxing Jurisdiction imposing the relevant Tax;
(ii) any Tax that would not have been imposed but for the delay or failure by such holder (following a written request by the Company) in the filing with the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction of Forms (as defined below) that are required to be filed by such holder to avoid or reduce such Taxes (including for such purpose any refilings or renewals of filings that may from time to time be required by the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction), provided that the filing of such Forms
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would not (in such holders reasonable judgment) impose any unreasonable burden (in time, resources or otherwise) on such holder or result in any confidential or proprietary income tax return information being revealed, either directly or indirectly, to any Person and such delay or failure could have been lawfully avoided by such holder, and provided further that such holder shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this clause (b)(ii) upon the good faith completion and submission of such Forms (including refilings or renewals of filings) as may be specified in a written request of the Company no later than 60 days after receipt by such holder of such written request (accompanied by copies of such Forms and related instructions, if any, all in the English language or with an English translation thereof);
(iii) any withholding Taxes imposed on an amount payable to or for the account of such holder with respect to the relevant Note pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which such holder acquires the relevant Note, except to the extent that, pursuant to this Section 13, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable to such holders assignor immediately before such holder acquired the relevant Note;
(iv) any Taxes imposed under FATCA;
(v) any Taxes imposed pursuant to the Dutch Withholding Tax Act 2021 (Wet bronbelasting 2021) in the form as at the date of this Agreement;
(vi) any Taxes assessed on a holder under the laws of the Netherlands, if and to the extent such Taxes become payable as a result of such holder having a substantial interest (aanmerkelijk belang) as defined in the Dutch Income Tax Act 2021 (Wet inkomstenbelasting 2001) in a Dutch Obligor; or
(vii) any combination of clauses (i) through (vi) above;
provided further that in no event shall any Obligor be obligated to pay such additional amounts to any holder (i) not resident in the United States of America or any other jurisdiction in which an original Purchaser is resident for tax purposes on the date of the Closing in excess of the amounts that such Obligor would be obligated to pay if such holder had been a resident of the United States of America or such other jurisdiction, as applicable, for purposes of, and eligible for the benefits of, any double taxation treaty from time to time in effect between the United States of America or such other jurisdiction and the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or (ii) registered in the name of a nominee if under the law of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (or the current regulatory interpretation of such law) securities held in the name of a nominee do not qualify for an exemption from the relevant Tax and the Company shall have given timely notice of such law or interpretation to such holder.
(c) By acceptance of any Note, the holder of such Note agrees, subject to the limitations of clause (b)(ii) above, that it will from time to time with reasonable promptness (x) duly complete and deliver to or as reasonably directed by the Company all such forms, certificates, documents and returns provided to such holder by the Company (collectively, together with instructions for completing the same, Forms) required to be filed by or on behalf of such holder in order to avoid or reduce any such Tax pursuant to the provisions of an applicable statute, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or of a tax treaty between the United States or other applicable jurisdiction and such Taxing Jurisdiction and (y) provide the Company with such information with respect to such holder as the Company may reasonably request in order to complete any such Forms, provided that nothing in this Section 13 shall require any holder to provide information with respect to any such Form or otherwise if in the opinion of such holder such Form or disclosure of information would involve the disclosure of tax return or other information that is confidential or proprietary to such holder, and provided further that each such holder
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shall be deemed to have complied with its obligation under this paragraph with respect to any Form if such Form shall have been duly completed and delivered by such holder to the Company or mailed to the appropriate taxing authority, whichever is applicable, within 60 days following a written request of the Company (which request shall be accompanied by copies of such Form and English translations of any such Form not in the English language) and, in the case of a transfer of any Note, at least 90 days prior to the relevant interest payment date.
(d) On or before the date of the Closing the Company will furnish each Purchaser with copies of the appropriate Form (and English translation if required as aforesaid) currently required to be filed in the applicable Taxing Jurisdiction pursuant to Section 13(b)(ii), if any, and in connection with the transfer of any Note the Company will furnish the transferee of such Note with copies of any Form and English translation then required.
(e) If any payment is made by any Obligor to or for the account of the holder of any Note after deduction for or on account of any Taxes, and increased payments are made by such Obligor pursuant to this Section 13, then, if such holder at its sole discretion determines that it has received or been granted a refund of such Taxes, such holder shall, to the extent that it can do so without prejudice to the retention of the amount of such refund, reimburse to such Obligor such amount as such holder shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be attributable to the relevant Taxes or deduction or withholding. Nothing herein contained shall interfere with the right of the holder of any Note to arrange its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit and, in particular, no holder of any Note shall be under any obligation to claim relief from its corporate profits or similar tax liability in respect of such Tax in priority to any other claims, reliefs, credits or deductions available to it or (other than as set forth in Section 13(b)(ii)) oblige any holder of any Note to disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any computations in respect thereof.
(f) The Company will furnish the holders of Notes, promptly and in any event within 60 days after the date of any payment by an Obligor of any Tax in respect of any amounts paid under this Agreement or the Notes, the original tax receipt issued by the relevant taxation or other authorities involved for all amounts paid as aforesaid (or if such original tax receipt is not available or must legally be kept in the possession of such Obligor, a duly certified copy of the original tax receipt or any other reasonably satisfactory evidence of payment), together with such other documentary evidence with respect to such payments as may be reasonably requested from time to time by any holder of a Note.
(g) If an Obligor is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of the taxation or other authority of any relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, to make any deduction or withholding of any Tax in respect of which such Obligor would be required to pay any additional amount under this Section 13, but for any reason does not make such deduction or withholding with the result that a liability in respect of such Tax is assessed directly against the holder of any Note, and such holder pays such liability, then such Obligor will promptly reimburse such holder for such payment (including any related interest or penalties to the extent such interest or penalties arise by virtue of a default or delay by such Obligor) upon demand by such holder accompanied by an official receipt (or a duly certified copy thereof) issued by the taxation or other authority of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction.
(h) If an Obligor makes payment to or for the account of any holder of a Note and such holder is entitled to a refund of the Tax to which such payment is attributable upon the making of a filing (other than a Form described above), then such holder shall, as soon as practicable after receiving written request from the Company (which shall specify in reasonable detail and supply the refund forms to be filed) use reasonable efforts to complete and deliver such refund forms to or as directed by the Company, subject, however, to the same limitations with respect to Forms as are set forth above.
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(i) The obligations of the Obligors under this Section 13 shall survive the payment or transfer of any Note and the provisions of this Section 13 shall also apply to successive transferees of the Notes.
(j) By acceptance of any Note, the holder of such Note agrees that such holder will with reasonable promptness duly complete and deliver to the Company, or to such other Person as may be reasonably requested by the Company, from time to time (i) in the case of any such holder that is a United States Person, such holders United States tax identification number or other Forms reasonably requested by the Company necessary to establish such holders status as a United States Person under FATCA and as may otherwise be necessary for the Obligors to comply with their obligations under FATCA and (ii) in the case of any such holder that is not a United States Person, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation as may be necessary for the Obligors to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such holder has complied with such holders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount (if any) to deduct and withhold from any such payment made to such holder. Nothing in this Section 13(j) shall require any holder to provide information that is confidential or proprietary to such holder unless the Obligors are required to obtain such information under FATCA and, in such event, the Obligors shall treat any such information it receives as confidential.
SECTION 14. REGISTRATION; EXCHANGE; SUBSTITUTION OF NOTES.
Section 14.1. Registration of Notes. The Company, on behalf of the EUR Issuer, shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes. The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. If any holder of one or more Notes is a nominee, then (a) the name and address of the beneficial owner of such Note or Notes shall also be registered in such register as an owner and holder thereof and (b) at any such beneficial owners option, either such beneficial owner or its nominee may execute any amendment, waiver or consent pursuant to this Agreement. The entries in the register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. The Company shall give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes.
Section 14.2. Transfer and Exchange of Notes. Upon surrender of any Note to the EUR Issuer at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 19(a)(iii)), for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the relevant name, address and other information for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), within 10 Business Days thereafter, the applicable issuer of such Note shall execute and deliver, at the Obligors expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes (as requested by the holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Schedule 1-A, 1-B or 1-C, as applicable. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The EUR Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than 100,000, provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a denomination of less than 100,000. Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representation set forth in Section 6.2.
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Section 14.3. Replacement of Notes. Upon receipt by the EUR Issuer at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 19(a)(iii)) of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and
(a) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, an original Purchaser or another holder of a Note with a minimum net worth of at least $50,000,000 or a Qualified Institutional Buyer, such Persons own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or
(b) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,
within 10 Business Days thereafter, the EUR Issuer at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a replacement Note, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.
SECTION 15. PAYMENTS ON NOTES.
Section 15.1. Place of Payment. Subject to Section 15.2, payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made by the EUR Issuer in lawful currency of the Applicable Currency in New York, New York at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. in such jurisdiction. The Company may at any time, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either the principal office of the Company in such jurisdiction or the principal office of a bank or trust company in such jurisdiction.
Section 15.2. Payment by Wire Transfer. So long as any Purchaser or its nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 15.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the EUR Issuer will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, interest and all other amounts becoming due hereunder by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below such Purchasers name in the Purchaser Schedule, or by such other method or at such other address as such Purchaser shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section 15.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by a Purchaser or its nominee, such Purchaser will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a new Note or Notes pursuant to Section 14.2. The Company will afford the benefits of this Section 15.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by a Purchaser under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as the Purchasers have made in this Section 15.2.
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SECTION 16. EXPENSES, ETC.
Section 16.1. Transaction Expenses ; Indemnity. (a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Obligors will pay all costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys fees of one special counsel for the holders, taken as a whole, and, if reasonably required by the Required Holders, one local or other counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction for the holders, taken as a whole) incurred by the Purchasers and each other holder of a Note in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments, waivers or consents under or in respect of this Agreement or the Notes (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent becomes effective), including: (a) the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights under this Agreement or the Notes or in responding to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with this Agreement or the Notes, or by reason of being a holder of any Note, (b) the costs and expenses, including fees of on financial advisor for all the Purchasers and the holders of the Notes, as a whole, incurred in connection with the insolvency or bankruptcy of any Obligor or any Subsidiary or in connection with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Notes and (c) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Agreement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO provided, that such costs and expenses under this clause (c) shall not exceed $5,000 per series of Notes. If required by the NAIC, the EUR Issuer shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI).
(b) The Obligors will pay, and will save each Purchaser and each other holder of a Note harmless from, (i) all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses, if any, of brokers and finders (other than those, if any, retained by a Purchaser or other holder in connection with its purchase of the Notes), (ii) any and all wire transfer fees that any bank or other financial institution deducts from any payment under such Note to such holder or otherwise charges to a holder of a Note with respect to a payment under such Note, provided such holder shall have submitted a request for such deducted amount within 30 days of the receipt of the related payment under its Note and (iii) any judgment, liability, claim, order, decree, fine, penalty, cost, fee, expense (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) or obligation resulting from the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the use of the proceeds of the Notes by the Company.
Section 16.2. Certain Taxes. The Obligors agree to pay all stamp, documentary or similar taxes or fees which may be payable in respect of the execution and delivery or the enforcement of this Agreement or the execution and delivery (but not the transfer) or the enforcement of any of the Notes in the United States or any other jurisdiction of organization of any Obligor or any other jurisdiction where any Obligor has assets or of any amendment of, or waiver or consent under or with respect to, this Agreement or of any of the Notes, and to pay any value added tax due and payable in respect of reimbursement of costs and expenses by the Company pursuant to this Section 16 to the extent the relevant Purchaser or holder of a Note (as the case may be) determines that such value added tax is otherwise irrecoverable by such Purchaser or holder of a Note or Affiliate thereof, and will save each holder of a Note to the extent permitted by applicable law harmless against any loss or liability resulting from nonpayment or delay in payment of any such tax or fee required to be paid by the Company hereunder.
Section 16.3. Survival. The obligations of the Obligors under this Section 16 will survive the payment or transfer of any Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the Notes, and the termination of this Agreement.
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SECTION 17. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Notes, the purchase or transfer by any Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of such Purchaser or any other holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties of such Obligor under this Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement and the Notes embody the entire agreement and understanding among each Purchaser and the Obligors and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
SECTION 18. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.
Section 18.1. Requirements. This Agreement and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Obligors and the Required Holders, except that:
(a) no amendment or waiver of any of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 22 hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), will be effective as to any Purchaser unless consented to by such Purchaser in writing; and
(b) no amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of each Purchaser and the holder of each Note at the time outstanding, (i) subject to Section 12 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of (x) interest on the Notes or (y) the Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, (ii) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment or waiver or the principal amount of the Notes that the Purchasers are to purchase pursuant to Section 2 upon the satisfaction of the conditions to Closing that appear in Section 4, or (iii) amend any of Sections 8 (except as set forth in the second sentence of Section 8.2), 11(a), 11(b), 12, 18, 21 or 23.1, or any defined term as used in such Sections.
Section 18.2. Solicitation of Holders of Notes.
(a) Solicitation. The Company will provide each Purchaser and each holder of a Note with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such Purchaser and such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof or of the Notes. The Company will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to this Section 18 to each Purchaser and each holder of a Note promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite Purchasers or holders of Notes.
(b) Payment. None of the Obligors will directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any Purchaser or holder of a Note as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by such Purchaser or holder of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof or of any Note unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each Purchaser and each holder of a Note even if such Purchaser or holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.
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(c) Consent in Contemplation of Transfer. Any consent given pursuant to this Section 18 by a holder of a Note that has transferred or has agreed to transfer its Note to (i) the EUR Issuer, (ii) the Company, (iii) Holdings, (iv) any Subsidiary or (v) any other Affiliate of the Obligors or (vi) any other Person in connection with, or in anticipation of, such other Person acquiring, making a tender offer for or merging with any Obligor and/or any of its Affiliates, in each case in connection with such consent, shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder, and any amendments effected or waivers granted or to be effected or granted that would not have been or would not be so effected or granted but for such consent (and the consents of all other holders of Notes that were acquired under the same or similar conditions) shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder.
Section 18.3. Binding Effect, Etc. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 18 applies equally to all Purchasers and holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon each Obligor without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between the Obligors and any Purchaser or holder of a Note and no delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any Purchaser or holder of such Note.
Section 18.4. Notes Held by Company, Etc. Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in any Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.
SECTION 19. NOTICES; ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
(a) Except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 7.4, all notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by facsimile or electronic transmission if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by an internationally recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), or (b) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid), or (c) by an internationally recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent:
(i) if to any Purchaser or its nominee, to such Purchaser or nominee at the address specified for such communications in the Purchaser Schedule, or at such other address as such Purchaser or nominee shall have specified to the EUR Issuer in writing,
(ii) if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the EUR Issuer in writing, or
(iii) if to any Obligor, to the Company at its address set forth at the beginning hereof to the attention of Treasurer, or at such other address as the Company, the EUR Issuer or Holdings shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing, with a copy to Lineage Logistics, LLC Attn: Legal Department, 1 Park Plaza, Suite 550, Irvine, CA 92614.
Notices under this Section 19 will be deemed given only when actually received.
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(b) Each document, instrument, financial statement, report, notice or other communication delivered in connection with this Agreement shall be in English or accompanied by an English translation thereof.
(c) This Agreement and the Notes have been prepared and signed in English and the parties hereto agree that the English version hereof and thereof (to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law) shall be the only version valid for the purpose of the interpretation and construction hereof and thereof notwithstanding the preparation of any translation into another language hereof or thereof, whether official or otherwise or whether prepared in relation to any proceedings which may be brought in the Netherlands or any other jurisdiction in respect hereof or thereof.
SECTION 20. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS.
This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by any Purchaser at the Closing (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to any Purchaser, may be reproduced by such Purchaser by any photographic, photostatic, electronic, digital, or other similar process and such Purchaser may destroy any original document so reproduced. The Obligors agree and stipulate that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Purchaser in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 19 shall not prohibit the EUR Issuer, the Company, Holdings or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.
SECTION 21. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
For the purposes of this Section 21, Confidential Information means information delivered to any Purchaser by or on behalf of the Company, Holdings or any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and (i) that was clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by such Purchaser as being confidential information of the Company, Holdings or such Subsidiary or (ii) that a reasonable person would expect to be treated as confidential under the circumstances of its disclosure, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to such Purchaser prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Purchaser or any Person acting on such Purchasers behalf, (c) otherwise becomes known to such Purchaser other than through disclosure by the Company, Holdings or any Subsidiary or (d) constitutes financial statements delivered to such Purchaser under Section 7.1 that are otherwise publicly available. Each Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in accordance with procedures adopted by such Purchaser in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Purchaser, and agrees to, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law from doing so, give the Company prompt written notice of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information, and assist the Company in remedying any such unauthorized use or disclosure, provided that such Purchaser may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, trustees and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by its Notes and such recipient is notified of its obligation to maintain confidentiality of such information), (ii) its auditors, financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with this Section 21,
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(iii) any other holder of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor to which it sells or offers to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by this Section 21), (v) any Person from which it offers to purchase any Security of Holdings or the Company (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by this Section 20), (vi) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Purchaser, (vii) the NAIC or the SVO or, in each case, any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about such Purchasers investment portfolio, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Purchaser, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which such Purchaser is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Purchaser may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Purchasers Notes or this Agreement and, in the event Confidential Information is so required to be disclosed pursuant to any of the foregoing clauses (w), (x) or (y), the applicable Purchaser agrees to disclose such required Confidential Information to the minimum extent required and (other than at the request of a regulatory authority, governmental agency or pursuant to a broad based subpoena or similar discovery process, in each case, not directly related to any Obligor or the transactions contemplated hereby), such Purchaser shall provide the Company with prompt written notice (unless such notification shall be prohibited by applicable law or legal process) of such permitted disclosure. To the extent that any breach of terms of this Section 21 occurs, the Purchaser that has breached this Section 21 agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Company in restricting or preventing such further breaches. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 21 as though it were a party to this Agreement. On reasonable request by the Company or Holdings in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder (other than a holder that is a party to this Agreement or its nominee), such holder will enter into an agreement with the Company or Holdings embodying this Section 21.
In the event that as a condition to receiving access to information relating to Holdings, the Company or their Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, any Purchaser or holder of a Note is required to agree to a confidentiality undertaking (whether through IntraLinks, another secure website, a secure virtual workspace or otherwise) which is different from this Section 21, this Section 21 shall not be amended thereby and, as between such Purchaser or such holder and the Company or Holdings, as applicable, this Section 21 shall supersede any such other confidentiality undertaking.
SECTION 22. SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER.
Each Purchaser shall have the right to substitute any one of its Affiliates or another Purchaser or any one of such other Purchasers Affiliates (a Substitute Purchaser) as the purchaser of the Notes that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, by written notice to the EUR Issuer, which notice shall be signed by both such Purchaser and such Substitute Purchaser, shall contain such Substitute Purchasers agreement to be bound by this Agreement and shall contain a confirmation by such Substitute Purchaser of the accuracy with respect to it of the representations set forth in Section 6. Upon receipt of such notice, any reference to such Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 22), shall be deemed to refer to such Substitute Purchaser in lieu of such original Purchaser. In the event that such Substitute Purchaser is so substituted as a Purchaser hereunder and such Substitute Purchaser thereafter transfers to such original Purchaser all of the Notes then held by such Substitute Purchaser, upon receipt by the EUR Issuer of notice of such transfer, any reference to such Substitute Purchaser as a Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 22), shall no longer be deemed to refer to such Substitute Purchaser, but shall refer to such original Purchaser, and such original Purchaser shall again have all the rights of an original holder of the Notes under this Agreement.
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SECTION 23. MISCELLANEOUS.
Section 23.1. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not, except that, subject to Section 10.2, no Obligor may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or (in the case of the EUR Issuer) under the Notes without the prior written consent of each holder. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 23.2. Accounting Terms. All accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this Agreement have the meanings respectively given to them in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, (i) all computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with GAAP and (ii) all financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement (including Section 9, Section 10 and the definition of Indebtedness), any election by the Company or Holdings to measure any financial liability using fair value (as permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 825-10-25 Fair Value Option, International Accounting Standard 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or any similar accounting standard) shall be disregarded and such determination shall be made as if such election had not been made.
Section 23.3. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that 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 (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 23.4. Construction, Etc. Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.
Defined terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein) and, for purposes of the Notes, shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 14, (b) subject to Section 23.1, any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, (c) the words herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Sections and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Sections of, and Schedules to, this Agreement, and (e) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
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Section 23.5. Counterparts; Electronic 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. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto. The parties agree to electronic contracting and signatures with respect to this Agreement. Delivery of an electronic signature to, or a signed copy of, this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic transmission shall be fully binding on the parties to the same extent as the delivery of the signed originals and shall be admissible into evidence for all purposes. The words execution, execute, signed, signature and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Company, 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. For the avoidance of doubt, the EUR Issuer acknowledges and agrees that manually signed counterpart signatures to the Notes are required to be delivered at the Closing.
Section 23.6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
Section 23.7. Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) Each of the Obligors irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Notes. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Obligors irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(b) Each of the Obligors agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that a final judgment in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 23.7(a) brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon it subject to rights of appeal, as the case may be, and may be enforced in the courts of the United States of America or the State of New York (or any other courts to the jurisdiction of which it or any of its assets is or may be subject) by a suit upon such judgment.
(c) Each of the Obligors consents to process being served by or on behalf of any holder of Notes in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 23.7(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered, certified, priority or express mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, return receipt or delivery confirmation requested, to it at its address specified in Section 19, to Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377, as its agent for the purpose of accepting service of any process in the United States, with a copy to Lineage Logistics, LLC Attn: Legal Department, 1 Park Plaza, Suite 550, Irvine, CA 92614. Each of the Obligors agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it. Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service.
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(d) Nothing in this Section 23.7 shall affect the right of any holder of a Note to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders of any of the Notes may have to bring proceedings against the Obligors in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.
(e) Each Obligor hereby irrevocably appoints Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377 to receive for it, and on its behalf, service of process in the United States, from the Closing Date through August 20, 2032. Lineage Logistics, LLC hereby accepts its irrevocable appointment as agent for service of process for each Obligor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(f) THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT ON OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH.
Section 23.8. Obligation to Make Payments in Applicable Currency. (a) Any payment by an Obligor on account of an amount that is payable hereunder or under a Note in the Applicable Currency that is made to or for the account of any holder of such Note in any other currency, whether as a result of any judgment or order or the enforcement thereof or the liquidation of such Obligor, shall constitute a discharge of the obligation of such Obligor under this Agreement or the Notes, as the case may be, only to the extent of the amount of the Applicable Currency that such holder could purchase in the foreign exchange markets in London, England, with the amount of such other currency in accordance with normal banking procedures at the rate of exchange prevailing on the London Banking Day following receipt of the payment first referred to above. If the amount of the Applicable Currency that could be so purchased is less than the amount of the Applicable Currency originally due to such holder, the Obligors agree to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and save harmless such holder from and against all loss or damage arising out of or as a result of such deficiency.
(b) Any payment under any provision of this Agreement (other than as otherwise specified in Section 23.8(a)) shall be in U.S. Dollars and any such payment made in any other currency, whether as a result of any judgment or order or the enforcement thereof or the liquidation of either Obligor, shall constitute a discharge of the obligation of the relevant Obligor hereunder only to the extent of the amount of US Dollars that the relevant holder of Notes could purchase in the foreign exchange markets in London, England, with the amount of such other currency in accordance with normal banking procedures at the rate of exchange prevailing on the London Banking Day following receipt of the payment first referred to above. If the amount of US Dollars that could be so purchased is less than the amount of US Dollars originally due to such holder, the Obligors agree to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and save harmless such holder from and against all loss or damage arising out of or as a result of such deficiency.
(c) The indemnities contained in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, constitute obligations separate and independent from the other obligations contained in this Agreement and the Notes, as the case may be, shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by such holder from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum in respect of an amount due hereunder or under the Notes or under any judgment or order. As used herein the term London Banking Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in London, England.
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Section 23.9. [Reserved].
Section 23.10. Guernsey Terms. In this Agreement, where it relates to any Obligor organized in the island of Guernsey, a reference to: (a) a liquidator, trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer includes the HM Sheriff of the Royal Court of Guernsey or any other person performing the same function of the foregoing; (b) any analogous procedure or step being taken under any Debtor Relief Law in Guernsey includes: (i) any step taken in connection with the commencement of proceedings towards the making of a declaration that the affairs of such Guernsey Obligor are en désastre (or the making of such a declaration); (ii) any step is taken in connection with the commencement of proceedings towards the making of an application for a preliminary vesting order in saisie proceedings in Guernsey in respect of any realty of such Guernsey Obligor (or the making of such a preliminary vesting order); and (c) any insolvency, winding-up, administration or similar proceedings includes any procedure or proceedings referred to in Parts XXI and XXIII of The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 as amended.
SECTION 24. JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGORS.
Section 24.1. US Joint and Several Liability. (a) Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate hereby agrees it is jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably liable (together with the EUR Issuer) to each of the holders for:
(i) the full and prompt payment of the principal of, interest, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on the Notes when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and the prompt payment of all sums that are now or will hereafter become due and owing under the Notes or this Agreement;
(ii) the payment of all US Joint and Several Enforcement Costs (as defined in Section 24.4 below); and
(iii) the full, complete, and punctual observance, performance, and satisfaction of all of the obligations, duties, covenants, and agreements of the EUR Issuer under this Agreement.
All amounts due, debts, liabilities, and payment obligations described in subparagraph (i) of this Section 24.1(a) are referred to herein as the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness. All obligations described in this Section 24.1(a) are referred to herein as the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
(b) In the event of any default by the EUR Issuer in making payment of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, or in performance of the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations, as aforesaid, in each case beyond the expiration of any applicable grace period, Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate agrees, on demand by the holders, to pay all the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and to perform all the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations as are then or thereafter become due and owing or are to be performed under the terms of the Notes and this Agreement.
(c) Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate does hereby waive (i) any and all notices and demands of every kind that may be required to be given by any law, (ii) any defense or right of set-off that it may have against the EUR Issuer or that it or the EUR Issuer may have against any holder of a Note, (iii) presentment for payment, demand for payment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b) above), notice of nonpayment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b)
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above) or dishonor, protest and notice of protest, diligence in collection and any and all formalities that otherwise might be legally required to charge Holdings, the Company or such US Obligor Affiliate with liability, (iv) any defense based on the failure by the holders to inform it of any fact that the holders may now or hereafter know about the EUR Issuer, the Notes, this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, it being understood and agreed that the holders have no duty so to inform and that Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate is fully responsible for being and remaining informed by the EUR Issuer of all circumstances bearing on the existence or creation, or the risk of nonpayment of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the risk of nonperformance of the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations, and (v) any and all right to cause a marshalling of assets of the EUR Issuer or any other action by any court or governmental body with respect thereto, or to cause the holders to proceed against any other security given another holder in connection with the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations. The holders shall have no obligation to disclose or discuss with Holdings such holders assessment of the financial condition of the EUR Issuer. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate acknowledges that no representations of any kind whatsoever have been made by the holders to Holdings, except as expressly set forth in Section 6 herein.
(d) Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate further agrees that its liability as joint and several obligors shall in no way be impaired by any renewals or extensions that may be made from time to time, with or without the knowledge or consent of Holdings, the Company or such US Obligor Affiliate of the time for payment of interest or principal under a Note, any Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or any Swap Breakage Loss or by any forbearance or delay in collecting interest or principal under a Note, or by any waiver by any holder, or by any holders failure or election not to pursue any other remedies it may have against the EUR Issuer, or by any change or modification in a Note or this Agreement, or by the acceptance by any holder of any security or any increase, substitution or change therein, or by the release by any holder of any security or any withdrawal thereof or decrease therein, or by the application of payments received from any source to the payment of any obligation other than the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, (unless such payment was expressly directed to be applied to the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and such direction was made in accordance with this Agreement) even though a holder may lawfully have elected to apply such payments to any part or all of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, it being the intent hereof that Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate shall remain liable as principal for payment of the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and performance of the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations until all Indebtedness has been paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations) and the other terms, covenants and conditions of this Agreement, the Notes, and this Section 24 have been performed. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate further understands and agrees that the holders may at any time enter into agreements with the EUR Issuer to amend or modify a Note or this Agreement and may waive or release any provision or provisions of a Note or this Agreement and, with reference to such instruments, may make and enter into any such agreement or agreements as the holders and the EUR Issuer, Holdings and Obligor Affiliates may deem proper and desirable, without in any manner impairing the guaranty in this Section 24 or any of the holders rights hereunder or any of Holdingss, the Companys or such US Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24.
Section 24.2. Foreign Joint and Several Liability. (a)The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate hereby agrees it is jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably liable to each of the holders for:
(i) the full and prompt payment of the principal of, interest, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on the Foreign Currency Notes when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and the prompt payment of all sums that are now or will hereafter become due and owing under the Foreign Currency Notes or this Agreement;
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(ii) the payment of all Foreign Joint and Several Enforcement Costs (as defined in Section 24.4 below); and
(iii) the full, complete, and punctual observance, performance, and satisfaction of all of the obligations, duties, covenants, and agreements of the EUR Issuer under this Agreement.
All amounts due, debts, liabilities, and payment obligations described in subparagraph (i) of this Section 24.2(a) are referred to herein as the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness. All obligations described in this Section 24.2(a) are referred to herein as the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
(b) In the event of any default by the EUR Issuer in making payment of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, or in performance of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations, as aforesaid, in each case beyond the expiration of any applicable grace period, the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate agrees, on demand by the holders, to pay all the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and to perform all the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations as are then or thereafter become due and owing or are to be performed under the terms of the Foreign Currency Notes and this Agreement.
(c) The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate does hereby waive (i) any and all notices and demands of every kind that may be required to be given by any law, (ii) any defense or right of set-off that it may have against the EUR Issuer or that it or the EUR Issuer may have against any holder of a Foreign Currency Note, (iii) presentment for payment, demand for payment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b) above), notice of nonpayment (other than as provided for in paragraph (b) above) or dishonor, protest and notice of protest, diligence in collection and any and all formalities that otherwise might be legally required to charge the EUR Issuer or such Foreign Obligor Affiliate with liability, (iv) any defense based on the failure by the holders to inform it of any fact that the holders may now or hereafter know about the EUR Issuer, the Foreign Currency Notes, this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, it being understood and agreed that the holders have no duty so to inform and that the EUR Issuer and Foreign Obligor Affiliates are fully responsible for being and remaining informed by the EUR Issuer of all circumstances bearing on the existence or creation, or the risk of nonpayment of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the risk of nonperformance of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations, and (v) any and all right to cause a marshalling of assets of the EUR Issuer or any other action by any court or governmental body with respect thereto, or to cause the holders to proceed against any other security given another holder in connection with the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness or the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations. The holders shall have no obligation to disclose or discuss with the EUR Issuer or any Foreign Obligor Affiliate such holders assessment of the financial condition of the EUR Issuer. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate acknowledges that no representations of any kind whatsoever have been made by the holders to the EUR Issuer or any Foreign Obligor Affiliate, except as expressly set forth in Section 6 herein.
(d) The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate further agrees that its liability as joint and several obligors shall in no way be impaired by any renewals or extensions that may be made from time to time, with or without the knowledge or consent of the EUR Issuer or such Foreign Obligor Affiliate of the time for payment of interest or principal under a Foreign Currency Note, any Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount or any Swap Breakage Loss or by any forbearance or delay in collecting interest or principal under a Foreign Currency Note, or by any waiver by any holder, or by any holders failure or election not to pursue any other remedies it may have against the EUR Issuer, or by any change or modification in a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement, or by the acceptance by any holder of any
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security or any increase, substitution or change therein, or by the release by any holder of any security or any withdrawal thereof or decrease therein, or by the application of payments received from any source to the payment of any obligation other than the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, (unless such payment was expressly directed to be applied to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and such direction was made in accordance with this Agreement) even though a holder may lawfully have elected to apply such payments to any part or all of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, it being the intent hereof that the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate shall remain liable as principal for payment of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and performance of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations until all Indebtedness has been paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations) and the other terms, covenants and conditions of this Agreement, the Foreign Currency Notes, and this Section 24 have been performed. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate further understands and agrees that the holders may at any time enter into agreements with the EUR Issuer to amend or modify a Foreign Currency Note, or this Agreement and may waive or release any provision or provisions of a Note or this Agreement and, with reference to such instruments, may make and enter into any such agreement or agreements as the holders, the EUR Issuer, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates may deem proper and desirable, without in any manner impairing the guaranty in this Section 24 or any of the holders rights hereunder or any of the EUR Issuers or any of the Foreign Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement and in particular this Section 24, the obligations expressed to be assumed in this Agreement and in particular this Section 24 (a) shall be deemed not to be assumed by a Danish Obligor Affiliate or by a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Danish Obligor Affiliate (and any security or guarantee created in relation thereto shall be limited) if and to the extent required to comply with Danish statutory provisions on unlawful financial assistance including, but not limited to, sections 206 through 212 of the Danish Companies Act (in Danish: selskabsloven) as amended and supplemented from time to time and (b) shall, in relation to obligations not incurred as a result of borrowings under the Principal Credit Facility by the Danish Obligor Affiliate, further be limited to an amount equal to the greater of (A) the equity of the Danish Obligor Affiliate at the date of this Agreement or, as the case may be, the date of the Danish Obligor Affiliates accession to this Agreement and (B) the equity at the date when a claim for payment is made against the Danish Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement, in each case calculated in accordance with the Danish Obligor Affiliates generally accepted accounting principles at the relevant time (including, if applied by the Danish Obligor Affiliate, IFRS), however, adjusted upwards by adding back obligations (in the amounts outstanding at the time when a claim for payment is made) of the Danish Obligor Affiliate (and its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) in respect of any intercompany loan owing by the Danish Obligor Affiliate (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) to a Borrower (as defined in the Principal Credit Facility) and originally borrowed by that Borrower under the Principal Credit Facility and on-lent (directly or indirectly) by that Borrower to the Danish Obligor Affiliate (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) provided always that any payment made by the Danish Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement in respect of such liabilities shall reduce pro tanto the outstanding amount of the intercompany loan owing by the Danish Obligor Affiliate (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries). The above limitations shall apply to any security by guarantee, indemnity, collateral or otherwise and to subordination of rights and claims, subordination or turnover of rights of recourse, application of proceeds and any other means of direct and indirect financial assistance.
(f) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the obligations expressed to be assumed in this Agreement by a Foreign Obligor Affiliate incorporated in Norway (each a Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate) shall be limited if (and only if) required by the mandatory provisions of the Norwegian Limited Companies Act of 13 June 1997 No. 44 (Nw. aksjeloven) (the Norwegian Companies Act), including Sections 8-7 and 8-10 cf. Sections 1-3, regulating unlawful financial assistance and other restrictions on a Norwegian limited liability companys ability to grant guarantees, loans or security interests. It is understood that the obligations and liabilities of each Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate shall always be interpreted so as to make each Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate liable to the fullest extent permitted by the above provisions of the Norwegian Companies Act.
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The liability of each Norwegian Foreign Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement shall be limited to USD $2,500,000,000 plus any unpaid amount of interest, fees and expenses in respect of the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
(d) the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate irrevocably and unconditionally abandons and waives any right it may have at any time under the existing or future laws of Guernsey:
(e) whether by virtue of the droit de discussion or otherwise that recourse be had to the assets of any person before any claim is enforced against that EUR Issuer or Foreign Obligor Affiliate (as the case may be) in respect of the obligations or liabilities assumed by it under this Agreement; and
(f) whether by virtue of the droit de division or otherwise to require that any liability under this Agreement be divided or apportioned with any other person or reduced in any manner whatsoever.
Section 24.3. Obligations Absolute and Unconditional.
(a) The obligations of Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be a complete, present and continuing joint and several obligation of payment and performance and not just of collection. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate agrees that its obligations under this Section 24 shall be joint and several with any and any other Guarantees given in connection with this Agreement and the Notes from time to time. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate agrees that the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations in this Section 24 may be enforced by the holders without the necessity at any time of resorting to or exhausting any security or collateral, if any, given in connection herewith or with a Note or this Agreement or by or resorting to any other guaranties, and Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate hereby waives the right to require any holder to join Holdings, the Company or any US Obligor Affiliate in any action brought under this Agreement or the Notes or to commence any action against or obtain any judgment against the EUR Issuer or to pursue any other remedy or enforce any other right. Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate further agrees that nothing contained herein or otherwise shall prevent any holder from pursuing concurrently or successively all rights and remedies available to them at law and/or in equity or under a Note or this Agreement, and the exercise of any of their rights or the completion of any of their remedies shall not constitute a discharge of any of Holdingss, the Companys or such US Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24, it being the purpose and intent of Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate that the obligations of Holdings, the Company and each US Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be absolute, independent and unconditional under any and all circumstances whatsoever. None of Holdingss, the Companys or US Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24 nor any remedy for the enforcement thereof shall be impaired, modified, changed or released in any manner whatsoever by any impairment, modification, change, release or limitation of the liability of the EUR Issuer under a Note or this Agreement or by reason of the EUR Issuers bankruptcy or by reason of any creditor or bankruptcy proceeding instituted by or against the EUR Issuer. This joint and several obligation shall continue to be effective and be deemed to have continued in existence or be reinstated (as the case may be) if at any time payment of all or any part of any sum payable pursuant to a Note or this Agreement is rescinded or otherwise required to be returned by the payee upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the payor, all as though such payment to such holder had not been made, regardless of whether such holder contested the order requiring the return of such payment. The obligations of Holdings pursuant to the preceding sentence shall survive any termination, cancellation, or release of these US Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
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(b) The obligations of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be a complete, present and continuing joint and several obligation of payment and performance and not just of collection. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate agrees that its obligations under this Section 24 shall be joint and several with any and any other Guarantees given in connection with this Agreement with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations and the Foreign Currency Notes from time to time. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate agrees that the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations in this Section 24 may be enforced by the holders without the necessity at any time of resorting to or exhausting any security or collateral, if any, given in connection herewith or with a Note or this Agreement or by or resorting to any other guaranties, and the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate hereby waives the right to require any holder to join the EUR Issuer or any Foreign Obligor Affiliate in any action brought under this Agreement or the Foreign Currency Notes or to commence any action against or obtain any judgment against the EUR Issuer or to pursue any other remedy or enforce any other right. The EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate further agrees that nothing contained herein or otherwise shall prevent any holder from pursuing concurrently or successively all rights and remedies available to them at law and/or in equity or under a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations), and the exercise of any of their rights or the completion of any of their remedies shall not constitute a discharge of any of the EUR Issuers or such Foreign Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24, it being the purpose and intent of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate that the obligations of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate under this Section 24 shall be absolute, independent and unconditional under any and all circumstances whatsoever. None of the EUR Issuers or Foreign Obligor Affiliates obligations under this Section 24 nor any remedy for the enforcement thereof shall be impaired, modified, changed or released in any manner whatsoever by any impairment, modification, change, release or limitation of the liability of the EUR Issuer under a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or by reason of the EUR Issuers bankruptcy or by reason of any creditor or bankruptcy proceeding instituted by or against the EUR Issuer. This joint and several obligation shall continue to be effective and be deemed to have continued in existence or be reinstated (as the case may be) if at any time payment of all or any part of any sum payable pursuant to a Foreign Currency Note or this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) is rescinded or otherwise required to be returned by the payee upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the payor, all as though such payment to such holder had not been made, regardless of whether such holder contested the order requiring the return of such payment. The obligations of the EUR Issuer and each Foreign Obligor Affiliate pursuant to the preceding sentence shall survive any termination, cancellation, or release of these Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
Section 24.4. Enforcement Costs. (a) If: (i) this Agreement (including this guaranty) or a Note are placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or is collected through any legal proceeding; (ii) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, or other proceedings affecting creditors rights and involving a claim under this Agreement (including these US Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Note; (iii) an attorney is retained to provide advice or other representation with respect to this Agreement or the Notes in connection with an enforcement action or potential enforcement action; or (iv) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any other legal proceedings whatsoever in connection with this Agreement (including these US Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Note, or any property securing the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, then Holdings, the Company and such US Obligor Affiliates shall pay to such holder upon demand all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys fees, costs and expenses actually incurred, including, without limitation, court costs, filing fees and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith (the US Joint and Several Enforcement Costs), in addition to, but without duplication of, all other amounts due hereunder.
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(b) If: (i) this Agreement (including this guaranty) or a Note are placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or is collected through any legal proceeding; (ii) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership, or other proceedings affecting creditors rights and involving a claim under this Agreement (with respect to Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Foreign Currency Note; (iii) an attorney is retained to provide advice or other representation with respect to this Agreement (with respect to the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or the Foreign Currency Notes in connection with an enforcement action or potential enforcement action; or (iv) an attorney is retained to represent any holder in any other legal proceedings whatsoever in connection with this Agreement (with respect to Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations) or a Foreign Currency Note, or any property securing the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness, then the EUR Issuer and such Obligor Affiliate shall pay to such holder upon demand all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys fees, costs and expenses actually incurred, including, without limitation, court costs, filing fees and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith (the Foreign Joint and Several Enforcement Costs), in addition to, but without duplication of, all other amounts due hereunder.
Section 24.5. Subrogation. Holdings, the EUR Issuer and each Obligor Affiliate hereby subordinates to the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness any and all claims and rights, including, without limitation, subrogation rights, contribution rights, reimbursement rights and set-off rights, which Holdings or the EUR Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate may have against the EUR Issuer arising from a payment made by Holdings, the EUR Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate under its Obligor Affiliate Obligations hereunder and agrees that, until the entire Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness is paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations), not to assert or take advantage of any subrogation rights of Holdings, the EUR Issuer, such Obligor Affiliate or the holders or any right of Holdings, the EUR Issuer, such Obligor Affiliate or the holders proceed against (i) the EUR Issuer for reimbursement, or (ii) any other joint and several obligor, any guarantor or any collateral security or guaranty or right of offset held by the holders for the payment of the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and performance of the Obligor Affiliate Obligations, nor shall Holdings, the EUR Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the EUR Issuer or any other joint and several obligor or any other guarantor in respect of payments made by Holdings, the EUR Issuer or such Obligor Affiliate hereunder. It is expressly understood that the agreements of Holdings, the EUR Issuer and the Obligor Affiliates set forth above constitute additional and cumulative benefits given to the holders for their security and as an inducement for their purchase of the Notes of the EUR Issuer.
Section 24.6. Preference. Any Indebtedness of the EUR Issuer to Holdings or an Obligor Affiliate now or hereafter existing is hereby subordinated to the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness. None of Holdings, the EUR Issuer or any Obligor Affiliate will seek, accept, or retain for its own account, any payment from the EUR Issuer on account of such subordinated Indebtedness at any time when a Default or Event of Default exists under this Agreement or the Notes, and any such payments to Holdings or the EUR Issuer or an Obligor Affiliate made while any Default or Event of Default then exists under this Agreement or the Notes on account of such subordinated Indebtedness shall be collected and received by Holdings or the EUR Issuer or an Obligor Affiliate in trust for the holders and shall be paid over to the holders on account of the Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness without impairing or releasing the obligations of Holdings, the EUR Issuer or the Obligor Affiliate hereunder.
Section 24.7. Marshalling and Accounts. (a) None of the holders of the Notes shall be under any obligation (i) to marshal any assets in favor of Holdings or the EUR Issuer or the Obligor Affiliates or in payment of any or all of the liabilities of the EUR Issuer under or in respect of the Notes and this Agreement or the obligation of Holdings, the EUR Issuer or the Obligor Affiliates under this Section 24 or (ii) to pursue any other remedy that Holdings, the EUR Issuer or the Obligor Affiliates may or may not be able to pursue itself and that may lessen Holdingss, the EUR Issuers or the Obligor Affiliates burden or any right to which Holdings, the EUR Issuer and each Obligor Affiliate hereby expressly waives.
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(b) Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the EUR Issuer under or in connection with the Notes have been irrevocably paid in full (other than unasserted contingent obligations), while an Event of Default is continuing, any moneys received from Holdings, the EUR Issuer or an Obligor Affiliate under this Agreement may be held in an interest-bearing bank account.
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If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of agreement on a counterpart of this Agreement and return it to the EUR Issuer, the Company, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement among you, the EUR Issuer, the Company, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates.
HOLDINGS: | ||||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDINGS, LLC | ||||
a Delaware limited liability company | ||||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |||
Name: | Michelle Domas | |||
Title: | Treasurer | |||
THE COMPANY/OBLIGORS: | ||||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC | ||||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS PFS, LLC | ||||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SCS, LLC | ||||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC | ||||
LINEAGE MANUFACTURING, LLC | ||||
LINEAGE TRANSPORTATION, LLC | ||||
LINEAGE REDISTRIBUTION, LLC | ||||
LINEAGE FOODSERVICE SOLUTIONS, LLC | ||||
NOCS SOUTH ATLANTIC COLD STORAGE & WAREHOUSE, LLC | ||||
NOCS WEST GULF, LLC | ||||
NEW ORLEANS COLD STORAGE AND WAREHOUSE COMPANY, LLC | ||||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS HCS, LLC | ||||
LINEAGE AUS RE HOLDINGS, LLC, | ||||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS AFS, LLC | ||||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS CANADA HOLDINGS, LLC | ||||
each a Delaware limited liability company | ||||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |||
Name: | Michelle Domas | |||
Title: | Treasurer |
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PREFERRED FREEZER LOGISTICS, LLC, | ||||
a New Jersey limited liability company | ||||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |||
Name: | Michelle Domas | |||
Title: | Treasurer | |||
LINEAGE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE, LLC, | ||||
a Washington limited liability company | ||||
By: Lineage Transportation Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its sole member | ||||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |||
Name: | Michelle Domas | |||
Title: | Treasurer |
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Executed by each of: Emergent Cold Bidco Pty Ltd Emergent Cold Midco 3 Pty Ltd. Emergent Cold Pty Ltd Lineage AUS TRS Pty Ltd, in accordance with section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) by: |
||
/s/ Craig Bowyer |
/s/ Diane Jungmann | |
Director signature | Secretary signature | |
CRAIG BOWYER |
DIANE JUNGMANN | |
Director full name (BLOCK LETTERS) |
Secretary full name (BLOCK LETTERS) |
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LINEAGE LOGISTICS NEW ZEALAND, (NZ Company Number: 1232) By: | ||
Stephen Foote Name of Director |
/s/ Stephen Foote Signature of Director |
In the presence of: | ||
/s/ Vishal Kapoor | ||
Signature of witness | ||
Vishal Kapoor | ||
Name of witness | ||
Accountant | ||
Occupation | ||
Melbourne, Australia | ||
City/town of residence |
LINEAGE NZ TRS LIMITED, (NZ Company Number: 7967497) By: | ||
Stephen Foote Name of Director |
/s/ Stephen Foote Signature of Director |
In the presence of: | ||
/s/ Vishal Kapoor | ||
Signature of witness | ||
Vishal Kapoor | ||
Name of witness | ||
Accountant | ||
Occupation | ||
Melbourne, Australia | ||
City/town of residence |
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For and on behalf of
Lineage Danish Bidco ApS
/s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman |
Name: Johannes Albrecht Poelman Title: Special Attorney |
/s/ Harld Johan Peters |
Name: Harld Johan Peters Title: Special Attorney |
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Lineage Norway Holdings I AS, | ||||
By: | /s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman | |||
Name: | Johannes Albrecht Poelman | |||
Title: | Attorney-in-Fact | |||
By: | /s/ Harld Johan Peters | |||
Name: | Harld Johan Peters | |||
Title: | Attorney-in-Fact |
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LINEAGE DUTCH BIDCO B.V., | ||
/s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
By: | Johannes Albrecht Poelman | |
Title: | Authorised Signatory | |
/s/ Harld Johan Peters | ||
By: | Harld Johan Peters | |
Title: | Authorised Signatory | |
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V., | ||
/s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
By: | Johannes Albrecht Poelman | |
Title: | Authorised Signatory | |
/s/ Harld Johan Peters | ||
By: | Harld Johan Peters | |
Title: | Authorised Signatory | |
LINEAGE DUTCH COOPERATIEF U.A., | ||
/s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
By: | Johannes Albrecht Poelman | |
Title: | Authorised Signatory | |
/s/ Harld Johan Peters | ||
By: | Harld Johan Peters | |
Title: | Authorised Signatory |
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SIGNED for and on behalf of | ) | |
LINEAGE UK HOLDINGS LIMITED, as Borrower, |
) ) | |
a company incorporated in Guernsey, acting by Ian David King who, in accordance with the laws of that territory, is acting under the authority of the company |
) /s/ Ian David King
) ) Director ) ) |
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For and on behalf of Lineage UK T&F Holdings Limited
/s/ Johannes Albrecht Poelman | ||
Name: |
Johannes Albrecht Poelman | |
Title: |
Director |
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LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS LTD. | ||||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |||
Name: | Michelle Domas | |||
Title: | Treasurer | |||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS TRS LP, by its general partner: LINEAGE LOGISTICS ORS TRS, GP LTD. | ||||
By: | /s/ Michelle Domas | |||
Name: | Michelle Domas | |||
Title: | Treasurer |
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LINEAGE LOGISTICS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD., a company incorporated in Singapore, with registration number 202206184N, | ||||
By: | /s/ Craig Bowyer | |||
Name: | Craig Bowyer | |||
Title: | Director | |||
LINEAGE LOGISTICS SINGAPORE INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., a company incorporated in Singapore, with registration number 202213934R, | ||||
By: | /s/ Craig Bowyer | |||
Name: | Craig Bowyer | |||
Title: | Director |
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This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, | ||
a New York domiciled life insurance company | ||
By: | Nuveen Alternatives Advisors LLC, | |
a Delaware limited liability company, | ||
its investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Greg Miller | |
Name: | Greg Miller | |
Title: | Director |
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This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
UNITED OF OMAHA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Justin P. Kavan | |
Name: | Justin P. Kavan | |
Title: | Head of Private Placements |
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This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: |
NYL Investors LLC, its Investment Manager | |
By: | /s/ Andrew Leisman | |
Name: | Andrew Leisman, CFA | |
Title: | Senior Director |
Lineage Logistics | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
BRIGHTHOUSE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Brighthouse Services, LLC, as Adviser | ||
By: Barings LLC, as Investment Adviser | ||
By: | /s/ John Wheeler | |
Name: | John Wheeler | |
Title: | Managing Director | |
MASSMUTUAL ASCEND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: Barings LLC as Investment Adviser | ||
By: | /s/ John Wheeler | |
Name: | John Wheeler | |
Title: | Managing Director |
Lineage Logistics | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS | ||
By: | /s/ Martin Rosacker | |
Name: | Martin Rosacker | |
Title: | Managing Director |
Lineage Logistics | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
HARTFORD ACCIDENT AND INDEMNITY COMPANY | ||
By: Hartford Investment Management Company, | ||
its investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Kenneth W. Day | |
Name: | Kenneth W. Day | |
Title: | Vice President |
Lineage Logistics | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
INDUSTRIAL ALLIANCE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC., IN ITS CAPACITY AS ADMINISTRATOR OF, AND ON BEHALF OF, FC143 PRIVATE DEBT FUND | ||
By: | /s/ Maxime Durivage | |
Name: | Maxime Durivage | |
Title: | Senior Vice President, Head of Private Investments | |
By: | /s/ Dominic Siciliano | |
Name: | Dominic Siciliano | |
Title: | Senior Vice President, Head of Fixed Income | |
INDUSTRIAL ALLIANCE INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Maxime Durivage | |
Name: | Maxime Durivage | |
Title: | Senior Vice President, Head of Private Investments | |
By: | /s/ Dominic Siciliano | |
Name: | Dominic Siciliano | |
Title: | Senior Vice President, Head of Fixed Income |
Lineage Logistics | Note Purchase Agreement |
This Agreement is hereby
accepted and agreed to as
of the date hereof.
AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE CORP. | ||
By: Ameritas Investment Partners Inc., as Agent | ||
By: | /s/ Tina Udell | |
Name: | Tina Udell | |
Title: | Vice President & Managing Director |
DEFINED TERMS
As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Section hereof following such term:
Affiliate means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 25% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.
Agreement means this Note Purchase Agreement, including all Schedules attached to this Agreement.
Anti-Corruption Laws means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding bribery or any other corrupt activity, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act 2010.
Anti-Money Laundering Laws means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist-related activities or other money laundering predicate crimes, including the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (otherwise known as the Bank Secrecy Act) and the USA PATRIOT Act.
Anti-Terrorism Laws means any Requirement of Law related to terrorism financing, economic sanctions or money laundering, including: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957; The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5332 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820b and 1951-1959), as amended by the Patriot Act, and their implementing regulations; the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., as amended), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq., as amended), Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001), and their implementing regulations and including Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation.
Applicable Currencies means: (a) with respect to the Notes, Euros, and (b) with respect to any Swapped Notes, US Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, in the case of any Make-Whole Amount, Modified Make-Whole Amount and Swap Breakage Amount in respect of such Swapped Notes.
Applicable EBITDA means with respect to any Real Property that is (x) owned or ground leased by Holdings or any Subsidiary or (y) a Leased Asset, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA attributable to such Real Property for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters.
Australian Obligor means an Obligor that is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Australian PPSA means the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) of the Commonwealth of Australia.
SCHEDULE A
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Bankruptcy Code means the provisions of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 USC §§ 101 et seq., as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
Business Day means:
(a) | for the purposes of Section 8.8(a) only, in respect of any determination of the Reinvestment Yield with respect to any Non-Swapped Notes denominated in Euro, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed or any day which is not a TARGET Day; |
(b) | for the purposes of Section 8.8(b) only, in respect of any determination of the Reinvestment Yield with respect to (i) any Swapped Notes relating to a Swap Agreement with respect to an exchange of US Dollars for Euros, as applicable, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed and (ii) any Swapped Notes relating to a Swap Agreement with respect to an exchange of Canadian Dollars for Euros any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in Toronto, Canada are required or authorized to be closed; |
(c) | for purposes of any date for payment of Notes denominated in Euro (other than any Swapped Note for which the holder has entered into a Swap Agreement to receive Canadian Dollars, as described on the Purchaser Swap Schedule), any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed or any day which is not a TARGET Day; |
(d) | for purposes of any date for payment of Notes denominated in Euro that are Swapped Notes for which the holder has entered into a Swap Agreement to receive Canadian Dollars (as described on the Purchaser Swap Schedule), any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Toronto, Canada are required or authorized to be closed or any day which is not a TARGET Day; and |
(e) | for the purposes of any other provision of this Agreement, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Amsterdam, the Kingdom of the Netherlands are required or authorized to be closed. |
Canadian Obligor means an Obligor that is incorporated or formed under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada.
Capital Lease Obligations of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
Canadian Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorism Legislation means, collectively, Parts II.1 and XII.2 of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, the Proceeds of Crime Act and the United Nations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. U-2 or any similar Canadian legislation, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto including, without limitation, the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on the Suppression of Terrorism and the United Nations Al Qaida and Taliban Regulations promulgated under the United Nations Act.
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Canadian Blocked Person means any Person that is a designated person, politically exposed foreign person or terrorist group as described in any Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws.
Canadian Defined Benefit Plan means a Canadian Pension Plan that contains a defined benefit provision as such term is defined in Section 147.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws means any Canadian laws, regulations or orders governing transactions in controlled goods or technologies or dealings with countries, entities, organizations, or individuals subject to economic sanctions and similar measures, including the Special Economic Measures Act (Canada), the United Nations Act (Canada), the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Canada), Part II.1 of the Criminal Code (Canada) and the Export and Import Permits Act (Canada), and any related regulations.
Canadian Pension Event means (a) the filing by a Group Member of a notice of intent to terminate in whole or in part a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan or the treatment of a Canadian Pension Plan amendment filed by a Group Member as a termination or partial termination; or (b) the institution of proceedings by any Governmental Authority to terminate in whole or in part or have a trustee appointed to administer a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan that is sponsored or administered by a Group Member; or (c) any other event or condition which might constitute grounds for the termination of, winding up or partial termination of winding up or the appointment of trustee to administer, any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan that is sponsored or administered by a Group Member.
Canadian Pension Legislation means applicable pension standards laws of any jurisdiction in Canada, such as the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario) and any similar provincial or federal legislation.
Canadian Pension Plan means a pension plan that is subject to Canadian Pension Legislation and that is either (a) maintained or sponsored by a Group Member for employees in Canada or (b) maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, or other arrangement under which more than one employer makes contributions and to which a Group Member is making, or accruing an obligation to make, contributions in respect of employees in Canada.
Capitalization Rate means (a) 6.5% for Real Property that is owned or subject to a ground lease and (b) 8.5% for Real Property that is a Leased Asset.
Captive Insurance Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings that is subject to regulation as an insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereof).
Cash Equivalents means (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the government of the United States, Canada or England and Wales or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, Canada or England and Wales, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers acceptances having maturities of 180 days or less from the date of acquisition issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof, or the laws of England and Wales having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000; (c) commercial paper of an issuer maturing within 270
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days from the date of acquisition and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or Moodys; and (d) fully collateralized repurchase obligations of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities described in clause (a) above; (e) money market funds that (x) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (y) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moodys and (z) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; or (f) solely with respect to any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, any investment that a Captive Insurance Subsidiary is not prohibited to make in accordance with applicable law.
Cash Management Banks means (a) a lender or the administrative agent or an Affiliate of a lender or the administrative agent under a Material Debt Facility at the time such services are entered into or (b) any financial institution or commercial bank permitted under the terms of the Material Debt Facility.
Cash Management Services means any of the following provided to an Obligor or any Subsidiary of an Obligor by a Cash Management Bank; provided Cash Management Services provided by a Cash Management Bank pursuant to clause (b) of the definition thereof, shall not exceed in the aggregate $25,000,000 at any time outstanding: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, commercial credit cards and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts, cash pooling services and interstate depository network services), (e) bank guarantees and letters of credit and (f) other cash management services.
CFC means a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) at any time prior to the consummation of a Qualified IPO, the Investor shall, directly or indirectly, at any time collectively fail to own beneficially, directly or indirectly, voting Equity Interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Holdings (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested); or
(b) at any time after the consummation of a Qualified IPO, any person or group (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person and its subsidiaries and any Person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Investor, acquires beneficial ownership of voting Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Company representing (A) more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of such direct or indirect parent entity (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested) and (B) more than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power that is at the time beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Investor, taken together (determined on a fully diluted basis but without giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not yet vested); or
A-4
(c) Holdings ceases to own, beneficially and of record, one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of (x) the Company and (y) the EUR Issuer except, in the case of clause (y), pursuant to a transaction or designation permitted under this Agreement.
Change in Control Notice is defined in Section 8.11(a).
Closing is defined in Section 3.
CMBS Financing means any loans or notes incurred by or issued to Holdings or certain of its Subsidiaries as borrowers under commercial mortgage-backed securities financing transactions from time to time.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.
Company is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Compliance Certificate is defined in Section 7.2.
Confidential Information is defined in Section 21.
Contractual Obligation means as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any legally binding contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, loan, instrument, lease, conditional sales contract, mortgage, license, franchise agreement, binding commitment or other arrangement, whether written or oral, to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound (in each case other than this Agreement).
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 the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the term Controlled shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Controlled Entity means (a) any of the Subsidiaries of the Obligors and any of their or the Obligors respective Controlled Affiliates and (b) if the Obligors have a parent company, such parent company.
Danish Obligor Affiliate means an Obligor Affiliate incorporated in Denmark.
DBRS means DBRS Limited, and any successor to its rating agency business.
Debtor Relief Law means the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the Winding Up and Restructuring Act (Canada) and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, concurso mercantil, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, administration, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America, Canada or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
Default means an event or condition the occurrence or existence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default.
A-5
Default Rate means that rate of interest per annum that is the greater of (a) 2.0% above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Notes or (b) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. in New York, New York as its base or prime rate.
Designated Rating Agency means DBRS, Fitch Ratings, S&P, Moodys and Kroll.
Development Property means as of any date of determination, Real Property acquired or otherwise held for development or redevelopment on which the improvements related to the development or redevelopment have not been completed on such date; provided that such Real Property shall cease to be a Development Property, and shall thereafter be considered a Stabilized Property, upon the first to occur of (a) the date that is six full fiscal quarters following substantial completion (including issuance of a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy for the improvements under construction permitting the use and occupancy for their regular intended uses) of such Real Property, and (b) the first day of the first fiscal quarter following the date on which such Development Property has achieved an Occupancy Rate of at least 85%. For avoidance of doubt, any Real Property that is not (and has never been) a Development Property shall be considered a Stabilized Property from the first day of the first fiscal quarter following the date on which such Real Property has achieved an Occupancy Rate of at least 85%, and vacant land adjacent to and forming part of a Stabilized Property may become a Development Property if, as of any date of determination, the same is being developed with a new, improved or expanded facility. Similarly, a Stabilized Property may become a Development Property if, as of the date of determination, the same is being replaced, restored, remodeled or rebuilt where the purpose and effect of such work is to provide a functionally new, improved or expanded facility.
Disclosure Documents is defined in Section 5.3.
Disposition means with respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer, or other disposition thereof (in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a division or otherwise). The terms Dispose and Disposed of shall have correlative meanings.
Disqualified Equity Interests means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or requires the payment of any cash dividend or any other scheduled payment constituting a return of capital, in each case at any time on or prior to the date that is 91 days following the applicable Maturity Date at the time of the issuance of such Equity Interest; provided, however, that (i) only the portion of such Equity Interest which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be a Disqualified Equity Interest, (ii) if such Equity Interests are issued to any current or former employees or other service providers or to any plan for the benefit of employees, directors, officers, members of management or consultants (including any equity or incentive compensation or benefit plan) of Holdings or its subsidiaries or by any such compensation or plan to such current or former employees, other service providers, directors, officers, members of management or consultants, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such current or former employees, other service providers, directors, officers, management members or consultants termination, death or disability, (iii) any class of Equity Interests of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests, and (iv) Equity Interests will not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because of
A-6
provisions giving holders thereof the right to require repurchase or redemption upon an initial public offering, asset sale or change of control occurring prior to such date; or (b) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interest referred to in clause (a) above, in each case at any time prior to the date that is 91 days following the applicable Maturity Date at the time of the issuance of such Equity Interest.
Dividing Person has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of Division.
Division means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the Dividing Person) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a plan of division or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.
Division Successor means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof, the District of Columbia, or any other jurisdiction within the United States.
Dutch Obligor means an Obligor that is organized under the laws of the Netherlands.
EBITDA means, with respect to Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, depletion and amortization calculated in accordance with GAAP, at all times excluding, without duplication, (i) impairment and other non-cash charges or gains including, for the avoidance of doubt, equity in earnings (but excluding any non-cash charge in respect of an item that was included in EBITDA in a prior period or any charges that result in a write-down or write-off of inventory and excluding amortization expense attributable to a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period), (ii) stock-based compensation expense, (iii) gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated assets, (iv) gains or losses from foreign exchange, (v) gains or losses from derivative instruments, (vi) gains or losses from the early extinguishment of indebtedness, (vii) severance and other non-recurring restructuring charges, (viii) transaction costs of acquisitions, dispositions, capital markets offerings, debt and equity financings and amendments thereto (in each case, whether or not consummated) not permitted to be capitalized pursuant to GAAP, (ix) other unusual, exceptional or extraordinary and non-recurring gains, losses, expenses or charges (whether or not classified as such under GAAP), (x) amounts accruing and/or payable pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement during such period and (xi) the amount of any minority interest expense attributable to minority interests of third parties in the positive income of any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for the purposes of determining the contribution to EBITDA of, or portion of EBITDA attributable to, any Real Property, any operating asset or any business managed or operated by Holdings or any Subsidiary thereof, (1) EBITDA shall equal rents and other revenues in respect of such asset, less, without duplication, (A) operating expenses in respect of such asset (exclusive of corporate-level general and administrative and other overhead expenses, impairment on intangibles and long-lived assets and depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses) and (B) cash rent expenses of operating, finance and ground leases in respect of such asset, and shall at all times exclude unusual, extraordinary or exceptional and non-recurring gains, losses, expenses or charges (whether or not classified as such under GAAP) and (2) solely for purposes of calculating Total Asset Value and Unencumbered Asset Value, in no event shall EBITDA of any such Real Property, operating asset or
A-7
business determined pursuant to clause (1) be less than zero. All of the foregoing shall be adjusted to include the pro rata share of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis of the net income or loss of all Joint Ventures for such period, determined and adjusted in the same manner as provided above in this definition with respect to the net income or loss of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
EDGAR means the SECs Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System or any successor SEC electronic filing system for such purposes.
Eligibility Criteria means Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria or Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria, as applicable.
Eligible Value means as of any date of determination, with respect to each Real Property that is (x) owned or ground leased by Holdings or any Subsidiary or (y) a Leased Asset (i) the Applicable EBITDA with respect to such Real Property divided by (ii) the applicable Capitalization Rate.
Eligible Ground Leased Assets means any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) One hundred percent (100%) of such Real Property is ground leased directly or indirectly by one or more Qualified Asset Owners.
(b) Such Real Property is a Stabilized Property, a Development Property, undeveloped land or a Newly Acquired Property.
(c) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is improved with one or more completed warehouse/distribution buildings that are used as dry and/or cold storage facilities and such improvements are owned or held pursuant to such ground lease by a Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
(d) None of such leasehold interest or such improvements is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under this Agreement, and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
(e) No event of default (i.e., after any applicable notice and cure period) has occurred and is continuing under the ground lease regarding such Real Property.
(f) The lessor under the ground lease regarding such Real Property shall not have the unilateral right to terminate such ground lease prior to the expiration of the stated term of such ground lease absent the occurrence of any casualty, condemnation or default thereunder by any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
(g) The lessee under the ground lease has the right to sublease, mortgage and encumber (subject to customary terms and limitations) its interest in such Real Property without the consent of the lessor (provided that a provision that if a consent of such ground lessor is required, such consent is subject to either an express reasonableness standard or an objective financial standard for the transferee shall be deemed acceptable); provided, this clause (g) shall not apply to (i) the Real Property listed on Schedule 25 and (ii) such other Real Property as agreed by the administrative agent under the Principal Credit Facility in its reasonable discretion from time to time.
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(h) The ground lease regarding such Real Property has a remaining term (inclusive of any unexercised extension options as to which there is no condition precedent to the exercise thereof other than compliance of lessee with the terms of the applicable ground lease and the giving of a notice of exercise by the lessee) of 25 years or more from the date of relevant covenant calculation.
(i) (i) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is free of any material structural defects, and (ii) such Real Property is free of any material Environmental Liabilities and is in material compliance with all Environmental Laws.
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Ground Leased Asset.
Eligible Leased Assets means any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) Such Real Property is a Leased Asset and the lessee is one or more Qualified Asset Owners.
(b) Such leasehold interest is not directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under this Agreement and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
(c) No event of default (i.e., after any applicable notice and cure period) has occurred and is continuing under the operating lease regarding such Real Property.
(d) The lessor under the operating lease regarding such Real Property shall not have the unilateral right to terminate such operating lease prior to the expiration of the stated term of such operating lease absent the occurrence of any casualty, condemnation or default thereunder by any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property.
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Leased Asset.
Eligible Owned Asset means any Real Property that satisfies the following criteria (collectively, the Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria):
(a) (i) One hundred percent (100%) of such Real Property is owned in fee simple by one or more Qualified Asset Owners or (ii) such Real Property satisfies the Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria (other than clause (h) of that definition, whereby for the purposes of this definition the requirement shall be that there shall be not less than ninety-nine (99) years from the date of relevant covenant calculation).
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(b) Such Real Property is a Stabilized Property, a Development Property, undeveloped land or a Newly Acquired Property.
(c) (i) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is free of any material structural defects, and (ii) such Real Property is free of any material Environmental Liabilities and is in material compliance with all Environmental Laws.
(d) Such Real Property (other than any Real Property that constitutes a Development Property or undeveloped land) is improved with one or more completed warehouse/distribution buildings that are used as dry and/or cold storage facilities.
(e) Such Real Property (and any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is not directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than (i) Liens and Negative Pledges created under this Agreement and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances) and none of the Equity Interests of any Qualified Asset Owner with respect to such Real Property (or, in each case, any income therefrom or proceeds thereof) is directly or indirectly subject to any Lien or any Negative Pledge (other than Permitted Equity Encumbrances or as permitted in the definition of Negative Pledge).
For the avoidance of doubt, at any time that a Real Property does not satisfy each of the Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria, such Real Property shall not constitute an Eligible Owned Asset.
Environmental Laws means any and all foreign, federal, state, provincial, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments, notices or binding agreements issued by or entered into with any Governmental Authority, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning pollution, air emissions, the management, use or Release of Materials of Environmental Concern or protection of human health (to the extent such relates to Materials of Environmental Concern) or the environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.
Environmental Liability means all liabilities, obligations, damages, losses, claims, actions, suits, judgments, orders, fines, penalties, fees, expenses and costs (including administrative oversight costs, natural resource damages, monitoring and remediation costs and reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and consultants), whether contingent or otherwise, including those arising out of or relating to: (a) compliance or non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment, recycling, disposal (or arrangement for such activities) of any Materials of Environmental Concern, (c) exposure to any Materials of Environmental Concern, (d) the presence or release of any Materials of Environmental Concern or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
Equity Interests means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.
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ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Obligors, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code and, for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code, any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or 414(o) of the Code.
ERISA Event means (a) any reportable event, as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived), (b) the failure of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate to satisfy the minimum funding standard with respect to a Plan within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 or 303 of ERISA, as applicable, or the failure of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code or Section 303(j) of ERISA with respect to a Plan or the failure of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan, (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, (d) the incurrence by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or the complete withdrawal or partial withdrawal (within the meanings of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan, (d) the occurrence of a non-exempt prohibited transaction with respect to which any Obligor or any of the Subsidiaries is a disqualified person (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) which could result in the incurrence by any Obligor or any of the Subsidiaries of any material liability, (e) the receipt by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate of notice from any Multiemployer Plan (1) imposing any withdrawal liability on any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate, (2) notifying any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate that such Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in insolvency pursuant to Section 4245 of ERISA, if applicable or (3) notifying any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate that such Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in endangered or critical status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA, if applicable), or (f) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in at risk status (as defined in Section 430(i)(4) of the Code or Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA, if applicable).
EUR Issuer is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Euro or means the single currency unit of the member States of the European Community that adopt or have adopted the Euro as their lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Community relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
Event of Default is defined in Section 11.
Excluded Subsidiary means a Subsidiary that is (a) a CFC or FSHCO, (b) a Subsidiary of a CFC or FSHCO, (c) any other Foreign Subsidiary or (d) a Domestic Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary, and in each case does not provide a Guarantee of Indebtedness obligations of a United States Person.
FATCA means (a) sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), together with any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, (b) any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the United States of America and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of the foregoing clause (a), and (c) any agreements entered into pursuant to section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
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Financial Covenants means the financial covenants set forth in Section 10.5.
Fitch Ratings means Fitch Inc., and any successor to any of the foregoing.
Fixed Charges means for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (i) Interest Expense, plus (ii) regularly scheduled installments (whether or not paid) of principal payable with respect to Total Indebtedness (excluding scheduled balloon principal payments due on maturity of any such Indebtedness and including Holdingss pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures), plus (iii) the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid or required to be paid by any of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in cash to any third party during such period in respect of its preferred capital stock but excluding redemption payments or repurchases or charges in connection with the mandatory final redemption or repurchase in whole of any preferred capital stock plus (iv) all income tax payments with respect to the taxable REIT Subsidiaries of Holdings and the Company.
Foreign Currency Note means any Note issued in Euros.
Foreign Joint and Several Enforcement Costs is defined in Section 24.4.
Foreign Obligor Affiliate means any Obligor Affiliate that is not a US Obligor Affiliate.
Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness is defined in Section 24.2.
Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations is defined in Section 24.2.
Foreign Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings other than a Domestic Subsidiary.
FSHCO means (a) any Subsidiary all or substantially all of the assets of which consists of Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and Indebtedness) of one or more CFCs or other FSHCOs, and (b) any Subsidiary treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes that holds Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and Indebtedness) of one or more CFCs or other FSHCOs.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, except that for purposes of Section 10.5, GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such principles in effect on the date hereof and consistent with those used in the preparation of the most recent audited financial statements referred to in Section 5.5. In the event that any Accounting Change (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Company and the Required Holders agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect equitably such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Companys financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Company and the Required Holders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. Accounting Changes refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC.
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Governing Documents means (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction), including in the case of corporations (sociedades anónimas) incorporated under the laws of Mexico, the articles of incorporation and bylaws (acta constituiva and estatutos sociales), (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement or memorandum and articles of association (including in the case of a limited liability company organized under the laws of Mexico, the acta constitutiva and estatutos sociales), and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and, if applicable, any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
Governmental Authority means any nation or government, any state, provincial or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank, supranational organization or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).
Ground Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Ground Leased Assets.
Group Members means the collective reference to Holdings and its Subsidiaries.
Guarantee Obligation means as to any Person (the guaranteeing person), any obligation, including a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, of the guaranteeing person that guarantees or in effect guarantees, or which is given to induce the creation of a separate obligation by another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) that guarantees or in effect guarantees, 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 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 (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) 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, or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing or entered into in connection with any acquisition or Disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee 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 persons maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Company in good faith.
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Guaranty, Guaranteed, or to Guarantee means, with respect to any Person, any obligation (except the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) of such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any indebtedness, dividend or other obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including obligations incurred through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, by such Person:
(a) to purchase such indebtedness or obligation or any property constituting security therefor;
(b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation, or (ii) to maintain any working capital or other balance sheet condition or any income statement condition of any other Person or otherwise to advance or make available funds for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation;
(c) to lease properties or to purchase properties or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of such indebtedness or obligation of the ability of any other Person to make payment of the indebtedness or obligation; or
(d) otherwise to assure the owner of such indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect thereof.
In any computation of the indebtedness or other liabilities of the obligor under any Guaranty, the indebtedness or other obligations that are the subject of such Guaranty shall be assumed to be direct obligations of such obligor.
holder means, with respect to any Note, the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 14.1, provided, however, that if such Person is a nominee, then for the purposes of Sections 7, 12, 18.2 and 19 and any related definitions in this Schedule A, holder shall mean the beneficial owner of such Note whose name and address appears in such register.
Holdings is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Immaterial Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings that on a consolidated basis with its respective Subsidiaries and treated as if all such Subsidiaries and their respective Subsidiaries were combined and consolidated as a single Subsidiary, holds assets that constitute less than 7.5% of Total Asset Value.
Indebtedness of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding (A) accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business, (B) any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP (excluding disclosure on the notes and footnotes thereto) and if not paid after becoming due and payable, (C) obligations in respect of employment and consulting services, and (D) deferred obligations under any management services agreement, deferred rent obligations, taxes and compensation and any pension-related or post-employment liabilities), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed (valued in the case of this clause (e) at the lesser of (A) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (B) if such Indebtedness is non-recourse, the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith), (f) all guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others (except for guarantees of exceptions to non-recourse liabilities), (g) all
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obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, and (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers acceptances . The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Persons ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
INHAM Exemption is defined in Section 6.2(e).
Institutional Investor means (a) any Purchaser of a Note, (b) any holder of a Note holding (together with one or more of its affiliates) more than 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, (c) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form, and (d) any Related Fund of any holder of any Note.
Intercreditor Agreement means the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2021, entered into between the Creditors party thereto and the administrative agent, on behalf of the lenders, under the Principal Credit Facility and any Additional Creditors (as defined therein) that from time to time accede thereto.
Intercreditor Joinder Agreement means the Intercreditor Joinder Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2022, entered into by the Purchasers, by which such Purchasers shall accede to the Intercreditor Agreement.
Interest Expense means for any period, an amount equal to the sum of the following with respect to Total Indebtedness: (i) total interest expense, accrued in accordance with GAAP plus (ii) all capitalized interest determined in accordance with GAAP (including in the case of (i) and (ii), Holdingss pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures), and excluding non-cash amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs or debt discount (including Holdingss pro rata share thereof for Joint Ventures).
Investment means (a) any purchase or other acquisition for value by any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Equity Interests of any other Person; (b) any purchase or other acquisition for value by any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries from any Person of all or a substantial portion of the business, property or fixed assets of such Person or any division or line of business or other business unit of such Person; and (c) any loan, advance or capital contributions by any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries to, or Guarantee Obligations with respect to any obligations of, any other Person, including all indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the outstanding amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
Investor means (a) BG LLH, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Lineage Growth Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation, BG LLH Intermediate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, LLH MGMT Profits, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and BG Maverick, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or (b) any other Person that is managed and controlled by any of Bay Grove Management Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, any other Affiliate of Bay Grove Management Company, LLC or Bay Grove Capital Group, LLC, BG LLH, LLC, BG LLH Intermediate, LLC, Lineage Growth Properties, Inc., LLH MGMT Profits, LLC, LLH MGMT Profits II, LLC and/or BG Maverick, LLC.
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Joinder Agreement means a joinder agreement in the form attached as Schedule 2.
Joint Ventures means any unconsolidated joint ventures of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
Kroll means Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC, and any successor to its rating agency business.
Lamb Weston Mortgage means the second ranking deed of mortgage dated 25 August 2017 between Lineage Bergen op Zoom B.V. as mortgagor and the Lamb Weston entities as mortgagees in respect of a mortgage over the parcels of land, locally known as Blankenweg 2 and 4 in Bergen op Zoom, cadastrally known as municipality of Bergen op Zoom, section I, number 712, 713 and 775 or any replacement of that right of mortgage.
Leased Asset means any Real Property that operates as a dry and/or cold storage facility or is Development Property or undeveloped land and that is leased by Holdings or a Subsidiary thereof pursuant to a lease (other than a ground lease) with a remaining term (including any unexercised extension options at the option of the tenant) of not less than 10 years from the date of relevant covenant calculation and otherwise on market terms (as determined by the Company in good faith).
Leased Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Leased Assets.
Liabilities means any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.
Lien means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, assignment by way of security, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing); provided, that, in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to be a Lien and in no event shall a Lien include a security interest as defined in section 12(3) of the Australian PPSA or section 17(1)(b) of the New Zealand Personal Property Securities Act that in each case does not in substance secure the payment or performance of an obligation.
Maintenance Capital Expenditures means for any period, all capital expenditures actually made in cash by Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries (and the pro rata share of capital expenditures made by Joint Ventures) during such period for the maintenance of capital assets of such Person, excluding capital expenditures for modernization and in any event excluding any capital expenditures for expansions.
Make-Whole Amount is defined in Section 8.8.
Material means material in relation to the business, assets, property or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
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Material Acquisition means any individual Permitted Acquisition or a series of Permitted Acquisitions (whether by direct purchase, merger or otherwise and whether in one or more related transactions) within a four fiscal quarter period by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in which the purchase price of the assets acquired (on a cumulative basis since the Closing or the beginning of such four fiscal quarter period, as applicable) exceeds an amount equal to 10% of Total Asset Value as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.
Material Adverse Effect means any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property or financial condition of Holdings, the Company and their subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the Notes.
Material Debt Facility means, as to the Obligors and their Subsidiaries,
(a) the Principal Credit Facility; and
(b) any note purchase agreement or similar document, instrument or agreement executed in connection with a private placement debt financing, regardless of the principal amount outstanding thereunder from time to time, in each case including any renewals, refinancings and replacements thereof.
Material Indebtedness means, as to any Group Member, indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of $10 million.
Material Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Holdings other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.
Materials of Environmental Concern means any substances, materials or wastes defined in or regulated under any Environmental Law, including any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products, asbestos, anhydrous ammonia, ozone-depleting substances, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
Maturity Date is defined in the first paragraph of each Note.
Modified Make-Whole Amount is defined in Section 8.8.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
Multiemployer Plan means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and in respect of which the Obligors or any ERISA Affiliate is an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA, which for the avoidance of doubt shall not include any Canadian Pension Plan.
NAIC means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
NAIC Annual Statement is defined in Section 6.2(a).
Negative Pledge means with respect to a given asset, any provision of a document, instrument or agreement (other than this Agreement) which prohibits or purports to prohibit the creation or assumption of any Lien on such asset as security for Indebtedness of the Person owning such asset or any other Person; provided, however, that any provision of a document, instrument or an agreement that either (a) conditions a Persons ability to encumber its assets upon the maintenance of one or more specified ratios or financial
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tests (including any financial ratio such as a maximum ratio of unsecured debt to unencumbered assets) that limit such Persons ability to encumber its assets but that do not generally prohibit the encumbrance of its assets, or the encumbrance of specific assets or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure Unsecured Indebtedness if a Lien is granted to secure other Unsecured Indebtedness of such Person, shall not constitute a Negative Pledge; provided, however, no restriction under a CMBS Financing, mortgage financing or other financing on the pledge of Equity Interest in the direct or indirect parent of a Qualified Asset Owner, Group Member (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) or Obligor (other than a Qualified Asset Owner) shall be considered a Negative Pledge.
Newly Acquired Property means as of any date, a Real Property (other than a Development Property or undeveloped land), that has been owned or ground leased or leased by Holdings or a Subsidiary for less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date.
Newly Stabilized Property means as of any date, a Real Property owned or ground leased or leased by Holdings or a Subsidiary that has been a Stabilized Property for less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date.
Non-recourse Indebtedness means (a) with respect to a Person, Indebtedness in respect of which recourse for payment (except for exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, violation of special purpose entity covenants and other exceptions to nonrecourse liability customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements) is contractually limited to specific assets of such Person encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary that is a special purpose entity, Indebtedness of such Subsidiary so long as there is no recourse to Holdings or any of its other Subsidiaries other than recourse in respect of guaranties of customary exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, violation of special purpose entity covenants and other exceptions to nonrecourse liability customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements, and for the avoidance of doubt, any Indebtedness incurred by any Subsidiary under or in connection with any CMBS Financing shall constitute Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
Non-U.S. Plan means any plan, fund or other similar program that (a) is established or maintained outside the United States of America or Canada by Holdings or any Subsidiary primarily for the benefit of employees of Holdings or one or more Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America or Canada, which plan, fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and (b) is not subject to ERISA, the Code, or Canadian Pension Legislation.
Normalized Adjusted FFO means for any fiscal period, funds from operations of the Group Members as defined in accordance with resolutions adopted by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts as in effect from time to time; provided that Normalized Adjusted FFO shall (a) be based on net income after payment of distributions to holders of preferred partnership units in Holdings and distributions necessary to pay holders of preferred stock of Holdings and (b) exclude gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated non-real estate assets, non-real estate depreciation, depletion and amortization, amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of debt discount, amortization of above or below market leases, adjustments for straight line rents, non-cash or extraordinary gains or losses from foreign exchange, non-cash or extraordinary gains or losses from derivative instruments and other extraordinary or non-recurring charges.
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Noteholder Sanctions Event means, with respect to any holder of a Note (an Affected Noteholder), such holder or any of its affiliates being in violation of or subject to sanctions (a) under any Sanctions as a result of the Company or any Controlled Entity becoming a Sanctioned Person or, directly or indirectly, having any investment in or engaging in any dealing or transaction (including any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Sanctioned Person or (b) under any similar laws, regulations or orders adopted by any State within the United States as a result of the name of the Company or any Controlled Entity appearing on a State Sanctions List.
Notes is defined in Section 1.
Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness means the US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness and the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness.
Obligor Affiliate Obligations means the US Obligor Affiliate Obligations and the Foreign Obligor Affiliate Obligations.
Obligor Affiliates means the Obligor Affiliates described on Schedule B and each other Person that from time to time accedes to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement as provided in Section 9.7.
Obligors means the EUR Issuer, the Company, Holdings and the Obligor Affiliates.
Occupancy Rate means at any time, with respect to any Real Property, the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the rentable operating square footage of such Real Property actually leased by tenants paying rent at rates not materially less than rates generally prevailing at the time the applicable lease was entered into, pursuant to binding leases as to which no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing to (b) the aggregate rentable operating square footage of such Real Property.
OFAC means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
Officers Certificate means a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer or any other officer of an Obligor, as the context requires, whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.
Operating Agreement means that certain Seventh Amended and Restated Operating Services Agreement dated as of August 3, 2020, by and between Holdings and Bay Grove Management Company, LLC.
Owned Asset Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in the definition of Eligible Owned Asset.
Permitted Acquisition means any acquisition, whether by purchase, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise, of (x) all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, or a business line or unit or a division of any Person, or any parcel of Real Property and any improvements thereto or (y) the Equity Interests of any Person such that such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that:
(a) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;
(b) before and after giving effect thereto, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the Financial Covenants; and
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after giving effect thereto, Holdings and its Subsidiaries are in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with Section 10.3.
Permitted Dispositions means:
(a) Dispositions of (i) worn-out, obsolete or surplus property, in each case in the ordinary course of business or (ii) property that is reasonably determined by the applicable Obligor or Subsidiary to be no longer economically practicable to maintain or no longer useful in any material respect in the conduct of the business of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(b) licenses and sublicenses granted by an Obligor or any Subsidiary and leases and subleases (by an Obligor or any Subsidiary as lessor or sub-lessor) to third parties in each case not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Obligors or the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(c) Disposition or abandonment of any intellectual property that is reasonably determined by the applicable Obligor or Subsidiary to be no longer economically practicable to maintain or worth the cost of maintaining or no longer useful in any material respect in the conduct of the business of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(d) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Dispositions of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(f) transfers of property between and among Holdings and its Subsidiaries;
(g) Disposition of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;
(h) Liens (and any dispositions required to be made in accordance with such Liens) permitted by Section 10.7, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 10.9, Investments permitted by Section 10.10 and transactions permitted by Section 10.2;
(i) (i) the discount or write-off of accounts receivable for the purpose of collection to any collection agency, in each case in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Dispositions of receivables in connection with the settlement of delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;
(j) transfers of property (i) subject to casualty events upon receipt of the net cash proceeds of such casualty event, (ii) by reason of the exercise of termination rights under any lease, sublease, license, sublicense, concession or other agreement or (iii) pursuant to buy/sell or other similar arrangements under any joint venture or similar agreement or arrangement;
(k) the unwinding of any Swap Contract pursuant to its terms;
(l) Dispositions required to be made to comply with the order of any Governmental Authority or applicable law;
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(m) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;
(n) Dispositions of property acquired, constructed, renovated or improved after the Closing in connection with the financing of such acquisition, construction, renovation or improvement; provided, that, (i) any such financing which is permitted under Section 10.6 and (ii) such Disposition occurs within 180 days after the applicable acquisition, construction, renovation or improvement; and
(o) with respect to assets that are not Qualified Assets, Dispositions of such assets permitted by the documentation governing any CMBS Financing or other financing that relates to such assets.
Permitted Encumbrances means:
(a) Liens outstanding on (or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on) the Closing as set forth on Schedule 5.15(b) and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(b) Liens imposed by law and other non-consensual Liens, in each case for Taxes or other related governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Group Member in conformity with GAAP;
(c) landlords, carriers, warehousemens, landlords mortgagees, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens, construction contractors, vendors and other similar Liens and agricultural and similar Liens (including those arising pursuant to Canadian Pension Legislation), in each case, imposed by law or otherwise non-consensual, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 60 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(d) judgments and Liens in respect of judgements, orders or decrees for the payment of money or other court proceedings that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 11(j);
(e) (i) easements, servitudes, restrictions, licenses, rights-of-way, use restrictions, rights of first refusal, site plan agreements, development agreements, cross easement or reciprocal agreements and other non-monetary encumbrances on Real Property that do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary (taken as a whole) or the operation of such Real Property for its intended purpose, (ii) title defects or irregularities with respect to Real Property which are of a minor nature and which in the aggregate do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary (taken as a whole) or the operation of such Real Property for its intended purpose, or (iii) other exceptions to title approved by the Required Holders;
(f) any zoning or similar law, restriction or right reserved to, or vested in, any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any Real Property that does not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Group Members (taken as a whole);
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(g) Liens affecting title on Real Property that have been fully paid off and satisfied and which remain of record through no fault of the Person that owns such Real Property and that, in any event do not have a material and adverse effect with respect to the use or operations of the affected Real Property or with respect to the ownership of the affected Real Property, and do not interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the applicable Group Member;
(h) rights of lessors under Eligible Ground Leased Assets;
(i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law which secure payment of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;
(j) with respect to leasehold interests, any mortgages, obligations, Liens and other encumbrances incurred, created, assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord, ground lessor or owner of the leased property, with or without the consent of the lessee; provided, that (i) this clause (j) shall not apply if the leasehold interest is protected by law or (ii) with respect to mortgages by the ground lessor or owner of a ground leased property, such mortgages are either subordinate to such ground leasehold interest or pursuant to which the lender thereunder has provided a customary non-disturbance agreement with respect to such ground leasehold interests;
(k) intercompany leases;
(l) any Lien arising under Article 24 or 26 of the general terms and conditions (Algemene Bank Voorwaarden) of any member of the Dutch Bankers Association (Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken) or any similar term applied by a financial institution in the Netherlands pursuant to its general terms and conditions;
(m) any netting or set-off as a result of a fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch tax purposes;
(n) any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any Obligor in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debt and credit balances;
(o) the Lamb Weston Mortgage; and
(p) intercompany mortgages securing Indebtedness among Group Members, provided that with respect to any such Group Member who is the mortgagee in respect of any such intercompany mortgage, (i) such Group Member is an Obligor, and (ii) such Group Member shall subordinate such mortgage to the obligations under the Notes.
Permitted Equity Encumbrances means:
(a) Liens and Negative Pledges pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) Liens imposed by law and other non-consensual Liens for Taxes or other related governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Group Member in conformity with GAAP; and
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(c) Liens arising from judgments or decrees for the payment of money in circumstances that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 11(j).
Permitted Indebtedness means:
(a) (x) Indebtedness incurred or created hereunder and under the Notes, (y) Indebtedness constituting Cash Management Services and (z) Indebtedness under the Principal Credit Facility as of the date of this Agreement;
(b) Indebtedness outstanding on (or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on) the Closing Date as set forth on Schedule 5.15 and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(c) intercompany Indebtedness among Holdings and its Subsidiaries;
(d) Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take or pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation, severance and health and retirement benefits or the equivalent thereof to employees, directors, management and consultants of Holdings or the Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Indebtedness consisting of obligations with respect to indemnification, the adjustment of the purchase price (including customary earnouts) or similar adjustments incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment or Disposition expressly permitted hereunder;
(g) (i) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Indebtedness in respect of credit card processing agreements, automatic clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections and similar arrangements in each case in connection with cash management and deposit accounts and in the ordinary course of business;
(h) Indebtedness incurred by Holdings or any Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers acceptances, warehouse receipts or similar instruments, in each case, issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits (including with respect to immediate family members of employees, directors or members of management) or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims or obligations referred to in paragraph (m) below, letters of credit in the nature of a security deposit (or similar deposit or security) given to a lessor under an operating lease of Real Property under which such Person is lessee, and letters of credit in connection with the maintenance of, or pursuant to the requirements of, environmental or other permits or licenses from Governmental Authorities, and any refund, replacement, refinancing or defeasance of any of the foregoing;
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(i) obligations in respect of surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by Holdings or any of the Subsidiaries, in each case, issued or created in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
(j) Indebtedness arising under Swap Contracts not incurred for purposes of speculation;
(k) Guarantees of Indebtedness of Holdings or any Subsidiary, which Indebtedness is otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that (x) if such Indebtedness is subordinated to the obligations under this Agreement and the Notes, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the same extent and (y) no such Guarantee by an Obligor shall be permitted under this paragraph (k) of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not an Obligor, other than Guarantees constituting an Investment permitted under Section 10.10;
(l) Indebtedness owing to current or former officers, directors, managers, consultants or employees of Holdings or immediate family members to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings);
(m) Indebtedness of Holdings or any Subsidiary owing to any joint venture (regardless of the form of legal entity) that is not a subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business of Holdings and its subsidiaries in connection with the cash management operations (including with respect to intercompany self-insurance arrangements);
(n) Indebtedness of Holdings or any Subsidiary arising pursuant to arrangements contemplated in Section 10.1(k), (m) or (n);
(o) Indebtedness arising under guarantees entered into pursuant to Section 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code in respect of a Dutch Loan Party and any residual liability with respect to such guarantees arising under Section 2:404 of the Dutch Civil Code;
(p) any joint and several liability as a result of a fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch tax purposes; and
(q) Indebtedness that is a refinancing, replacement, restatement or modification of any existing Indebtedness provided that such refinancing, replacement, restatement or modification does not result in an increase to the then outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced, except to the extent of accrued interest, fees, premium (if any) and expenses.
Permitted Investments means:
(a) Investments existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Closing and set forth on Schedule 10.10 or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification, renewal, replacement or reinvestment of any such Investment that would not cause a violation of the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis;
(b) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;
(c) Investments by any Obligor or any Subsidiary in another Obligor or Subsidiary;
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(d) Investments acquired in connection with the settlement of delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;
(e) loans or advances to officers, directors, members of management, and employees of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings) (i) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding, for business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes and (ii) for any other purposes not described in the foregoing clause (i) (in each of clauses (i) and (ii) determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans or advances); provided, that the aggregate amount outstanding at any time under clause (ii) above shall not exceed $9,000,000;
(f) accounts receivable owing to Holdings or the Subsidiaries, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary terms;
(g) Investments in the form of Swap Contracts which establish, or were intended to establish, an effective hedge in respect of liabilities, commitments or assets held or reasonably anticipated by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary;
(h) Investments consisting of promissory notes or other non-cash consideration received in connection with a permitted Disposition;
(i) Investments consisting of non-cash loans made by Holdings to management, executives, officers, directors, consultants, professional advisors and/or employees of a Subsidiary which are used by such Persons to simultaneously purchase Equity Interests of Holdings;
(j) Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;
(k) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of (i) endorsements for collection or deposit or (ii) customary trade arrangements with customers;
(l) loans and advances to Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments permitted to be made to Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof in accordance with Section 10.9;
(m) (i) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business and (ii) prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits and advance payments (including retainers) for goods or services paid or provided, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(n) Investments held by a Person that becomes a Subsidiary (or is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into a Subsidiary) after the Closing to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; and
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(o) to the extent constituting Investments, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 10.9, Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.10 and transactions permitted by Section 10.2.
Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, business entity or Governmental Authority.
Plan means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA, which for the avoidance of doubt shall not include any Canadian Pension Plan.
Principal Credit Facility means the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated as of December 22, 2020, as amended by that First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021, as further amended by that Second Amendment and Consent to Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2021, as further amended by that Third Amendment to Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2021, as further amended by that Fourth Amendment to Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2022, among the Company, Holdings, the borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch, as sustainability agent, including any renewals, extensions, amendments, supplements, restatements, replacements or refinancing thereof.
Pro Forma Basis means with respect to the calculation of the Financial Covenants as of any date (and the definitions used therein), that such calculation shall give pro forma effect to all Permitted Acquisitions and other Investments, all issuances, incurrences, assumptions, redemptions, retirements, repayments or extinguishments of Indebtedness (with any such Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable testing period in accordance with its terms) and all sales, transfers or other Dispositions of any material assets outside the ordinary course of business that have occurred during (or, if such calculation is being made for the purpose of determining whether any proposed acquisition will constitute a Permitted Acquisition, since the beginning of) the then-applicable testing as if they occurred on the first day of such testing period (excluding cost savings, synergies, operating expense reductions and other operating improvements). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Swap Contract applicable to such Indebtedness if such Swap Contract has a remaining term in excess of 12 months).
property or properties means, unless otherwise specifically limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate or inchoate.
PTE is defined in Section 6.2(a).
Purchaser or Purchasers means each of the purchasers that has executed and delivered this Agreement to the Company and such Purchasers successors and assigns (so long as any such assignment complies with Section 14.2), provided, however, that any Purchaser of a Note that ceases to be the registered holder or a beneficial owner (through a nominee) of such Note as the result of a transfer thereof pursuant to Section 14.2 shall cease to be included within the meaning of Purchaser of such Note for the purposes of this Agreement upon such transfer.
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Purchaser Schedule means the Purchaser Schedule to this Agreement listing the Purchasers of the Notes and including their notice and payment information.
Purchaser Swap Schedule means the Purchaser Swap Schedule to this Agreement listing the swap pricing confirmation information in respect of its Swapped Notes.
QPAM Exemption is defined in Section 6.2(d).
Qualified Asset means any Eligible Owned Asset, Eligible Ground Leased Asset or Eligible Leased Asset; provided, that the Company may from time to time, upon a Qualified Asset ceasing to satisfy the applicable Eligibility Criteria in a transaction permitted by this Agreement designate a Qualified Asset as a non-Qualified Asset and, from such date of determination, such Qualified Asset shall cease to be a Qualified Asset.
Qualified Asset Owners as to any Qualified Asset, means each owner or lessor thereof that is either (a) a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings, (b) a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings that is at least 51% owned, directly or indirectly, by Holdings so long as Holdings exclusively controls the sale, encumbrance and financing of such Qualified Asset or (c) a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings that is at least 50% owned, directly or indirectly, by Holdings so long as Holdings jointly controls the sale, encumbrance and financing of such Qualified Asset.
Qualified Institutional Buyer means any Person who is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of such term as set forth in Rule 144A(a)(1) under the Securities Act.
Qualified IPO means an underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8) of the Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof which generates net cash proceeds that are contributed as cash common equity to the Company of at least $250,000,000.
Real Property means, at any time of determination, all right, title and interest (including any leasehold estate) in and to any and all parcels of or interests in real property owned in fee or leased by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures (or equivalent interest in any applicable jurisdiction), together with, in each case, all easements, hereditaments and appurtenances relating thereto, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures incidental to the ownership or lease thereof.
Recourse Indebtedness means with respect to a Person, Indebtedness of such Person other than Non-recourse Indebtedness of such Person.
Refrigerated Railcar Business means the refrigerated and insulated railcar business segment of Holdings and its Subsidiaries.
Refunding Capital Stock is defined in Section 10.9.
REIT means a real estate investment trust, as defined in Section 856 of the Code.
REIT Parent means any direct or indirect parent of Holdings that intends to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including Lineage Growth Properties, Inc.
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REIT Subsidiary mean any Subsidiary of Holdings that intends to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Related Fund means, with respect to any holder of any Note, any fund or entity that (a) invests in Securities or bank loans, and (b) is advised or managed by such holder, the same investment advisor as such holder or by an affiliate of such holder or such investment advisor.
Release means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the indoor or outdoor environment.
Required Holders means at any time (i) prior to the Closing, the Purchasers and (ii) on or after the Closing, the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of Notes then owned by Holdings, the Company or any of its Affiliates).
Requirement of Law means as to any Person, the organizational or Governing Documents of such Person, and any law, 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 property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
Responsible Officer means any Senior Financial Officer or any authorized signatory of the Company, Holdings or such Person, as applicable, in each case, with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this Agreement.
Restricted Payment is defined in Section 10.9.
Retired Capital Stock is defined in Section 10.9.
S&P means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
Sanctioned Country means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is the subject or target of any Sanctions.
Sanctioned Person means, at any time, any Person (a) that is the subject of Sanctions or listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, the United Nations, Her Majestys Treasury or any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over any Obligor, (b) operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (c) that is publicly identified as prohibited from doing business with the United States under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading With the Enemy Act, or any other Requirement of Law, (d) that is a Canadian Blocked Person, or (e) owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in clauses (a) through (d) hereof.
Sanctions means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, the United Nations, Her Majestys Treasury, the federal government of Canada and sanctions under other similar Requirements of Law of other jurisdictions in which a Person conducts its business.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America.
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Secured Indebtedness with respect to any Person means, Indebtedness of such Person that is secured by a Lien. Indebtedness of Holdings or a Subsidiary secured solely by a pledge of Equity Interests in one or more Subsidiaries shall not be treated as Secured Indebtedness but shall be treated as Unsecured Indebtedness.
Securities or Security shall have the meaning specified in section 2(1) of the Securities Act.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
Senior Financial Officer means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or comptroller of the Company or Holdings.
series of Notes means each of the Series G Notes, Series H Notes and Series I Notes, as applicable.
Series G Notes is defined in Section 1.
Series H Notes is defined in Section 1.
Series I Notes is defined in Section 1.
Solvent with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, means (a) the amount of the present fair saleable value (determined on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value (determined on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured in the ordinary course, (c) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its business as contemplated on the date hereof and (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature or fall due in the ordinary course.
Source is defined in Section 6.2.
Specified Jurisdictions means the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales, Scotland, Guernsey, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Ireland, Portugal, Austria and Finland; and such other jurisdictions as may be agreed after the Closing by the Company and the Required Holders.
Stabilized Property has the meaning specified in the definition of Development Property.
State Sanctions List means a list that is adopted by any state Governmental Authority within the United States of America pertaining to Persons that engage in investment or other commercial activities in Iran or any other country that is a target of economic sanctions imposed under Sanctions.
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Subsidiary means, as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity 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 or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to a Subsidiary is a reference to a Subsidiary of Holdings.
Substitute Purchaser is defined in Section 22.
SVO means the Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC.
Swap Breakage Amount is defined in Section 8.9.
Swap Breakage Amount Notice is defined in Section 8.9.
Swap Breakage Gain is defined in Section 8.9.
Swap Breakage Loss is defined in Section 8.9.
Swap Contract means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Obligors or any of their Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Contract.
Swap Termination Value means in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any netting agreements relating to such Swap Contracts (to the extent, and only to the extent, such netting agreements are legally enforceable in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding against the applicable counterparty obligor thereunder), (i) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (ii) for any date prior to the date referenced in preceding clause (i), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts.
Swap Unwind Event is defined in Section 8.9.
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
TARGET Day means any day on which TARGET2 (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system reasonably, if any, determined by the Required Holders to be a suitable replacement) is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.
TARGET2 means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system which utilizes a single shared platform and which was launched on 19 November 2007.
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Total Asset Value means on any date, without duplication, the sum of:
(a) with respect to Real Property (other than Newly Acquired Properties, Development Properties, Newly Stabilized Properties and undeveloped land) that is (x) owned or ground leased or (y) a Leased Asset as of such date by Holdings or any Subsidiary, the sum of the Eligible Values at such time of each such Real Property;
(b) with respect to the transportation and other ancillary businesses (including the Refrigerated Railcar Business) as of such date of Holdings or any Subsidiary, the sum of the portion of EBITDA attributable to each such business segment for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 9.0; provided, that with respect to any such business segment of Holdings or such Subsidiary that has been owned for less than four full quarters as of such date, the purchase price paid for such business segment;
(c) with respect to any Newly Acquired Property (other than a Development Property, a Newly Stabilized Property or undeveloped land), EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended for such Real Property, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(d) with respect to any (i) Development Property (until such Development Property becomes a Stabilized Property), (ii) Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for less than one full fiscal quarter as of such date and (iii) undeveloped land, the lesser of (x) cost (including the cost of the land and all hard and soft costs) or (y) book value in accordance with GAAP;
(e) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least one full fiscal quarter but less than two full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent full fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date in respect of which financial statements for such quarter or fiscal year have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(f) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least two full fiscal quarters but less than three full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of two full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for such each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 2, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(g) with respect to any Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least three full fiscal quarters but less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of three full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4/3, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(h) unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents and unrestricted marketable securities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000;
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(i) the sum of (x) the book value of other assets consisting of inventory, accounts receivable not more than 90 days past due or otherwise in payment default, and other tangible assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries minus (y) the book value of accounts payable of Holdings and its Subsidiaries; and
(j) solely with respect to the calculation of Total Leverage Ratio herein, the amount of cash contributions that the direct or indirect owners of the Equity Interests of Holdings have irrevocably committed to contribute to Holdings when requested by Holdings pursuant to subscription agreements or similar agreements, which commitments were received on or prior to the date of delivery of the applicable Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 7.2(a), or on or prior to the date of the applicable pro forma financial covenant calculation, as applicable, but have not yet funded;
provided that not more than 15% of the Total Asset Value at any time may be attributable to undeveloped land and Development Properties, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Total Asset Value.
Holdingss pro rata share of assets held by Joint Ventures will be included in the calculation of Total Asset Value consistent with the above-described treatment for assets owned by Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
Total Indebtedness means the sum of all Indebtedness of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries and the pro rata share of all Indebtedness of Joint Ventures.
Total Leverage Ratio is defined in Section 10.5(a).
Total Secured Indebtedness means the portion of Total Indebtedness that is Secured Indebtedness.
Total Unsecured Indebtedness means the portion of Total Indebtedness that is Unsecured Indebtedness.
Unencumbered Asset Value means as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, without duplication, the sum of:
(a) (i) Unencumbered NOI for Qualified Assets that are not Newly Acquired Properties, Development Properties or Newly Stabilized Properties for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended, divided by (ii) the applicable Capitalization Rate;
(b) with respect to any Qualified Asset that is a Newly Acquired Property (other than a Development Property or a Newly Stabilized Property), the EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended for such Qualified Asset, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(c) with respect to Qualified Asset that is a (i) Development Property (until such Development Property becomes a Stabilized Property), a (ii) Newly Stabilized Property that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for less than one full fiscal quarter as of such date or (iii) undeveloped land, the lesser of (x) cost or (y) book value in accordance with GAAP;
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(d) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least one full fiscal quarter but less than two full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent full fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date in respect of which financial statements for such quarter or fiscal year have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(e) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least two full fiscal quarters but less than three full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of two full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 2, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(f) with respect to any Qualified Asset that has been a Newly Stabilized Property for at least three full fiscal quarters but less than four full fiscal quarters as of such date, an amount equal to the portion of EBITDA for the most recent period of three full fiscal quarters ended on or prior to such date (taken as one accounting period) in respect of which financial statements for each quarter or fiscal year in such period have been or are required to be delivered that is attributable to such Newly Stabilized Property multiplied by 4/3, divided by the applicable Capitalization Rate (but in no event less than zero);
(g) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000,000; and
(h) with respect to the Refrigerated Railcar Business as of such date, the sum of the portion of the EBITDA attributable to the Refrigerated Railcar Business for the most recently ended period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 9.0; provided that with respect to any Refrigerated Railcar Business that has been owned for less than four full quarters as of such date, the purchase price paid for such Refrigerated Railcar Business; and provided further that not more than 15% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to the Refrigerated Railcar Business, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
provided that:
(i) not more than 20% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets located in jurisdictions outside the Specified Jurisdictions, Qualified Assets that are owned or leased by a non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Holdings, and undeveloped land and Development Properties, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
(ii) not more than 25% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Eligible Leased Assets, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value;
A-33
(iii) not more than 10% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets that are owned or leased by a Subsidiary which (together with any other Subsidiary that is the direct or indirect holder of Equity Interests in such Subsidiary, referred to as the Parent Subsidiary) has outstanding Indebtedness at such time (unless such Subsidiary or Parent Subsidiary, as applicable, is an US Obligor Affiliate or the lender of such Indebtedness is a party to the Intercreditor Agreement), with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value; and
(iv) not more than the lesser of (x) $400,000,000 or (y) 5% of the Unencumbered Asset Value at any time may be attributable to Qualified Assets and assets set forth in clauses (g) and (h) of this definition of a Qualified Asset Owner described in clause (c) of the definition thereof, with any excess over such limit being excluded from the Unencumbered Asset Value.
Unencumbered Leverage Ratio is defined in Section 10.5(c).
Unencumbered NOI means as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, the aggregate portion of EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended that is attributable to Qualified Assets.
United States Person has the meaning set forth for the term United States person in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
Unsecured Indebtedness with respect to any Person means, Indebtedness of such Person that is not Secured Indebtedness.
US Dollars or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
US Joint and Several Enforcement Costs is defined in Section 24.4.
US Obligor Affiliate means (i) an Obligor Affiliate organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof, the District of Columbia, or any other jurisdiction within the United States and (ii) any other Obligor Affiliate required to accede to this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.7(a).
US Obligor Affiliate Indebtedness is defined in Section 24.1.
US Obligor Affiliate Obligations is defined in Section 24.1.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary means as to any Person, any other Person all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares required by law) is owned by such Person directly and/or through other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
A-34
OBLIGOR AFFILIATES
US Obligor Affiliates (Delaware)
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Lineage AUS RE Holdings, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics Canada Holdings, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Foodservice Solutions, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics AFS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics HCS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics PFS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics SCS, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics Services, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Manufacturing, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Redistribution, LLC | Delaware | |
Lineage Transportation, LLC | Delaware | |
New Orleans Cold Storage and Warehouse Company, LLC | Delaware | |
NOCS South Atlantic Cold Storage & Warehouse, LLC | Delaware | |
NOCS West Gulf, LLC | Delaware |
Other US Obligor Affiliates
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Lineage Customs Brokerage, LLC | Washington | |
Preferred Freezer Logistics, LLC | New Jersey |
Foreign Obligor Affiliates
Company |
Jurisdiction | |
Emergent Cold Bidco Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Emergent Cold Midco 3 Pty Ltd. | Australia | |
Emergent Cold Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Lineage AUS TRS Pty Ltd | Australia | |
Lineage Danish Bidco ApS | Denmark | |
Lineage UK Holdings Limited | Guernsey | |
Lineage Dutch Bidco B.V. | Netherlands | |
Lineage Dutch Coöperatief U.A. | Netherlands | |
Lineage Logistics New Zealand (f/k/a Emergent Cold) | New Zealand | |
Lineage NZ TRS Limited | New Zealand | |
Lineage Norway Holdings I AS | Norway | |
Lineage UK T&F Holdings Limited | England & Wales | |
Lineage Logistics ORS Ltd. | Ontario, Canada | |
Lineage Logistics ORS TRS LP | Ontario, Canada | |
Lineage Logistics Singapore Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | |
Lineage Logistics Singapore Intermediate Holdings Pte. Ltd. | Singapore |
SCHEDULE B
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
[FORM OF SERIES G NOTE]
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
3.33% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES G DUE AUGUST 20, 2027
No. RG-[_____] |
[Date] | |
[_______] |
PPN N5269@ AE8 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. (herein called the Company), a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] EUROS (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2027 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 3.33% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20 or August 20 next succeeding the date hereof]/ February 20, 2023, and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount and, at any time that this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 5.33% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the European Union; provided that, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, certain amounts payable with respect to this Note (including, without limitation, any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) shall be payable in the lawful money of the United States of America.1 All of the foregoing shall be made at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York, or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 15, 2022 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, Lineage Logistics, LLC, Holdings, each of the other Obligors from time to time party thereto and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
1 | To include payments in the lawful money of Canada, as applicable, for any Canadian transferee of a Swapped Note. |
SCHEDULE 1-A
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on this Note shall be unconditionally guaranteed by the Obligors in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount and, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
By | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
1-A-2
[FORM OF SERIES H NOTE]
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
3.54% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES H DUE AUGUST 20, 2029
No. RH-[_____] |
[Date] | |
[_______] |
PPN N5269@ AF5 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. (herein called the Company), a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] EUROS (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2029 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 3.54% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20 or August 20 next succeeding the date hereof]/ [February 20, 2023], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount and, at any time that this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 5.54% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the European Union; provided that, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, certain amounts payable with respect to this Note (including, without limitation, any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) shall be payable in the lawful money of the United States of America.2 All of the foregoing shall be made at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York, or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 15, 2022 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, Lineage Logistics, LLC, Holdings, each of the other Obligors from time to time party thereto and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
2 | To include payments in the lawful money of Canada, as applicable, for any Canadian transferee of a Swapped Note. |
SCHEDULE 1-B
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on this Note shall be unconditionally guaranteed by the Obligors in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount and, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
By | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
1-B-2
[FORM OF SERIES I NOTE]
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V.
3.74% GUARANTEED SENIOR NOTE SERIES I DUE AUGUST 20, 2032
No. RI-[_____] |
[Date] | |
[_______] |
PPN N5269@ AG3 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. (herein called the Company), a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] EUROS (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2032 (the Maturity Date), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 3.74% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with [the February 20 or August 20 next succeeding the date hereof]/ [February 20, 2023], and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount and, at any time that this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 5.74% or (ii) 2.0% over the rate of interest publicly announced by Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the European Union; provided that, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, certain amounts payable with respect to this Note (including, without limitation, any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) shall be payable in the lawful money of the United States of America.3 All of the foregoing shall be made at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York, or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of Guaranteed Senior Notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 15, 2022 (as from time to time amended, the Note Purchase Agreement), among the Company, Lineage Logistics, LLC, Holdings, each of the other Obligors from time to time party thereto and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 21 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
3 | To include payments in the lawful money of Canada, as applicable, for any Canadian transferee of a Swapped Note. |
SCHEDULE 1-C
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Payment of the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Modified Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on this Note shall be unconditionally guaranteed by the Obligors in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount and, at any time this Note is a Swapped Note, Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
LINEAGE TREASURY EUROPE B.V. | ||
By | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
1-C-2
FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
(OBLIGOR AFFILIATES)
JOINDER AGREEMENT dated as of [_____] (this Joinder Agreement) to the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of August 15, 2022 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Note Purchase Agreement), among Lineage Logistics, LLC, Lineage Treasury Europe B.V. and Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC, and each of the other Obligors from time to time party thereto and the holders of the Notes from time to time party thereto.
A. Reference is made to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes issued thereunder. Capitalized terms used herein not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
B. Pursuant to Section 9.7[(a)/(b)] of the Note Purchase Agreement, the undersigned Subsidiary is required to enter into a supplement to the Note Purchase Agreement in the form of this Joinder Agreement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the New Obligor Affiliate) is executing this Joinder Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the Note Purchase Agreement to become a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate and an Obligor under the Note Purchase Agreement.
Accordingly, the New Obligor Affiliate agrees as follows:
Section 1. In accordance with Section 9.7[(a)/)(b)] of the Note Purchase Agreement, the New Obligor Affiliate by its signature below becomes an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate under the Note Purchase Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate and the New Obligor Affiliate hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement applicable to it as an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate thereunder. Each reference to an Obligor and a [US/Foreign] Obligor Affiliate in the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall be deemed to include the New Obligor Affiliate. The Note Purchase Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. The New Obligor Affiliate represents and warrants to the holders that this Joinder Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
Section 3. This Joinder Agreement shall become effective when the holders shall have received counterparts of this Joinder Agreement executed on behalf of the New Obligor Affiliate. Execution and delivery of this Joinder Agreement may be made in accordance with Section 23.5 of the Note Purchase Agreement and such clause is incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.
Section 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall remain in full force and effect. All references herein to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall include all amendments, supplements and modifications thereto.
Section 5. This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
SCHEDULE 2
(to Note Purchase Agreement)
Section 6. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
[Section 7. The New Obligor Affiliate hereby irrevocably appoints Lineage Logistics, LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan, 48377 to receive for it, and on its behalf, service of process in the United States, from the date hereof through August 20, 2033.]4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Obligor Affiliate has duly executed this Joinder Agreement to the Note Purchase Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
[NAME OF NEW OBLIGOR AFFILIATE] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Address: |
4 | NTD: To be included only in respect of Foreign Obligor Affiliates. |
2-2
Exhibit 10.38
AIRCRAFT TIME SHARING AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
BAY GROVE CAPITAL LLC
A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
AND
LINEAGE, INC.,
A MARYLAND CORPORATION
DATED
_______, 2024
1
AIRCRAFT TIME SHARING AGREEMENT
THIS AIRCRAFT TIME SHARING AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is dated as of _______, 2024, by and between Bay Grove Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Lessor), and Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (Lessee). Lessor and Lessee are hereinafter sometimes referred to individually as Party and also collectively as Parties.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Lessor rightfully possesses and is the operator of the Aircraft described and referenced in Exhibit A attached hereto;
WHEREAS, Lessor employs, or has arranged for the employment of, or has under contract, a fully qualified flight crew to operate the Aircraft;
WHEREAS, Lessee desires to use the Aircraft from time to time; and
WHEREAS, Lessor is willing to make the Aircraft available to Lessee but only in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of (a) this Agreement and (b) the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) including, without limitation, Subpart F, entitled Large and Turbine-Powered Multi-Engine Airplanes and specifically Sections 91.501(b)(6), (c)(1) and (d) relating to time sharing agreements (the Applicable FAR).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. LEASE OF AIRCRAFT. Lessor hereby agrees to lease the Aircraft to Lessee and Lessee hereby agrees to lease the Aircraft from Lessor from time to time, on a non-continuous and non-exclusive basis, subject to the Applicable FAR and the terms and conditions set forth herein. Each flight made under this Agreement, including delivery or redelivery of the Aircraft to the Home Base or to such other location as the Parties may otherwise agree, shall be referred to herein as a Time Sharing Flight.
2. TERM OF AGREEMENT
2.1 The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the date of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect for one (1) year unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 15 hereof.
2.2 Unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 15 hereof, the initial one (1) year term of this Agreement shall be automatically renewed at the end of such initial term for successive one (1) year terms thereafter.
3. LEASE PAYMENTS
3.1 Lessee shall pay to Lessor an amount not to exceed all Time Sharing Costs (as set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto) for each Time Sharing Flight. Notwithstanding any such requirement, Lessee shall not be required to pay any amounts that are not allowed to be paid by Lessee to Lessor under the Applicable FAR. Should for any reason whatsoever Lessor receive from Lessee any amounts under this Agreement not otherwise allowed under the Applicable FAR, Lessor shall immediately refund to Lessee such disallowed amounts.
2
3.2 Lessee hereby agrees to pay such Time Sharing Costs to Lessor within ten (10) days after receipt of Lessors written invoice therefor, which shall include supporting invoices and receipts relating to the Time Sharing Costs as reflected in Lessors invoices.
4. TAXES
4.1 Lessee shall be liable for and shall pay upon receipt of an invoice therefor, any sales, use or excise taxes imposed or otherwise assessed for each Time Sharing Flight. Notwithstanding the above, nothing contained herein shall be construed to require Lessee to pay or reimburse Lessor for any franchise, sales, use, personal property, business property or any other taxes, governmental charges or assessments imposed on the Aircraft or Lessor based on its ownership or possession of the Aircraft or any tax computed on the basis of Lessors income, generally, and/or ownership of its assets, including the Aircraft.
4.2 If any taxing authority requires that a tax required to be paid by Lessee hereunder be collected and/or paid to the taxing authority directly by Lessor, Lessee shall, within ten (10) days of its receipt of a written invoice from Lessor, pay to Lessor the amount of such tax, unless such tax is being contested pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof. In all events, Lessor shall collect the federal excise tax imposed under Internal Revenue Code Section 4261 (the Commercial Transportation Tax) on all amounts paid hereunder (except for separately stated and billed ground transportation or other items not taxable).
4.3 Lessee shall have the right to contest the validity or amount of any tax required to be paid by Lessee hereunder by legal proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted.
5. SCHEDULING AND CANCELLATIONS
5.1 Lessee may from time to time request the use of the Aircraft for a Time Sharing Flight by contacting Lessors Scheduler (as identified from time to time to Lessee by Lessor, the Scheduler). The Scheduler shall advise Lessee as to whether or not the Aircraft is available for Lessees use and schedule the Aircraft accordingly. Such determination of availability and scheduling shall be made by Scheduler, on behalf of Lessor, in the Schedulers sole and absolute discretion.
5.2 The Scheduler, for and on behalf of Lessor, shall arrange for flight crew, landing permits, clearances, and ground handling for all destinations and coordinate the Aircrafts movements to support Lessees travel schedule. If seasonably requested by Lessee, the Scheduler, on behalf of Lessee, can arrange ground transportation, catering and hotel accommodations. Otherwise, details of each Time Sharing Flight shall be arranged to the mutual agreement of Lessee and Lessor.
5.3 Lessee shall notify the Scheduler of any desired cancellation of a Time Sharing Flight. Cancellation charges to be paid by Lessee shall be limited to Time Sharing Costs incurred by Lessor as of the time of such notification, including the return of the Aircraft to the Home Base (as set forth in Section 27, below). Lessor shall cause Scheduler to notify Lessee of any desired or required cancellation by Lessor. Lessor shall not be liable to Lessee for any damages or losses of Lessee, or any other party, incurred in connection with the cancellation by Lessor of any Time Sharing Flight.
6. MAINTENANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY. Lessor, at its own cost and expense, shall be responsible for all service, repair, inspection, maintenance and overhaul to be done to the Aircraft during the term of this Agreement. Such service, repair and maintenance shall take precedence over scheduling of the Aircraft for Time Sharing Flights, unless such can be safely deferred in accordance with applicable laws
3
and regulations, as determined in Lessors sole discretion, subject to the final authority of the pilot-in-command, as such term is defined in 14 C.F.R. Paragraph 1.1 (the Pilot-In-Command), to not initiate or to terminate a Time Sharing Flight. Lessor shall maintain all records, logs and other materials required by the United States Department of Transportation or the FAA with respect to the maintenance of the Aircraft.
7. OPERATIONAL CONTROL. Lessor shall have complete and absolute operational control of the Aircraft. Operational Control as defined in 14 C.F.R. Paragraph 1.1 and for the purpose of this Agreement, with respect to a flight, means the exercise of authority over initiating, conducting or terminating a flight, which shall include, without limitation, providing the flight crew, selecting the Pilot-In-Command and all other physical and technical operations of the Aircraft.
8. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CREW. In accordance with applicable FAR, the qualified flight crew provided or contracted for by Lessor will exercise all of its duties and responsibilities in regard to the safety of each flight conducted hereunder. Lessee specifically agrees that the flight crew, in its sole discretion, may terminate any flight, refuse to commence any flight, or take other action which in the considered judgment of the Pilot-In-Command is necessitated by considerations of safety. The Pilot-In-Command shall determine the routing, approve the payload, and otherwise decide all matters relating to the safety of each flight and shall have final and complete authority over all matters concerning the preparation of the Aircraft for flight and the flight itself, including whether to cancel any flight for any reason or condition, which in the judgment of such Pilot-In-Command would compromise the safety of the flight. No such action of the Pilot-In-Command shall create or support any liability for loss, injury, damage or delay to Lessee or any other person. Lessors operation of the Aircraft hereunder shall be strictly within the guidelines and policies established by Lessor and FAR Part 91. Lessee acknowledges and agrees that Lessor shall not be liable under any circumstances for delay or failure to furnish the Aircraft and the flight crew pursuant to this Agreement, except in the event of willful misconduct by Lessor.
9. LEGAL TITLE TO THE AIRCRAFT. Legal title to the Aircraft shall remain with the legal owner at all times.
10. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LESSOR. Lessor hereby represents and warrants to Lessee as follows:
10.1 Lessor has the absolute and unrestricted right, power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Lessor have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Lessor. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Lessor, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
10.2 Lessor is an entity authorized to own or lease its properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted.
10.3 Lessor is a citizen of the United States as defined in Section 40102(a)(15) of Title 49, United States Code.
10.4 Lessor is eligible for the benefits of the Applicable FAR and Lessors operation of the Aircraft under this Agreement is consistent with, and permissible under, the Applicable FAR.
10.5 LESSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE DESIGN, OPERATION, OR CONDITION OF, OR AS TO THE QUALITY OF THE AIRCRAFT. IN ADDITION, LESSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OF FITNESS OF SUCH AIRCRAFT FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION WHATSOEVER.
4
11. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LESSEE. Lessee hereby represents and warrants to Lessor as follows:
11.1 Lessee has the absolute and unrestricted right, power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Lessee have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Lessee. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Lessee, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
11.2 Lessee is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all necessary power and authority under applicable corporate law and its organizational documents individual.
12. AIRCRAFT USE BY LESSEE. It is understood and agreed by Lessee that Lessees use of the Aircraft for each Time Sharing Flight shall be for Lessees own account and that Lessee is prohibited from providing transportation of passengers or cargo for compensation or hire under the FAR.
13. INSURANCE. Lessor will maintain, or cause to be maintained and in effect, at all times during the term of this Agreement, with insurers of recognized responsibility, (i) aircraft hull and liability insurance with respect to the Aircraft, (ii) passenger, pilot and crew voluntary settlement insurance and (iii) statutory workers compensation and employers liability insurance, each in such amount and type usually carried by companies similarly situated with Lessor, acting as an owner-operator, and owning and operating similar aircraft, and covering such other risks as are customarily insured against by such companies. Lessor shall cause Lessee to be named as an additional insured on the aircraft liability insurance policy and shall provide a certificate of insurance to Lessee confirming the same prior to commencement of Lessees first flight under this Agreement.
14. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Each Party to this Agreement agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other Party and its respective officers, directors, partners, employees, shareholders, and affiliates from any claim, damage, loss, or reasonable expense, including reasonable attorneys fees, resulting from the bodily injury or property damage caused by an occurrence and arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the Aircraft, which results from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Party, provided that neither Party shall be liable for any such loss to the extent:
14.1 Such loss is covered by the insurance policies described in Section 13, above;
14.2 Such loss is covered by such policies but the amount of such loss exceeds the policy limits; or
14.3 Such loss consists of expenses incurred in connection with any loss covered, in whole or in part, by such policies but such expenses are not payable under such policies.
EACH PARTY AGREES THAT (A) THE PROCEEDS OF INSURANCE TO WHICH IT IS ENTITLED, (B) ITS RIGHTS TO INDEMNIFICATION FROM THE OTHER PARTY UNDER THIS SECTION 14, AND (C) ITS RIGHT TO DIRECT DAMAGES ARISING IN CONTRACT FROM A MATERIAL BREACH OF THE OTHER PARTYS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT ARE THE SOLE REMEDIES FOR ANY DAMAGE, LOSS, OR EXPENSE ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SERVICES PROVIDED HEREUNDER OR CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 14 EACH PARTY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO RECOVER ANY DAMAGE, LOSS, OR EXPENSE ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SERVICES PROVIDED HEREUNDER OR CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE FOR OR HAVE ANY DUTY FOR INDEMNIFICATION OR CONTRIBUTION TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR ANY CLAIMED INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY DAMAGES CONSISTING OF DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF USE OR DEPRECIATION OF VALUE OF THE AIRCRAFT, LOSS OF PROFIT OR INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE.
5
The provisions of this Section 14 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
15. TERMINATION. Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time upon ten (10) business days prior written notice to the other Party; provided that this Agreement may be terminated on such shorter notice as may be required to comply with applicable laws, regulations, insurance requirements or in the event the insurance required hereunder is not in full force and effect.
16. ASSIGNMENT. Neither Party shall assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder at any time without the other Partys prior written consent.
17. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. No term or provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by a written instrument signed by the Party against which enforcement of such amendment, modification, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. No delay or failure by either Party to exercise any right under this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right hereunder and any waiver of the terms hereof shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose given.
18. NOTICES. Unless otherwise expressly provided by law or herein, all notices, instructions, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or sent by facsimile or other electronic transmission (the receipt of which shall be confirmed by the Parties, either by a confirming copy sent by air mail, postage prepaid, or some other manner which confirms receipt of the facsimile or electronic transmission) and the date of personal delivery of facsimile or electronic transmission or three (3) business days after the date of mailing (other than in the case of the mailing of a confirming copy of a facsimile transmission), as the case may be, shall be the date of such notice, in each case to the address of such Party set forth on the signature page hereto (or at such other address and/or facsimile number as a Party shall have furnished to the other in writing).
19. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement is the entire agreement between the Parties. No agreements, representations, or warranties other than those specifically set forth herein shall be binding on either Party unless in writing signed by both Parties.
20. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of California without regard to conflicts of law principles.
21. HEIRS AND SUCCESSORS. This Agreement and each of its provisions shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, devisees, legatees, executors, administrators, trustees, successors and assigns of the Parties to this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Section 21 shall be construed as consent by such Party to any assignment of this Agreement or any interest therein by the other Party.
22. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each Party shall execute and deliver to the other such further documents and take such further action as may be necessary to effectuate the intent and purpose of this Agreement.
6
23. CAPTIONS. The captions used in this Agreement are solely for convenience of reference and do not form part of this Agreement.
24. NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY. No person, other than the Parties expressly named herein, is intended to be a beneficiary of any provisions of this Agreement.
25. SEVERABILITY. If any term or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall, to any extent, be prohibited or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such term or provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held prohibited or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.
26. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts together shall constitute and be one and the same instrument.
27. HOME BASE OF AIRCRAFT. The Aircraft is based at the Oakland International Airport (KOAK), Oakland, California (the Home Base).
28. TRUTH IN LEASING
28.1 LESSOR HAS REVIEWED THE AIRCRAFTS MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND OPERATING LOGS AND HAS FOUND THAT, DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS PRECEDING THE DATE OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND INSPECTED UNDER PART 91 OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS. LESSOR CERTIFIES THAT THE AIRCRAFT WILL BE MAINTAINED AND INSPECTED UNDER FAR PART 91 FOR OPERATIONS TO BE CONDUCTED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.
28.2 LESSOR AND LESSEE CERTIFY THAT LESSOR AND NOT LESSEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT DURING THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT. LESSOR FURTHER CERTIFIES THAT LESSOR UNDERSTANDS ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS.
28.3 LESSOR AND LESSEE UNDERSTAND THAT AN EXPLANATION OF FACTORS BEARING ON OPERATIONAL CONTROL AND THE PERTINENT FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NEAREST FAA FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE.
28.4 LESSOR AND LESSEE CERTIFY AND AGREE THAT A TRUE COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CARRIED ON THE AIRCRAFT AT ALL TIMES DURING ANY TIME SHARING FLIGHT, AND SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST BY AN APPROPRIATELY CONSTITUTED IDENTIFIED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.
7
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPLY WITH TRUTH-IN-LEASING REQUIREMENTS
1. Mail a copy of the lease to the following address via certified mail, return receipt requested, immediately upon execution of the lease (14 C.F.R. 91.23 requires that the copy be sent within twenty-four hours after it is signed):
Federal Aviation Administration
Aircraft Registration Branch
ATTN: Technical Section
P.O. Box 25724
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125
2. Telephone the nearest Flight Standards District Office at least forty-eight hours prior to the first flight under this lease. (Please see attached script.)
3. Carry a copy of the lease in the aircraft at all times.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
LESSOR: | LESSEE: | |||||||
BAY GROVE CAPITAL LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, |
LINEAGE, INC., a Maryland corporation, | |||||||
By: | By: | |||||||
Name: | Name: | |||||||
Title: | Title: |
Address: | 801 Montgomery Street, Floor 5 | Address: | 46500 Humboldt Drive | |||||
San Francisco, California 94133 | Novi, Michigan 48337 | |||||||
Attn: David Brandes | Attn: Legal Department | |||||||
Email: | Email: |
Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement | Signature Page |
EXHIBIT A
AIRCRAFT
Aircraft shall mean: | ||
Make and Model: | Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Model GVI (G650ER) | |
Serial No.: | 6210 | |
U.S. Registration Number: | N559FF | |
Make and Model of Engines: | Rolls Royce, BR725A1-12 | |
Engine Serial Nos.: | 25449 and 25450 |
Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement
EXHIBIT B
TIME SHARING COSTS
(Actual Costs)
1. | Fuel, oil, lubricants and other additives. |
2. | Travel expenses of the crew, including food, lodging and ground transportation. |
3. | Hangar and tie-down costs away from the aircrafts base of operation. |
4. | Insurance obtained for the specific flight. |
5. | Landing fees, airport taxes and similar assessments. |
6. | Customs, foreign permit, and similar fees directly related to the fight. |
7. | In flight food and beverages. |
8. | Passenger ground transportation. |
9. | Flight planning and weather contract services. |
10. | An additional time sharing charge not to exceed the amount set forth in 1, above. |
Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement
AIRCRAFT TIME SHARING AGREEMENT
FSDO SCRIPT
Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. 91.23 (FAR 91.23) Truth-In-Leasing Section 91.23(c)(3) No person may operate a large civil aircraft of U.S. registry that is subject to any lease that is subject to 91.23 (including a Time Sharing Agreement) unless the lessee or registered owner notifies by telephone or in person the FAA flight Standards district office nearest the airport where the flight will originate at least forty-eight (48) hours before takeoff, in the case of the first flight of that aircraft under the lease, of the following information:
Bay Grove Capital LLC (Lessor) and Lineage, Inc. (Lessee), have entered into an Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement dated as of _______, 2024 (Time Sharing Agreement) relating to following Aircraft:
Manufacturer: | Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation | |||||
Make and Model: | GVI (G650ER) | |||||
Serial No.: | 6210 | |||||
FAA Registration No.: | N559FF |
The first flight of the Aircraft pursuant to the Time Sharing Agreement is scheduled to occur from ____________________________, at approximately ________.
Pursuant to FAR Section 91.23(c) 1 and 2, a copy of the Time Sharing Agreement has been mailed to the following address within twenty-four hours after it was signed:
Federal Aviation Administration
Aircraft Registration Branch
ATTN: Technical Section
P.O. Box 25724
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125
A COPY OF THE TIME SHARING AGREEMENT WILL BE CARRIED ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT AT ALL TIMES WHILE SUCH IS IN EFFECT.
Please contact me should you have any questions with respect to the above.
Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement
Exhibit 21.1
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
2957-8002 Quebec Inc. | Quebec | | ||
A.B. Oxford Cold Storage Company No. 2 Pty Ltd. | Australia | | ||
A.B. Oxford Cold Storage Company Pty Ltd | Australia | Oxford Logistics Group | ||
Aasheim Eiendom AS | Norway | | ||
Aasheim Eiendom II AS | Norway | | ||
Allansford Trust | Australia | | ||
Auscold Logistics Pty Limited | Australia | | ||
Avon Solar, LLC | Massachusetts | | ||
Bayside Canadian Railway Company Ltd. | Canada | | ||
Berlin Invest Netherlands B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Big Dog Operating LLC | Massachusetts | | ||
Boreas Logistics Holdings B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Bradford Way Trust | Australia | | ||
Cold Storage Nelson Limited | New Zealand | | ||
Columbia Colstor, Inc. | Washington | | ||
Cool Port Oakland DRE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Cool Port Oakland Freight, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Cool Port Oakland Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Cool Port Oakland Intermediate Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Cool Port Oakland, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Cryo-Trans, LLC | Maryland | | ||
Crystal Creek Logistics, L.L.C. | Washington | | ||
Daalimpex Harlingen B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Daalimpex Velsen B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
DPA Nederland B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
E.T.E. Transport B.V. | Netherlands | E.T.E. Forwarding | ||
Edinburgh Trust | Australia | | ||
Ejendomsselskabet Kristian Skous Vej 6 ApS | Denmark | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Emergent Cold (Private) Ltd | Sri Lanka | | ||
Emergent Cold (Vic) Propco Pty Ltd. | Australia | | ||
Emergent Cold (Vic) Pty Ltd. | Australia | | ||
Emergent Cold Bidco Pty Ltd | Australia | | ||
Emergent Cold Holdings Pty Ltd | Australia | John Swire & Sons | ||
Emergent Cold Midco 2 Pty Ltd. | Australia | | ||
Emergent Cold Midco 3 Pty Ltd. | Australia | | ||
Emergent Cold Midco Pty Ltd. | Australia | | ||
Emergent Cold Pty Ltd | Australia | Frigmobile Cold Chain Logistics | ||
Emergent Cold Topco Pty Ltd. | Australia | | ||
Emergent Cold Vietnam Company Limited | Vietnam | | ||
Entrepôt Du Nord Inc. | Quebec | | ||
Erweda Holdings B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
ESMAPF-60, LLC | Massachusetts | | ||
Every Bear Investments LLC | Delaware | | ||
FAIS US, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Ferin Sp zoo | Poland | | ||
Festing Coldstores B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Flexible Automation Innovative Solutions NV | Belgium | | ||
Fundy Stevedoring Inc. | Canada | | ||
H&S Coldstores Holding B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Ha Noi Steel Pipe Joint Stock Company | Vietnam | | ||
Harley International Properties Limited | Virgin Islands, British | | ||
HemGra Investments I B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
HemGra Investments II B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
HemGra Investments III B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Henningsen Cold Storage Co., LLC | Delaware | | ||
Ice Cold Storage Holding B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Integrated Railcar Services, LLC | Maryland | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Kemps Creek Trust | Australia | | ||
Kennedy Transportation Incorporated | Washington | | ||
Kloosbeheer B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Kloosterboer BLG Coldstore GmbH | Germany | | ||
Kloosterboer Development B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Kloosterboer Group B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Kloosterboer IJmuiden B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Kloosterboer Vlissingen B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Kurnall Trust | Australia | | ||
Larvik Logistikkinvest AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage AFS Master RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage AL Attalla RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage AP Holdings Pty Ltd | Australia | | ||
Lineage AP Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage AP Intermediate Holdings Pty Ltd | Australia | | ||
Lineage AP Topco, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Arras Propco S.A.S.U. | France | | ||
Lineage Arras S.A.S.U. | France | | ||
Lineage Asten Propco B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage AUS RE Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage AUS TRS Pty Ltd | Australia | Lineage Food Australia Lineage Foods | ||
Lineage Avedore ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage B REIT Assets, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage B TRS Assets, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage BE TRS BV | | |||
Lineage Bedford Park RE 2, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Beneden-Leeuwen B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Beneden-Leeuwen PropCo B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Bergen op Zoom B.V. | Netherlands | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Lineage Bergen Op Zoom Holdings B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Bluebird Debtco, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Bodegraven B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Bremerhaven PropCo B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Bremerhaven GmbH | Germany | | ||
Lineage Columbia Mezz, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Copenhagen ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage Customs Brokerage, LLC | Washington | | ||
Lineage Danish Bidco 3 ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage Danish Bidco 4 ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage Danish Bidco 5 ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage Danish Bidco 6 ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage Danish BidCo ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage Danish Bidco II ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage DE TRS GmbH | Germany | | ||
Lineage Direct-to-Consumer, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage DR Master RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Dutch Bidco 4 B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Bidco 5 B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Bidco 6 B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Bidco 8 B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Bidco B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Bidco II B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Bidco III B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Cooperatief U.A. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Holdco 1 B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Holdco 2 B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Holdco 3 B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Holdings B.V. | Netherlands | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Lineage Dutch Holdings II B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Dutch Holdings III B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Eemhaven PropCo B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Food Solutions Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | | ||
Lineage Foodservice Solutions, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage France Holdings B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage France S.A.S.U. | France | | ||
Lineage Freight Forwarding Europe B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Freight Forwarding Germany GmbH | Germany | | ||
Lineage Freight Forwarding South Africa (Pty) Ltd | South Africa | | ||
Lineage Freight Forwarding, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage GA Albany 12 RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage GA Albany RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage GA Forsyth RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage GA Macon RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage GA Master RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage GA Port Wentworth RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage GA Savannah RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Gameren B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Gattatico S.r.l. | Italy | | ||
Lineage Germany Holding GmbH | Germany | | ||
Lineage Germany Holdings B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Gloucester Ltd. | United Kingdom | | ||
Lineage Harnes Propco S.A.S.U. | France | | ||
Lineage Harnes S.A.S. | France | | ||
Lineage HCS Master RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage HCS Mezz, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage HCS PA Scranton RE Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage HCS PA Scranton RE, LLC | Delaware | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Lineage Hong Kong Holdings Limited | Hong Kong | | ||
Lineage Hoogerheide B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Hoogerheide Propco B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage IA Cedar Rapids RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Ieper BV | Belgium | | ||
Lineage IJmuiden PropCo B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage IL Bartlett RE Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage IL Bartlett RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage IL Batavia RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage IL Bedford Park RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage IL Chicago & Lyons RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage IL Geneva RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Investment B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Italian Bidco S.r.l. | Italy | | ||
Lineage Jiuheng Logistics (HK) Group Company Limited | Hong Kong | | ||
Lineage Kolding ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage KS Olathe RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Larvik AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage Larvik Foods AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage Larvik Services AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage Larvik Tech AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage Lelystad B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Lelystad II PropCo B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Lelystad PropCo B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Logistics AFS, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Logistics Canada Holdings Ltd. | Canada | | ||
Lineage Logistics Canada Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Logistics CC Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Logistics HCS, LLC | Delaware | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Logistics Mandai Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | | ||
Lineage Logistics MTC, LLC | Maryland | | ||
Lineage Logistics MVI Ltd. | Canada | | ||
Lineage Logistics New Zealand | New Zealand | | ||
Lineage Logistics ORS Ltd. | Canada | | ||
Lineage Logistics ORS TRS LP | Canada | | ||
Lineage Logistics ORS TRS, GP Ltd. | Canada | | ||
Lineage Logistics PFS, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Logistics SCS, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Logistics Services, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Logistics Singapore Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Logistics Singapore Intermediate Holdings Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | | ||
Lineage Logistics Singapore Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | | ||
Lineage Logistics VLS GP Ltd. | Canada | | ||
Lineage Logistics, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Maasvlakte PropCo B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Manufacturing, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Master RE 3, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Master RE 4, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Master RE 5, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Master RE 6, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Master RE 7, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Master RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage MD Reisterstown RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Mezz 10, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Mezz 11, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Mezz 12, LLC | Delaware | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Lineage Mezz 2, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Mezz 6, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Mezz 7, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Mezz 8, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Mezz, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Milagro, S.L. | Spain | | ||
Lineage Moss Norway AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage Moss Propco Norway AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage Murcia, S.L.U. | Spain | | ||
Lineage NC Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage NE Gomez RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage NE Grand Island RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage NE Lincoln RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage NE Renfro RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Nederland PropCo B. V | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage NL 3 TRS B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage NL II TRS B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage NL TRS B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage NOCS Master RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Noord Scharwoude Propco B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Noord-Scharwoude B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Nordlog ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage Norway Holdings 2 AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage Norway Holdings 3 AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage Norway Holdings 4 AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage Norway Holdings AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage Norway Holdings I AS | Norway | | ||
Lineage NZ (CSN Holdings) | New Zealand | | ||
Lineage NZ Holdings | New Zealand | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Lineage NZ Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage NZ OpCo Holdings GP Limited | New Zealand | | ||
Lineage NZ OpCo Holdings LP | New Zealand | | ||
Lineage NZ TRS Limited | New Zealand | | ||
Lineage OP, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA Allentown RE Holding, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA Allentown RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA Bethlehem RE Holding, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA Bethlehem RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA Hazleton RE Holding, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA Hazleton RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA RE 2, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA RE Holdco 2, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA RE Holdco, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA TRS 2, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PA TRS, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PFS Chicago RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PFS IL Chicago III RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PFS MA Westfield RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PFS TX Houston RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage PFS WA Richland RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Redistribution, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Regstrup ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage Rijkevorsel BV | Belgium | | ||
Lineage Rijkevorsel Propco BV | Belgium | | ||
Lineage Road Transport Gameren B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Road Transport Service Bommelerwaard B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Romans-sur-Isere | France | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Lineage Rotterdam Cool Port B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Rotterdam Cool Port II B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Rotterdam CoolPort PropCo B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Rotterdam Eemhaven B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Rotterdam Maasvlakte B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Rotterdam PropCo B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage SCS WI, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage SE RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Seafreeze Leasehold RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Spain Holdings I, S.L. | Spain | | ||
Lineage Spain Transportation, S.L.U. | Spain | | ||
Lineage TN Arlington RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Transportation Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Transportation, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Treasury Europe B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage UK Admin Limited | United Kingdom | | ||
Lineage UK Holdings Limited | Guernsey | | ||
Lineage UK Intermediate Holdings Limited | Guernsey | | ||
Lineage UK Services Limited | United Kingdom | | ||
Lineage UK T&F Holdings Limited | United Kingdom | | ||
Lineage UK Transport Limited | United Kingdom | | ||
Lineage UK TRS Limited | United Kingdom | | ||
Lineage UK Warehousing Holdings Limited | United Kingdom | | ||
Lineage UK Warehousing Limited | United Kingdom | | ||
Lineage USG RE 1, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage UTI Acquisition B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage VA Chester RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage VA Portsmouth RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage VA Richmond RE, LLC | Delaware | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Lineage VA Sandston RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Vejle ApS | Denmark | | ||
Lineage Velsen PropCo B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Venlo B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Vlissingen Holding B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Vlissingen PropCo B. V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage WA Algona RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage WA Centralia RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage WA Columbia RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage WA POS RE 2, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage WA POS RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Waalwijk B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Waalwijk II B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineage Wauwatosa RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lineage Wisbech Ltd. | United Kingdom | | ||
Lineages Heerenberg B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Lineages Heerenberg Propco B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
LinkRich (S) Pte Ltd | Singapore | | ||
LL Cold ApS | Denmark | | ||
LL Cold TRS ApS | Denmark | | ||
LLH MRS Master RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
LLH MRS McDonough RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
LLH Topco Holdings TRS, LLC | Delaware | | ||
LLH TRS FSS RE Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Lundsoe Kol & Frys A/S | Denmark | | ||
Lytton I Trust | Australia | | ||
Lytton II Trust | Australia | | ||
Mandai Link Logistics Pte Ltd | Singapore | | ||
Mountain Dog Operating LLC | Massachusetts | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Nedenes Holding AS | Norway | | ||
New Orleans Cold Storage and Warehouse Company, LLC | Delaware | | ||
NOCS South Atlantic Cold Storage & Warehouse, LLC | Delaware | | ||
NOCS West Gulf, LLC | Delaware | | ||
NOVA Coldstore Corp. | Massachusetts | | ||
Pago Sp Z o.o. | Poland | | ||
Pago TRS sp Z o.o. | Poland | | ||
Partner Logistics Holding Belgium BV | Belgium | | ||
Perishable Shipping Solutions, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Pin Corporation Pte Ltd | Singapore | | ||
Polar Holdco, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Polarcold Stores Limited | New Zealand | | ||
Preferred Freezer Holdings, Inc. | Delaware | | ||
Preferred Freezer Logistics, LLC | New Jersey | | ||
Preferred Freezer ServicesAntara Holdings (Asia) Limited | Virgin Islands, British | | ||
Preferred Freezer Services (Vietnam) Ltd | Vietnam | | ||
Preferred Freezer Services China Holdings, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Preferred Freezer Services of Oakland, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Preferred Freezer Services, LLC | Delaware | | ||
Real Estate Gloucester Ltd. | United Kingdom | | ||
Real Estate Waalwijk B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Reefer Stevedoring IJmuiden B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Rotterdam Juice Terminal B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
SK Logistics Investment Joint Stock Company | Vietnam | | ||
Solomon Trust | Australia | | ||
Tax & Customs Services Tiel B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Teglverksveien Invest AS | Norway | | ||
Terminal Freezers, LLC | Delaware | |
Company Name |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
DBA Name (if any) | ||
Turvo India Pvt. Ltd. | India | | ||
Turvo, Inc. | Delaware | | ||
Unsworth Transport International Europe B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Unsworth Transport International Forwarding B.V. | Netherlands | UTI Forwarding | ||
UP LL RE, LLC | Delaware | | ||
UTI Forwarding (Poland) Sp z o.o. | Poland | | ||
UTI Holding B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
VersaCold Logistics Services | Canada | Lineage | ||
VersaCold Logistics Services GP Limited | Canada | Lineage Lineage Logistics | ||
Vriescentrale Asten B.V. | Netherlands | Lineage Asten | ||
Whakatu Coldstores Limited | New Zealand | | ||
Wisbech Propco Ltd. | United Kingdom | | ||
WK II B.V. | Netherlands | | ||
Woodstock Cold Storage (1990) Ltd. | Canada | | ||
Yearsley CS Limited | United Kingdom | | ||
Yearsley Food Limited | United Kingdom | | ||
Yearsley Group Limited | Guernsey | | ||
Y-Frost BV | Belgium | | ||
Zengistics, Inc. | Delaware | |
Exhibit 23.1
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KPMG LLP Suite 1900 150 West Jefferson Detroit, MI 48226 |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the use of our report dated March 8, 2024, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Lineage, Inc., included herein, and to the reference to our firm under the heading Experts in the prospectus.
/s/ KPMG LLP |
Detroit, Michigan
June 25, 2024
KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership and a member firm of
the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with
KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee.
Exhibit 23.4
CONSENT OF CBRE, INC.
We hereby consent to (1) the use of our name, and the description of our role and the reference to our firm under the caption Experts, in the Registration Statement on Form S-11 and the related prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (collectively, the Registration Statement) to be filed by Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (2) references to, and inclusion in, the Registration Statement of the of the CBRE, Inc. Market Study (the Market Study), including without limitation under the headings Prospectus Summary, Industry Overview and Business and Properties, and (3) the filing of this consent as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Dated: June 26, 2024
CBRE, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Becci Curry | |
Name: | Becci Curry | |
Title: | Head of Quality and Risk Management - Americas |
Exhibit 23.5
CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed by Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2024 and in all subsequent pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, and in any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the Registration Statement), as an individual to become a director of the Company and to the inclusion of the undersigneds biographical information in the Registration Statement.
/s/ Shellye Archambeau |
Name: Shellye Archambeau |
Dated: June 26, 2024
Exhibit 23.6
CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed by Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2024 and in all subsequent pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, and in any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the Registration Statement), as an individual to become a director of the Company and to the inclusion of the undersigneds biographical information in the Registration Statement.
/s/ John Carrafiell |
Name: John Carrafiell |
Dated: June 26, 2024
Exhibit 23.7
CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed by Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2024 and in all subsequent pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, and in any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the Registration Statement), as an individual to become a director of the Company and to the inclusion of the undersigneds biographical information in the Registration Statement.
/s/ Joy Falotico |
Name: Joy Falotico |
Dated: June 26, 2024
Exhibit 23.8
CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed by Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2024 and in all subsequent pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, and in any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the Registration Statement), as an individual to become a director of the Company and to the inclusion of the undersigneds biographical information in the Registration Statement.
/s/ Luke Taylor |
Name: Luke Taylor |
Dated: June 26, 2024
Exhibit 23.9
CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed by Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2024 and in all subsequent pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, and in any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the Registration Statement), as an individual to become a director of the Company and to the inclusion of the undersigneds biographical information in the Registration Statement.
/s/ Michael Turner |
Name: Michael Turner |
Dated: June 26, 2024
Exhibit 23.10
CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed by Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2024 and in all subsequent pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, and in any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the Registration Statement), as an individual to become a director of the Company and to the inclusion of the undersigneds biographical information in the Registration Statement.
/s/ Lynn Wentworth |
Name: Lynn Wentworth |
Dated: June 26, 2024
Exhibit 23.11
CONSENT TO BE NAMED AS A DIRECTOR NOMINEE
Pursuant to Rule 438 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed by Lineage, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2024 and in all subsequent pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, and in any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the Registration Statement), as an individual to become a director of the Company and to the inclusion of the undersigneds biographical information in the Registration Statement.
/s/ James Wyper |
Name: James Wyper |
Dated: June 26, 2024
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Table
Form S-11
(Form Type)
Lineage, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities
Security Type |
Security Class Title |
Fee Calculation or Carry Forward Rule |
Amount Registered |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1) |
Fee Rate |
Amount of Registration Fee(1) | |||||||||
Newly Registered Securities | ||||||||||||||||
Fees to Be Paid |
Equity | Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share | 457(o) | | | $100,000,000 | 0.00014760 | $14,760 | ||||||||
Fees Previously Paid |
N/A | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Total Offering Amounts | $100,000,000 | $14,760 | ||||||||||||||
Total Fees Previously Paid | | |||||||||||||||
Total Fee Offsets | | |||||||||||||||
Net Fee Due | $14,760 |
(1) | Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Includes the offering price of additional shares of common stock that the underwriters have the option to purchase. |